Taupo

We planned to stay in Taupo for one night. In hindsight we would have spent a week there - it is the most beautiful town and our accommodation was situated right on Lake Taupo - it was perfect! I decided to take most of the afternoon off from the camera and went with Mum to the waters edge for a swim in the lake. The water was freezing but the bizarre thing is that the Lake is on a geothermal area. I dug my feet into the gritty sand when I first stepped in and nearly scalded my toes from the heat. We ended up laying on the sand partially covered in water and they only way I can describe it is like laying on a warm beach with cold water surrounding your body. It was insane! I did manage a few shots over the lake as the sun set. Beautiful. We will be coming back to Taupo - possibly in winter - its a definate. The clouds lifted and we were able to see Mount Ruapehu the following day. We could see the snow on the mountain top but had to be content with a distant view because it was a long trip to Auckland that day. I love the way the plants are creating a natural frame around the mountain in this shot.

on the road

So on with the trip of NZ, during our last couple of days at Whangamata we went up to the lookout and I got this great panoramic shot of the town. Its a bit hard to see it for what it is in this format, but I love how this shot turned out. Aeteoroa was living up to its name for us on this trip but on our last full day the clouds dispersed a bit for us and the ocean was a clear blue. The island on the left is Clark Island and we actually walked to it at low tide the day before. You can actually see the sandback even from this distance where we walked although I must say we were up to waist deep water so it wasn't just wading. This next photo kind of sums up Phoebe and Ben's trip of New Zealand. While Grant was practically having a beer tasting trip across the country, the kids were having their own "iced/hot chocolate tour of NZ". I can't tell you the difficulties I had getting them to just sit together at this bar. Thank god they had their drinks to keep them occupied. On our "road trip" to Whakatane we stopped off for lunch at Kiwi360. Its basically a kiwi farm/restaurant/tourist centre/souvenier shop but I couldn't let the opportunity pass of getting the kids in front of the big kiwi fruit. Isn't it massive!? We actually climbed inside and came out the top looking over the farm. Sharon will probably laugh when she sees this image. Hi Sharon! We stayed in Whakatane at Sharon's farm before heading to Rotorua the following day. We went for a walk across the property and she kept ripping up these yellow flowers. I forget the name now but I remember thinking how pretty they were and yet they are quite a vigorous weed. Bakas, the staffy, was adorable and this was taken just before she started her sneezing fit after frolicking through the long grass. While staying at Sharons, we found out that there was a mudslide just out of Whakatane that Sharon's daughter, Jules, was working at. Ben's eyes lit up at the thought so the following morning it was the first thing on the agenda. Both Ben and Grant did it and . . . well, the photos kind of speak for themselves. Next up . . . Rotorua!

old school

I have been pretty busy since my last post. The ball has definitely started rolling and I am happily rolling with it. Something I have wanted to do for a few weeks now is take some shots of the landscape around where I live. Every day on my way to pick up the kids from school I drive past a national park and then a pine plantation on our way home. I tend to look at all places now as possible sets or locations for a photo shoot. The amount of time I spend looking at the bush lately instead of the road while driving is a little worrying :) Anyway, there are all of these big, beautiful trees with orange and yellow flowers just popping against the otherwise barren and dull landscape and the contrasting blue sky. Grant has since told me that they are always by themselves without any other trees around them because they have a root system that strangles anything around it. Trees, power cables, you name it. Its a harsh environment sometimes and I guess each animal and plant builds up its own defences to survive. This morning I decided that it was high time I just got out there and took the pictures. On the way home I stopped at the pines and took a couple of images and played around with a little lens flaring. There is something about a pine forest that is ethereal and captivating. I kept waiting for wood nymphs to jump out of the trees as I clicked away. I can't wait to do a shoot in there. I hope you like them. Stay tuned for a couple more posts this week. I have been a busy girl and there is lots to catch up on. I went and got all professional on y'all didn't I :)