Recently, I hopped on the VIP bus heading to Vung Tau. Got off at Ba Ria and grabbed a “xe om” driver (motorbike taxi) to the nearest local bus stop. Then, enjoying the bus ride with the locals. After a while, I checked my phone. Real-time destination sharing in progress. At the endpoint was the Bamboo Master himself, waiting.
James Wolf, aka Bamboo Master, is living his dream. He has converted a container into his house. He plants and grows his own bamboo on his farm as well as harvesting and processing them. Once the bamboo is ready for production, they move them to his nearby factory.
The Bamboo Master himself at the farm
We went to the factory, preparing for our product photography shoot. Then, dinner time, and a long chat that lasted longer than the remaining evening.
James is all about sustainable farming and sustainable products. Unlike others, all his bamboo is at least 3 years old before harvest. This leads to a more durable and better product.
Wikipedia has a wealth of information and interesting tidbits about bamboo. The word bamboo originated from the Kannada term “bambu” and in Norway, bamboo is referred to as “bambus”.
Another interesting fact is that the fastest growing bamboo plants can grow up to 91 cm within 24 hours. That’s about 4 cm an hour.
I always knew that bamboo is strong, yet, not how strong until Wikipedia pointed out that bamboo has a higher specific compressive strength than wood, brick and even concrete. Bamboo also has a specific tensile strength that rivals steel.
In other words, bamboo is solid and a great material for furniture.
Bamboo is also the food of choice for pandas and bamboo sprouts are used as vegetables in many Asian dishes. That bamboo is versatile is an understatement.
Waking up and venturing around the farm as the sun came through is visual meditation. Endless opportunities for interesting captures. Here are some of them.
Waking up to watch the morning dew on the bamboo trees
Sunrise at the bamboo farm
In the bamboo forest
It’s not all bamboo, there are also banana trees at the farm
Ageing bamboo. After a few years outside, the bamboo attains beautiful greyish hues
The sunflower garden in front of the farmhouse. This is what you see when you wake up and venture outside
Bending bamboo – making the bamboo poles straight by using heat
The Bamboo Master performs QC (Quality Control)
Bamboo in storage
Tools & Bamboo
Nightfall
And here are a few of the lifestyle product shots of the Boo Hugger product range.
Chic Bamboo
Bathroom stool
Here is the link to the Boo Master website and here is the link to the Amazon Boo Hugger store.
