The above was taken at a traditional tofu factory located in Solo City. Actually, without our guides, we would never have found this factory that was tucked innocuously on a street. The lady in the picture was emptying soya bean husks to use as fuel to heat the cauldron in which tofu were being deep fried. The title of the shot is taken from the first line of a Chinese classical poem written in 430 A.D. famously known as 七步诗, or the “7-steps verse” more about which you can read here.
This was taken at the same spot (in Kemuning Tea Plantation) at almost the same time as this picture posted by my father during our trip to Solo City earlier in February this year. A slightly different framing, with a slightly different feel!
Travelling from Solo City, we hired a couple of sampans to take us out onto Lake Rawa Pening right at the break of dawn. The name Rawa Pening literally means “clear swamp”. Its clear waters provided beautiful reflections of the surrounding area including views of the neighbouring Mount Merapi, an active volcano that erupted as recently as in 2006. The boatman we hired posed gamely for us by casting his fishing net into the clear waters. Rapid clicking of camera shutters followed his beautifully balanced poise and action.