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Bob Latif

@wheresbobthen

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Scuba, Photography, Food, Laughter & Kindness.
All 📸 mine, except the non-selfies with me obviously!
Portraits @bobsdoingportraits

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Cuthona Yamasui - one of the prettiest Nudibranches I have seen here. It's almost more beautiful from behind than front on! I remain in wonder and awe at the delicacy, variety and abundance of these incredible critters here in Tioman.

Thank you also to my friend @kenjicheow for helping find and then photograph these tiny wonders.

#macrophotography
#underwatermacrophotography
#scubadiving
#underwaterphotography
#scubaphoto
#travel taken in Amigo Dive Center Juara Tioman by @wheresbobthen

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a year ago

Soooo... I have done lots of interesting things in my life, jumping off of a burning boat has thankfully evaded me till now.

On the 19th of April, I was on the beautiful @scubasceneliveaboard sailing from Hurghada in Egypt heading towards the #thistlegorm wreck and then #Tiran and Ras Mohammed for a week of diving with my good American friends.

On my way to breakfast I noticed some smoke coming from the engine room, below decks. Initially I was not worried. Many a boat spews diesel from cold engines and it was a windy day so I thought the wind was blowing back the exhaust.

Ironically, we were asked to do a practise fire drill and jokingly we commented how the crew had made it extra realistic with the smoke.

When the muster bell rang, I headed down to my cabin to get life vests for myself and my cabin buddy. There was already a lot of smoke in the passageways and cabin. Choking, I quickly grabbed the vest and headed up to muster on the Bow as previously instructed.

Passing the gangway on the starboard side I had to pass through an open bay door, by now spewing out thick black smoke. I held my breath and went through the smoke to meet everyone on the Bow.

I was still not overly concerned. I have spent a lot of time on boats and engine issues are common. The wind was really blowing and may have contributed to fanning sparks and flames.

Things turned very quickly.

We got the order to evacuate and quickly went down the Port side gangway to the stern of the boat to start climbing/jumping into the dinghies. The woman in front of me almost went in to the water missing her step. The flames had already taken hold and were now fully visible on the starboard side.

I saw a crew member collecting sea water in a small bucket and remember thinking that was a waste of time.

Thankfully the crew also quickly decided to abandon ship and get into the second dinghy.

We all escaped safely and relatively unhurt.

I am deeply grateful to the crew and our guides for everything they did to help save our lives, and look after us later on.

I also want to mention everyone who has reached out to check on me and wished me well. Thank you xxx

#fire #emergency #boatfire #sinking taken in Hurghada, Egypt by @wheresbobthen

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4 years ago

A day never to forget!

I have found the Thresher Shark encounters here profoundly moving. I am uncertain as to why these particular animals elicit such high emotions in me, but I am certain that if each of us had one animal that did it for them, this would be mine.

Utterly joyous ❤️ taken in Malapascua Island, Cebu, Philippines by @wheresbobthen

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2 years ago

I love any form of art that depicts human faces. Whether photography, painting, drawings, sculpture, etchings, castings...

The National Portrait Gallery in London is always a wonderful diversion in central London and thoroughly recommended, and like most London Museums it is free to enter.

#nationalportraitgallery
#portraits
#humanfaces
#hsfkportraitaward

https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/hsf-kramer-portrait-award-2026/ taken in National Portrait Gallery by @wheresbobthen

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16 days ago

Despite the less than ideal weather, Zhangjiajie National Park has been an extraordinary glimpse into the natural wonders throughout this enormous park. Breathtaking scenery combined with comprehensive logistics had made this one of the most memorable immersions in extraordinarily beautiful karst pillars. taken in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park by @wheresbobthen

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a month ago

I was definitely in two minds whether to go to the Great Wall or not. I have seen a thousand pictures, heard stories of the place being overrun, commercialised, soulless... I have always thought that whilst it's useful to hear and read opinions, in the end you have to see and feel a place for yourself. Opinions are subjective and dependent on so many factors. Anyway, I obviously went, but with the benefit of good research by my other half. Don't go to Badaling, it's mobbed. Instead, try Mutinayu or Jinshanling. Jinshanling needs hiking so Mutinayo it was. Turn up on a weekday late afternoon. The tours have all gone and the chairlifts and Toboggans close at 5pm. Stick around till then and the place pretty much empties.

Long story long, even the busiest places can be had to yourself with some planning.

I faced the same dilemma at the Great Wall at the Taj. How do you capture a place so well known and make it interesting?

There is approximately 13,000 miles or 21,000km of wall across China. It's an incredible feat of engineering, tenacity and super human effort. To build a structure like this with regular watch towers along the top ridge of mountains. Small sections such as this have been restored but the majority lie in ruins.

Have you been? Did you like it?

Despite all my reservations, I actually really enjoyed the afternoon.

I hope you enjoy the images.

Bob taken in Mutianyu, Great Wall by @wheresbobthen

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a month ago

Shanghai old town...

Fully restored on the outside now, with still some work going on. However, the place is packed full of beautiful buildings, restaurants and shops taken in Yuyuan Old Street by @wheresbobthen

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2 months ago

Chinese girls seem to really love dressing up and have their photos taken by 'professionals'!

I first saw this dress up play in Korea but here in China it's on another level! taken in China中国 by @wheresbobthen

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2 months ago

Like many cities in the world, Shanghai has had to reinvent itself. In addition to all the new construction, and there is a lot of that, there is an attempt to repurpose abandoned industrial spaces into arts and commercial hubs.

This disused slaughter house is one of the more unusual buildings I have had the pleasure to play with! Filled with deep shadows and intense light, it literally begs you to bring a camera and explore the complex and intertwining concrete layers combined with other materials. The space just screams,odd! It's hard to fathom why such a gruesome and base place killing millions of animals every year would have needed to be so architecturally interesting! Boggles the mind!

I really enjoyed the few hours messing around in this space and I hope at least some of you might enjoy this style of photography as much as I do! taken in Shanghai,china by @wheresbobthen

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2 months ago

I really enjoyed my first time exploring Shanghai. It's not exactly what I expected to be honest. It's a thoroughly modern city that has grown rapidly in the last thirty years. The incredible skyline is mesmerising in its scale, variety and colour. The waterfront is well used as the city boasts a lot of green spaces.

What I wasn't expecting was the missing heart of the city. The old dwellings with inhabitants still keeping old ways alive. There are a few pockets of old houses left, but they are mostly boarded up awaiting their inevitable fates. The restored old town including its Intricate royal gardens feels more like a theme park than an area keeping history alive. Am I being too nostalgic?

Don't get me wrong, my wistful ramblings are not a criticism but an observation. I liked Shanghai for its boldness and bling. The people confident and relaxed. It's a tech savvy city where everything just seems to work

I would gladly come back to taste more of its delicious food and enjoy its kind people taken in Shanghai,china by @wheresbobthen

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2 months ago

taken in London, United Kingdom by @wheresbobthen

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4 months ago

G U A T E M A L A C I T Y - 3

Everyone told me not to bother with Guatemala City. Whilst I agree that it wasn't the best looking city centre I have ever seen, there was more than enough to catch my eye. The central square and royal Palace were interesting and the city is dotted with Art Deco architectural details. They say if you really want to understand a place then go to its food markets. I wanted to try all the unfamiliar fruit and veg in the market. So tempting!

Definitely worth at least one full day taken in Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. by @wheresbobthen

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4 months ago