Back in time : Kuala Lumpur

It’s Sunday and where I live it’s now Tier 2 of the latest Covid-designated level of restrictions. Tier 1 being Medium risk, 2 meaning High and Tier 3 is the absolutely no mingling stay home, pub-closing variety. Anyway the scientists (who listen to scientists anymore, I wonder) say all these tiers are confusing and pointless, since the virus cannot read and they fly around in the boundary-less air with the wind, and they will come and infect you whether you are drinking in the pub, exercising in the gym or do sweaty yoga unless you are in Westminster and your name is Dominic or so they say.

But I digress. Here are some pictures of KL central, from way back, yes in 2008, when I was hoping to be a successful ‘street’ photographer (don’t we all) since almost every photowalk that has ever been organised that I recall always starts in Petaling Street and teaches street photography.

Has it changed? I wonder where these people are today, their faces frozen in time. Do you recognise them, it would surely be interesting to know. Apologies for the garish oversaturated colours, but like sepia and spot colouring, it was in trend back then. I’m more into muted tones now.

Elizabeth’s garden /1

My neighbour Elizabeth is an elderly spinster who has been very ill ever since I moved in next door to her last year. She is bedridden and does not go out, and she gets visits from carers several times a day to feed and care for her. Since February this year, she deteriorated and I understand she is now staying in a local care home.

Her garden is completely overgrown but there grows some beautiful wild weed, roses, blackberries and shady trees.

Winter into Spring

Discovering that all the local trees have sprouted their leaves and blooming with flowers since we entered the lockdown in early March, I took a walk along the towpaths of the River Wey about 15 minutes away.

On a small private island, there is a public park with many mature trees, some are in full bloom, like this one, a hawthorn. Simply magical, shady and fragrant.

Istanbul : East Meets West


© Steven Lee, 1998

New dates 30 Sept~ 3 Oct 6-10 October 2010 : 4 Days £450 Booking now

Itinerary : TBA

I visited Istanbul in 1998, traveling across Turkey, from Gallipoli, down south to Izmir, Ephesus, Kusadasi and Pammukale. The Bosphorus harbour is a hive of activity, not unlike Hong Kong, with ferryboats to-ing and fro-ing from East to West Istanbul, people fishing, fishing boats, petty traders, newspaper sellers and freshly grilled sardines by the waterfront. Standing majestically in the backdrop on hill is the unmistakable Haghia Sophia dome with its minarets reaching out into the heavens.


© Steven Lee, 1998

We hope to return to Istanbul with a small group to do it justice again, photographing the narrow streets in Sultanahmet, the palaces and history buildings, and of course the amusing residents of this great City.


We are also Booking now!

Rajasthan, Land of Kings

Rajasthan, Land of Kings , India : 10 – 21 November 2010 : 12 Days £1850** Booking now!