Through the eyes of a travelling photographer
Some of my regular subscribers may have wondered why I’ve been slow at posting lately.
I’ve been busy building a new website for my new photography website.
I shall keep this going, and have further plans to move this whole blog across to the root directory, of warrenwilliams.co.nz with a new design etc.
In the meantime, please keep checking by my new site,
http://www.williamsphotography.co.nz –
After our beach excursions, Angus and I headed back to his family home in Santo Estevam (St Stephen’s) to experience Christmas. We attended a Christmas service in the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, whilst witnessing the village of Santo Estevam transforming with celebrations, lights and many nativity scenes.
Neighbours
Friendly family in the village
Boxing Day was spent chilled in the village, and eating several feasts đ
After finally receiving some more adequate sleep, Angus and I ventured off via taxi to the north of Mumbai, to his family home in Evershine Nagar, Malad West. What a way to experience true Indian traffic firsthand! – The fairly short journey took a whopping two and a half hours, so I managed to admire the surroundings in the scorching street heat and snap a few shots.
Rickshaw driver
Our taxi being filled with CNG – commonplace in Mumbai
Pun of the recent movie “3 idiots” on the back of a rickshaw
Clearly on a road with no traffic
Once we had reached the neighbourhood of Evershine Nagar, Angus and I decided to have a quick wander around the small local streets.
Ripening bananas
Heavily loaded bicycle
Fresh pineapple
Street stall through a large drainage pipe
Friendly dog outside the apartment
Sunset from the 4th floor of the apartment
Right at this moment, we made a hasty getaway to the highway for our bus trip to Goa. Simply put; the WORST trip I have ever done. 7pm until 9am the following morning, as we traversed what seemed like the windiest roads possible on the journey south. Sleeping wasn’t possible amongst the winding roads, and bopping to the ring-a-ting-ting Bollywood movies on offer, with treble echoing around the bus. I strongly recommend anyone to fly down – or even catch a train.
Coca-Cola 3-wheeler truck whilst waiting for our bus
Zooming Rickshaw
With my decision to return downunder permanently, the timing couldn’t have worked out any better, with one of my best friends, Angus, inviting me along for a four week trip to India. Mixing our time up between the busy and chaotic city of Mumbai (Bombay), and to one of India’s finest states of Goa for a very hot winter. Whilst in Goa, our time will also be divided between the Kamat Holiday Home apartments at Calangute Beach, and further inland at the beautiful Santo Estevam village on Jua Island.
As customary on my previous trips, I flew Emirates airline, reserving a window seat to enjoy the views from 35,000 feet in the air.
Emirates 777-300
The Alps
Sunset before arriving into Dubai
Twilight
Check back soon for many updates from India (It’s been a busy few weeks back in NZ)
With a permanent move back downunder, decided to meet with a few friends in Leicester Square for one final pub meal and drinks. With a quick wander through to Trafalgar Square, realised 500 Santas had come out to play…
Farewell to good kiwi friends Leanne and Aimee – after a great season watching the All Blacks
Hundreds of Santas – Nelson’s Column, Trafalgar Square
 With an evening being spent watching the great fireworks over Blackheath, Neal, Kay and I decided to venture into the free Hornimans Musueum of Forest Hill, London.
Regal Tang – (Dory, from Finding Nemo)
White Spotted Jellyfish
The Mayor’s Thames Festival, is a yearly free event with plenty of food, music, arts and fireworks to finish off the weekend.
As the sun was setting over London, took a leisurely walk through the expansive Hampstead Heath, en route to an Italian dinner with my friend Katie.
Golden light, just as the leaves were turning to the autumn colours
Katie’s new 1920’s hat
After experiencing my first Notting Hill Carnival last year, I made sure I could attend again, to witness the culture of the Caribbean through their music, costumes and delicacies. Decided to use the Notting Hill Carnival as the 12th event for the London Photography Meetups group, where everyone had a blast, whilst trying not to get lost amongst the crowd of near 1 million people. Here’s a few of my favourites:
Happily gave this busker some change
The talented Ray Wise
Banana and Chocolate Crepe – Great way to follow up after Jerk Chicken and Rice
Jarvis getting in the swing of it
After the long drive with the coach tour, we had fifteen minutes to explore Schönbrunn Palace on the outskirts of Vienna, before arriving to our hostel for the next two nights. Schönbrunn Palace was built in the late 17th century, and is the former imperial summer residence.
Schönbrunn Palace and the immaculate gardens
Gloriette, atop the 60m hill overlooking Schönbrunn built in 1775.
Nic, Warren, Ritchie, Grant & Peter all from NZ & Oz
Another evening meetup with the local London POTN crew, had a fun evening shooting and experimenting with various lighting setups.
Mitesh
Yoland
Laura and Yoland
Primrose Hill was the starting scene for the 8th London Photography meetup group, that I was hosting for a walk and shoot around London. After meeting at Chalk Farm, and ascending Primrose Hill (not exactly that high!), we wandered through neighbouring Regent’s Park before venturing into the pub for a drink and meal. Later in the evening, a few who remained practiced some off camera flash lighting in Leake Street, with the known Waterloo Graffiti, before watching the sun go down behind Westminster.
Click to watch HD video, captured with a Canon 5D II
Standing bright in yellow
Leake Street
Gerhard
Andrew
South Bank
House of Parliament as the sun goes down
Wireless off camera lighting (under railing)
Neal again with some more off camera flash
Photographymeetups.com next meetup will be on Saturday 16th May at the Borough Food Market. And will be hosted by myself again, sharing technical tips/suggestions to improve your shots.
More than a year has passed since last visited St James’s park, next to Buckingham Palace. Back then, plenty of daffodils were on display, however this year the season has already passed, with the other flowers in full colour.
Dying Daffodil
Bluebells
Field of flowers, with London Eye
Spent the next few days at the family home in Hastings, where the garden was also blooming.
Phillip Island is another popular tourist destination featuring rugged coastlines, an international racing circuit and wildlife such as penguins and seals at the western end – The Nobbies.
Cowes – largest town on the northen point of island
Rits, about to get a dunking near the Nobbies
Dramatic coastlines from the Nobbies centre, though closed at sunset, so no dramatic photos possible.
Third and final day in Sydney, took a lovely ferry trip from Circular Quay to Manly, enjoying the sights of Sydney Harbour. Manly is another popular surf beach, located North of the harbour entrance. The beach was swarmed with people as well as an apparently unusual seaweed washed ashore, in the autumn heat.
The warning signs above the seaweed
Manly coastline and Sydney Harbour mouth
A special sight of the HMAS Stuart – Anzac Class Frigate
Sydney Skyline and Harbour Bridge at Sunset
Sydney Opera House Silhouette with moon
From Circular Quay, next to the Opera House took a train direct to Sydney airport for a flight to Melbourne
