Holidays
Throughout the years I have spent considerable time in the Great Outdoors. Well... I've made some trips that resulted in interesting stories and nice pictures. I will write some stories on the trips. From what I see now, the larger trips could well result in something like a Word document with integrated pics: better to download, print and read it when you have time.
Let's see, where have I been...
Thailand. Cycling and diving. Marketplaces, monks, friendly people and good food. I split this in two:
| |
|
South America. From Colombia to Tierra del Fuego and back again. Stunning. The continent is so large, and the differences are huge. Out of the hundreds of shots I took, I made a small selection.
|
Galapagos (recommended) |
|
North Peru, the Atacama desert with the Huacas (pyramids) |
|
South Peru, Inca ruins and lake Titicaca area |
| |
| The desert between Bolivia and North Chile; salt flats, rock formations but also much more |
| |
| |
|
South Chile & South Argentina: Patagonia (recommended) |
Spain. To practice my Spanish we've been to Spain a couple of times. Oh, and it's a good for touring with the MG and trekking with backpacks as well!
| |
|
Through France, the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa to Santiago de Compostella. |
|
Tibet, Nepal and India. Amazing.
Madeira, island of flowers. But it also offers great opportunities for hard-core trekking.
Dog sledding in Sweden en Norway. One week sledding from Valadalen, one week skiing in Are.
Turkey. No car, but great fun.
Planning & budgetting (still to complete)
A note on photo equipment
When I first started, I bought myself a small Olympus Superzoom 110. Worked just fine, but I got the impression that I could do much better. Certainly when I compared the clarity and sharpness with the results of others. Of course they told me that it was not only good equipment, but also your personal development as a photographer. So I bought myself a 24-85 (f3.5-4.5) Minolta lens, a 70-210 (f3.5-4.5) Sigma - older model, so better - and a Minolta Dynax 800si body. That's what I take along on my trips now. It's not lightweight, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. It has turned in to be something of a hobby; when on holiday I try to improve my "eye" and try to improve my technique. Or even around home.
However, when looking at the pics, please be aware that I do not have a couple of days to take the Ultimate picture. I got to take a picture here & now. Bad weather, heavy seas, fast moving boat, strong light or fatigue - I cannot wait till conditions get better or suit my 100 ASA slide film. It's travel photography, after all. In short: this is not National Geographic. Though these Nat Geo pro-pics make my mouth water and make me realize that I have so much to learn! Even looking at the pics without comparison, I see they can be improved upon. ...well, that's it: I got to go back to all these beautiful places and try again! ...anyone wants to join?