…a look back at the destinations my cameras have travelled to this past year.
Exactly one year ago my wife and I were in Phoenix Arizona at our good friends Roland & Denise’s, celebrating New Years Eve.
We had just returned from a two week trip to Hawaii, the Big Island. Let me tell you, it was breathtaking!
The colourful array of beaches and its sea life, the great abundance of fruit, and of course the cascading lava flowing into the pacific ocean…this island is a photographer’s paradise. Here, nothing is impossible! It is home to 14 climate zones and in just one day your camera can be found at the beach, in the rainforest, on the ski slopes and in lava-coated deserts!
I especially enjoyed the helicopter ride over Volcanoes National Park where I was witness to new land in the making!
The Big Islanders grow macadamia nuts and coffee on a large scale and you can also buy chocolate macadamia nut spread.
If you are on the Big Island have breakfast at “Paul’s Place Cafe” in Hilo and dinner at the “Kona Inn”, you won’t regret it!
Arizona was of course a highlight too! I always enjoy it there, especially in winter. I spent some time exploring Tucson and its surroundings, as well as Phoenix. I loved taking the old Senator Road to Crown King! It’s an old gold mining town between Phoenix and Prescott. All dirt roads and a hell of a ride!
In spring we had a wedding to attend in good old England. I wasn’t the photographer but the bride was at our wedding 6 years ago. All the best Phebe and Adam!
A few smaller trips followed, one to the Alsace in France, to the medieval town of Obernai, another to Germany, where we went to the Abenteuer Allrad Show in Bad Kissingen and, of course we did spend some time at our favourite campground in Langwiesen, near Schaffhausen, as we do every year.
In August we did a trip to Südtirol in Italy. We camped in a town called Naturns, located just north of Meran. Naturns is a great gateway to a range of hiking trails, cycle routes and ski slopes both in winter and summer. The highlight for me, however, was getting that brand new drone up in the air!
Must sees are:
- The most beautiful Dolomites; simply majestic!
- The Pragser Wildsee is also very picturesque.
- The drive over Stelvio Pass (2757m) and Umbrail. Even though there is a lot of people driving the famous Stelvio, it’s still the second highest paved Mountain pass in Europe. The highest being Col de l’Iseran in France (2770m).
The final trip of the year brought me to Spain. First stop, Barcelona which I loved and will certainly revisit. Then onto Aguilas, situated in the province of Murcia. Since my uncle Luck and auntie Gitty have been living there for over 30 years, I have had the wonderful opportunity to capture this southern coastal town many many times. So…what’s left for a photographer like me? Well, I definitely became a better drone pilot, enjoying Aguilas from above.
Happy New Year to you all! I’m looking forward to a “travelsome” 2018 – see you then.
Cheers!
Richie
