Hoi An Getaway March 2011 – Open for bookings
November 28th, 2010
Our Hoi An Getaway is open for registration now. look also at the comments and additions on the bottom of the post.
Book here: jamieboyd@eyesonasia.net
Click on the flyer for better reading
Hoi An Getaway March 25th-28th 2011
The Eyes on Asia Getaways are a series of travel photography trips led by Award Winning travel photographer Felix Hug and his producer Jamie Boyd.
Each trip explores personally scouted locations. We enjoy each others company taking images, travel, wine and dine and stay in cosy hotels whenever possible.
While we take our images and photography seriously and try to improve on it, we have our priorities on the experience itself.
Our groups are intentionally small, with max 10-14pax and with more then 6 pax we travel with an additional guest photographer to give you additional advice with a different viewpoint.
Beginners and pros are both welcome.
We produce a coffee table book from each trip and have a photography challenge to win a Canon camera, sponsored by Canon Singapore.
Sounds interesting? Sign up now!
Here is what some of our participants have to say 
:
Madvhee:
“I know Felix and Jaime, the key members of Eyes on Asia for sometime now. Jaime is great at whatever she does. She makes you feel at home even at the remotest locations with her exceptional organising skills.
Well, when it comes to photography Felix is my Guru. Till now I have done 3 workshops with him. Two of them were Getaways: Siem Reap, Cambodia and Lombok, Indonesia. Both the time my respect for Felix as a teacher and photographer has grown manyfold.
During the trip, Felix was very patient; he would answer all my questions (sometimes most basic and silliest) in depth with theory and practical applications. He does not hesitate in sharing his vast experience as a professional travel photographer. Felix’s method of evaluating the photos on the spot (on LCD screen) is really helpful. I would like to quote Felix here, “Before you leave the scene, check your screen and look at the images. Do not walk away, unless you are certain you have what you came for. There is still time to take some more images, but once you packed up.. only regrets will remain, if you missed out on something”. In moments when you are clueless Felix would click a photo with his camera to show you what he means. This is in particular helpful to understand the same subjects in a new light.
In spite of so many feathers in his cap, Felix does not have any air about himself. On the field he is just like a friend with authority on the subject.
I would highly recommend Eyes on Asia getaways to anyone, who is interested in travel and photography. It also goes without saying that I would go on these getaways as many times as possible.”
Mervyn:
“If you like travelling with time to snap awesome pics but not wanting to spoil the relaxation and enjoyment… Eyes On Asia getaways just the right thing for you…
I met Felix on a half day review in Singapore in 2008. But having a conversation with the laid back him, you can see and feel that he sees and interprets images / moments differently.
And being recently finishing an enjoyable 5days with EOA Chiang Mai getaway… I have learnt alot not just from Felix but also the other participants. On photography, on life, on travelling… etc…
It is a slow and steady trip taking into concerns everyone’s pace and needs and abilities… everything is taken care of by the wonderful EOA producer Jamie… so again… let me summarize… if you like travelling, if you like photography… if you wish to relax and enjoy… EOA getaways are a must go…”
Sandra:
“Just putting an object on the side and having two thirds of space without anything going on, is rather pointless’, Felix told me when I went to a Saturday class of his. Realising that just following rules without really knowing why doesn’t make a lot of sense, but his statement did. So I tried it out and found it not always easy, but it helped me to give my pictures more depth.
Just this statement helped me so much in making my pictures more interesting that I really wanted to go on one of his getaways.
And believe me, I didn’t regret it. Everything was so well organisied by Jamie that we just could lean back and enjoy taking pictures, discussing different apertures and shutter speeds and comparing the results. Sometimes you realised even though you’ve been at the same spot, your pictures looked completely different.
It was a great environment to improve my photographic skills and I felt so at home with Jamie, Felix and James. It was just great. A big thank you to all of you.”
Beeing part of the trip to Hoi An in February 2010 was a rare treat for me. It was a first for me. And Hoi An really is a vibrant and colourful small city. The kindness of the people, the variety in shops and markets, and specially the light-up of the lanterns was an incredible experience. Not to mention the gorgeous food. Sadly I will not be able to join the next workshop.
This is the text from our last years challenge winner Stanley Yeo:
“ I WITNESSED HOI AN ! ”
Perhaps it’s the string of early morning sunrises, the whiff of fish in the air, the quaint little
streets with the tinkling of the bicycle bells, or the endless pursuit of that perfect frame;
Hoi An has certainly left an etch on me even more so as this was my inaugural visit to
Vietnam.
Each morning, I awake to muted darkness. As I walked to Cam Nam Bridge, the sky steadily
turns into a soothing blue ballad and just as the sun peeks through the horizon, the sky
surrenders to a jazzy remix of yellow and orange. While this symphony begins at first light,
the local fishermen start returning from the sea with the catch of the day. As their wives
wait at the dock to take, deliver and retail the catch at the Hoi An Central Market.
Sunshine is a welcome thing; it brings a lot of brightness, as I experienced the supreme
pleasure of capturing angels on wheels. On the Cam Nam Bridge, I encountered
Vietnamese high school young women cycling to school dressed in the traditional white
uniform (áo dài) – such gracefulness and elegance, yet demure – a classic shot.
Another daily phenomenon is by the jetty during mornings and evenings where working
locals and school teens use the boats as a commute across the Hoai River. Drizzles of eager
tourist would stroll by to claim a stake in the action. I think these must be the most
photographed school teens in Vietnam. I too am guilty of this although I made sure to stay
out of the way.
In the harshness of the sun, I passed by an old souvenir shop teeming with local
momentous from wall to wall, I looked inside and saw a young lady in a white áo dài. I got
my camera ready and waited with the frame in mind. After some fruitless tries, I captured
her in movement in the doorway with stillness at 1/400sec amidst hints of mystery.
As urbanization is inevitable, I anticipate that Hoi An will no longer be the same as many
resorts and hotels are scheduled to open in three years. Although Hoi An is protected by
UNESCO World Heritage and the locals are currently tolerable with paparazzis at the jetty
and market, my apprehension is that as the cash registers start ringing the tinkling of the
bicycle bells may sound to a different tune. Perhaps it’s Hoi An’s un‐trampled charming
innocence that has left in me a sense of nostalgia I will not forget. Perhaps.
Written by :
Stanley Yeo
Entrepreneur & Fan of Eyes on Asia.
March 2010.
Thanks, Felix, for uploading my article.
The Hoi An Getaway 2010 was truly an unforgettable experience for me. Thank you, Felix and Jamie, for a great trip. Hoi An has so much history and life packed into such a small little town. I like to think of Hoi An resembling a ‘secret’ location hidden away off the beaten track. Part of me doesn’t mind sharing how awesome this location is. But the other part of me doesn’t want this ‘secret’ to get out. In my own words, Hoi An is one of those fragile places effortlessly broken or tarnish if herds of tourists begin rolling in. I’ll stop here and trust that you will understand when I say I’ve said too much.