12.15.09
Posted in General, People, Transportation, Travel at 8:29 pm by Warren Williams
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
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12.14.09
Posted in Landscape, People, Travel at 11:30 pm by Warren Williams
After arriving into Mumbai around 3am, I finally managed to have a couple hours sleep, before setting off for some sights around the incredibly busy city with Angus.
Temporary building supports?
Chemist in Vile Parle
From outside the hotel, near airport in Vile Parle
For lunch, we headed into Bandra by Auto Rickshaw – to meet a fellow photographer friend, Darryl Baptista who kindly offered to drive us around the city to see the main sights across the afternoon and evening. The 8km journey was a great first insight into Indian transportation and traffic – recording a video along the whole route – which only came to 70 rupees (NZ$2). I’ll try and share some videos once the photos are all online!
Church in Bandra
Angus waiting for Darryl in the shade
During our drive into the city, many workers were sleeping off the extreme heat
Driving across the newly completed Rajiv Ghandi Sea Link from Bandra to Worli, cutting commuting from an hour to just seven minutes
The famous Dhobi Ghat – Mahalakshmi, Mumbai
A sea of Blue
Gateway of India – following our quick view of Dhobi Ghat, we visited the large Gateway of India – located on the waterfront of the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai. This overlooks the Taj Mahal hotel, which was bombed in November 2008, and is still under refurbishment.
These happy strangers were eager to have their photo taken
Many boats returning from the Elephanta Caves – (City of Caves), which I’ve been told is a great excursion to do if you have the time
Gateway of India Arch
Darryl, Warren & Angus – before being told by a heavily armed policeman, “No Tripod!”
Later in the evening, Darryl Baptista took us along to his current photographic exhibition running in the Soul Fry Casa restaurant. His exhibition, “Bombay Duck to Peking Duck”, was a great display of seascapes from around Goa, Mumbai and afar to Hong Kong. It was great to see his selection of shots, and hear about his committments to travelling and showcasing these special areas.
Darryl Baptista – showcasing his photo exhibition – Bombay Duck to Peking Duck
Thank you Darryl for your tremendous insight and advice to my travels around Goa!
Jandals in the streets of Mumbai in an evening street stall
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12.13.09
Posted in Aviation, General, Travel at 11:59 pm by Warren Williams
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)
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12.12.09
Posted in General, Landscape, People, Travel at 6:02 pm by Warren Williams
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
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08.14.09
Posted in Landscape, Transportation, Travel at 4:00 pm by Warren Williams
We flew out again with Ryanair, who tried to charge me excess baggage for being just 0.6kg overweight. With no weight restrictions on carry on, ended up stuffing more gear into my backpack to get by. Leaving Alghero in the morning, bound for London Stanstead, was another great flight, with blue skies and great views over Nice and the Alps.
La Mariposa campsite along the beach front with trees
Isola Piana, Sardinia
Nice, France
Lac de Serre-Ponçon – Southeastern France – One of the largest artificial lakes in Europe
The race is on
Northern France and the English Channel
Arriving back to London for a BBQ
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08.13.09
Posted in Landscape, Travel at 9:06 pm by Warren Williams
As you can see, didn’t shoot too much over the past few days, after all, you can only take so many photos of amazing clear waters, with them all looking the same. Our final night back in Alghero, there was a strange colour pattern in the sky, worthy of a photo. With our tent pitched only 20 metres from the beach, ran back to grab the camera for these…
The strange phenomena, with the blue streak stretching through the hills (the far left point is Capo Caccia)
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08.12.09
Posted in Landscape, Nature, Travel at 9:56 pm by Warren Williams
After spending the night on La Maddalena, took a slow drive across the northern part of Sardinia, back towards Alghero, whilst stopping at some more great beaches for a swim and relaxation. With a final night with the car, decided to drive to the Capo Caccia cliffs, where we had previously seen Neptune’s Grotto 600 feet below. Watching a sunset, whilst precariously perched several hundred feet above the water is always great fun!
Can you spot my tripod and camera bag?! Angled slippery surface, with large fractures in the cliff. Great idea. Not.
A view from where the tripod was in previous photo
The view behind
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08.11.09
Posted in Landscape, Nature, People, Travel at 6:30 pm by Warren Williams
After a night under the stars at Capo D’Orso, we made the 10minute drive into Palau to catch the ferry to the beauty islands of Maddalena and Caprera. With very little planning done for this trip, with having no idea till the last minute we were going to hire a car, we asked around and checked some tourist guides, which unanimously advised us to head to this north-eastern corner of Sardinia. The ferries themselves run frequently, however seemed costly for the relative short distance from the mainland. The reward however was the some of the most amazing clear waters I have ever seen.
First stop for the day, Isola Caprera, in the early morning before the crowds got in
Hazel, Adele, Ayla & Warren
Fishing in pristine waters of Caprera
Hues of Blue
Neck deep in ultra clear water
View from Caprera back to Maddalena
Ancient Ruins on Isola Caprera
Walkway to Cala Coticcio (So gobsmacked, I didn’t see my own shadow)
Cala Coticcio – One of the best beaches in Sardinia, and possibly the world
Only accessible by boat, or an undulating 40min walk
Clear Waters of Cala Coticcio
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Posted in Landscape, Nature, Travel at 7:00 am by Warren Williams
After a long previous day driving 400km cross country, we ended up sleeping under the stars on a beach at Capo D’Orso. As we arrived after 10pm at night, it was already dark, with only the moon illuminating the water of the lake and sea to give us a vague idea of our location. The droning hum from thousands of mosquitos from the lake area, awoke us just before sunrise, revealing the true beauty of the area.
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08.10.09
Posted in Architecture, Landscape, Travel at 8:56 pm by Warren Williams
After a couple of days exploring the local flavours of Alghero, Ayla and I decided it was time to venture off around the mediterannean island. With our newly met English friends, Adele and Hazel, who happened to be on the same flight and bus, we convinced them to come along for some fun, music and more secluded sights of Sardinia. With a quick check of the maps, decided to head south to the town of Bosa, before venturing cross country to Cala Gonone on the east coast of the island. A few wrong turns later, (sign posting is almost nonexistent!) and we had found some great beaches to relax at. The Italian cuisine continued to roll through, pastas, pizza, wine, before finding a suitable place to camp up for the night – another beach!
View along the coastal drive from Alghero to Bosa – Beautiful, smooth winding roads, with impressive views
Arriving into Bosa – Temo River
Parking across the Temo River, with a daunting walk across the narrow bridge
More impressive architecture, with an old clock
Temo River, from Bosa
Beaches near Cala Gonone
Pristine Cala Fuili
Clear waters of Cala Fuili
From the northern end of Cala Fuili
Sunset from the road, near Costa Esmeralda
Ayla with wild Kitten
Warren & Ayla after watching the sunset from the road
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08.08.09
Posted in Architecture, Landscape, Travel at 9:21 pm by Warren Williams
Our first full day in Alghero, involved getting to know the local town, streets filled with various architecture, and enjoying the heat as it roasted towards 35°C.
Alghero Waterfront, streets are empty in the morning and lunch periods
A house in Alghero, overlooking the sea
Not sure what the purpose of these stones were, but created my own statue 😉
Aloe Vera growing by the fortified town
Courtyard in Alghero, where I enjoyed my first Sardinian Pizza
In the late afternoon, we caught a ferry to Neptune’s Grotto
Here we are, passing Lazzaretto and the textured cliff faces
Massive cliffs at Isola Foradada
Blue waters at Isola Foradada
Cliffs at Capo Caccia – Can you see the path cut into the cliff?
The bottom of the 656 steps leading from the top of Capo Caccia
Our arrival to Neptune’s Grotto, was rather precarious as we battled large sea swells, and had to literally walk the moving plank into the cave.
First cavern inside Neptune’s Grotto, located underneath the massive Capo Caccia cliffs
People are dwarfed to the scale of the Grotto
Panoramic spanning almost 180 degrees with around 10 photos stitched together
Light at the end of the tunnel
Entering the waters near Tramariglio
More cliff detail near Lazzaretto, in the evening light
Entering Alghero Marina
Low sun lighting up the seaside buildings
Alghero Sunset
Rich red hues from sunset
Sunset on the beach in Alghero, whilst trying out an Americano Pizza (French fries on pizza!)
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08.07.09
Posted in Aviation, People, Travel at 9:00 pm by Warren Williams
After a whirlwind tour of Europe, what better way to chill than to head to the tropical waters surrounding beautiful Sardinia, Italy. Located in the Mediterannean, I was asked along by Ayla who was finishing off her Middle East/European tour with a week camping around northern Sardinia. The flight was only £15 at last minute, flying directly to the coastal town of Alghero.
RyanAir – EI-DCH (737-800)
The lack of rainfall very obvious over Sardinia
Alghero Marina, after catching the 70cent bus from airport to town (why can’t other cities be this cheap?)
After pitching the tent in La Mariposa, we treaded the few steps to the beach for the ensuing sunset
Ayla on the busy golden sands of Alghero beach
View from the beach access from La Mariposa towards Alghero – around 2km away
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07.28.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, People, Travel at 9:00 pm by Warren Williams
After our exercise in front of the Eiffel Tower, Peter and I took a walk along the Seine River, to the Louvre Museum to see Mona Lisa and other various art works and historic artifacts from around the world. Time flew in the expansive museum, and soon it was time to disappear to Montmartre in search of food and a visit into the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur with great views over Paris.
Mona Lisa
Trying to get a photo of Venus de Milo amongst hundreds of people.. fun
Entrance stairs to Louvre
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur – Montmartre
It was actually my mums’ recommendation to visit here, from her trips she used to do to Paris whilst living in England during the 60’s and 70’s. Well worth the trip up here for a different artistic feel of Paris.
Inside the Basilica
Grand finale, of musician Youri performing some top hits
We met up with our Canadian friend, Ayla who has recently been travelling through the Middle East, Europe and into Paris. We all wandered back down to the Louvre Museum for the approaching sunset, with our cameras in hand.
Pete, the qualified physiotherapist gives Ayla some much needed calf treatment after arriving back at the Louvre
Long shadows at the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel with Louvre in background
Opposite direction from the Louvre Glass Pyramid
The out of focus silhouette of Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Ayla & Pete checking their shots out
Another clear evening sunset over the Louvre Pyramid
Symmetry with the Louvre Pyramid
Twilight with Louvre
Eiffel Tower after 2am, with no lights on
Eiffel Tower Straight Up
From Pont de Bir-Hakeim the following morning at 6am
Feeling less creative than 24 hours, with no sleep
After a fresh shower in the hotel, the three of us went off to the Bois de Boulogne park for a picnic and relaxation before our returning Eurostar trip to London.
Bois de Boulogne – The largest park, west of the city, where we enjoyed a great picnic
Paris is an amazing city, and surprised I hadn’t visited before, despite only living just across the Channel for the past couple of years. It was also time to say goodbye to Pete in London, who was unfortunate enough to have me as company for the past four weeks. See you soon back in Aotearoa!
Aimee (another Kiwi friend), Peter & Warren say goodbye in Leicester Square, London
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07.27.09
Posted in Landscape, People, Sport, Travel at 8:00 am by Warren Williams
After just a few hours sleep from the great views around the Arc de Triomphe, we walked along to Trocadero to catch a glimpse of the sunrise over the Eiffel Tower. With some excess energy to burn, and missing out on some exercise recently, we had to improvise with our new surroundings…
Dawn over Eiffel Tower from Pont de Bir-Hakeim
A passing boat on the Seine stirs up some ripples
Cliche
Tai Chi
Jumping the Eiffel Tower
Imminent collision
Frogger in Paris
Pressups in Paris – Click for Larger
Dual Pressups
Eiffel Tower in early light
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07.26.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, People, Sport, Travel at 10:30 pm by Warren Williams
Paris has often been referred to as the City of Light, since the early 19th Century, when gas lamps first lit up Champs-Élysées. The weather continued to be great for us, as we strolled along the River Seine, visited Notre Dame, before seeing the final stage of the Tour de France. Following this, we watched the enormous street clean up act of Champs-Élysées, saw a few people brave a Haka, and finally watched a stunning sunset atop the Arc de Triomphe. Another splendid day.
Outside Notre Dame
Photography friendly rules inside Notre Dame – Thank you!
Sunbathers along River Seine on the hot summer’s day
Warren, Jason & Peter outside the Louvre
First view of Tour de France riders on final stage
Pelaton
Lance Armstrong (black helmet) peddling his way to 3rd overall
Empty Champs-Élysées after Tour de France – Sunset behind Arc de Triomphe
Haka (Maori traditional dance) next to Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe staircase
La Defense from Arc de Triomphe
Wide angle scene of La Defense, and impressive roundabout surrounding Arc de Triomphe
View down Champs-Élysées from Arc de Triomphe
Meow
The 10pm lights come on again for a dazzling 5min display
More Eiffel Tower Sparkles
La Defense Light Trails from Arc de Triomphe
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