Friday, August 5, 2011

What to pack or not to pack!

My good friend Gerry came back a week ago or so from Big Sur California where he spent a week on the windy coast roads. He wrote about it on his blog but mostly about what a Travel.Photographer has to pack and the fear of not having the right gear.
Below is my answer to him.
A Travel Photographer starts by packing the right gears for the job/mission with the needed accessories adjusting the absolute needed gears to the airline weight requirements. Check it twice is a good advice but in my case packing my photo bag is now second nature
True a Travel Photographer has to bring patience and curiosity for sure but, must research in order not to waste precious time on the road. This is particularly true in foreign countries and if you don't speak the language, local help is a must.
A travel photographer has to have the mind of a Boy Scout, always be ready.
A Travel Photographer on a mission doesn't sleep much.
And on.
But it is so good to be in the field!
Excellent photograph Gerry!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A weekend in the land of Don Quijote de La Mancha

Just few words on Campo de Criptana's photographs.
In our way to Campo de Criptana 7pm the light was absolutely beautiful. In La Mancha all roads are straight with rare curves. So six kilometers away we were in sight of the village and finally could see the hill with the windmills. Wow what a landscape! Except that a huge black cloud was covering the site. Somehow I was disappointed.
By the time we arrived get out of the car and wandering in the village, the cloud slowly broke and gave me a wonderful sky and light.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Ourika Valley

Ourika Valley (link)
Taking a day off to visit Ourika Valley (valley of flushing water) which is located southeast of Marrakech starting approximatively 40 km away from the imperial city will give an appreciated break from the city heat.
Ourika valley will emerge slowly and one begins to appreciate the diversity of scenery in this amazing country. The Ourika river cuts through a deep valley littered with small villages and eventually merging into a straggling village.
In Setti Fatma (70km away from Marrakech) is a very popular day-trip or weekend destination for many Marrakshis that is appreciated for its beautiful streams and seven waterfalls. The region is inhabited by Berber people who practice a traditional way of life. It is still considered relatively unspoiled.
Ourika Valley (link)

Ait-Ben Haddou


Morocco is the doorway to the Sahara, the largest desert in the world. From Marrakech to the Kasbah of Ait-Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 it's a good 200kms across the High Atlas Mountains (Tizi-n-Tichka at 2260mt high). Leaving early in the morning by car makes you arrive around noon. It takes a good 4 hours drive and much more if you go by the local bus transportation. Hiring a taxi for the day is a recommended solution.
Local hotels and restaurants can serve as a resting place before Ouarzazate, the desert door, 30 Km away. Going there takes around an additional hour and half. Local people are very kind and welcoming. We didn't go further since we had to go back the same day to Marrakech. What a tiring day!
We plan to go back there some day but this time with the idea to visit the desert, spending a three to four night in it.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Marrakech inside and outside the walls


Marrakech April 2010

I'll begin this new Blog by showing you the photographs of one of our week's travel in Marrakech. After sight seeing the city, we will take you to some excursions outside.
With the first link you will be visiting our Riad (1), Marrakech downtown, Djemaa el-Fna square, the souk and more. Enjoy.

(1) (a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. The word riad comes from the Arabian term for garden, "ryad".)