02.08.10
Posted in Landscape, Nature, People, Travel at 4:52 pm by Warren Williams
My friends and I decided we needed a larger challenge to conquer, than just a small Waitakere bush walk. We’d been talking about re walking the great Tongariro Crossing over the past couple of summers, but only just managed to put into action. Road trip ahead, as we tested Pete’s new wagon. We bunked down in National Park for two nights, whilst spending much of the time trekking over the mountains of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom), and Ruapehu.
Lake Taupo from the southern end
First sight of Tongariro coming from Taupo and Turangi
Bayview Chateau Tongariro (nestled on Mt Ruapehu)
Bayview Chateau Golf Course – New Zealand’s highest course
Road tripping with Mark, who previously ascended Cradle Mountain, Tasmania with me
From one of the stream crossings driving up Mt Ruapehu
Zooming upwards on Mt Ruapehu – North Island’s tallest mountain and volcano, at 2,797 metres
We parked late in the evening at the Bruce carpark, and found the place deserted. Free roam of the mountain! We ventured up around 1km up the rocky slopes, as the temperature quickly dropped.
Strangely, the clouds around us descended beyond our elevation, revealing the glowing sunset across the west. Was quite amazing to witness a sunset with a cloud base lower down.
Amazing light being filtered around Ruapehu
Defining ridge lines on Ruapehu
Various volcanic rocks and high altitude plants
The following morning, we had to wake at the crack of dawn to catch the shuttle to the start of the great Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Witnessing an amazing sunrise across all three mountains certainly made it worthwhile.
Sunrise over Mt Doom
Sunrise from National Park / SH47 intersection
Amazing New Zealand Beauty
Arriving at the Mangatepopo carpark, we were now ready to tackle the 19.4km long mountain crossing.
First steps along the 19.4km long Tongariro CrossingThe intital track starts deceptively easy!
Great view of Mt Ngauruhoe
The final 1km stretch leading to the saddle, connecting Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.
This section was the hardest, with a steep incline, and noticeable difference in breathing
The camera was put away for the next 45min as we climbed the Mangatepopo Saddle
Following the Saddle, we drop again, in the enormous South Crater of Tongariro, before climbing one of the ridges offering great views
Sheer cliffs, along the ridge
Climbing out of the South Crater, with cloud cover blocking one side of the mountainside
360 degree panoramic from the additional Tongariro Summit walk
View looking down to the Emerald Lakes and Red Crater
View down the fun scree slope, with Blue Lake in the backdrop (perfect place to moon jump)
One of the Emerald Lakes, caused from leaching minerals
Tongariro Emerald Lakes
Further views of the Emerald Lakes, with steam rising from the ridge
Low cloud cover at the Ketetahi Hut (well, over 1,400m isn’t exactly low!)
And away with the camera it was, as the rain came down for our last hours walk downhill.
Dusk over Mt Ruapehu and the winding highway
The following morning we made the short walk to to the lovely Lake Rotopounamu – an easy walk, however we were all suffering from fatigue and muscle pains after a full day of walking the previous day.
Lake Rotopounamu
Mark, chilled out
The drive home was non eventful, although we did try our luck at the Hole in One challenge on Lake Taupo. Out of 25 balls, I managed to land 6 very close to the hole on the floating pontoon, 102metres out.
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01.05.10
Posted in Animals, Landscape, Nature, People, Travel at 4:00 pm by Warren Williams
The final day of an amazing trip through Mumbai and Goa had arrived, so after a little research, decided to take Angus to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in northern Mumbai. It is the largest urban park in the world, encompassing 104 km2. It is said to be the lungs of Mumbai, as it purifies much of the air polluition. Within the park you can catch a bus to see lions and leopards, whilst also venturing 6km along the park to the amazing Kanheri Caves. These 109 caves were built over 2,100 years ago, by Buddhist monks, into the solid hard basalt rock.
I’ve included more photos than usual in this last post from my Indian travels of 2009 & 2010. An amazing trip, that I couldn’t have done without the hospitality of my great friend Angus and his family. Thank you! 🙂
Lioness in the park
Baby Rhesus Macaque Monkey
Large caves of Kanheri
Angus standing against the 7m tall Buddhist statue
Large Chaitya with great Stupa
Low light filtering behind the Stupa
Textured Basalt floor
Walkway to more caves on the hill
More caves near the top, almost like the set of a movie
View in opposite direction showing the elevation (hard work in the Mumbai heat!)
First attempt at writing with a torch
Angus taking a break in one of the cool caves
Our friendly SIS security”guide”
Warren atop the caves and stairs of Kanheri
Angus walking back down the hill from the 109 caves
Spot the monkey?
Goat with incredible balance, walking on a branch!
Overflowing water tank
Last shot from India
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01.04.10
Posted in People, Travel at 7:30 pm by Warren Williams
I really thought nothing could beat the bus ride from Mumbai to Goa. Well I was wrong, with the return trip even more unbearable! I could have almost covered the length of New Zealand in the same duration of this trip. Alas, I was happy to finally make it, knowing only had another couple of days in Mumbai before being reunited with friends and family in Melbourne and Auckland.
Carpark around the back of our hotel in Malad West (not sure I’d park there?!)
Common non-AC taxi
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01.02.10
Posted in Birds, People, Travel at 8:30 pm by Warren Williams
Our last day in Goa was spent in Morjim after the recommendation from Darryl Baptista, which is home to many thousands of birds. It was also the least visited by other people, which was great news for us! I have noticed more recently, several news articles about the darker side of Morjim. Fortunately we never encountered any trouble during our three weeks in Goa, and would recommend anyone to FLY in and enjoy the cheap food, drinks and sun.
Local boy walking along the sandy banks
Morjim Fishing Boat
Thousands of birds in Morjim
Morjim boats lined up
Hawk on the lookout for smaller seabirds
Hermit Crab escaping
Really great water, much better than Calangute area
Angus in the crisp water
Thousands of birds flying north across the setting sun
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12.31.09
Posted in Astro, Landscape, People, Travel at 11:59 pm by Warren Williams
After spending a week around the beautiful island of Jua, enjoying the villages of Santo Estevam and Marcela on the mainland, we decided it was time to venture back to the beachside apartment for New Years celebrations. Stocking up on food supplies from the Mapusa market, Angus and I were preparing ourselves for the final few days in Goa! Time sure has flown.
Mutton ready for the chop
Mapusa Market Seller – All to keen for a photo
Final sunset of 2009, from Calangute, Goa, India
Angus farewelling 2009
Once in a blue moon… two full months within one calendar month
On the strike of midnight, Calangute beach and all the adjoining beaches (Candolim, Sinquerim and Baga), brightly lit up with thousands of fireworks and bonfires to welcome in the Year of 2010. Making this an even more special New Years, a partial lunar eclispe occurred only a few minutes later.
Lunar Eclipse of 2009 / 2010
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12.29.09
Posted in Animals, Birds, Landscape, Nature, Travel at 3:30 pm by Warren Williams
Returning back to Marcela the following morning, Raju was keen on showing more of the bush in the neighbouring areas, including his own property and yet more fruit! 🙂 It was a great walk, seeing a beautiful, peaceful view of India, as we encountered many various animals and workers in the field.
Bananas on Raju’s property
The sad face of a local dog with mange
Massive King Cobra nest
One of the many tropical birds
Yep, another
Cameleon
Rich Paddy Field
Wilderness adventures, reminiscent of “Stand by Me”
Water buffalo
Another stunning Kingfisher
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12.28.09
Posted in Animals, Birds, Landscape, Travel at 9:00 pm by Warren Williams
Located between Old Goa and the road to Santo Estevam, Marcela is a small town where Angus’s grandmother has lived for many years. Her property has its own spring water well, and many fruit trees, which Raju was kind enough to get some coconuts down for the fresh milk.
Angus scooping the coconut out
Fresh spring water from the well
Raju with a crab from a water hole nearby
10 points for what this is?
View from atop water tank in Marcela bush
More rice fields from atop the water tank
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12.27.09
Posted in Landscape, People, Travel at 10:00 pm by Warren Williams
After Christmas celebrations, we planned a trip to the beauty of Colva and Palolem beaches. Unfortunately the sun wasn’t shining as strongly as before, and both beaches were very crowded. After waiting around in the evening until sunset, it simply didn’t come! Driving the 4×4 home after dark was certainly a new experience too – driving for almost two hours from the furthest reaches of Goa.
Colva Parasailing
The highlight of the day, was seeing Angus’ nephew, Matthew, experience the sea and sand.
Raju (friend of family from Marcela, Goa) & Matthew
Sun disappearing amongst the clouds
Beach shacks Palolem
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12.23.09
Posted in People, Transportation, Travel at 2:44 pm by Warren Williams
After hearing about the weekly flea market in Anjuna, we decided to head along on another hot Wednesday. Riding our favourite mode of transport, Rickshaw, we skimmed past the traffic and arrived in the massive field filled with hundreds of market stalls. Knowing there would be large crowds, I left the camera bag back at the apartment, only taking the Canon 1DIII and 85L lens for dreamy shots.
Rickshaw Driver
Rickshaw Horn – great importance 😉
Escaping the market jam, ventured onto the beach for a restaurant
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12.22.09
Posted in Animals, Landscape, Travel at 8:25 pm by Warren Williams
Ventured further north to the rocky red coastline of Vagator Beach, before settling down in the evening at Little Vagator Beach. Despite clouding over during most of the afternoon, the sunset shone through amazingly red, complementing the rockface.
Yet more cows, near Little Vagator
Very slippery rocks, where I almost had an underwater experience!
Warren & Angus after sunset at Vagator Beach
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12.20.09
Posted in Animals, Landscape, Transportation, Travel at 10:00 pm by Warren Williams
White sands stretch 7km southward from Baga, through Calangute, Candolim and finally Sinquerim. Nestled in the southern end of coastline between Candolim and Sinquerim lies the Merchant Vessel, the River Princess. After running aground ten years ago, it has caused environmental issues, such as rusted shards of steel on the beach. It does however make an interesting photo subject!
Lifeguards on duty in Calangute
Fisherman, untangling his nets
Selling fresh fruit on the beach of Calangute
Later in the day, Angus and I decided to hire a taxi from Calangute to the River Princess shipwreck. Frustratingly, taxis aren’t metered in Goa, and they usually offer exhorbitant cash amounts up front. Several times the cost than in Mumbai! After finally negotiating a van driver down to just 200 Rupees ($6), we took the 10min trip further along the beach.
More cows 😛
Stray dogs give the cows some problems, as we witnessed on various beaches
Whilst other cows must be wary of their own kind
Parasailing across Candolim
Jet skis near the stern of the River Princess
River Princess silhouetted
Bow of the River Princess, with the sun setting through the hazy sky
Several exposures with the incoming tide
Jumping fun (shot by Angus)
As twilight set in, I shot a few long exposures with various filters:
No filters
Two graduated ND filters on top (.6 hard and .9 soft)
5 minute exposure
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12.19.09
Posted in Animals, Landscape, People, Travel at 8:30 pm by Warren Williams
The impressively large Fort Aguada was built by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century, with views stretching across the Arabian Sea. It was rather unbearable walking around here, in mid thirties temperature, and humidity soaring into the 90’s! Definitely the hottest day of the trip.
Later in the day as the heat slowly faded, we all ventured up to the northern reaches of Goa, to the popular tourist beach of Arambol. Another surprising experience, with thousands of people around, along with the odd cow walking along the sands – something I hadn’t seen in photos whilst researching Goa.
Sunbathing
Stray dogs
Angus, using one of my spare cameras, capturing the orange hue sunset
Angus and the reflecting sunset
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12.18.09
Posted in Animals, People, Travel at 1:52 pm by Warren Williams
After spending a couple of days around the beautiful Sant Estevam village, Angus and I decided it was time to spend some time in the apartment in Calangute, cooling off from the extreme heat with the neighbouring sea. We stopped in Goa’s largest city – Panjim (also known as Punaji), for a quick wander, coming across the pungeant fish market.
Following the walk, we ventured off to the busy party town of Baga, near Calangute to have some refreshing drinks and a late lunch.
Matthew, and his milky drink
Adorable 🙂
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12.17.09
Posted in Animals, Nature, People, Travel at 9:03 pm by Warren Williams
We took an hours drive to the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, only to find it was shut on Thursdays! Just nearby we had noticed the Pascoal Spice Farm – offering a view of the spice plantations and a restaurant set amongst some tropical forest. After a massive meal of chicken, fish curry rice and various drinks, we decided to wander amongst their walkways to burn off the food. Early on the path, we came face to face with this monster of a spider.. the size of a hand, it looked rather intimidating but was in fact quite harmless – something I only found out after shaking nervously a few inches away.
Shooting underneath, I was sure it was about to launch an attack
Angus and his nephew, Matthew
Jua Bridge, to Santo Estevam – the alternative longer route
Friendly villager of Santo Estevam, selling fried potato and samosa
Another villager awaiting her order
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12.16.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Travel at 9:12 pm by Warren Williams
Following the awful bus experience, it was a great relief to finally make it into Goa. Despite the traffic still being rather busy, the air was noticeably clearer, and able to see distant objects, rather than thick haze. After hastily getting off the bus in Mapusa, we were whisked away in the great comfort of an air conditioned 4×4. Angus’s father was kind enough to drive us by the scenic areas, including Calangute showing off the apartment we would be spending some time in, before driving through Old Goa. One of the main features of Old Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which is over 400 years old, making it one of the oldest in India.
Just beyond Old Goa, along one of the country roads is a small car ferry servic, which took us from the mainland to the island of Jua and the mostly Catholic village of Santo Estevam.
The Gomes residence in Sant Estevam – Great homely large home 🙂
Walking adventure around Santo Estevam
Clearer blue skies, and clean water!
Got Bacon!
Two contrasting crosses
Under the still prevalent Portuguese Laws, the historic homes cannot be destroyed. Only passed through the generations, with more recently over the past century many emigrating overseas leaving the houses to slowly deteriorate and add a great feel.
Old furniture through the walls
Old front door
Shooting from the side door which is sitting ajar – this house was simply amazing!
Later in the evening, Angus and I took a walk up the hill of Jua to see the Statue of Sacred Heart / Shine to Christ the King
Waren & Angus atop the monument
Fort Ruins atop the hill of Jua
The Fort of St Francis Xavier – built in 1668
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