Last evening in Umhlanga Rocks ...

Last evening in Umhlanga Rocks, near Durban.

Lots of walking today - even got as far as 126 Ridge Road, where we lived for a couple of months in early 2003.  Spied a small family of monkeys along the way.  Despite the high fences & razor wire, this agile family scaled the street light posts before leaping over the fences into the gardens below.

Tomorrow we leave Umhlanga Rocks and move a couple of hours north to Hluhluwe (staying at  another Protea Hotel),  for the next conference.

Not sure when my next post will be - hopefully I'll have lots of photos of KwaZulu-Natal with at least a sprinkling of african animals - maybe even the Big 5!

In the mean-time I've included a smattering of photos taken in Umhlanga.

Lunch time!
Umhlanga Rocks

I'm watching you ... You're watching me!
Umhlanga Rocks

Fishing
Umhlanga Rocks style

Umhlanga Rocks towards the Port of Durban

Umhlanga Rocks after an evening storm
towards Durban City

Thought I'd finish this part of our trip with a burst of colour ...

Burst of colour
Sydney Botanical Gardens

Check back in a day or so ...  Bye for now

Cheers Jen

Four weeks left ... Free Delivery on orders from my Etsy Shop

Four weeks left ...

While I'm on my African Adventure, you can enjoy FREE DELIVERY  on any order placed in my Etsy Shop until 22 September 2014 - Minimum order $10.00   

Use Code    FREESHIP10MINIMUM

Orders will be shipped in the week of 22 September.

Tulip
Sydney Botanical Gardens
Experimenting with Macro Lens :-)

I know that things will be a little quiet in my Etsy Shop for a few weeks.  But I will be checking in whenever I have internet access & any orders placed up to 22 September will receive FREE DELIVERY -   Minimum order $10.00   

Check out my Etsy Shop ...

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/JenWatsonPhotography

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Watson-Photography/325217734281008

I love pearls ...

Thursday - Durban weather forecast -  rain & 30 C - not a day for lots of outdoor walking, so headed off to the bead shop for a bit of creativity.

Delighted with my creations (Thursday & Friday) ...

Played with crystals, beads, crimps, fastening clips,
jump rings, chains & tiger tail.

Back again on Friday to create a floating pearl
& Swarovski crystal 3 strand necklace
& matching ear-rings

Also found time to create this Swarovski Crystal
Pearl Necklace with individually hand created
chain links & matching ear-rings.

Time for a coffee ...  delicious Cappuccino at Vovo Telo Cafe.

Creating the coffee

"I want my coffee" from Vovo Telo

 Early Thursday evening erupted with a thunder storm (lots of lighting, thunder & rain).  Friday morning broke with clear skies & fresh air - the grey mist had cleared!

Back again tomorrow.

Cheers Jen

We're heading off, on a jet plane ...

Discovered a delightful cafe in  Central Park Shopping Centre, Sydney - Autolyse Cafe.  Even thought it's only recently opened, it has gained a reputation for great sourdough bread and other delights.  The coffee we enjoyed yesterday tempted us to head back there for lunch today, despite the Sydney rain.

Looking from the outside in!
https://www.facebook.com/AutolyseCentralPark

The  hand-made breads and pastries which are created at Autolyse, are prepared & baked fresh in the open kitchen.  We enjoyed a delicious BouillaBaisse from the seasonal menu -  Mussels, clams, prawns, calamari, and whiting in a rich tomato sauce ...  Served with a freshly baked baguette &  Great Coffee.
A yummy lunch & great winter warmer on a rainy Sydney day.

Lunch Menu - BouillaBaisse

Three hours later, we're checked-in at Sydney International Airport waiting to board our plane to South Africa.
Counting down ... still an hour to go!

Check back in a day or so, to see what we're up to.

Cheers Jen

Discovering Pop Up Shops in Sydney

Pop Up Shops - A new experience for me!
Everywhere we explored, there was a new one to be checked out, whether it be on the footpath, in an empty shop at The Rocks  or a new shopping centre in Ultimo, under an umbrella, or at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum.

The Sydney Powerhouse Museum, which was just a short walk from our accommodation, was hosting the Sydney Mini Maker Faire over the weekend.  The Pop Up Shops were family-friendly & showcasing invention, creativity and resourcefulness.   I found the 3D Printing Makers, particularly entertaining & informative.

A 3D Printed wind powered walking machine,
 complete with many moving parts.

  www.sydneydesign.com.au/2014/event/sydney-mini-maker-faire 

  

www.powerhousemuseum.com

On another floor, "The Oopsatoreum: inventions of Henry A. Mintox", was a collection of inventions arranged to tickle your funny bone & whet your appetite!

Certainly a humorous and offbeat collection of inventions fashioned from whimsical and strangely significant objects from the Powerhouse Museum's collection.

A poster showing some of the whimsical inventions
of the imaginery  Henry A Mintox.  This "Oops"
exhibition is a selection of quirky museum objects
& some made-up stories to explain their invention & use.

We also spent a little time visiting the Black Arrow Rocket Collection which is on display in the Space Exhibition at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre.  Laurie's father,  Maurice Watson as part of Britain's  rocket satellite launch program, was the Chief Rocket Development Engineer working on the project during the 1950's & 1960's at Woomera Rocket Range and the Needles Testing Facility, Isle of Wight, England.

For more information about the Black Arrow program & the Powerhouse collection -
  www.powerhousemuseum.com/insidethecollection/2010/11/rocketing-away/

Photos today taken with the phone! ...  

Time to pack the suitcases - off to Africa tomorrow :-)

Bye for now

Cheers

Jen

These feet were made for walking ... well until the rain starts

Yes ... more walking!
Mundane tasks first, like eating & collecting Malaria tablets.

Time to head back towards the Botanical Gardens, Sydney Opera House & the Sydney Harbour Bridge.    Along the way we checked out the harbour views, architecture, statues, fountains and flora.

Despite the rain, Pan enjoyed watching
the antics of the bridal parties
enjoying their wedding photo shoots!

In between sprinkles of rain we checked out our new 70mm Macro lens on the Nikon  D7000 - experimented with Depth of Field, Aperture, Speed & ISO etc.

The water fountain was a great spot
for experimenting with different camera settings.

Playing with the new Macro lens & its capabilities ...

A pollen party with Tulip 

Flora - Kangaroo Paw

Flora - Kangaroo Paw

With the rain falling steadily, we succumbed to hailing a taxi home!

Bye for now

Jen

Free Delivery from my Etsy Shop

While I'm on my African Adventure, you can enjoy FREE DELIVERY  on any order placed in my Etsy Shop, from 15 August to 22 September 2014 - Minimum order $10.00  

Use Code    FREESHIP10MINIMUM

Orders will be shipped in the week of 22 September.

Poppies in Spring
Toowoomba Festival of Flowers

I know that things will be a little quiet in my Etsy Shop for a few weeks.  But I will be checking in whenever I have internet access & any orders placed up to 22 September will receive FREE DELIVERY -   Minimum order $10.00  

Check out my Etsy Shop ...
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/JenWatsonPhotography

Getting into the African mood ...

Great flight.  Comfortable accommodation.  Easy walking to Sydney CBD, Darling Harbour etc.

Whilst checking out the sights, spied the Capitol Theatre playing "The Lion King".  Thought we'd get  into the African mood!!

So after a bite to eat in China Town settled down (well actually up in Row X) and enjoyed the show
 ...  great music, singing and animals & loved the theatre decor too !!      Impressive & quite unique costumes, lighting and production , too :-)

Not the best shot, but a snippet of the
atmosphere before the lights went down.

Need new feet tonight! ...

Refreshing, fine weather.  So we've enjoyed lots of walking, strolling & striding around Sydney & the lovely Botanical Gardens.   Been experimenting with new camera lenses & checking out the little eateries.   Heading off to one now.

Tulips were in bloom,
whilst lots of other flowers were just starting
to enjoy the warmer weather.

Bye for now

Jen

ps  Had forgotten how lucky were are in Queensland - few smokers in public spaces!

Riding the waves

Enjoyed a delicious Flat White at Barcelona's Cafe & Wine Bar at Abell Point Marina whilst waiting for the Ferry to Hamilton Island.

Horizon on slight tilt ...    In a bit of a rush
Coffee arrives just in time to rush off to the ferry

Bit choppy on the waves, but had a chance to glimpse the entire fleet competing in Thursday races of Airlie Beach Race Week - Pioneer Bay.  Just a few of the 135 boats in view here.

Been trying a different photographic genre - think I'll call it photo painting in rough seas .... i.e. stay in the cabin and take photos through the window (even though feeling a little green).  Have lots more like this one - love the effect :-)

Getting ready to board the plane now.  Next stop Sydney.

Bye for now.

Cheers Jen

Counting down ... to an African Safari

Yes ... It's so long since I wrote on my blog that I've had to start again!!!  Now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things & remembering how to go about it.

So ...  Welcome to my very first post of my new blog  zoomfocusshootphotos.blogspot.com.au

First, I'll practise inserting photos & adding captions  :-)

This Cairns Birdwing Butterfly (Male)  

was visiting my citrus fruit trees.

Now it's time to play with text etc. &  let you know what's happening ... 

Yes ... I'm Counting Down to our African Safari.  

Flights, Accommodation, Transport & Safari are booked!    Packing is underway and we leave home tomorrow on our adventure.

The first leg is Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island, then off to Sydney.  We have a few meetings scheduled in Sydney as well as checking out some other camera equipment.  Hope to get time for some photo opportunities at Taronga Zoo, before we leave Oz on Monday.

Bye for now.

Cheers  Jen