Autumn Photography in London and the Cotswolds
I have always liked to travel during the “off peak” seasons such as Spring and Autumn. I specially like Autumn for the pallets of colours on display against a usually grey sky with a nice nip in the air. Perfect weather for long walks and photography and the drink at the end of the day (or during) tastes that much better. And for a trip to London and the Cotswolds it makes all the more sense. One can avoid the crowds and long queues at venues. Flights and Room rates tend to be cheaper than during the summer. So there’s a lot going for travel in Autumn and here’s some information on traveling to London and the Cotswolds during Autumn.
I have always liked to travel during the “off peak” seasons such as Spring and Autumn. I specially like Autumn for the pallets of colours on display against a usually grey sky with a nice nip in the air. Perfect weather for long walks and photography and the drink at the end of the day (or during) tastes that much better. And for a trip to London and the Cotswolds it makes all the more sense. One can avoid the crowds and long queues at venues. Flights and Room rates tend to be cheaper than during the summer. So there’s a lot going for travel in Autumn and here’s some information on traveling to London and the Cotswolds during Autumn.
London Taxi
London
Getting There
London has 3 International Airports namely Heathrow , Gatwick and London City Airport. Heathrow is the biggest Airport and the busiest and with the most international Connections. Gatwick is now becoming a good choice due to congestion at Heathrow. London City Airport has connections from EU. So if you are traveling from Asian cities chances are you will be flying into Heathrow or Gatwick.
London Time Zone
London is on GMT so ie IST - 4 hours and 30 mins and Singapore time - 7 hours
UK Currency
The currency of the UK is the Pound Sterling. As of this writing the exchange rates are as below
1 Pound = 1.236 USD = 88.61 INR = 1.70 SGD
Where to Stay in London
London is as an expensive city. Hotel Rooms are no exception. But one is spoilt for choice and it seems there is almost no limits as to how much one can spend for a nights accommodation here.
Ultra Luxury Option
Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences
In the heart of Westminster, close to Buckingham Palace, these 5 AA Red Star luxurious suites are served by 3 acclaimed restaurants and the award-winning Spa at 51.
51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences combine privacy with 5-star luxury. Many overlook the courtyard gardens. Guests can also benefit from concierge services.
The Michelin starred Quilon Restaurant serves South-West coastal Indian cuisine, while Bistro 51 serves a range of international dishes prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. The Library serves an organic breakfast daily.
Kona offers an innovative interpretation of the colours, flavours and vibrancy of Southern European cuisine. The freshest and finest ingredients and predominantly sustainable organic produce is served in an elegant environment.
Victoria station is a 10-minute walk away and Buckingham Palace is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Westminster Borough is a great choice for travellers interested in shopping, parks and city walks.
Luxury Options
In the heart of London, Hilton London Tower Bridge has a striking modernexterior and is located just a 5-minute walk from Tower Bridge and opposite The Shard. There is free WiFi in public areas of the building, as well as the Executive Lounge. There are 2 public car parks within a 4-minute stroll from the property.
London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf
In the vibrant Canary Wharf area, this 5-star landmark hotel has luxury rooms and a state-of-the-art fitness suite. There is easy access to LondonCity Airport and the O2 Arena.
Many of the rooms also look out over Canary Wharf and the skyline of London’s business district.
Mid Range Options
Hilton London Kensington Hotel
Park Plaza London, Park Royal
Budget Options
TCLA - Clapham / Battersea
ibis London Shepherds Bush - Hammersmith
Photo Ops in London
Royalty Driving through Hyde Park, London
Autumns Scene at Hyde Park, London
The Cotswolds
For those of you who are not familiar, the Cotswolds is a quintessentially English Region spread out over eight hundred square miles and over five counties. The counties being Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. This region has the quaintest villages lined with cottages of honey coloured stone. The region is home to some of the best palaces, castles and country homes. The scenery is inspiring and well preserved through an assortment of nature reserves and Arboretas.
Cirencester, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Cheltenham, and Witney are some of the more vibrant towns.
Getting There
Cotswolds Villages
North Cotswolds
Whilst the rightly famous and popular towns of the north Cotswolds such as Cheltenham, Broadway, Bourton on the Water or Burford feature in every guidebook, head off the beaten track and you can unearth hidden gems such as Bourton on the Hill or Naunton. Each of the better known market towns such as Chipping Campden, Moreton in Marsh and Stow on the Wold has a cluster of villages around it and these are decidedly Cotswold in character and well worth investigating.
Winchcombe is an unspoilt market town set on the Cotswold edge. It’s known as being a centre for walkers and is a great place to base yourself if you want to enjoy the rural Cotswolds. A stay in the north Cotswolds brings Stratford upon Avon and Oxford into perfect range for day visits.
South Cotswolds
The south Cotswolds refers to the area around Cirencester and the Stroud Valleys – continuing down to north Wiltshire and towns such as Tetbury and Malmesbury. Bristol and Bath (famous for its Roman baths and also Home of William Shakespeare) are short drive from here.
The Cotswold Water Park dominates the south of the Cotswolds and is an incredible place for leisure offering sports, walks and a beach based around 150 lakes in 40 square miles. Despite its size, it is a well-kept secret just a few miles from Cirencester.
There are ‘Five Valleys’ here which meet at the town of Stroud; linked by the lofty heights of Rodborough, Minchinhampton and Selsley Commons. Many artists and craftspeople live in these peaceful, hidden valleys. The surrounding pretty towns of Nailsworth, Painswick, Fairford and Tetbury are all lovely Cotswold market towns.
I have been to the Cotswolds numerous times for varying lengths of times but have always come back wanting more.
Where to Stay in the Cotswolds
There are a number of villages and types of accommodation to choose from ranging from luxury manors converted into hotels to modest holiday homes, bed and breakfasts and run of the mill hotels.
The Best Accommodations in the Cotswolds tend to get booked early so do make your bookings as early as you can. I suggest bookings be done at least a couple of months ahead of your travel dates. These are some good options to consider.
Luxury
The Slaughters Manor House , Lower Slaughter
Situated in the pretty Cotswolds village of Lower Slaughter, this 17th-century manor house offers free internet and free parking on site. It retains original period features and has a sophisticated, award-winning restaurant.
The beautifully furnished and individually designed rooms at The Slaughters Manor House have a flat-screen TV and a DVD player. Some rooms have a four-poster bed or a luxurious freestanding bath.
Sixteen58 restaurant has elegant modern décor and serves creative dishes made from high-quality local produce. Breakfast is provided each morning, and special dietary requirements can be catered for.
You can relax in the chic surroundings of the Manor, with its fine antique decorations and roaring fires. Local leisure pursuits include golf and horse riding, and the centre of Cheltenham can be reached in 30 minutes’ drive.
Mid Range Inn
The Keepers Arms is located in the village of Quenington, 15 minutes’ drive from Cirencester. This charming, family-run inn features an award-winning pub and modern rooms.
The pub serves real ales and home-cooked, traditional cuisine. You can enjoy a drink out on the terrace.
The inn offers easy access to the pretty Cotswolds countryside, which is ideal for hiking, cycling, fishing and horse riding.
Cheltenham, Oxford and Swindon are within an hour’s drive of the inn.
Aparthotel
Situated in Stroud in the Gloucestershire region, Five Valleys Aparthotel features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
Bath is 48 km from the apartment, while Cheltenham is 24 km from the property. The nearest airport is Gloucestershire Airport, 30 km from Five Valleys Aparthotel.
Photo Ops in the Cotswolds
Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre
Batsford, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire
The Cotswold Falconry Centre
Displaying the art of falconry
The Cotswolds Falconry Center provides opportunities to get up close to falcons and other predatory birds such as the American Bald Eagle and the Grey Eagle
Towers and Manors
Broadway Tower, Worcestershire
Cotswolds Villages
What was in my Camera Bag
Camera Bodies : Canon 5D Mark iii, , Canon 5DS -R
Lenses : Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L IS, Canon 17-40mm L, Canon 24mm TSE , Canon 2x Converter
Accessories : Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, Arca Swiss B1 Ballhead, Remote release, MacBook Pro 13 in, Lacie Rugged Hard Drive, San Disk and Lexar CF and SD cards.
Summary
I have been to the Cotswolds numerous times for varying lengths of times but have always come back wanting more. It is one of the most photogenic locations in the UK and possibly the world. There are plenty of activities for the entire family as well. If you do visit the Cotswolds let me know how your trip went in the comments section below.
Some More Images from the Cotswolds.
More Photography Destinations for you..
One week in Switzerland, Exploring Jungfrau Valley and Zurich
20 years of travel and photography in Europe but somehow I had never made it to Switzerland for a proper holiday or photography trip.Somehow visiting Switzerland for a holiday felt like a cliche from all those Bollywood movies I watched while growing up. Finally during this spring of 2019 we decided to visit Switzerland for a family vacation enroute to the US.
Picture perfect view from Grimmelwald
20 years of travel and photography in Europe but somehow I had never made it to Switzerland for a proper holiday or photography trip.Somehow visiting Switzerland for a holiday felt like a cliche from all those Bollywood movies I watched while growing up. Finally during this spring of 2019 we decided to visit Switzerland for a family vacation enroute to the US.
Tulips and Other spring flowers decorate the streets of Interlaken
We decided to restrict ourselves to the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland as my research said it was one of the most photogenic areas and also great for a family holiday. We also decided to spend 2 days in Zurich to explore the city and take a break before continuing our Journey to the USA.
Getting there
Zurich Airport is the main International gateway into Switzerland . Zurich is served by a host of Airlines. You can check out the list of airlines flying to Zurich here.
The best options from India are Swissair, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar Airlines.
From Singapore , Swissair and Singapore offer direct flights to Zurich.
From Zurich to Interlaken if you are traveling light you can take the train from Zurich airport to Interlaken.
Here I must mention that getting a Swiss Travel Pass for your holiday in Switzerland is a great option which allows you to travel by Train, Bus and Boat on Swiss public transportation.
if you have a lot of luggage like we did the best option would be to hire a car or van to drop your your Interlaken hotel.
High Street Shopping at Bahnoffstrasse, Zurich
Some useful Info
Switzerland Time
Switzerland Time is in the Central European Time Zone . Central European Standard Time ( CET ) is 1 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT+1 ) and GMT +2 in Summer
Switzerland Currency
The local currency is the Swiss Franc
As of this writing the exchange rate is as follows
1 Swiss Franc = 70.8 INR = 1.38 SGD
Promenade at a Village along the Brienz
Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region
Paragliders taking break under a tree at Interlaken
Interlaken is a traditional resort town in the mountainous Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland. Built on a narrow stretch of valley, between the emerald-colored waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, it has old timber houses and parkland on either side of the Aare River. Its surrounding mountains, with dense forests, alpine meadows and glaciers, has numerous hiking and skiing trails.
Inviting arrangement go Spring flowers in front of a cafe,Lauterbrunnen
The Jungfrau region begins in Interlaken, the largest town in the region. Interlaken is easy to reach by train and car. The Jungfrau region stretches out to the Jungfrau mountain range in the south, which is a Unesco World Heritage. There's a lot of beautiful alpine nature and several little villages.
Idyllic Village Scene, Lauterbrunnen
We decided to use Interlaken as a base while we explored the region via day trips. interlaken is a great option as a base of your first trip to the region because it has the most number of hotel and stay options and a wide variety of food options as well including Indian and Asian food options. Don’t miss the famous Swiss Fondues when you are in Switzerland.
Where to Stay in Interlaken
Interlaken has a a variety of Hotel and Stay options to choose from. These range from some incredibly expensive hotels , some mid range hotels and inexpensive (by Swiss Standards) hostels and homesteads.
Hotel Lindner Grand Beu Rivage, Interlaken
Luxury
Lindner Grand Beau Rivage
Jungfrau Hotel
Hotel Royal St Georges Interlaken Mgallery by Sofitel
Budget
Budget Waldhotel Unspunnen
Getting about
Swiss Rail Pass
As I mentioned earlier the Swiss Travel pass is your best travel companion which allows you to explore on all the public transport options.
Taxi
Taxis are an expensive option but if you need to take a break from walking or if you have young kids or seniors in your group this is a quick way to get around Interlaken from point to point.
Photography Locations
Charming Horse Carriage Rides at Interlaken
Paragliding at Interlaken
Interlaken and Harder Kulm
Funicular to Harder Kulm, Interlaken
Lauterbrunnen
Idyllic Charm of Jungfrau Region, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen is a municipality in the Swiss Alps. It encompasses the village of Lauterbrunnen, set in a valley featuring rocky cliffs and the roaring, 300m-high Staubbach Falls. Nearby, the glacial waters of Trümmelbach Falls gush through mountain crevices past viewing platforms. A cable car runs from Stechelberg village to Schilthorn mountain, for views over the Bernese Alps.
Lauterbrunnen and
Exploring Lauterbrunnen
Staubbach Falls
Grimmelwald
Muren
Jungfraujoch
Lake Thun
Lake Brienz
At one the beautiful villages lining the shores of Lake Brienz
Lakeside village at Brienz
Kids enjoying the weather and beauty around Lake Brienz
Giessbachfälle
The Giessbachfälle is a beautiful and popular waterfall which runs into Lake Brienz. The Grand Hotel Giessbach is located such that you access the waterfall through the hotels car park.
Giessbachfälle, Waterfall can be accessed from the car park of the Grand Hotel Giessbach
Landscape around Lake Brienz
Exploring Zurich
Pier at Zurich Old Town
Zurich Old Town
Zurich Old Town scene
Where to Stay in Zurich
The Dolder Grand hotel, Elite Luxury, Zurich
Luxury
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Le Bijou LQ82 Spectacular Limmatview Penthouse
Park Hyatt Zurich
Mid Range
Crowne Plaza Zürich
Budget
iQ130 Guesthouse
Suggested City Tours of Zurich
Zurich Tour Including Lake Cruise and Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet
Fondue and Wine Tuk Tuk Tour in Zurich
What was in my Camera Bag
As this was a holiday primarily I was traveling with just the minimum of cameras gear. I had with my trusted Canon 5DS-R and a couple of zoom lenses which I can’t live without. The Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II and a wide angle zoom the Canon 17-40mm F4 L which has served me well over the last several years but will be upgrading soon. I also carried with me the superb Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.4 which I like to shoot detailed street and sharp portraits with.
A Summer Down Under - 2 Weeks in Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast
May in Australia isn’t summer actually but it is summer in the Indian Subcontinent and most of South East Asia where I am based. In tropical Australia, the dry season from May to October has clear blue skies and sunny days. The temperatures are cooler. In May, the average daytime temperatures in Sydney are generally around 16°C and hardly fall below the average minimum temperatures of 12°C. The peak temperature of the month can reach a pleasant 20°C. Sydney in May is generally sunny and perfect for hitting the beach.
Harbour Bridge at Sunset, Sydney
May in Australia isn’t summer actually but it is summer in the Indian Subcontinent and most of South East Asia where I am based. In tropical Australia, the dry season from May to October has clear blue skies and sunny days. The temperatures are cooler. In May, the average daytime temperatures in Sydney are generally around 16°C and hardly fall below the average minimum temperatures of 12°C. The peak temperature of the month can reach a pleasant 20°C. Sydney in May is generally sunny and perfect for hitting the beach.
We had two weeks to spend including travel. We decided to distribute that between Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Stopover at Singapore on the way back. That gave us about 10 days in Australia itself.
Concert in Progress near Opera house at Sydney Harbour
Sydney
View of Harbour Bridge , Sydney Harbour
We flew from Bombay to Sydney via Singapore on Singapore Airlines. We landed at Sydney where we were staying with friends and after a good nights rest we set off to explore the Sydney Harbour Area.
Where to Stay in Sydney
Sydney has a wide variety of accommodations to suit most budgets. Here are a few popular options.
Luxury Options
Meriton Suites Kent Street
The Grace Hotel
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney
Mid Range
Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central
Macleay Hotel
Budget
Bondi Beachouse YHA
Manly Central Apartment
Sydney Photo Ops
On my previous trip to Australia I had spent most of my time around Darling Harbour so tis time i decided to focus on Sydney Harbour area for my photography. The Sydney Harbour and Harbour Bridge create so may different photo ops I could spend a few days just coming back and capturing the different moods and vistas here. It is also great for street photography with so many people from all over the world visiting.
Sydney Harbour Scene
Specially during weekends the entire harbour area has a high energy feel to it. But on weekdays you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere conducive to landscape photography. Come her at dawn and dusk to capture the lovely vistas of the Harbour, Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Yes all these have been shot extensively already but you can enjoy the challenge of crating that unique image.
Ferry and Harbour Bridge at Sunset, Sydney Harbour
After the hustle and bustle of Sydney harbour we took time to explore the Urban Parks in Sydney such as Harmony Point . You’ll find many more gardens and parks to enjoy in Sydney. Centennial Parklands in Sydney’s east is popular for picnics, cycling and horseriding. The Chinese Garden of Friendship is perfect solitude in Darling Harbour and Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney’s west is great for outdoor activities and sports.
Cycling Path at Harmony Point, Cabarita
Take a ferry across the harbour to Neutral Bay and Nutcote, the charming home and garden of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie author and illustrator May Gibbs. Wendy's Secret Garden, a secluded oasis in nearby Lavendar Bay, is another living artwork that offers tranquility, winding pathways, views and lovely picnic spots.
Near Cabarita Beach, Sydney
For a delightful daytrip take a train or rivercat to Parramatta for Parramatta Park, a beautiful family park and World Heritage-listed convict site.
Barbeque and Picnic Area At Olympic Park
We also visited the Taronga Zoo which has a great collection of Animal life to view if that’s your thing. I was more interested in the views from the ferry and the island on which the Zoo is located. Taronga Zoo Sydney is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in the suburb of Mosman, on the shores of Sydney Harbour.
Gorilla at Taronga Zoo, Sydney
It was officially opened on 7 October 1916. Taronga Zoo Sydney is managed by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales, under the trading name Taronga Conservation Society, along with its sister zoo, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.
Mountain Goat
Divided into eight zoogeographic regions, the 28-hectare (69-acre) Taronga Zoo Sydney is home to over 4,000 animals of 350 species. It has a zoo shop, a cafe, and information centre.
Male Lion at Sydney Zoo
View of Sydney Skyline from Sydney Zoo
Sunset View of Sydney Skyline
Dawn at a Residential Suburb of Sydney
Gold Coast
After a few days at Sydney we decided to head to the Gold Coast along with our friends. It was off season at the Gold Coast meaning flights and accommodation were cheaper than normal as long as one didn’t mind the less than perfect weather.
Where to Stay at Gold Coast
Luxury
Meriton Suites Broadbeach
The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast
Mid Range
Private 1 bedroom Carlton Apartment
The Ruby Collection
Surfer’s Paradise Beach
Surfer’s Paradise Beach, Gold Coast
Colloquially known as 'Surfers', the suburb has many high-rise apartment buildings and a wide surf beach. The feature of the heart of the suburb is Cavill Mall, which runs through the shopping and entertainment precinct.
Sunrise and Receding Storm, Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise is the Gold Coast's entertainment and tourism centre and the suburb's high-rise buildings are the best known feature of the city's skyline.
Cavill Avenue Shopping
Cavill Avenue, named after Jim Cavill, an early hotel owner, is one of the busiest shopping strips in Queensland, and the centre of activity for night life. One of the features of the area is the Surfers Paradise Meter Maids designed to build goodwill with tourists.
A lazy Afternoon at Gold Coast
The "Gold Coast Nightlife Precinct" offers many after-dark activities for visitors. The precinct is considered Australia's nightlife capital and attracts close to 20,000 visitors daily. The area also hosts the largest Schoolies week event in the country, attracting tens of thousands of school leavers to the precinct.
Hot Air Ballooning (the highlight of the Gold Coast Trip)
Skypoint Observatory
Beautiful View of Gold Coast from SkyPoint Observatory
SkyPoint located on top of the iconic Q1 Building, one of the world's tallest residential towers, takes you to the highest point above the Gold Coast and offers spectacular 360 degree views from the surf to the hinterland and beyond.
Q1 Gold Coast History
View of Gold Coast Town from SkyPoint
In 1998, the Anderson family acquired the properties on a central Surfers Paradise site bound by the Gold Coast Highway, Clifford Street, Hamilton Avenue and Northcliffe Terrace – the latter streets named in the late 1920s in honour of members of Australia’s champion Olympic sculling team. Some 139 lots were amalgamated and until 2002, when construction of Q1 commenced, the properties remained as they were.
The project to build the world’s tallest residential tower was officially launched on the 28th June 2002. Sunland Construction team began work immediately, with a workforce of 500 labouring for over 3 years, or a total of 2.5 million man hours. More than 2500 people were involved in the project. Q1 Resort and Spa officially opened on the 26th of October 2005.
The Q1 Spire
The Q1 Spire is one of the world's longest at 97.7m. It commences at level 75, is made up of 12 sections and weighs 87.2 tonnes. The oval shaped spire starts at level 76/225m high and extends 47m above the glass fin. Powerful arc lights illuminate the spire which can be seen from 200kms away.
Design of the Q1 Gold Coast
Q1 was designed by Atelier SDG. As the design process proceeded during the year of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, the desire to create something intrinsically Australian took hold. In its final form, Q1 draws inspiration from the upswept curves of the Sydney 2000 Olympics torch – which itself is reminiscent of the overlapping curves of the Sydney Opera House.
The Q1 Building Gold Coast
The Q1 Building is taller than the Chrysler building in New York City.
Q1 is one of the tallest residential buildings in the world.
Q1 is 322.5 metres high.
SkyPoint has one of the World's fastest elevators taking you from ground to Level 77 in 42.7 seconds.
Australia's only beachside Observation Deck .
Offers stunning 360 degree views of the entire Gold Coast, from the surf to the hinterland and beyond.
SkyPoint is 230 metres above sea level.
There are 1331 steps from the ground to Level 77.
Surfer’s Paradise Beach, Gold Coast
Hot Air Ballooning
Hot Air Ballon ready for passengers
A great way to start your morning in the Gold Coast is to go Hot Air Ballooning. Float up to watch the sun rise over the rolling hills of the majestic Gold Coast hinterland; enjoy sweeping views of Tamborine Mountain, Lamington National Park and to the east see the shimmering tall towers of the Gold Coast skyline.
Aerial view of farms at the Gold Coast
This scene from Australias Gold Coast reminds me of images from the Serengeti
Packing up the balloon post flight is a team effort
Melbourne and The Great Ocean Road
Getting there
By Flight
Melbourne is well connected Internationally by many major international Carriers including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Scoot, Air Asia. It is also serviced by all the regional airlines such as Jetstar, Virgin Australia, RegionalExpress etc.
By Road
While it is easier and faster to travel between Sydney and Melbourne by taking a one-hour direct flight, driving has its own advantages with little trips and diversions that may be taken along the way. The most direct route is 874 km on the Hume Highway (M31), a dual-carriage highway. For those with time to spare, there is the Princes Highway which follows the coast for most of its length, a distance of 1,032 km (640 miles), although not necessarily within sight of the sea. Other alternate inland roads include the Olympic Highway between Albury and Sydney via Cowra and Bathurst, and also the Monaro Highway route via Canberra.
Where to Stay at Melbourne
Here are a few popular accommodations to meet most budgets.
Luxury
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Pan Pacific Melbourne
Mid Range
Flinders Street Apartments
Pars Apartments - Collins Wharf Waterfront, Docklands
Budget
Summer S Holiday Inn
Melbourne Beach Side Apartment
Along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria
The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243-kilometre stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Some of the attractions along this road are
The 12 Apostles-Limestone cliffs
Created by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10–20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs.
The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore. View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under a full sun.
How to get there
The 12 Apostles are located 275 kilometres west of Melbourne, approximately a four-hour drive along the Great Ocean Road.
Gibsons Steps
Gibsons Steps
Be dwarfed by the 70-metre high vertical cliffs and marvel at Gog and Magog, the nicknames given to the giant limestone stacks rising up out of the sea. Weather permitting, make your way down to the beach via the 86 steps that were carved into the face of the cliff by local settler Hugh Gibson, who worked on the route originally used by the Kirrae Whurrong people.
At Gibsons Steps near the 12 Apostles
Getting there
Park your car at the Gibson Steps car park or make your way from the 12 Apostles and walk the one kilometre to Gibson Steps, departing from the back of the kiosk. The path passes under the Great Ocean Road near the Gibson Steps viewing platform and beach access.
Loch-Ard-Gorge
Located just three minutes west of the mighty Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is a treasure trove of natural beauty, coastal wilderness and maritime history. Take some time to wander the trails, exploring the blowholes, offshore limestone stacks and towering cliffs. Visit at dusk to watch the short-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds) fly home. Hear the story of the Loch Ard shipwreck and learn about the rich maritime history of the area at the nearby Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre.
Views from top of the cliff near Loch And Gorge
Loch-Ard-Gorge
12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road Helicopter Rides*
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum is a natural and cultural history museum located in the Carlton Gardens in Melbourne, Australia. Located adjacent to the Royal Exhibition Building, it is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere.
Melbourne Museum showcases Australian social history, Indigenous cultures, science and the environment. Located adjacent to the World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, and home to IMAX Melbourne.
Major features of Melbourne Museum include celebrating Victoria's local Koorie culture in Bunjilaka, Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Explore Melbourne's rich history in the Melbourne Story exhibition; be immersed in evocative stories and discover the icons and personalities that have shaped Melbourne since the early 1800s.
See Phar Lap, Australia's legendary racehorse, in the flesh. Walk amongst skeletons of amazing animals from the past; from dinosaurs, flying reptiles and megafauna.
Take a close look at bugs, from stick insects to red-back and funnel-web spiders in Bugs Alive. Wander through a living forest with resident wildlife inside the Forest Gallery. Journey into the mind and explore a world of emotions, thoughts, memories and dreams in The Mind exhibition.
Visit the Museum Shops for a unique range of books, toys, games, as well as locally produced crafts and souvenirs you won't find anywhere else.
The Theatre Scene at Melbourne
From Big Budget Musicals to indie stage shows, Melbourne has it all. Catch theatre, comedy and musicals at this elegant theatre on Exhibition Street. Built in 1928, the Comedy Theatre has hosted local and touring shows for generations. Popular hits include Calendar Girls, The Rocky Horror Show, Avenue Q, Rock of Ages and Waiting for Godot.
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
The Melbourne Food Scene
Experience Melbourne's mix of cultures in its myriad restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Whether you're after modern, traditional, exotic or homespun flavours – Melbourne's eclectic dining scene offers a startling array of the world's great cuisines, from popular favourites to the truly groundbreaking.
Share a drink while snacking on high end tapas in a laneway eatery, take on a Szechuan chilli dish in Chinatown, or break out of the CBD and discover the city's specialist eating destinations – Richmond for Vietnamese, Carlton's 'Little Italy', Fitzroy for Spanish and Brunswick for Lebanese. The Melbourne food scene is so great that I think it deserves a separate culinary exploration trip to do it justice. Watch this space for updates on that. :)
Chin Chin Thai Eatery Melbourne - This Thai diner has a cool but unfussy vibe. The menu is mostly sharable and you can order wine by the carafe from the 'Wine Guy'. Crispy school prawns and suckling pig pancakes make great lazy afternoon drinking food. The air zings with spices and buzzes with conversation. Look out for fun touches like vintage propaganda posters and a Vietnamese cyclo by the door. *Visit Melbourne
What was in my Camera Bag for this trip?
For this trip I had carried with me my trusty Canon 5D MARK III and the classic combination of 3 Canon Zooms lenses namely the 17-40MM F4L, 24-70 F2.8 L and the superb Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM II and a Canon G15 Compact camera as a backup.
I also had with me my Hasselblad H4D40 with 80mm HC lens.
Other accessories included
Macbook Pro 15 in Laptop
Lacie Rugged 1 TB external drive
SAN DISK and LEXAR CF and SD cards
Gitzo Tripod and Arca Swiss Ball Head
*Sources : Visit Melbourne, Visit Australia, Wikipedia
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Spring Photography Guide to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks, USA - by Kamal Chilaka
Yellowstone and Jackson Hole National Parks have long attracted all types of people ranging from Native Americans , European Fur Trappers , Conservationists , Nature lovers and Photographers alike. They are right there on top of the list of National parks which provide great photo ops.
After they had been on my bucket list for a couple of years I finally decided to make the trip with a photography enthusiast friend from Boston.
Classic View of the Tetons from Schwabacher Landing, Grand Tetons
Yellowstone and Jackson Hole National Parks have long since attracted all types of people ranging from Native Americans , European Fur Trappers , Conservationists , Nature lovers and Photographers alike. They are right there on top of the list of National parks which provide great photo ops.
After they had been on my bucket list for a couple of years I finally decided to make the trip with a photographer friend from Boston.
Getting There and Getting Around
We flew to Jackson Hole from Boston via Denver. As we had decided to travel in late spring the tourist season had not officially begun as we wanted the park to ourselves and avoid the summer crowds. Other option is to fly to Salt Lake, Utah and drive from there.
Grand Tetons National Park Road
The views as you prepare for landing are just amazing. We were on a smaller commuter Jet from Denver to Jackson Hole which doesn’t allow for even have enough storage for a 26 L backpack and I ended up having to check it in at Gate.
I did manage to take my camera bodies and a couple of lenses in my hand and stowed them under the seat. Something to keep in mind while packing your gear for a trip to Yellowstone specially if you are flying on on the smaller jets.
At Jackson Hole Airport we picked up our rental car for the week a nice compact SUV which would be our ride for the duration of the trip.
Where to Stay at Jackson,WY
We stayed at the Rustic Inn Creekside during the first leg of our trip which was a 3 day stay at Jackson Hole. The inn had all the creature comforts one would need on such a trip. The rooms were spacious. The layout allows for easy access to the car park without too much walking from the rooms which were split level chalets. The lobby had hot coffee ready to take out early in the morning which is typically when photographers and adventure lovers like to head out to take in the best scenery . The Buffet breakfast was ample and was the perfect way to charge ourselves after a nice early morning shoot in the still chill Spring Air.
Jackson Hole has a wide selection of accommodations to choose from specially once the tourist season begins. During the shoulder season the options would be significantly lower.
Here are a few more options to choose from
Luxury
The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa
Budget
Jackson Hole and Grand Tetons Scenic Locations
Grand Tetons Park
While choosing which locations you want to visit within the park you have to decide on what your interest is. The choices would vary depending what you want to do be it back country camping or spotting wildlife or shooting scenery . Here i focus on my interest which is Landscape photography. Some of these locations would also be good for spotting buffalo , moose, and the occasional Coyote .
Mormon Row
The first afternoon were there we did a bit of exploring by driving around the area between Jackson and the airport. We had our first sighting of a Bull Buffalo just as we were turing in a bend in the road to Mormon Row. What was that? When you get up close to American Buffalo for the first time it hits you hard just how big and dangerous these animals are.
These are wild animals and you must maintain a minimum distance from them when you are observing them or trying to photograph them. To ignore that advice is putting yourself at peril as many over enthusiastic tourists have found out the hard way.
Mormon Row Scene at Sunrise
For our first full day of photography at Grand Tetons we had lined up the services of a local guide as we wanted to get quickly acquainted to the lay of the land in as short a time as possible. Our guide promptly picked us up before sunrise and took us to some of the spots mentioned here.
Schwabacher Landing
Not only did he take us to the best spots but also times that to coincide with when the light was optimum. We managed to get a few pics but planned to get back to the same locations again for shooting at dusk for a different mood.
Snake River Outlook ..The Spot for which Ansel Adams shot his iconic image
The Location from where Ansel Adams shot his iconic image of Snake River with the Tetons in the background is a look out point but the car park is further back now meaning one can’t really take the same image without the help of a drone.
Sunset at Jackson Lake
We had a half day to explore and shoot in and around Jackson before heading off to West Yellowstone in Montana for access to Yellowstone National Park through the west Entrance. The road from Grand Tetons to Yellowstone is closed till further in May . So we had to access Yellowstone via the west entrance .
Back country scene
Back country scene
Farmhouse in the backroads around Jackson,WY
We were able to capture scenes in the back roads around Jackson and also enroute to West Yellowstone.
Horses and Cattle at a farm
Yellowstone National Park
The Yellow coloured Rock that gives the park its name
On day 3 after a morning photo outing at the Tetons we checked out of the hotel and started driving towards West Yellowstone through the rolling meadows of Idaho with a ceiling of puffy white clouds against a backdrop of big blue sky we reached our Hotel in the evening and rested for the night.
Driving through Idaho to West Yellowstone
Where to Stay at West Yellowstone
We stayed at the Kelly Inn West Yellowstone a nice premium inn just a short distance from the West Entrance to Yellowstone Park and also 5 minute walk from the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.
Other Stay Options
Luxury
Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone
WorldMark West Yellowstone
Budget
Evergreen Motel
Moose Creek Inn
We had a surprise snowfall our first morning in West Yellowstone. The Landscape had changed overnight. There was a nice blanket of snow covering everything which made our first drive into Yellowstone magical. We had gotten a taste of winter when we were not expecting it.
After a late Spring Snowfall
At Yellowstone just after a snowfall
Waterfall at Yellowstone
Yellowstone National photo Locations
On our first day we decided to explore the valleys and wildlife and waterfalls of Yellowstone.
Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley
This wide, expansive valley is home to bison, elk, coyote, grizzly and wolf, and is must visit area for serious wildlife watchers. Bison and elk are readily visible, and coyotes can oftentimes be spotted.
Buffalo near Lamar Valley
Visitors who are willing to rise early in the morning or wait up until dusk also may have the opportunity to see bears and wolves. In fact, Lamar Valley is the no 1 destination for viewing wolves. There are also abundant fishing opportunities in the Lamar Valley.
American Wild Buffalo at Yellowstone
Yellowstone Falls
Yellowstone Falls
How to Get There
The Lower Falls area is located just to the east of Canyon Village. A one-way loop drive takes you to the brink of the Grand Canyon and offers four views, with the last stop at the trail that leads to the top of the Falls.
Brief Description
Lower Falls, the biggest waterfall in Yellowstone, is the most famous in the Park, hands down. In fact, the 308-foot tall waterfall it is most likely the second most photographed spot in Yellowstone, with Old Faithful Geyser being the first. There are numerous views of the Falls from both the east (Inspiration Point, Grandview Point and Lookout Point) and west (Artists Point) sides of the Grand Canyon, most of which require only a short walk or virtually no walk to see. The trail to the top of the Falls (3/4 of a mile roundtrip, but steep with many switchbacks) is a must, as the experience of standing atop the Falls is one of the most breath-taking experiences in the entire Park.
Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is a promontory cliff on the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone east of Yellowstone Falls on the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park. The point was originally named Promontory Point in 1878 by W. H. Holmes but later given the name of Inspiration Point by G.L. Henderson, a park concessionaire in 1887. The point is a natural observation point over the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Waterfall in yellowstone
The Geothermal Attractions of Yellowstone
On day 2 we decided to cover the more photogenic Geysers. Yellowstone National Park’s thermal features can be seen as the product of millions of years of geology at work. Much of Yellowstone sits inside an ancient volcanic caldera (the exploded crater of a volcano).
Old Faithful shooting steam into the Sky
The last major caldera forming eruption occurred 600,000 years ago. For hundreds of thousands of years following that, subsequent lava flows slowly filled in most of the caldera. Even now, in some places, nearly molten rock resides as little as 2-5 miles below the surface. Heat from the volcanic activity makes its presence known by heating ground water and creating the thermal features we now see.
The four basic types of thermal features present in the Park are geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mudpots. Many of these are concentrated in Yellowstone’s major geyser basins: Upper, Midway, Lower, Norris, West Thumb, Shoshone and Heart Lake.
Old Faithful entertaining tourists
Geysers are hot springs that erupt periodically. The eruptions is the result of super-heated water below-ground becoming trapped in channels leading to the surface. The hottest temperatures are at the bottom of these channels (nearer the hot rock that heats the water) but the deep water cannot vaporize because of the weight of the water above. Instead, steam is sent upwards in bubbles, collecting in the channel’s tight spots until they essentially become clogged, leading to a point where the confined bubbles actually lift the water above, causing the geyser to overflow.
Cliff Geyser Erupting
This causes the pressure to decrease until suddenly violent boiling occurs throughout much the length of the column, producing a tremendous volume of steam which forces the water out of the vent in a superheated mass. This is an eruption. As the eruption continues, the heat and pressure gradually decrease, and the eruption stops when the water reservoir is depleted or the steam runs out. The two types of geysers are fountain geysers (which shoot water out in various directions through a pool) and cone geysers (which shoot water out in a fairly narrow jet, usually from a cone-like formation).
Emerald Pool
Chromatic Pool hot spring in the Black Sand Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park
Hot Springs are similar to geysers, but their underground channels are large enough to allow rapid circulation of water. Rising hot water releases heat energy by evaporation or hot water runoff, while convection currents return the cooler water to the underground system, thus maintaining equilibrium.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone
The microorganisms which live in and around the hot springs often make the pools very colorful.
Fumaroles are holes or vents from which steam rushes into the air. It is like a hot spring, but lacks liquid water. Either there isn’t enough water or the underground rock is too hot and boils off all of the water so a pool can’t form. The small amount of water that does seep into the area is converted to steam and expelled from the vent, oftentimes creating a hissing noise.
Pink Geyser
Mudpots are thermal areas where water-saturated sediment (similar to clay) is affected by super-heated steam below. Rising steam forces its way upwards through the mud and ground water, bursting upwards sending showers of mud into the air, as if in a small explosion.
Buffalo grazing near Steam Vents, Yellowstone
Steam Vents are cracks in the surface of the ground through which pressurized steam from below escapes to the surface, oftentimes with a hissing sound.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs are a surficial expression of the deep volcanic forces at work in Yellowstone. Although these springs lie outside the caldera boundary, scientists surmise that the heat from the hot springs comes from the same magmatic system that fuels other Yellowstone thermal areas.
A large fault system runs between Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth, which may allow thermal water to flow between the two. Also, multiple basalt eruptions have occurred in this area. Thus, basalt may be a heat source for the Mammoth area.
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone
Thermal activity here is extensive both over time and distance. Terrace Mountain, northwest of Golden Gate, has a thick cap of travertine. The Mammoth Terraces extend all the way from the hillside where we see them today, across the Parade Ground, and down to Boiling River.
Patterns in the Geothermal waters of Mammoth Hot Springs
After 6 days of break taking views and enjoyable photography it was time to head back to Jackson and catch a flight home.
Tips for Travel to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks
What was in my Camera Bag and what did I end up using
This screenshot from Lightroom shows what gear I used for the trip…
My tripod was moderately used specially for the Landscapes near Jackson and Grand Tetons and the Views of Yellowstone Falls and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. For the rest I choose to remain fluid and agile and shoot at higher shutter speeds to counter shake.
Clothing for Spring Weather
Pack Layers and a good lightweight and waterproof jacket. Definitely carry a good pair of photography gloves. The temperatures can dip low making it difficult to handle the camera and tripod without gloves.
If you plan to hike carry a good comfortable pair of hiking boots.
Safety
Both parks are Bear Country and it advisable to carry Bear Spray with you. This can be purchased in gas stations and convenience stores at Jackson or West Yellowstone. Handle with care.
These are large parks and mobile phone coverage is weak or not available except in some areas.
Travel with a friend or as a group but if you have to travel alone let people know where you will be.
I had a great time photographing at these locations and definitely plan to head back there sometime. Possibly in Winter to experience and capture a different perspective.
Order Prints of select Images from Grand Tetons and Yellowstone here
Buy Stock images from Grand Tetons and Yellowstone here
Source References
Wikipedia
Yellowstone.net
Cruising through Scandinavia - 2 weeks through Norway, Denmark and Sweden
Scandinavia had been on my bucket list for a couple of years. And finally when I got a chance to travel there I decided to visit Copenhagen, Bergen and Stockholm with a short cruise through the fjords thrown in. This was to be a preview for a longer trip to Scandinavia at a later time. I decided to start with Copenhagen.
Frederik's Church , popularly known as The Marble Church for its rococo architecture, is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Scandinavia had been on my bucket list for a couple of years. And finally when I got a chance to travel there I decided to visit Copenhagen, Bergen and Stockholm with a short cruise through the fjords thrown in. This was to be a preview for a longer trip to Scandinavia at a later time. I decided to start with Copenhagen.
Getting there
Copenhagen Airport Is the busiest airport in Scandinavia handling around 60,000 travellers every day.
The Major Airlines with connectivity to Copenhagen Airport are Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, SAS, Finnair, Air India, Qatar Air, Cathay Pacific , Air China etc
Copenhagen Airport Image Courtesy: Copenhagen Media Center Photo By : Ty Stange
The best airline within Scandinavia itself is SAS. So my suggestion is to fly to one of the main European centres like London , Amsterdam or Frankfurt and fly SAS to Copenhagen and other destinations within Scandinavia.
SAS AIRLINE Image Courtesy: Copenhagen Media Center
Where to Stay at Copenhagen
Copenhagen Admiral Hotel
NYHAVN and INDRE BY are the main Tourist Hubs for Copenhagen . So I decided to stay at Nyhaven due to the convenience of the location. It is close the the Palace, Opera, Nyhaven Waterfront dining options. Also a lot of the tour operators have pickup points there so it is easy to get onto different tours and daytrips.
Statue of CARL FREDERIK TIETGEN, Danish Industrialist who founded a number of companies and also introduced the concept of “cheque” to Denmark
Calm Night at Nyhavn
INDRE BY is the old City which has beginnings in the 12th century. You will find the famous museums and churches here. It is also close to the Tivoli Gardens. But there are other options for stay too such as INDRE NØRREBRO, VESTERBRO, SLOTSHOLMEN, CHRISTIANSHAVN it depends upon your preference and which area you will be spending more time at.
Nyhaven Options (New Harbour)
INDRE BY Options (old city)
Best Western Plus Hotel City Copenhagen
Budget
Getting Around Copenhagen
Walking and cycling are real options for exploring Copenhagen. The public transport system in Copenhagen is well developed. For more information on tickets and pricing for the buses and water taxis check out the official tourism site of Copenhagen. You can also hail an Uber or call in a taxi if you so please. There are sightseeing buses which do loops around the city with stops at places of interest so that is a great way to explore the city if time is short.
Copenhagen Metro Train Image Courtesy: Copenhagen Media Center
Places to Visit and things to do in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has something for everyone. From waterfront cafes to Grand Palaces , Museums and Art Galleries. There are too many to list in this blog but here are are few highlights
Visit Rosenborg Castle and Explore the palace grounds and King’s gardens.
Rosenborg Castle and Gardens one of the oldest gardens in Copenhagen
Take in the Grandeur of Danish Aristocracy at Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace Museum, Copenhagen Photo By : Kamal Chilaka
Revel in the energy of Nyhavn
Nyhaven Weekend Scene
Nyhavn is full of Dining and Drinking Options.
Become a kid again at Tivoli Gardens one of the oldest theme parks in the world. Walt Disney himself found inspiration for the Disney World here.
Tivoli, the 170-year-old amusement gardens in central Copenhagen, used to be only a summer pass-time, but since 1994 it is open all year round. With thousands of lights adorning the historic buildings and gardens, and with charmingly themed villages and shops full of tasty treats and dazzling decorations, Tivoli oozes Christmas. Add to that the wonderful restaurants and the many thrilling rides, and you are set for a day’s adventure.
Tivoli Gardens at Night Image Courtesy : Copenhagen Media Center Photo By : Eleonora Costi
Carousel at Tivoli Image Courtesy: Copenhagen Media Center Photo By : Anders Bøgild
The Little Mermaid and Geflon Fountain
The Little Mermaid is a bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, depicting a mermaid becoming human.
Near Geflon Fountain
The Gefion Fountain is a large fountain on the harbour front in Copenhagen, Denmark. It features a large-scale group of animal figures being driven by the Norse goddess Gefjon
Absorb the Art of Danish and International Masters at SMK - The National Gallery of Denmark
Feel the wind against your face during a Canal and Harbour Cruise
Tourists waiting for Canal and Harbour Cruises , Copenhagen
Old Opera Ferry and Building
Go Back in time at the Christiansborg Palace.
Frederiksborg Castle is situated in Hillerød, north of Copenhagen. This impressive Renaissance castle was built in the first decades of the 17th century by the Danish King Christian IV.
Frederiksborg Castle has housed The Museum of National History since 1878, when it was established by brewer J.C. Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg. The beautiful decorated rooms with portraits, history paintings, furniture, and decorative art invite visitors on a journey through Danish history and culture from the late Middle Ages to the present. The historical interiors and the splendorous rooms give a sensuous impression of changing styles and epochs. The collection of portraits is the largest and most significant in Denmark, with new works continually added to the collection.
Christiansborg Palace Image Courtesy : Copenhagen Media Center Photo by : Martin Heiberg
Be moved at the The Royal Danish Opera.
The Royal Danish Opera House which cost over 500$Million to build.
Opera House Inside. Image Courtesy: Copenhagen Media Center. Photo by : Terry Mclaughlin
Shop for souvenirs and gifts at the High Street shops.
High Street Shopping at Nyhaven
Stroll around Copenhagen Harbour and enjoy the fresh air as you take in the sweeping views of the sea.
Copenhagen Harbour Scene
All in all I had a great weekend in Copenhagen and before I knew it it was time to continue on to the second leg of my journey which was to fly from Copenhagen to Bergen,Norway.
BERGEN, NORWAY
Bergen in my opinion is the most beautiful city in Norway possibly even Scandinavia. I decided to start my journey through Norway here as it is the gateway to the fjords and also for its fantastic views.
Getting there
By Air
There are direct flights to Bergen from Copenhagen, Stockholm, New York, Helsinki, Amsterdam , London and many more centers of Europe.
Bergen Airport Flesland is located 18 kilometers south of Bergen. The airport buses depart every 15 - 20 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to the Bergen city center.
By Bus
Kystbussen has services from Stavanger, Haugesund or Stord (Leirvik) to Bergen. Buses also run between Oslo and Bergen. And, like travelling by car, you get to see a lot of Norwegian scenery en route.The NOR-WAY express bus company's Haukeliekspressen gets you from Oslo to Bergen.
By Cruise or Ferry
Hurtigruten is the main Cruise company that has sailings to Bergen right from Copenhagen or Oslo.
You can also catch one of the many high speed ferries from the ports along the Norwegian Coast. The approach to Bergen from the sea through fjords past charming fishing coastal villages is something special.
Driving there
One can drive to Bergen from Stavanger or from Oslo. The drive from Oslo to Bergen taken between 7 to 8.5 hours depending upon the route. Driving gives you more freedom to make the journey at your own pace and enjoy the scenery en-route.
Where to Stay at Bergen
I stayed at the Scandic Ornen Hotel which is a modern hotel located a 10 minute walk from City Center and a 15 minute walk from the harbour. But I noticed there were a lot of hotels closer to the city center and the Radisson Blu specially was very well located near Bryggen Harbour. It would probably be my choice if I were to go there again.
Other hotels which have good user ratings are
Luxury
Budget
Dining at Bergen
Bergen being a coastal town has some of the best sea food restaurants. The Bryggen Harbour area is filled with restaurants, cafes and pubs. You can get continental food as well as traditional norwegian food here. There is a TGIF near the city centre which became my favourite spot to have familiar comfort food as i’m not much of a seafood person. There are also tiny hole in the wall type of places for a quick bite. There are a number of Restaurants for Indian and Asian food as well so there is something for all palates.
TGIF Bergen
Coffee Shop at the Fish Market
Bergen Photo Ops
Bryggen Harbour and Waterfront
Bryggen Waterfront Area
Bryggen is one of Bergen's and Norway's main attractions. Bryggen was built after the great fire in 1702 and is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
The very first buildings in Bergen were situated at Bryggen, which has been a vibrant and important area of the city for many centuries.
Bryggen has been ravaged by many fires, the great fire of 1702 in particular. It reduced the whole of the city to ashes. The area was rebuilt on the foundations that had been there since the 12th century, which means that Bryggen is basically unchanged despite the passing centuries.
Bryggen is now part of our common heritage and has a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and the city of Bergen is a designated World Heritage City. The world heritage site consists of the old Hanseatic wharf and buildings, and one of the best known urban areas from the Middle Ages in all of Norway.
In 1360, the German Hanseatic League set up one of its import and export offices at Bryggen, dominating trade for almost 400 years. To stroll through the narrow alleyways and overhanging galleries is to step back into the mists of time and a bygone era.
Bergen Waterfront
Bryggen is very much a living part of the cultural heritage that is still in active use in this historical area of the city. Today, there are several attractions in the area, from the Fish Market to Bergenhus Fortress and there are many cafés, restaurants and shops to choose from. Many of the shops sell traditional and unique crafts.
Explore by walking through the lanes of Bergen
Quaint by Lanes of Bergen
Take the funicular up to the Mt Floyen View Point for fantastic views of Bergen and the fjords.
The Funicular station is located right near Bergen Harbour so is a short walk from most places in city centre.
Make sure you keep track of time while the top of the hill because the trains stop at around 10pm so if you miss the last train it is a long walk back down the hill.
Funicular up to Mt Floyen
Sunset in summer is quite late around 9 pm and it can be quite sunny up at the view point even if you get up there by 6 pm. But its worth the wait and you can ensure you have a good spot reserved to view the Sun set over the fjords.
Tourists and Jogger enjoying the sunset at Mt Floyen Viewing Point
View from Mt Ulriken
Take the Cable car up to the top of Mt Ulriken for the best views of Bergen and the Fjords.
People Watching at Bergen Center
Bergen City Center
Street Musician at Lille Lungegårdsvannet , Bergen
School kids out on a trip
Kids cooling off at a fountain near city center
Youngsters having fun masquerading
A Wedding group at Bergen.
After 3 days of a fairy tale stay at Bergen and with a promise to return for a longer stay that I set off onto the next leg of my journey which was the cruise on Hurtigruten from Bergen to Alesund and Trondheim.
Hurtigruten Cruise
BERGEN-ALESUND-TRONDHEIM
Inside Hurtigruten Terminal at Bergen.This where the passengers check in and wait to board the Cruise Ships
Hurtigruten has sailings from Bergen to KIrkenes and back via Alesund and Trondheim (Norwegian Discovery Voyage)which is a 11 day voyage. I had only a couple of days and nights to spare for the cruise so decided to sail just the Bergen -Alesund-Hardangerfjord-Trondheim section which was 2 nights and 1.5 days.
You can see more details on the Hurtegruten website.
To explore the fjords and the surrounding countryside further take a day trip or two during the cruise. They are a little pricey but the arrangements are excellent and leaves you free to just take in the scenery.
lounge area on the ship
Dining Area in the Ship
My Sea View Cabin for the Cruise
upper viewing deck
Typical Norwegian Fishing Hamlet in the fjords
Alesund Scene
Alesund
Coaches Ready to take Cruise Passengers on a day trip
View of Hardengerfjord from a view point.
Near Trollstigen Pass
Visitor Center and Curio Shop at Trollstigen Pass
Trondheim Walkway
Summer Flowers at Trondheim
Trondheim Scene
At Trondheim I parted with the Cruise and rested for a night before flying on to Stockholm.
Stockholm
Where to Stay at Stockholm
Luxury
Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Stockholm
Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, Stockholm
Budget
Getting around Stockholm
By Subway
Stockholm's subway is probably the quickest way to get around town.
A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes and you can also buy passes for 24, hours, 72 hours and 30 days. The tickets can be purchased at ticket terminals, SL Centers, newsagent kiosks, SMS or the SL app.
Riding the Stockholm Subway
It's not possible to pay cash for tickets on board buses in Stockholm. Failure to show on demand a valid ticket during a control will result in a penalty fee of 1500 SEK.
The same tickets and passes can also be used to travel by bus, tram, commuter trains and the ferries from Nybroviken and Djurgården.
By Boat
Travelling by local ferries is a fantastic way to experience a city built on islands. Ferries are used by both commuters and tourists wanting to take a better look around.
Cycling
There are several rental options; City Bikes simply lets you borrow a bike from any of their 140 public-sites via a three-day or season pass, Bike Sweden is both a bike rental service and organizer of bike tours; Rent-a-bike offers both bike rentals both for several days or by the hour.
By Taxi
You can easily get hold of a taxi by calling a taxi company, hailing one on the street or by taking a one from a rank. There is a manned taxi center at Central Station that can help you with finding the right service, e.g. if you need child seats in the vehicle.
Photo Ops in Stockholm
Stockholm Waterfront
Stockholm Harbour and Traditional Sailing Ship
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan Old Town
Gamla Stan, the Old Town, is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe, and one of the foremost attractions in Stockholm. This is where Stockholm was founded in 1252.
Gamla Stan (Old Town)
All of Gamla Stan and the adjacent island of Riddarholmen are like a living pedestrian-friendly museum full of sights, attractions, restaurants, cafés, bars, and places to shop. Gamla Stan is also popular with aficionados of handicrafts, curious, and souvenirs.
Gamla Stan (old Town)
The Stockholm Underground Art
Stockholm’s subway system is truly one of a kind. One hundred stations, each with unique art on its platform, walls or waiting hall. Since 1957 artists have played a key role when new stations have been built.
T-Centralen Station
And over time the metro’s older stations – planned and built without any art – have been spruced up with beautiful statues, murals, and installations.
Kungsträdgården on the blue Line is one of the most photographed
So spending a day in Stockholm’s metro is basically like visiting the world’s longest art exhibition.
Solna Centrum station
Canal Boat Cruises
Historical Canal Tour Boat
Fotografiska, Stockholm
Fotografiska, Stockholm, Possibly the worlds best photography Gallery
Inside Fotografiska
Inside Fotografiska
Archipelago
My Gear for this trip
Canon 5D Mark 3 DSLR
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L IS Lens
Canon 2x Teleconverter
Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens
Canon G12 Compact Camera
Gitzo Tripod
Arca Swiss C1 tripod head
My Top Photography Locations in New Zealand South Island
New Zealand should be on the bucket list of every Landscape photographer, Hiking Enthusiast and people with wanderlust in general. The “ Land of the Long White Cloud” or Aotearoa is it is referred to in Maori can amaze you with its expansive Landscapes, Lush Green Hills and meadows filled with spring flowers. From verdant beaches to snow peaked mountains New Zealand has it all.
NZ South Island
New Zealand should be on the bucket list of every Landscape photographer, Hiking Enthusiast and people with wanderlust in general. The “ Land of the Long White Cloud” or Aotearoa is it is referred to in Maori can amaze you with its expansive Landscapes, Lush Green Hills and meadows filled with spring flowers. From verdant beaches to snow peaked mountains New Zealand has it all.
I decided to skip the North Island and Auckland the most populous City of New Zealand and decided to just explore the South Island for my first trip as I had heard thats thats where the best scenery is. I plan to visit the North Island on my next trip there.
Getting There : Christchurch is the International Airport for the South Island . Many International Airlines have flights to Christchurch including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Cathay Pacific etc The other option is to fly to Auckland and drive and take a ferry to to the South Island.
New Zealand Time : GMT+13
New Zealand Currency: New Zealand Dollar
New Zealand Visa : See info here
Seasons in New Zealand :
Being located in the car southern hemisphere New Zealand has its seasons opposite from the usual months.
SPRING - SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
SUMMER - DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY
AUTUMN - MARCH, APRIL, MAY
WINTER - JUNE, JULY,AUGUST
Summer is the most popular time for tourists to visit New Zealand But I usually prefer to avoid summer for my travel as that tends to be peak tourist season and everything from accommodation to flight tickets and car rentals are expensive and places tend to be more crowded. I prefer the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn and sometimes winter too.
For this trip I chose to go during the New Zealand Spring.
I flew from Chennai to Christchurch via Singapore on Singapore Airlines. The flight duration from Chennai, India to Singapore is about 4 hours and the flight from Singapore to Christchurch is about 10 hours. On landing at Christchurch I caught the shuttle bus to the Car Rental place and after a short wait had my car for the trip a compact SUV loaded with my luggage and headed to my Motel for the night .
I had an exciting 9 day road trip planned and wanted to be rested and well prepared before I set off the following morning. Most of my hotel bookings for this trip were done on Booking.com and Hotels.com . I also recommend using Trivago.com and Tripadvisor.com for doing hotel reservations.
At Christchurch I stayed at City Centre Motel and Quality Hotel Elms . As the name suggest the first one is a Motel with basic amenities but is located in the heart of Christchurch. Lots of food options around. The Quality Inn Elms Hotel is more upmarket and has a lovely restaurant. Do try out their Grilled Chicken on Brioche Bun.
Tekapo
My first destination was Tekapo. Lake Tekapo is without doubt one of the highlights of any trip to NZ. I had already researched Lake Tekapo by looking at images online and had some idea of the kind of images I wanted to take.
Where to Stay at Tekapo
My Hotel room at Tekapo at the Peppers Bluewater Resort was a pleasant surprise. It was way bigger than I expected and very well located near the Lake and close to the main shopping strip at Tekapo.
Some Other Stay Options at Tekapo
Lake Tekapo..yes its a lake ..
Church of the good Shepherd and Lupines
Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand (the others are Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau). It covers an area of 83 square kilometres (32 sq mi), and is at an altitude of 710 metres (2,330 ft) above sea level.
The lake is fed at its northern end by the braided Godley River, which has its source in the Southern Alps to the north. The lake is a popular tourist destination, and several resort hotels are located at the township of Lake Tekapo at the lake's southern end. The Lake Tekapo Regional Park, administered by Environment Canterbury, is located on the southern shore of the lake.
An astronomical observatory is located at Mount John, which is to the north of the town, and south of the small Lake Alexandrina.
Highlights of Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo is the Church of the Good Shepherd, which, in 1935, was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin. The church at Lake Tekapo was designed by Christchurch architect R.S.D. Harman, based on sketches by a local artist, Esther Hope. The church is arguably one of the most photographed in New Zealand, and features an altar window that frames views of the lake and mountains.
Stargazing at Mount John Observatory
Mackenzie Basin walking tracks
Rainbow at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd
Moeraki
Moeraki is now all known for its boulders; magical spherical stones scattered across a beach. Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to two metres high.Scientists explain the boulders as calcite concretions formed about 65 million years ago. According to Maori legend, the boulders are gourds washed ashore from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand hundreds of years ago.
Moeraki Boulders
Where to Stay at Moeraki Boulders
I booked my stay at Moeraki Boulders Kiwi Holiday Park & Motel which is a short drive away from the Moeraki Boulders Beach. See image below. The holiday park has prefab huts which are very comfortable with attached bathrooms. The camp also accommodates camper vans if you choose to use a camper van for your New Zealand Trip. Other nearby options with good ratings on booking.com are Noah's Boutique Accommodation Moeraki and Three Bays Apartment.
Queenstown
Queenstown is the crowning Jewel of New Zealand’s South Island in my opinion. Its a beautiful picturesque all weather resort town. With an elevation of just 310m it still manages to have ski slopes and a magnificent Lake Wakatipu at its doorstep. This terrain allows for so many activities that draws in the tourists. From Skiing in Winter to trekking and water sports in Spring and Summer it has it all. From a Landscape photographers perspective Queenstown and the surrounding areas present a lot of opportunities. Situated a short walk from Queenstown center, the Gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex. The best views in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular panorama with breath taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peak.
From a Landscape photographers perspective Queenstown and the surrounding areas present a lot of opportunities. Situated a short walk from Queenstown center, the Gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex. The best views in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular panorama with breath taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peak.
Also within a short drive from Queenstown there are locations such as Glenorchy, Arrowtown, Cardrona which present lovely landscapes and viewpoints to explore.
Where to Stay at Queenstown
I divided my stay between these two hotels so as to have access to different photography spots. Both Hotels are superbly located and have great views of Lake Wakatipu.
At the Shore of Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka Scene
Wanaka is just over an hours drive from Queenstown. Lake Wanaka lies at the heart of the Otago Lakes in the lower South Island of New Zealand. The township is situated in a glacier carved basin on the shores of the lake and is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park.
Lake Hāwea is a 15-minute drive away, en route to the frontier town of Makarora, the last stop before the West Coast Glacier region. To the south is the historic Cardrona Valley, a popular scenic alpine route to neighbouring Queenstown. I loved the drive from Wanaka to Lake Hawea. There are a number of scenic viewpoints from which to photograph on this drive .
At its greatest extent, which is roughly along a north-south axis, the lake is 42 kilometres long. Its widest point, at the southern end, is 10 kilometres. The lake's western shore is lined with high peaks rising to over 2000 metres above sea level. Along the eastern shore the land is also mountainous, but the peaks are somewhat lower.
Wanaka lies in a u-shaped valley formed by glacial erosion during the last ice age, more than 10,000 years ago. It is fed by the Matukituki and Makarora Rivers, and is the source of the Clutha River. Nearby Lake Hāwea lies in a parallel valley carved by a neighbouring glacier eight kilometres to the east. At their closest point (a rocky ridge called The Neck), the lakes are only 1,000 metres apart.
Where to Stay at Wanaka
Wanaka offers plenty of choices of accommodation from premium lodgings to hostels for back-packers. My hotel of choice was the Edgewater Hotel which is close to Lake Wanaka offering views of the Lake from the Hotel Grounds. Lake Hawea Hotel, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka etc are all good options.
kids cooling off at Lake Wanaka
Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook
Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki is the largest of three roughly parallel alpine lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand's South Island. The others are Lakes Tekapo and Ohau. All three lakes were formed when the terminal moraines of receding glaciers blocked their respective valleys, forming moraine-dammed lakes.
The glacial feed to the lakes gives them a distinctive blue colour, created by glacial flour, the extremely finely ground rock particles from the glaciers. Lake Pukaki covers an area of 178.7 km², and the surface elevation of the lake normally ranges from 518.2 to 532 metres above sea level.
Road to Mt Cook along Lake Pukaki
The mountain is in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, in the Canterbury region. The park was established in 1953 and along with Westland National Park, Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park forms one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The park contains more than 140 peaks standing over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and 72 named glaciers, which cover 40 percent of its 700 square kilometres (170,000 acres).
The peak is located at the northern end of the Kirikirikatata / Mount Cook Range, where it meets with the main spine of the Main Divide, forming a massif between the Hooker Valley to the southwest and the Tasman Valley east of the mountain. These two valleys provide the closest easily accessible view points of Aoraki / Mount Cook. A lookout point at the end of the Hooker Valley Track located only 10 km from the peak has views of the entire mountainside.
Aspiring National Park home of Mount Cook
My Gear for New Zealand
This is the gear I had carried to New Zealand.
I found that I used the 24-70mm and the 70-200mm lens a little more than the 17-40mm. On my next trip I will probably carry a fast wide angle prime such as my Sigma 20mm f1.4 to shoot landscape and in particular for Astrophotography. Lake Tekapo is a designated dark sky point and that is why they have an Observatory there.
General Tips for Travel to New Zealand
New Zealand is prone to Earthquakes..they are not frequent but they do happen from time to time. Check all travel advisories before going and also be prepared when you are there. Emergency services are very good in New Zealand but just let someone be aware of your itinerary.
New Zealand is a windy place. Specially near Lakes and waterbodies the wind pick up speed as it passes over the water.
While renting a car take the optional GPS package. This will come in handy.
Gas Stations in New Zealand usually have a convenience store so you can stock up water and other snacks there.
Most Hotels have decent wifi. But get the travel data card from the airport cause that will allow you o stay connected even in remote locations.
New Zealand Customs is very particular about not letting anything which can potentially harm their plant life. All your shoes should be cleaned before you pack them.If they find dirt on your shoes they will ask you to clean thematic the airport before handing back to you and may also fine you. Check out NZ customs rules form their official website before you go.
There are restrictions and strict laws on flying drones in New Zealand. Pls be aware of them before you operate one.
NZ is a sparsely populated place specially the South Island. So when you travel it is better to travel with a companion if possible. I travelled Solo and did not have any problems but often found myself thinking it would be nice to have a companion .
New Zealand image Gallery
Kamal Chilaka in Association with Eyemage Tours undertakes small group and customised photography tours to New Zealand and other locations suited for photography. Please contact Kamal Chilaka at +91 8778336918 or mail at kamal@eyemage.photography for details.
Sunrise at Boston Harbour with a Leica X
The Sun was just beginning to rise as I reached the harbour. It was a clear morning and the sun had an intense orange glow while it hung at the horizon. I shot both in colour first to capture the intense colours.
Old Customs Building and US Flag
It was late summer in 2016 when I found myself traveling to New England for my brothers wedding. It was a beautiful seaside wedding in the quant harbour town of Newport Rhode Island. But we had a few days to spend in Boston prior to the wedding .
While the family was still asleep I snuck out with my camera gear for a dawn shoot along the Boston waterfront. I was carrying just my newly acquired Leica X with its fixed 35mm equivalent f1.7 lens. It didn’t take me long to go through and understand the cameras settings. With ISO, shutter speed dials on the top plate and with aperture control on the lens it is extremely institutive to control the Exposure triangle.
The optional various flex EVF is also pretty good and make shooting in bright conditions easier. Also the live view through the EVF gives a fairly accurate rendition of the how the scene will appear in the image. All this means I was free to focus on things like composition and perspective rather than on exposure.Read more about this camera in my gear reviews.
Sunrise at Boston Harbour
The Sun was just beginning to rise as I reached the harbour. It was a clear morning and the sun had an intense orange glow while it hung at the horizon. I shot in colour first to capture the intense colours.
As the sun rose higher creating more contrast between the highlights reflecting of the water and the shadows created by the boats in the harbour I shifted to shooting in Monochrome to capture the drama created by the light.
A pier at Boston Harbour
Boston Harbour Info
Since its discovery to Europeans by John Smith in 1614, Boston Harbor has been an important port in American history. It was the site of the Boston Tea Party as well as almost continuous backfilling of the harbor until the 19th century. By 1660 almost all imports came to the greater Boston area and the New England coast through the waters of Boston Harbor. A rapid influx of people transformed Boston into a booming city.
Boston Waterfront Scene
Boston Harbor is a large harbor which constitutes the western extremity of Massachusetts Bay. The harbor is sheltered from Massachusetts Bay and the open Atlantic Ocean by a combination of the Winthrop Peninsula and Deer Island to the north, the hooked Nantasket Peninsula and Point Allerton to the south, and the harbor islands in the middle. The harbor is often described as being split into an inner harbor and an outer harbor. The harbor itself comprises fifty square miles with 180 miles (290 km) of shoreline and 34 harbor islands.
Reflections and Speedboat
The inner harbor was historically the main port of Boston and is still the site of most of its port facilities as well as the Boston waterfront, which has been redeveloped for residential and recreational uses. The inner harbor extends from the mouths of the Charles River and the Mystic River, both of which empty into the harbor, to Logan International Airport and Castle Island, where the inner harbor meets the outer harbor.
Boston , Old Customs House and Customs House Tower in background
The Custom House in Boston, Massachusetts, was established in the 17th century and stood near the waterfront in several successive locations through the years. In 1849 the U.S. federal government constructed a neoclassical building on State Street; it remains the "Custom House" known to Bostonians today. A tower was added in 1915; the building joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and was designated a Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 1986.
Marriot Boston Long Wharf to the near right and Customs house Tower in the background.
The Cristopher Columbus Waterfront park is one of my favourite places in Boston. It sits right between Long Wharf and Commercial Wharf. I had the opportunity to work at an office at Commercial wharf a long way back at the start of my career. I have fond memories of sitting at the park bench and enjoying a bagged lunch from Faneuil Hall. I try to visit the place whenever i visit Boston. If you haven’t been there make sure to go next time you are at Boston.
The Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park between Long Wharf and Commercial Wharf, Boston .
My favourite things to see and do near the Boston Waterfront
Christopher Colombus Park
New England Aquarium
Boston Children’s Museum
Faneuil Hall
Harbour and Whale Watching Cruises
The Institute of Contemporary Art
Boston tea Party Ships and Museum
Dining at the selection of restaurants near the waterfront ranging from High End Tasting Menus to food courts at Faneuil Hall and Food Trucks
Where to Stay to make the most of the Boston Waterfront
Luxury
Oakwood at One India Street, Boston
Intercontinental Boston
Hilton Boston Downtown Faneuil Hall
Budget
YOTEL BOSTON
PIER BOULEVARD APARTMENTS
BOSTON YACHT HAVEN