Updates soon...

So I've spent a bit of time overseas, with stops in Antigua, Switzerland, Germany,  France and The Netherlands.
From palm trees to Christmas markets, I'll be updating my galleries soon.
To tide you over, here are some quick shots of some of the souvenirs of the trips (I'm a sucker for Christmas decorations, eh).

Headless, No More

The first time I visited Dakar was in September of 2009 and I managed to get a small tour of the city. At the time, they were in the midst of constructing the Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, a 49m tall bronze statue (the tallest statue in Africa apparently). The (now former) president, Abdoulaye Wade, commissioned the statue which ended up costing $27 million to build. In a country with the issues that Senegal is facing, I'm pretty sure that expenditure wasn't greeted with too much enthusiasm.

On my last trip through Dakar, this past month, I managed to get back into the city, and see the monument once more.

Wade is gone and the current government is in a financial crisis.
But hey, look, the statue's finally got a head.

TB10 II

You just can't go to Thunder Bay without a stop at the Hoito...

I've added the Hoito and a couple other locals to the Canadian Landmarks gallery.

Enjoy!

TB10 I

Starting to look at the Thunder Bay trip pictures.
First up - I've uploaded a few of a frozen Kakabeka Falls.

Check them out.

Christmastime

For Christmas we travelled back to Thunder Bay and I managed to snap a few pictures of the falls, the marina, the Hoito and some deer.



I'm a little busy with the day job but at some point, I'm hoping to edit them and a post a few up here on the site.

Don't Go Chasing...

It was a beautiful weekend last weekend, so we decided to spend a day in the Hamilton area hiking some waterfalls.



I've updated the Landscapes gallery for the pictures.

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve

So I've definitely been enjoying the summer...
...and being out and about taking photos
...and not processing and posting them
Time to change that.
The first destination was Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve.
We headed out hoping to catch some star trails...
...but instead, caught the clouds rolling in at dusk, which hid the spectacle.
I did manage to get a few sunset pics, as well as a bug or two...
I've updated the following galleries with images from Torrance:
Landscapes
Insecta
Flora
Other Fauna
Enjoy!

Lately

Spent a couple days outside over the past few weeks and I've updated a few galleries for the resulting images.
Canadian Landmarks
Flora
Insecta
Sculptures

Finland Finished

Alright!
The Finland Trip image gallery is now complete.
I feel so accomplished.

Kristiinakaupunki

So I've managed to get the last Finland trip gallery complete.
Its images from Kristiinakaupunki and other west coast towns, including Untamala, Pori, Naantali, and Reposaari.
Enjoy.

One Down, One to Go

My second last gallery from the Finland trip is up.
Laitila & Malko
The two towns where my grandparents are from.
Enjoy

Windmills, SAABs and Maybachs

Uusikaupunki was a beautiful waterfront town.
We spent a few moments at a waterfront cafe, drinking coffee and eating donuts, after touring the windmill park.
Then it was on to the SAAB-Valmet automobile museum.
Cool cars, coffee and donuts?
What a perfect way to spend a day.
My gallery is up here.

Seurasaari

My gallery from our day trip to Seurasaari is finally up.
So that's nine galleries up, three to go, and my Finland trip pictures will be complete.

The List Update

I love visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Hence my gallery dedicated to them.
Which I have updated for my recent travels.
Enjoy.

My favourite photos from the past year

For bokeh, subject, story, memories, colour, or whatever reason I have, these are the photos from the past year of which I am most proud.

June 2009 to May 2010 Fav Photos:

Helsinki

I really enjoyed Helsinki.
I wish I had another two weeks to spend just there, never mind the rest of the country.
Anyway, my vision of the city can be found here

Return to Paris

On the way to Finland we stopped over in Paris.
This was my second time in the city and I played more tour guide than tourist.
The city was bright and sunny...and busy and full of tourists.
Check out the gallery here

Turku

I've managed to get another small gallery up.
More from Turku.

Luostarinmäki

The buildings are all that is left of the original town of Turku.
A wooden town, the rest burnt in a fire long past.
Now, they make up the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum.
We visited on a rainy Saturday.
And still thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
Of all the places in Turku, this is the one I would recommend the most.

Suomenlinna

Just off shore of Helsinki is the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (yes, another UNESCO world heritage site).
Built by the Swedes, and originally called Sveaborg, the fortress has spent centuries as a strategic defensive point for whomever was ruling over Finland (be it the Swedes, the Russians, or the Finns themselves).
And the place was awesome!