Birthday party in paradise

We spent the weekend traveling 14 hours each way,by plane,ferry and bus,
to Sumbawa Besar,an island near Bali,
The town was celebrating its 50th birthday,a nice break from the city.

Arriving at the ferry with enough time for a shot or two..just.

Sunset was a treat,heading out to sea.

Local boys dive off the ferry and ropes as it leaves.

At the show,view from the crowd.

Tonight,many of the city's finest musicians will play a benefit show at Iwan Fal's place for The Red Crescents'
fund for aid to the Palestinian people...last week,we raised half a mill,and counting....
-it will be a serious rock show...I'm psyched !

Love the shot of the boy on the rope!

I love the first shot! I like hearing about where and what you are doing there. I learn so much more here than photography! Well done Susaan :)

Thanks Lori and Jetrim,
-the huge smile on his face is barely visible,just a flash of white,really,made me glad I had taken it.

More from the party...



1-Luthfi ,our latest Indonesian percussionist outlines Wahab in his drum.

2-Ali M. getting funky.

3-guys getting in some last min. rehearsal,note box used as drum.

4-Ladies dressed in silk Batik sarongs,backstage.

5-Fan gets overcome during our rendering of the local anthem,"Sumbawa",joins lead singer onstage,camera in hand...flashes...

I love seeing pictures of your adventures Susaan. I went to listen to Sarayda again to get in the mood for these pictures...its still my favorite. The picture of the boy on the rope is outstanding, its so simple and beautiful.

Thanks Dana,
wish I'd got a close-up,too,but the ferry was moving out,and we only had a second.

We've been busy for weeks,this is the first chance I've had to stop and catch up,here.
Sarayda used to be mine,too-now I'm obsessed with "Emshab" (Tonight).It can move me to tears,and I've heard it hundreds of times,-its about a meeting of lovers,in the classic Sufi style. You can hear it at-
http://www.myspace.com/mustafaprojects
-We all have profiles here from years ago,as its good for contacting other musicians around the world.,some of whom we work with,over the net.

>> I'm obsessed with "Emshab"
Not something to listen to on tiny speakers, it needs a decent system to do it justice.
I just wish I understood the lyrics, I love Mustafa's voice and the subtle background vocals.

Excellent! It really does look like paradise. So nice to wear such gorgeous sarongs.... *le sigh*

Cool photos susaan. I like the small boat and sun beam coming down in the background particularly.

Thanks for the images and the music which is a treat all by itself! I'm picking up a good friend returning to the cold from Chennai in a few days. He's in for about a 70 degree temperature shock!

I always look forward to your posts.

Of them all I think the photo of Luthfi and Wahab is the best of the band.

Thank you,

drg-we love the climate,here,but traveling always results in some runny noses,make sure your friend keeps warm,especially on the trip home from the airport,when he is most vulnerable !

Megan,those sarongs are the greatest multi-purpose clothing,
-men and women sport a less fancy version for everyday,they can be found in ethnic shops all over the US,or made from stitching shut a 2m length of soft rayon fabric...
-and expecting/nursing mums shoot very nicely in them,especially the Bali fringed variety.

Smart wombat,
I appreciate the feedback on both photos and music,while not my best work,it gives a sense of the fun.
If the light is really terrible often I just set on auto,and am grateful for a few shots for the fansite.
Sorry,there is no English version of "Emshab",but perhaps the original Spanish, ?

ESTA NOCHE

Esta noche, Amor, somos los invitados de Tí,

Sea noche o no, siempre pertenecemos a Tí.

Dondequiera que estemos, dondequiera que vayamos

Siempre en Tu banquete nos quedamos.



Somos formas por Tu mano formadas

Por Tu gracia y abundancia sustentadas.

Como palomas en Tu palomar criadas

Por Tu palacio continuamente volando.



Cada vez que pones algo en las imaginaciones

Nos hacemos como lápidas para Tus inscripciones.

No tememos ni salteador ni ladrón

Porque somos como oro en Tu arcón.



Somos de las alturas hacía arriba seguimos

Somos de la mar, y a la mar volveremos.

Somos del más allá, no somos de aquí

Procedemos del vacío y volveremos así.



La vía de la verdad es aun más estrecha

Que el ojo de aguja y aun más fina.

Mientras nosotros estamos pasando por ella

Atravesando el ojo como una hebra. (x2)