An interesting inflated idea...

4.3.17

If you wondered about yesterday’s post, missed the live stream, or it was just too dodgy streaming from an abandoned railway station in a tunnel.

This is what we got up to:

In the morning I woke up to messages telling me about theflooded railway station so despite the rain I headed down to the tunnel to see what we could get. After navigating foggy roads I arrived amazed to find two other photographers I knew, Matt and Karan from a photography trip to NZ. 

Karen had already attempted to walk through the water and get a shot, after two steps he was neck deep in water and had to quickly raise his camera to prevent the inevitable. This was the best I could manage. 

Realising that it was going to be a fruitless endeavour without a water-craft my crazy side kicked in.

 Calling my mate Blake was the first step. Followed by an hour of running around to shops because of course at the end of summer every blow up craft goes out of stock! This is what ensued: 

Blowing up a raft that really was designed for a pool and using a kayak paddle we navigated down the unknown waters towards the tunnel. Just phone in hand trying to live stream the event.

We managed to get into the tunnel through the waterfall with no mishaps.

Thats when the already jumpy livestream cut out. Turns out there is no reception in a bricked up tunnel… who'd have thought! 

The tunnel which started wide and tall enough that the paddle couldn’t reach the either side sharply changed. 

About 50 meters in and we could even manoeuvre the paddle and the roof was getting closer and closer to our heads as the tunnel dipped. Eventually causing us to turn around and make our way back. It was then I decided to switch off the torch and Wow what a sight. Im sorry I couldn't capture this on camera no settings would've allowed this to work well. Glow worms lined the ceiling in a soft luminous glow which was just visible. The sight was amazing and as we floated in almost darkness except for the light at the end of the tunnel it made it worth it.

Paddling back to the car, it was time to risk some serious gear. Managing to convince a lovely couple to come on down for a shoot we managed to coordinate some amazing shots from inside and out of the tunnel with them. Thanks so much guys for being amazing sports! Probably the best engagement photos someone could have if they're willing to do something adventurous!

Thanks for watching along on the live stream those who tried and hope you enjoyed the little crazy Saturday Story.

P.s. We did finish with 'boat beers' (our inflatable had an esky) 20$ how good is that!

A South Australian Gem

Visiting South Australia? Or lucky enough to live here?

Only approx. 2 Hours drive from the CBD lies the small town of Clare; Famous once for supplying Adelaide with fresh fruit and Veg, it's now renowned for its wine.

In 2016 I was fortunate enough to visit Clare with Choice Hotels Australia-Pacific in their Comfort Inn Hotel as part of a top 10 Australian Travelgrammers. This gave me  great taste into the wonders Clare offered.

Can you do Clare as a Day Trip?

Absolutely, this last Saturday I was lucky enough to return to Clare just for the day; however I thoroughly recommend staying one night and make it a weekend. There are plenty of B & B's to stay at like the cute Vine Art, or for comfort and convenience the Comfort Inn is located on the main Street.

Things to Do:

From riding the main private bike trail "The Riesling Trail" on a hire bike, visiting some local Heritage and of course Wine Tasting! My top Activities are below.

Seven Hills Winery: Riesling Trail

My Top Activities:

1. Eat at Seed for Dinner (Read further down for a review)
2. Riding the Riesling Trail (An excellent bike ride; go as for or short as you want on the fairly flat trail stopping in at various wineries. Then call a taxi to pick you up at the end to return [Dave the taxi driver does an amazing job 0428055590]).
3. Visit Wineries: Read down for my favourites.
4. Visit the SevenHill Winery Historical Sites. (One of the first wineries brought to the area by religious jesuits, the winery boasts a fantastic cellar and gardens to stroll around or buy some snacks at the winery and have a picnic lunch (easily accessible from the Riesling trail).
5. Tapas for lunch at Mr Micks.
6. Bungaree Station, the oldest historical still Family owned sheep shearing property, its both gorgeous and interesting. 

Bungaree Station

My Top Winery Picks:

1. Kilikanoon (Top wines, Prodigal Grenache, Morts Cut Riesling, Kelly 1932 Grenache, Second Fiddle Rosé, Oracle Shiraz)
2. Jeanneret (Top wines, Doozie Riesling, MoonDance Malbec, Stand and deliver Shiraz, Hummer Merlot)
3. Tim Adams (Top Wines: Reserve Riesling, Semillion, Pinot Gris, The Fergus, Reserve Tempranillo, Cabernet Malbec)
4. Pikes
5. SevenHills Winery
6. Knappstien Winery

(The wineries selected are based on 1. Quality of Wines and 2. Cellar Door experience. All these top wines are my personal favourites at tasting from the wineries).

Jeanneret Winery

Saving the best till Last! Seed Kitchen and Winehouse.

An attained pipe dream for Guy Parkinson and Candice Leighton who from the Hunter Valley have settled on the property and the want to have a kitchen of their own. Guy commands the kitchen and Candice runs the floor which from both times I've visited haven't disappointed in their roles. They remove any doubt from my mind after reading mixed reviews that Seed is a must do when in Clare.

Entering the beautiful old stone premise, the decor is chosen perfectly; With warm wood tones, Balanced Mood lighting with a great amount of Natural Light and lots of living plants it's a pleasant space. The classic white table cloths are forgiven as they provide a great contrast with the dark toned china. 

Expect to be greeted with a friendly smile, and immediate attention;  Offers for drinks or cheese platters are given as you have the option to wait at the bar before going to your table. I recommend getting a cheese as I missed out doing the first time; the ingredients are amazingly fresh and everything from the cheese to the honey are sourced well.

Getting down to the meal, a very reasonably priced menu faces you. Above ordering from the menu (unless something jumps out at you) I recommend choosing the chefs choice at a brilliant $59 4 plate Meal or $99 with matched wines (prices 4.2.17). 

We started with a warmed bread and homemade butter; Followed by cold smoked tomato dish with fresh mozzarella which was a healthy relief to have a unique style dish that let the ingredients speak for themselves.

Peach, procuitto, cream, mint and olive oil. Not the first list of ingredients that flows through my mind on a second course; But from the effervescence from the peach on tongue to the touch of savoury this dish surprised and delighted.

The following two dishes of Black Linguine with Blue Crab; and Steak with condiments and Salad didn't let down the excitement except the mustard was so filled with flavour, I had to shy away. So when it came to dessert we had no more room, we had to order a dish to try anyway. So we shared it between us; one of the best decisions!

The drinks did not disappoint either, finally a South Australian restaurant that doesn't shy away from wine recommendations and follows through with results! From a fantastic Gin the 78 from the Adelaide hills with handpicked garnish to a perfect Rosé with dessert. 

Seed Kitchen is a Gastronomical Delight with their simple honest food and in my top 10 favourite Australia Restaurants which includes Attica. A must do for your visit to South Australia.

See the SEED Photo album HERE.

Top 5 New Zealand Places to Visit 2017

New Zealand.

One of Australia’s closest holiday destinations. Home of so many adventure sports, spectacular hikes and splendid views!

I’ve been lucky enough to make 4 visits to NZ in the last few years, each one in a different season and each have been brilliant. My favourite time of year to visit however is winter. There is something magical about snowcapped peaks, icy lakes and snowboarding trips. Here is a an overview of my Top 5 Destinations once you are there. 

In each coming week I’ll go into details of each top location and why.

No.1 Milford Sound 

Milford is my all time favourite destination in the whole of New Zealand for so many reasons! Located in the bottom of the South Island it can be one of the harder places to reach. However it contains in my opinion one of the best drives in the world to get there.

From Te Anau the closest town there is a fantastic road through the fjordland forests and mountain pass. The forest is filled with moss covered trees and looks almost mystical. Afterwards the drive through the pass is filled with fog covered mountains, a plethora of rivers and waterfalls and an assured encounter with the local cheeky Kea Birds. Reaching the bottom is reward enough with the amazing view of Mitre peak and the Fjord lying in front of you; but from there a myriad of activities is available to fill your days. I recommend staying at least one night; but however book well ahead as there is only one accommodation venue.

Top Activities: Ferry Ride (a must do), Flights, Hike, Underwater Observatory and Kayak adventures.   

No. 2 Mt. Cook (Arokai) National Park

Mt Cook National Park is stunning for its views again and only approx 3 hours drive from Queenstown or Christchurch on the South Island. As a photographer and nature enthusiast I can’t recommend this spot enough for fellow minded people. 

Several Hikes once again make this a place to stay for a couple of days. Once again choice of accommodation is limited from a choice of a couple. A backpackers style lodge and apartments and a hotel “the Hermitage”. The best thing I’ve done here apart from the two close glacial lake walks is a flight. In winter with the right numbers you can book ahead and get a sunrise flight from mount cook airstrip landing on a glacier which makes everything look better. Otherwise the flight is still worth the trip. If the glacial landing is too costly there is an option for a cheaper approx. $160 NZ for a loop around the mountains and glaciers about 40 mins in length.

Top activities: Scenic flight, heli skiing, glacial walks, local hikes and for the brave and well prepared climbing mount Cook. 

No. 3 Hobbiton (North Island)

Hobbiton was one of my highlights mainly because I am a huge Lord of the Rings Fan!

Set in the centre of the North Island it is one of the many destinations to visit for movie fan. Just promise me when you arrive you'll shout “We’re off on an adventure”. There are several options of tours which are on their website and I’ll go into later for my Hobbiton Review. The best time I found is sunset turning into night, there is the magical view of dusk and then the lights turn on to illuminate the cute setting. Nearby is the town of Rotorua which boasts a huge number of activities and attractions to visit with your hobbit tour.

Top Activities: Hobbiton Tour, Food at the Prancing Pony, White water rafting, Red Wood Forest and tree walk and Wai O Tapu thermal springs.

No. 4 Wanaka

Lake Wanaka, a sleepy stunning town with so much to offer.

If you are wanting somewhere to stay for a few days, this is probably it. With some great up and coming breakfast locations, bars and proximity to my favourite Ski Field Cardrona. It’s become quite popular with good reason. With only 90 min - 2 hr drive to Queenstown you are also nice and close to other activities.

A couple of things to do I’d recommend are Roy’s Peak Hike (6hr return) and maybe just see that Wanaka Tree? I haven't been but quite a few people have recommended puzzling world as well.

Top Activities: Roy’s Peak Hike, Wanaka Tree, Waterskiing in Summer, Skiing and Snowboarding at Cardrona in Winter, Puzzling World, Jet Boating and Sky Diving. 

No. 5 Queenstown

Are you ready for Skills, Spills and thrills. 

Welcome to Queenstown. A town which is stunningly set between mountains and centred between 3 ski/bike fields.

I would describe Queenstown as the place to spend $100 anywhere and get some kind of an adrenaline kick. It can be quite expensive to stay here, especially if you don't book ahead, as backpackers are the life of this town. If you just stop by for a day I can’t say enough how good the Ferg Burger is… You’ll find it where the big line is! (There’s a secret to skipping the line though, so comment and ask or I’ll let you know when I go into depth of Queenstown Later) Close locations worth visiting like Moke Lake and Glenorchy are within an hour driving so add them to your list as well!

Top Activities: Jetboating, skydiving, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, bungee jumping, rope swing, luge, you name it, its here.

Comments:

Thats my top 5 NZ destinations for your next trip. A top tips on Queenstown will come soon followed by all the others finishing with Milford. 

If there is anywhere or anything else you'd like to hear about in NZ or in the World that I can help with comment below or on my Instagram/Facebook and I’ll reply ASAP.

Thanks for Reading and Happy Travels.

A New Direction

Flight In, Mt Cook

A question. 

In a silent room. 

A pair of backpackers sat with me.

Only the patter of my fingers hitting the keys to email responses while I downloaded the days images.

Then a voice spoke up; 

“What do you say to people when they ask you what your trip was like? 

I don’t ever know what to say to people, my response is usually one word: Awesome”

I had been contemplating for days where I wanted to go with my Social Media.

Instagram which was the beginning of great opportunities for me, slowly I felt it disappointing.

Over the past year I have tried to post once a day to keep engagement up and grow my audience.

It allowed me to have my work critiqued, questioned, improved and inspiration to others.

Slowly however it all changed.

Followers appeared by the hundred and disappeared by the hundred, as people uninterested in content sought for you to become another +1 on their account.

Comments changed from “love the image, how did you find the hike?” changed to “Nice pic come see my account”. 

People weren't engaging but were seeking followers for themselves by using computer automation.

I had less and less enthusiasm to continue photographing. Posting was just a routine.

I somehow forgot why I did photography and travel and became wrapped up in the hype of it all.

Also somehow my creativity seemed sapped.

The other day I sat down and asked myself why do I post at all?

I decided on my entry to New Zealand start of this week (9/1/17) that I wasn't going to post a picture every day, make the most of it and just post on my “story”.

This is what led me to take in the question above.

Normally I spend time before bed replying to messages and posting on social media. 

Instead this night I chose to sit in the common room in the Mt Cook Accommodation and do other things.

It got me thinking.

“What do I say to people my trip was like?”

My response is usually the same as above. “It was awesome!” 

It’s the Kind of long drawn out awesome as to really accent the fact I was telling the truth.

The only way to get juicy details out of me is to ask questions.

The “awesome" response is to me what an Instagram post is to me.

This blog will be the replacement. 

Somewhere where I post the story behind the photograph. 

The juicy details.

“Why do I love photography and travel?”

You may have read this before on an Instagram post. This my attempt at an answer.

Travel to me is a necessity and a challenge. 

It gives me the reward of being able to enjoy the unfamiliar everyday things for the first time.

Allows me to trust strangers and appreciate familiar friends. 

Nothing but the essential air I breathe and the snapshots I take are mine.

It leaves me feeling like nowhere and everywhere are home.

Breaking down my prejudice it builds relationships;

If I’m lucky and the place is better than home, it gives me insight as to how I can improve.

However finding it worse than home, it teaches me to endure and enjoy it.

Travel is a necessity and a challenge.

Its helped me to fall in love over and over again, and inspires me to share experiences with you.

In short it gives perspective and simply puts a smile on my face.

I want to give everyone an opportunity to find that smile as well. That’s why I photograph.

Hopefully the hints and pics here will inspire your travel.

In turn I hope you can help me a little in keeping me inspired with comments and questions.

Dave. :)

Mt Cook National Park

Mount Cook National Park