Byards Road wetlands
City of Onkaparinga have, in the last few years, built a number of projects within the Waterproofing the South project. A project I am photographing for them, detailing the different stages of development.
I am now photographing a number of the wetlands at sunset. Well, attempting to. I went to Byards Road the other night, and had zero magic hour to play around with. There were some nice blues but nothing else. I got to watch a number of people using the new paths and walkways for their daily exercise or dog walk ritual while waiting for... Maybe on the next shoot?
Trails in the City of Onkaparinga
While it's raining outside, cold and dark... I've been editing photos from the summer of 2011/2012. I can't wait for the warm weather to come back.
For over a week I photographed trails around City of Onkaparinga, and found some beautiful areas. So unknown. On many, I only saw a handful of people as I wandered, or cycled, along. And yes, I tell myself on a few occassions, how lucky I was to have a job that got me out there.
It's a great idea from City of Onkaparinga to promote these trails more through their website and brochures. So many tranquil and beautiful places to explore in our own backyard.
www.onkaparingacity.com
Victor Harbor weekender
You don't have to go too far from home to feel like you are on holiday. And you don't have to go for too long either.
Growing up in Victor Harbor, one hour south of Adelaide, and with all my family still living there, I don't normally feel like I am going on holiday when I go down there. But this weekend, with the sun out, and the kids happy, we couldn't have been further (mentally) from home.
Splashing in the ultra fresh (aka freezing) water while watching the clydesdales pull the tram over to Granite Island. Clambering over rocks at the Bluff, looking for crabs. Enjoying a sunset drink while the kids play in the sandpit at Eat @ Whalers. Surfing some glistening green waves at Middleton (my biggest and longest yet). Then getting back to basics on the farm, watching newborn calves feed on colustrum.
Returning home, it feels longer than one night away. A refreshing break, energised and ready to start the normal life again for another week.
Where, or what, do you do to recharge and get away from it all? And if you are in South Australia, where do you go?
Scoot Airline and AirAsia X child free
'Scoot in silence' cabin.
Scoot, a budget airline of Singapore Airlines, is introducing a child-free zone on their flights. Passengers will sit in an area behind business class, with more leg room, where under 12's are banned. Is it sound proof?
Tracey Spicer, family columnist of Traveller, says the concept of child-free areas on planes is 'offensive'. 'It's something I feel very strongly about, it's treating children like they're animals in a zoo," she said. Then continuing to say that some of the worst flights she has had have been because of adults. Drunk, smelly or not fitting in their seat.
I don't mind there is a child free zone. I understand the glares I get when we sit down next to someone. I can feel them looking, and hoping, that the children are going to be quiet, still and behave. Then they look around to see if there are any free seats before burying their head in the inflight magazine. Perhaps they then order a scotch.
Children do have a bad reputation, but on the whole, children fly quite well. And babies that cry, well, it's not their fault. And look at their parents. Normally they are doing everything they can do stop the crying, and are ripping themself up thinking everyone is glaring at them.
On a flight back from Singapore, we sat next to a woman travelling with a baby and toddler. She was on her way back from Ireland, where she had visited family. Her husband had to leave early to go back to work. So she was doing the trip alone.
Her toddler did a great job, but her poor baby girl was having a hard time. She cried for the majority of the overnight flight, and distraught mum couldn't do anything to stop her. She tried. She tried hard. Another passenger tried. I tried. Not much worked.
Yes, it disturbed the people around her. Yes, we didn't sleep much. But I feel a lot more for the poor mum who not only had to try to calm her baby, look after her toddler, and deal with the thought of glaring, whispering passengers.
Think about it next time.
Bali Kids and The Bali Ball
When I was in Bali last, I photographed the kids at Bali Kids. I was taken to the hospital, schools and home where they live. An amazing experience, to see such happy children - children from devastating backgrounds.
Bali Kids ask tourists going to Bali to take over supplies, clothing, donations and various other things to help run the orphanage and hospital. Tourists can visit at specified times also, and meet the kids.
The Bali Ball, now in it's third year, also raises money for Bali Kids. Last year the event raised a whopping USD $136,000, enabling Bali Kids to build their new medical and dental centre. This year, The Bali Ball, held on August 16th, raised money for not only Bali Kids, but also Yayasan Samaritania (charity that helps the children living on the rubbish tip in Sanur) and Bumi Sehat (two community health centres in Bali and Aceh).
www.balikids.org
Think about who you might be able to help, next time you head overseas.
Tourism crime and scams - the opening of first Crime Crisis Centre in Phuket
This week, the first Crime Crisis Centre, at Phuket International Airport opened its doors.
Another will be opened in downtown Phuket, both operating around the clock, in an aim to crack down on tourism crooks.
Crooks that range from ripping off tourists in jet-ski scams, accusing tourists of damaging the rental jet-skis and demanding huge sums for repairs to threat of physical violence.
I went to Phuket last year, and can certainly see how many scams there could be, and how the unassuming tourist is an easy target. Thai newspapers report that Russians, Koreans and Chinese have been active in both Phuket and Pattaya, some using Thais as nominees in setting up businesses to con foreigners. So it's big business.
It's just another reminder of how we need to be careful when travelling. Travel not only securing your personal belongings, but thinking with your head screwed on. Don't trust people on the street. Don't buy drugs. Don't say you will buy something, then change your mind. Don't go down into the slums. Don't take too many chances.
Do have fun. Do take notice of things. Do secure yourself. Do let your family and friends know your plans. Do get things in writing. Do use reputable companies.
I have been conned, probably more often than I know it. The one that comes to mind, is arriving at Peru airport at midnight, hotel booking in hand, being led astray by a tour company saying the hotel had closed, and they will find us a better hotel. They found us a hotel, but also at an extra cost. They also had us come in for a meeting the next morning, where they sold a 'cheap' package for travelling through Peru and Bolivia, including a tour of the Inca Trail. We weren't in any harm, the tour was brilliant, but we did pay much more than we should have.
That, I guess, is where planning and common sense comes in. Research what things cost, know what you want to do, and have options.
Travel is a wonderful thing, and can be so fulfilling and exciting. But with all excitement comes its dangers - stay safe.
Dear Hotel, give us what we really need... Please.
* I am not talking about the Hotel in this piccie, I'm talking generally...
Just wanted to say that I really love the ambient lighting, funky fit out and the long room service list, but...
Can I please have curtains that close all the way? I love the view sometimes, but not when I'm trying to sleep in (on the odd occassion that I can).
Could you please have spare phone and laptop charges for loan? So many times I forget one of these, and have to run down to the shops to buy a new one.
Can you put something healthy on the room service menu? When you travel frequently, fresh vegetables and plain food can be the ultimate meal.
Conference rooms. Can we please have them warmer so we don't shiver to death? It's probably just me, but I hate having to carry around a jacket in the middle of summer so I don't freeze when I go inside.
I love staying in hotels, don't get me wrong. But a few little extras would make it all the nicer.
What do you guys love, or want, in hotels?
AirAsia X ADL-KUL
'the skies are filling'
Good news for South Aussies wanting to travel to Asia. Low cost long-haul airline AirAsia X have announced they will begin flights direct to Kuala Lumpur in October, increasing to five flights a week by end of November.
Extra good news to the SA tourism industry, increasing accessability and affordability for a big Asian market. Especially with the link to China, the fastest growing international market in SA.
And good news for international students studying in Adelaide also - with affordability enabling family and friends to visit them while they are here.
Good news all round. Happy days.
SA AIPP Awards 2013
Recently, photographers over the state (and some judges from interstate) gathered in Norwood, South Australia, to see how SA photographers were stacking up in the industry. We were able to enter up to 12 images in any of the categories. Categories I entered were Commercial, Travel and Landscape.
Having had a few years off, and only achieving one Silver award previously, I was unsure of how I would go. It can be hard to impress the judges with imagery that is above 'professional standard' - it has to be something unique, quirky, technically excellent, and convey story. And let's not even start on how un-nerving it is.
The below images are all Silver award winning prints. Some of these I will take forward to the National level in September, after a few tweaks.
I'd love to hear what your favourite image is!
What is the most desired airport feature?
Recently, Skyscanner revealed data suggesting 49 percent of respondents would like to catch a movie while waiting for their flight to depart.
I'm not sure about you, but the last thing I want to do is sit down between long flights. Sore bum! Not to mention the cramping back.
Other features that made the top ten list for travellers included sleeping pods (definately!), library, gym, an outdoor park and a man made beach.
I get these. Anything that gets me moving. Recently, on a trip to Phuket, we had a long transit in Singapore. Going to the roof top pool, having a swim and relaxing in open air, we easily passed a few hours. I'd also appreciate a gym in airports, but then again, when do I want to pack sports clothes as carry on?
What would you like to see in airports?
