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Day 7 Queenstown
Well, it had to happen and today was the day. Snow! Yes, I awoke to beautiful snow showers sprinkling across Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. The whole of the town took on this magical glow. I live in a tropical climate so experiencing snow for me is special.
After a huge breakfast I headed out to Arrowtown, about 20 minutes away from Queenstown. Here I found early settler houses and a main street filled with incredible character. There’s the old Chinese settlement from the gold rush days, with huts so small you WOULD hit a cat if you did swing it! Goodness knows how they survived in those tiny huts during the snow of winter. They made for some great photos in the snow.
In the evening I went to Queenstown’s botanical gardens and got some terrific shots around a water fountain that changed colour.
I love Queenstown so much. There’s something about it I connect with so well. Maybe it’s the mixture of adventure and beautiful scenery? All I know is I feel like I’m home when here.
I think it’s time for a delicious Patagonia’s hot chocolate. See you all tomorrow 🙂
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Day 5 Queenstown
Such a beautiful day today. Started out a little cloudy, but quickly cleared up to reveal stunning mountain ranges covered in snow.
I decided to head to Glenorchy today. A little town about 45 minutes away from Queenstown. The mountains here are just stunning and combined with the aqua blue water of Lake Wakatipu made for some great shots.
From here I headed to a place called Paradise. This is one of my favourite places in the world because of it’s diverse landscape elements. Lakes, wildlife, forest, waterfalls, long sweeping plains, and mountains. Of course it is here that I am in my element. I almost filled my camera memory card for the first time on this trip. I was salivating as I saw the most amazing gifts of nature. Snow frosted plants. mirrored snowy mountains in lakes, rock solid frozen grass with icicles and suns rays streaming through tall ancient forest trees.
What a magnificent trip it has been so far. So much fun, wonderful weather and getting some great shots along the way. Tomorrow is Milford Sound. I’m going to try out my new Nikon 80-400mm lens and hopefully get some good wildlife shots 🙂
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Day 4 Queenstown
Today will go down as one of the BEST photographic days I’ve ever had. Picture perfect weather along with mother nature turning it on in real style. My journey took me from Queenstown up to Mount Cook. Just so much happened it would take me forever to type everything, so here’s a short version for you:
* Started at dawn – firstly found a mini oasis of a waterfall over rocks at a place called Roaring Meg.
* Mist on and sunrays through cloud upon Lake Dunstan near Cromwell.
* Panoramas of snow capped mountains near Lindis Pass.
*Mount Cook National Park – Shots around Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook itself.
*Lake Takepo – Good Sheppard Church shots and shots around the lake.
*Night/star shots of the Good Sheppard Church
*Night/star shots of Lindis Pass
I can’t wait to show you all the shots on my website. Had so much fun along the way too today.
Now super tired and ready for bed after a massive 7 hour drive with photos in between. Good night to you all 🙂
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Day 3 Queenstown
An absolutely stunning day here in Queenstown New Zealand!
The day began with a trip out to the gorgeous Wanaka via the short cut up and over the Alpine Ranges. There were many stunning vantage points looking back over the valley, perfect for my first panorama.
First things first, as I drove into Wanaka I visited my favourite little bakery that I had discovered years ago and ordered the usual. Meat pie and cream filled donut (trust me I don’t always eat this bad). From there I went across the road to Lake Wanaka. If you are ever visiting the south island of New Zealand you MUST visit here. The scenery is jaw dropping. Very happy with the shots I obtained including a terrific collection of shots around this lonely little tree protruding from the lake.
I then hit the road and headed back to Queenstown, but kept going to get to a small remote lake called Moke. I can’t wait to put the panoramic shots I got here together. Perfect mirrored image mountains for 180 degrees. Got a little hairy going out to here due to snow and ice on the dirt road, but it was so worth it!
In the evening I took the Queenstown skyline gondola to the top of the mountain which overlooks the town. Beautiful sunset shots with colours of pink and purple in the sky above The Remarkables mountain range. What a glorious way to end a magnificent day. Just love this place to bits!
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Day 3 Cook Islands
Up to shoot the sunrise and beginning of the Adrian Alford Photography video which you will see completed mid 2013 on this website. Basically the video will detail more about my photography, my techniques and some of the stunning places I get to visit. It will appear under the “About Adrian” tab.Had to go into the main town of Avarua to get my Cook Islands drivers licence for the scooter. Even though I have a drivers licence and international drivers licence they still require you to have a “Cook Islands” drivers licence. There is one main road that goes around the circumference of Rarotonga so it’s pretty hard to get lost. I had a bit of fun with the drives licence picture and nailed “Blue Steel” hehe 🙂
I then went to Wigmore’s waterfall in the middle of the island. It was this perfect little oasis and I got a lot of different angles. The best part was when the sun came out and dappled across the waterfall and green mossed ledge side, beautiful. The mosquitos were pretty thick though. My camera and scooter were covered in them as they’re attracted to black. I did however have some tropical strength insect repellent (which coincidentally had just picked up from a store) so that kept them at bay thankfully.
Did more scouting and found some good spots for more shots.
In the afternoon I made my way over to the deserted Taakoka island via kayak in the middle of Muri Lagoon. Took the Gopro Hero 3 camera and found a perfect spot to go snorkelling. Got some incredible video footage and stills of the different fish, corals and bombies. The best shot however was when I surfaced and discovered a single yellow hibiscus flower floating in the middle of the ocean. I got a terrific shot as it floated by (see insert). I am now using it as my blog background 🙂
Found the perfect beach to take another sunset shot. Unfortunately the sunset was a complete dud this evening. But will return to the same spot tomorrow and hopefully get a better shot.
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Day 2 Cook Islands
SPECTACULAR sunrise this morning so took full advantage with the silhouette of islands in the lagoon. Lots of clouds with pink, orange and purple colours. Probably some of the best sunrise shots I’ve ever taken. These will be available to view and buy very soon from this website, stay tuned.I secured my scooter for getting around the island for the rest of the week. Love my scooters, just so much fun! They’re also economical, easy parking and they can get you into places cars can’t. Great for photography.
Shot pics for new exciting website soon to launch called slimbirdy.com. I have a feeling this website will be a HUGE hit in the future, so keep your eyes out for that one. It concentrates on healthy living tips, delicious recipes, fun exercise and much much more.
In the afternoon I did a bit of scouting for locations, then shot a beautiful sunset on the western side of the island.
Off to shoot night shots with bright stars over islands.
Loving this place so much! 🙂
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Day 1 Cook Islands
After a long flight and arriving at 1am in Rarotunga, it was relieving to get to my accom at Muri Beach. Given the late hour, I could not resist to go down to the waters edge in front of my bungalow. I looked up to see the milky way in a bright cloudless night sky over the silhouette of a small island out in the lagoon. Pricelsss moment.Upon waking I discovered an oasis lagoon with water so blue it was like someone had tipped coloured dye into the water. I have been blessed with beautiful weather today to get my initial shots around the Muri Beach area. Remote lttle islands lay within the lagoon so I grabbed a kayak and paddled out to do a recky for some potential shots on one of the islands. Found some great spots.
Once again luck was upon me and a group of young local children had a sailing regatta in the lagoon. Their miniature sailing boats were too cute, and boy could they go! Got some wonderful shots as they raced around the lagoon.
Such a magnificent first day and I still have all week to enjoy. Am really looking forward to it.
Sunrise and sunset shots again tomorrow. Have found some nice locations to shoot from.
I also have a new best friend in a little cat who follows me around everywhere getting under my feet hence her nickname CIC. Short for Cook Islands Cat.
NEVER STOP CREATING
Up to shoot the sunrise and beginning of the Adrian Alford Photography video which you will see completed mid 2013 on this website. Basically the video will detail more about my photography, my techniques and some of the stunning places I get to visit. It will appear under the “About Adrian” tab.
SPECTACULAR sunrise this morning so took full advantage with the silhouette of islands in the lagoon. Lots of clouds with pink, orange and purple colours. Probably some of the best sunrise shots I’ve ever taken. These will be available to view and buy very soon from this website, stay tuned.
After a long flight and arriving at 1am in Rarotunga, it was relieving to get to my accom at Muri Beach. Given the late hour, I could not resist to go down to the waters edge in front of my bungalow. I looked up to see the milky way in a bright cloudless night sky over the silhouette of a small island out in the lagoon. Pricelsss moment.