Chinese Quake teaching Compassion ?

If the Sichuan earthquake happened in Japan or USA, there would have been many more survivors," he said with agitation. "Our rescue rate of less than 1 in 10 was very low."In China some matters are strictly for the government. Politics is for the Communist party-state. Ordinary folk may pursue private goals. Beijing trusts the people with their money, but not with their minds. But the Sichuan earthquake, throwing everyone naked into the air, momentarily bridged the divide.

more here.

More Noosa photos

1. Noosa Main beach on a busy day.
2. sunlight noosa Nat. park
3. Noosa nat park sea edge

Photos from "The Great Walk" - Sunshine Coast

0.maps of the walk . (red dot shows location)

1. Mapleton Falls
2. Gherulla creek
3. my setup at Ubajee Campsite
4. Gherulla Falls

5. Fallen tree

6. Gherulla creek

(click on a picture for a larger version)

At the beginning of this year, I went on a 2 day solo. walk in the hinterland. Finally have the photos developed, so here they are.

It's a very scenic walk, with nice campsites made by the Nat parks authorities.
I tested out my new "Luxe mini-peak" Pyramid tent, which weighs about 1700 kg with inner mesh tent and pegs, and cost much less than Macpac tents and other well-known brands.

uses a trekking pole in the center.. and is rather like the Black Diamond "mega mid" pyramid tent.

when you do multiple-day walks, every gram counts... so I look for ultra-light solutions.

There's a whole movement out there, called "ultra-light backpacking", with websites, gear...

Anyways, the jungle was very pretty - awesome trees . and all this quite close to awesome beaches - it's a good part of the world to live in.

http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/great_walks/sunshine_coast_hinterland/

Olivier Follmi Photographs

I saw Follmi's photographs a few years ago and was awed. He captures the grandeur and spirituality of the Himalayas. Is French, lives in Haute Savoie, has adopted Tibetan kids. Has lived in Zanskar, Tibet.... mountaineered in the Himalayas quite a fellow.

See his best photos on his website:

http://www.follmi.com/en/portfolios-follmi/portfolio.html