Oia, Santorini, Greece :: Photographer's Paradise

Let me begin by saying, or rather admitting, that I've been in a rut. A big one. For the last year or so I have no had the desire to edit photos. I've been religiously taking them in every port, but organizing, editing, and processing those shots hasn't been at the top of my priority. Well... after today things have certainly changed.

For those of you creative types out there who need inspiration or just a good kick in the ass, book the next flight out to Santorini!!   Today was the second time we visited Santorini, but the first time I made it out to Oia. Santorini is a decently sized island inhabiting two or three villages. The village by which we port is called Thira, perched at the top of a very steep cliff. You get to the top by either cable car or donkey path. A couple weeks ago I spent the day in Thira, running to the top (of course), dodging the donkey land mines on the way up.  Thira was nice but it didn't wow me by any means. Oia is the town everyone thinks of when they think of Greece, white stucco buildings with blue topped roofs. Truth be told there are only about 6 roofs that are blue... but they certainly stick out!

Oia is an overload to the senses. I think every type of artist and photographer would love a visit to Oia. Everywhere you turn there is something to grab your attention. Souvenirs and funny little still-life pictures, landscapes and architecture opportunities, portraiture and lifestyle photos of the locals, staircases, leading lines, bicycles, colourful doors, windows, things falling apart and in disarray... I could go on, but I won't...

Ok enough chitter chatter. If you want to go to an amazing destination, I am recommending Santorini. :) enjoy the photos!

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

PS the food and coffee are to die for as well. I unfortunately don't have any photos of edible items because I ate them too quickly. HA! :|

 

Antarctica Day 2 :: The Danco Coast

We woke up today to the most gorgeous of scenes. The water was like pure glass reflecting the mountains above and blue skies. Despite being nice and sunny today was considerably more cold than day 1, but that didn't stop us all from spending the day out on the decks taking in the scenery around us. 

Good Morning, Antarctica

Sunrise on The Danco Coast, Antarctica

Mirror Waters, Antarctica

Gentoo Penguins & Seals on an Iceberg, Antarctica

A Day in the Life of Seals, Antarctica

Seal Porpoising and Mountains, The Danco Coast, Antarctica

Reflections, Antarctica

Pillar Iceberg, Antarctica

Antarctica

Antarctica

Blue Iceberg, Antarctica

Turquoise Blue Icebergs (not an exaggeration), Antarctica 

Iceberg, Antarctica

Icebergs Abound, Antarctica

Chilean Research Centre and Penguin Colony, Antarctica 

Chilean Research Centre and Penguin Colony, Antarctica 

Gentoo Penguins on an Iceberg, Antarctica

Gentoo Penguins, Antarctica

Antarctica

Humpback Whales, Antarctica

Probably the most beautiful of days in my entire life. Simply speechless... :) Hope you enjoyed my photos! I'll post Day 3 - but the weather was cloudy, foggy and we didn't see very much. 

Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica :: Day 1

Antarctica Day 1 :: We got to the Palmer Station around 9am and we picked up some of the American researchers who are studying in Antarctica. They stayed on board with us all day until we dropped them off in the evening. They gave a few presentations in the Showroom at Sea about their work at the Station and a few of their findings.

There are no words to describe the next three days that follow in Antarctica. I took close to two thousand photos and none of them come close to the beauty and majesty of The Frozen Continent. 

One thing I was very surprised to discover is the overwhelming amount of wildlife down there. It was impossible to look out at the sea and not see some kind of wildlife. Penguins, Seals, Birds, Whales... everywhere we looked we'd see something swimming in the waters or flying in the air. 

My classes, for the most part, were suspended and we spent the next three days dressed in boots, jackets, hats and gloves standing out in the cold with our cameras desperately trying not to miss anything. At times I would put my camera down and simply stare out at the scene before me. The solitude, quietness, serenity and beauty of Antarctica is was a challenge to capture in true form on camera. I will cease my words for now and let my photos do the rest of the talking:

Palmer Station Researchers, Antarctica

Palmer Station Researchers Embarking MS Prinsendam, Antarctica

View from Deck 7 Aft, Antarctica

Gentoo Penguin on an Iceberg, Antarctica

Penguin and Seals, Antarctica

Seals on an Iceberg, Antarctica

Seals, Antarctica

Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

MS Prinsendam Traversing Ice, Antarctica

Seal on an Iceberg, Antarctica

Our ship actually bumped into this seal's iceberg, waking him up from a nap. He was dazed and confused and finally slipped into the water as we sailed past him.

Gentoo Penguin, Antarctica

Gentoo Penguin Porpoising, Antarctica

Gentoo Penguin Underwater, Antarctica

Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

You can see there was quite a lot of ice in the channel and we were lucky to be able to push through it and actually traverse the entire channel. Most ships have to turn around and go back out the same way they come in.

Whale Tail, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica

On our way back to the Palmer Station to disembark the researchers, I was out on deck and happened to see some whales and got this last photo of a Whale Tail reflecting the sunlight. This was the first time I have seen a whale's tail and couldn't have been happier. Perfect ending to a very special day.