I have just returned from a 10 day photographic trip to Zanzibar and Tanzania!!. Given my current unemployment situation, it was an extremely expensive adventure to take, but it has been on the travel plan for over 18 months now when it was first posted on the Ocean Capture list of workshops and there was no way I could miss it. We had 2 days in the Serengeti to start with, game drives daily and staying at an absolutely fabulous tented camp, run by the ever present and attentive Obi. We were wined, dined and entertained. The tents were amazing, included with their own onsuite proper toilet and bucket show. We saw cheetah, zebra, giraffe, wilderbeast and many more amazing wildlife, unfortunatelty the lions were elusive this trip to Africa, but we had fun trying to find them, including an episode of being bogged in the mud when the drive enthusiastically attempted to cross a rather muddy patch.
From there we then chartered a private plane and flew to Zanzibar! The land of Dhows, spices, amazing tropical fruit and sun, sun, sun. Coming back from 35 degrees to the current windy, wet and cold England yesterday has been a little difficult, but at least I had 10 days of sun. We had an amazing trip with lots of photographic opportunities to shoot the dhows, from land and water, the small fishing villages, people and rainforests. We had guided trips each day, and pool and beach time was also included along the way. We had 3 course meals for lunch and dinner, I have a new ginger beer addiction and on the last night one of the course member, a local from Kenya treated us to a traditional Swahili meal, and cocktail from a local hotel. All in all it was fabulous and I now have the fun task of working through my photos and choosing a few for my latest portolio..
On other news, prior to the Africa trip was the final move, this time for a 12 month least in Southbourne. I can’t say I havw really had the opportunity to settle in yet, but at least we have got the moving and most of the unpacking out of the way now, so will be able to explore. Had a job interview, but didn’t get the contract so the new year will need to begin with a focus on finding a bit of paid work and balancing it with trying to keep the photography going – it is getting really hard to maintain the mental push forward now, 6 months has passed already, and I still don’t really have any leverage or direction, but hey, this is what its all about, so I will keep trying, and keep pushing forward. Got a week and a bit now before a xmas trip to Scotland – the weather could be interesting – I think there is a pretty high chance of snow!!
Till next time!
