I just re-watched this video for some reason and I thought it was pretty good, so I thought I would add it to the blog here along with my favorite photos from The Netherlands!
And here are some favorites!
https://stuckincustoms.smugmug.com/Misc/80Stays/80Stays-Shared/n-58K6Nc/i-4qVxWG8
Oh man, seeing this photo once again reminds me of how much I miss Japan! I really want to get over to Osaka more to explore this area. I usually get stuck in Tokyo or far afield and I end up ignoring Osaka like it is a red-headed stepchild. I hope this doesn’t actually turn out to be true, if I end up with a red-headed stepchild. But if they live in Osaka, then I guess it’s a reason to visit.
This was my 7th trip to Kyoto, but my first one with the Hasselblad. Something about having a new toy changes the texture of a photo adventure, I think! Also, because that thing was so slow and had a slightly different aspect ratio, it made me re-envision shots in a new way.
Well, after you see this, you won’t be able to say that anymore! (Click the video title to see the full frame)
Seahorse giving birth from WTF
After we left Monet’s home in Giverny to continue the road trip across Europe, we stopped here in Nice, along the French Riviera. I remembered this rooftop restaurant from about 20 years before when my dad had brought me out to this area. It was fun to take new friends there to experience it as well.
We headed out here on the very first morning of my Portugal photo workshop. I don’t know why I planned a workshop right before the huge European tour, but I sure did! Sometimes I overschedule myself like that a bit… but, looking back at all these cool photos, now I’m okay with it! Also, I’ve always been a sucker for aqueducts!
Late one night, I jumped into a taxi and headed to one of my favorite areas of Kyoto to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. It was absolutely beautiful. The best thing about being there at night is that absolutely no one is around. You have the rule of the whole place to yourself… you can walk anywhere. It’s nice and safe and there is an infinity of places to explore.
I took my 2nd house and turned it into an AirBnB! I know travel to New Zealand is impossible right now, but, when you do come, be sure to check it out at the Secluded Paradise website!
And here’s the view that you can see out of the sliding glass doors and the master bedroom. Speaking of the master bedroom, if you’re feeling frisky, you can head out into that field and commune with the sheep!
I wonder how much practice this required…
Kyoto has about 100 temples within a short trip from the city center. You can visit a different one every day and go for a walk. In fact, that’s a pretty good idea if you’re going to spend time there. I like to go on morning walks, so this is a great excuse to explore new areas and get the exercise done early in the day!
We started off our European photo tour here in Sintra, Portugal. It was my first time there and we visited some of these hilltop villas. They were all cool in the way they worked themselves into the rugged and rocky surroundings. Here, you can see Tane in action!
This guy was quite the visionary to design all of this in his mind. It’s too bad he never got to see it in person. They’re still building the cathedral and I think it’s gonna be another 20 years or so. When you’re inside, however, it looks to be almost 100% complete. The first time I went I didn’t even realize you could go inside, so I missed that opportunity. I don’t know why I didn’t at least go and ask… that’s not like me.
