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.
* 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
