PDA

View Full Version here: : Hi, all.


Octane
27-09-2011, 11:08 PM
waa waa :cryface:

I returned home tonight after a couple of weeks photographing New Zealand's pretty landscapes. I've averaged 4-5 hours of sleep a night, making sure I was up in ample time to reach my intended locations for the golden hour/sunrise.

Apart from the photography, a couple of highlights of this trip include the following:

* Seeing snow fall at Arthurs Pass.

* While viewing the above event: I had parked on the side of the road, opened the boot of the car, took out my camera gear to take a few happy snaps about 20 metres up from where I'd parked. A snow plough came pummelling through and scooped up slurry off the road, and dumped it all over me. Worse still, it went /everywhere/ inside the boot and managed to make its way to the front seats, as well. I'm laughing about it now, but, it was absolutely horrible having to clean that crap up! I cleaned what I could, but, there was still some left over (my hands were going numb from scooping it up). Over the next few days, a horrible smell developed in the car, which was bacteria-related, no doubt. After about 3-4 days, the smell disappeared, probably with the drying out of all the material that got drenched.

* Fergburger in Queenstown, yet again. That place never gets old. :eyepop:

* Witnessing the most incredible sunrise I've ever seen over Milford Sound (the photograph will likely not do it justice, but, I tried my best).

* Witnessing an avalanche from the top of a 2km tall peak, again in Milford Sound. The sound of an avalanche is so hard to describe. Best I can describe it as is crackling and thunderous. Something you don't see or hear every day.

* Snow fall in the Mount Cook region.

* Sunrise with the icebergs of Tasman Lake in -3 degree Celsius conditions.

My goal for the trip was to photograph the floral landscape. It seems I went a bit too early, as the lupines haven't started flowering yet. It just means I'll have to go back in a couple of months for a second helping.

I have had a wonderful time, and a much needed break. Although, there was no rest, I am relaxed, rejuvenated, and, even more determined to make the move over for good.

Photographs to come soon, no doubt. ;)

Cheers, all!

H

mishku
27-09-2011, 11:26 PM
Huzzah!! Welcome home!!

adman
27-09-2011, 11:48 PM
Welcome back H. Sounds like you had a fantastic time - can't wait to see some of the pics.

Adam

bloodhound31
27-09-2011, 11:48 PM
I'm trying my hardest not to turn green H! You lucky so and so! ;)

Good you're home safe mate.

Baz.

renormalised
28-09-2011, 12:00 AM
Sounds like it was a great time:):)

Good to have you back, though, safe n sound:)

naskies
28-09-2011, 12:36 AM
Sounds like an amazing trip - look forward to seeing the photos! Between golden hour sunsets and sunrises, I guess that doesn't leave much time for sleep :rofl:

iceman
28-09-2011, 05:52 AM
Welcome back! Looking forward to the photos!

ZeroID
28-09-2011, 06:32 AM
Haere Ra .. Glad you enjoyed it, come again soon. :hi:

jjjnettie
28-09-2011, 09:12 AM
Welcome home Humayun. :)

Ric
28-09-2011, 09:33 AM
Welcome home H

Glad to hear you had a great trip, it sounds like you need another holiday to have a rest from this one.

Cheers

multiweb
28-09-2011, 09:41 AM
Great stories H. Looking forward to the pics. :thumbsup:

Not wrong about avalanches. When the slab first cracks it sounds like a gunshot echo. Scary stuff if you're caught skiing on one. The snows goes faster than you. :eyepop:

AstralTraveller
28-09-2011, 04:22 PM
Snow ..... iceburgs ...... :shrug:

Maybe the view was great but wasn't it a bit .... :cold::cold::cold:

ZeroID
28-09-2011, 05:55 PM
It can be a bit both ways. We did a Sth Island loop down Otago way in January 2009. Milford Sound, on the boat trip was 6 degrees, bitter southerly wet and cold. But driving through to Queenstown that same afternoon we hit 26 degrees !! Notice, it was January, summer ! When that southerly swings up from under Tasmania and the Roaring Forties hit the coastline then the season becomes irrelevant.

Octane
28-09-2011, 06:10 PM
Thanks, everyone. :)

Mish, I was unable to reply to your email. Something about it being blocked. It's probably your 'puter virus?

Ric, you're not wrong -- I could do with a holiday. :P

David, I'm not sure if it's because of endocrine cancer, but, I am able to put up with cold really well. It's either that, or, I've gotten used to living in Canberra and its -5 to -7 winter nights. It was freezing cold every single morning, but, one must suffer for his art -- I suspect the images will be worth it. :)

H

AstralTraveller
29-09-2011, 11:29 AM
I was thinking afterwards that I'd stand outside in -3 for hours if the sky was clear - and at least you would have been moving. I suppose talk of snow and ice sounds colder.

I didn't know about the C. Sorry to hear it.

Octane
29-09-2011, 11:36 AM
Oh, that's cool. No worries. :)

And, yes, once you get moving it gets hot. But, then, standing still taking pictures gets cold again. :)

H