Robinson Crusoe Island Photo

Photographer’s Note

The overnight boat from Sibolga to Nias Island off the west coast of Sumatra only runs 2-3 days a week, & as luck would have it, I arrived in Sibolga the day after it left. I had the following day free, while I waited for the next Nias boat, so I hired a prahu (local outrigger canoe), to take me to a near-deserted island in Sibolga Bay. I think it was named Poncan Godang Island, or Mursala island. Not sure which. There was only 1 fishermans hut on the island back then, which I walked about 7 km around, to rendevous with the prahu about 4 pm for the 20 minute trip back to Sibolga. The Sibolga Marina Resort, which was built since this was taken, appears to have closed in 2002. There were many casualties, & much damage in this area, (especially Sibolga town), from the recent tsunami. :(

One of the coconut trees has fallen into the sea. It looked liked a rock with green algae on it, until I saw the entire thumbnail.

bantonbuju, PixelTerror, spence, alainh, Kenny10pin, jrj, carper, nwoehnl, PLD_images, anakin, longpt, aznegrao, MLINES has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

naret (826) 2005-01-05 4:03

Hi Chris,
Nice shot. The geometric shape in this picture make it standing out. Did you darken the sky in photoshop?

Naret

bantonbuju (48358) 2005-01-05 4:05

hi chris, wait for me until we have summer here - im going to torture you with nice shots, too :))
great compo - what i like most is the vertical framing, nice

alford (3897) 2005-01-05 4:22

Wonderful beach photo, Chris, a great addition to your beach pics. Coconut trees bending towrds the beach are amazing to look at, their curves are crazy! The waters looks fine, too, very tempting for a swim. rgds!

ma-tibou (4566) 2005-01-05 5:09

Bonjour Chris, toujour un dépaysement total, image de paradis, merci.
amitié/ Martine.

PixelTerror (86036) 2005-01-05 5:21

Hi Chris, you could also have named this one "Lost Eden", the coconut trees lying over the water and the white sandy beach produce their spectacular paradise effect ! So sad this fine area and the people living there have been washed out...

RGatward (19737) 2005-01-05 5:51

Nice shot, and interesting note. Curious tha that the resort closed so recently, I wonder what they were doing wrong that the Thais and Malaysians get so right.

spence (1679) 2005-01-05 6:29

Hi Chris. I read your note and thought "Paradise Lost" even before I read Jean Yves's comment. I like the pov here, which accentuates the fantastic angle of the coconut palms.

alainh (35349) 2005-01-05 8:48

hello Chris
an amazing other one. eden island before the tsunami. it's incredible what it hapened !
regards
alain

Kenny10pin (19301) 2005-01-05 10:35

Another beautiful shot, I like the tropical shot, it makes Nagoya in Japan a little warmer, well done

jrj (34779) 2005-01-05 10:59

Another grand looking paradise place in your series Chris. All the leaning palms I guess due to eruption problems, no good soil for roots. Well made cropping.

carper (64194) 2005-01-05 13:57

very good shot Chris,
The photo is very complete with your good note, the angle you took is very nice , the colours are good and the depth is very nice, good job

nwoehnl (118) 2005-01-05 14:20

Again the strong diagonals from the leaning coconut trees, Chris - and again they make a fine compositional interest. Very hard to look at this in the light of recent events, but it's of course a good photo of a lovely scenery.

Rockyboy (20580) 2005-01-05 18:06

Another nice picture from Indonesia. This region is unfortunatly unknow from foreigners (even before the tsumani)... I hope also the conflicts there will end now...

PLD_images (7141) 2005-01-05 20:34

Hello Chris,

With the really cold weather that we have over here, this photo is so nice to look at. It's also sad because of the recent events. I like the angle you have chosen.

anakin (2775) 2005-01-06 11:24

Un angulo muy bueno que tiene como resultado una bonita estampa...Una nota muy interesante
Well done

longpt (947) 2005-01-07 1:29

HI Chris,
Your beautifull picture of the sea shore. At this time, I just thing it must be taken before the day of Dec 26.
We all never forget Tsunami in Asia and Afica last time.

aznegrao (10230) 2005-01-10 16:46

Linda composição Chris!!!. As cores e o enquadramento transmitem toda a beleza do lugar. Gostei tambem da nota, parabens.
Greetings.

kham_aysha (0) 2005-03-16 21:50

hi chris,
good job after the tsunami disaster on the beach. this make me feel Kuta beach not a beautiful beach anymore..
i like the angle of shot and make me feel someday i must be there, even i can visit kuta beach and padang padang beach everytime i want coz i life in Bali.very very beautiful beach pic and story,

kham

MLINES (10842) 2006-01-12 5:42

This is a classic sea coast pic, with the palms out over the water. Many Aussie surfers go to Nias for the fantastic surf they have in some sections. TFS.

foozi (4589) 2009-03-11 16:40

Hi Chris,
it feels wonderful to hear you put up some Malay words in your critique. Thanks. I gives a different feeling.
You have trvelled a lot and you have seen a lot. Such a great experience treasured and share with us.
This beach scenery is lovey with blue sky and calm water. Well taken and beautifully presented, with the coconuts trees giving a lovely view.

regards,
Foozi