Indonesia Quake Death Toll Soars

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) — Relief and rescue crews and medical teams on Saturday raced to help the victims of the strong earthquake that rocked the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta and adjacent areas along the southern coast of Indonesia’s Java island. The 6.2 magnitude quake that struck just before 6 a.m. (7 p.m. ET, 11 p.m. GMT Friday) shook and rippled through a heavily populated region, killing at least 271 people, injuring hundreds, and leveling and damaging many structures. (Updata: ReutersRead more

Chimera: Tea Plantations Exposed in the Foreground

Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave in. – Ricky Fitts, American Beauty The same image as yesterday, but this was better exposed for the tea plantation in the foreground. I think I like this version much better. I hope to make a 40cm x 60cm print of this later in the week if all goes well. I feel like so much of my time hereRead more

Chimera

A volcanic journey only hours from my home in Indonesia. The fading sunlight provided only a moment to capture these rays before they gave up the struggle to night. Near Bandung, Indonesia – on the other side of the volcano: Tankuban Perahu. Another couple went with us for a quick escape from the madness of Jakarta; something I highly recommend even on a ‘normal’ weekend. With the worlds’ eyes focusing on Mount Merapi, I’d like to make note that althoughRead more

Mount Merapi

MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia – Villagers burned incense and floated offerings to the spirits, hoping to ward off an eruption of Mount Merapi, but activity at the volcano intensified on Monday with one blast sending ash, rock and gases more than two miles down the slope. A scientist warned on Sunday that a growing lava dome could collapse. On Monday, as activity increased, villagers who had not left were told to stand by for possible evacuation and waited in groups byRead more