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! :|

 

Gibraltar, Gibraltar

Hello Folks! Now that the Grand Voyages are over I'm finding I have some free time once again in which to edit photos! The list has piled up - so I think I'll just do random posts at this point. 

Gibraltar is truly an amazing place to visit. I've had the pleasure of being able to explore the rock twice now. The landscape of Gibraltar is incredible, it literally just juts out of the sea at the end of a little peninsula. The rest of the spanish landscape is relatively flat in comparison. The rock itself is about 430m above sea level and there are a number of ways to venture to the top. Cable car, taxi, or my favourite... hiking! 

There is a pathway to the top called the Mediterranean Steps - not sure how many steps there are, but it's definitely steep and quite the challenge. Brett (location guide) and I have hiked the steps twice now. As if it wasn't challenging enough the first time, when we hiked it the second time we put about 20-30 lbs of rocks in our backpacks for an extra challenge. 

Here are a few photos from my two days in Gibraltar. The summit is home to Barbary Apes and a number of seagulls who make their nests in the cliffs of the rock. 

East side of the rock and the Spanish landscape to the North

Tunnel to the Mediterranean Steps

Mr. Ape - giving me the eye 

Ape looking for insects - Snack time anyone? 

Seagull - ;) 

The Apes sleep in the weirdest positions. Hope he doesn't fall backwards!

View to the South - Coast of Africa is in the centre of the photo

View to the North - the runway is basically the border between Spain and Gibraltar

I spotted a cave above the road on the way down and of course we had to find out if it was just a cave or a tunnel left over from WWII - problem was our legs were so shaky from the hike up that it made scaling the rock quite a challenge. I took one step on the rock and my legs couldn't hold me so then Brett tried - made it most of the way up but didn't want to fall so he came back down. I had rested for a few mins and decided to make a second attempt - this time I got all the way up! It was only a cave :( 

Getting down was quite the challenge. But I made it, and didn't fall lol 

Brett 

Myself 

MADE IT!! - barely made it down lol 

Dr. Seuss built this fence... 

Some of the flora on the Rock 

Mr. Ron Perlman - Hell Boy 

Barbary Ape 

Barbary Ape

Barbary Ape

Hijacking the Taxi

Beware of Apes! 

Warnemunde, Germany

Warnemunde, Germany is a small town filled with tall ships and little German shops along the water. It was gorgeous and sunny again today so I grabbed my camera with my 85mm lens and wandered off to find interesting things to take photos of. My new inspiration lately is taking 'detail' photos of the ports we go to. There are so many typical touristy shots of the cathedrals, canals and local shops that I've decided to try to take up close shots around towns. Here are a few that I took in Warnemunde!



 

Across the main bridge to cross the canal into town there is a chain with locks attached. The idea is to write the name of you and your love on the lock, lock it to the chain, and throw the key into the canal or river below. Read all about Love Locks on wiki.

 

Love Locks - Warnemunde, Germany

As I wandered around town trying to find the post office, I stumbled upon this little fountain with a procession of tiny statues. Each figure is only about 8 inches tall. The sign and description were all in German, so needless to say I was not able to understand what the symbolism behind it were.

 

 

 

Entrance to the Harbour - Port Light House, Warnemunde, Germany

 

 

As I was practicing getting used to focusing with my manual 85mm lens I happened to take this shot of a seagull about to take flight.

Seagull - Warnemunde, Germany

 

 

Starboard Light House - Warnemunde, Germany

 

Detail of Rope - Warnemunde, Germany

 

 

Warnemunde Boat - Warnemunde, Germany

 

 

This was a really quaint town and I'm excited to go back there in a few weeks time and find more pictures!

 

Stay tuned for Tallinn, Estonia!

 

 



The Little Mermaid

When I saw the swan come into my view finder on my camera I immediately thought of the Greek story of Zeus and Leda (the mother of Helen of Troy). Basically the story goes that Zeus saw Leda bathing in a river or lake or some body of water. He fancied her and he turned himself into a swan to approach her... I don't think I need to finish the story... lol but the end result was Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman (according to the Iliad)

Well that story popped into my head so this is my Artistic Expression of Leda and Zeus.  

The Little Mermaid - Copenhagen, Denmark

Punta Arenas, Chile - The Photos

Today I was able to walk around for a lot longer than yesterday. The sun was shining and it wasn't too cold. I was able to see a lot of the town and captured a few lovely pictures.

Punta Arenas, Chile and the Strait of Magellan 

 Something I love taking photos of in different countries are local or family crests. I usually find them at the bases of statues or on the sides of brick/stone buildings. I found this one in the square across from my hotel :)

Crest on the base of a random Statue 

 When I walked to the top of the hill in the town I found these telephone poles pointing the directions and distances to major cities across the globe. I found it interesting that all the signs were pointing in basically only two directions, NE and NW, that's how far south I was!!

Direction Signs to Major Cities in the World... and a pair of shoes

Close up of Signs

Punta Arenas and a view towards the South Pole

 Being a HUGE Banksy fan (London political graffiti artist and local hoodlum) I love to find interesting works of art in and around the cities I visit. Yes, I do believe graffiti is an art, one I happen to adore. Sometimes graffiti is just 'meaningless' scribbles on a facade, but every so often you'll find a piece of work that carries a strong message. I especially love the Guy Fawkes tribute in the bottom right corner.

Graffiti, Punta Arenas

My hotel was right downtown in Punta Arenas and happened to face a lovely square which housed this statue to Ferdinand Magellan. Punta Arenas itself is on the coast of the Strait of Magellan and you'll find many references to his name and legacy around the town.

Statue of Ferdinand Magellan

 One last pretty picture :)

Port of Punta Arenas

Well that's it! Punta Arenas was a cute, quaint town but I'm happy to now be in Puerto Montt which looks considerably bigger! Can't wait to see what the daylight brings. Good night!