Island of the many gods Bali Indonesia

Indonesia - Introduction

kind travelers, photographers, explorers. It was time to give you some piece of our action, from the last time I've been to Indonesia. With over 15000 islands, there is a never ending amount of places to discover in this incredible archipelago in Oceania.

BALI

My journey to Bali Indonesia, all started back in 2017, when I was still traveling with my ex-partner when she was denied access to board a plane to New Zealand ( a place still high on the list of to visit countries). Affter being denied acces, and being stranded in Kuala Lumpur, all of a sudden we had to make a choice to go somewhere else and the next day we booked a flight to Bali.

Little did I know that this was not going to be the only time I will come to Bali, better yet living there!

Coconut

On one of the first day in Canggu, I caught some moving action of this coconut on the black beaches of Perenenan.

I’ve been making my first shots of the coconuts being washed up on shore or left behind by humans. ( Never understanding this behavior of people but probably it all comes down to proper uprising). For a visit to this picture click here:  https://www.rudolfodalamicio.com/bali/coconut-perenenan

In 2017, Canggu was still a decent place where not too many people were roaming around and was mostly occupied by surfers and digital nomads ( I was one of them). The streets were not so crowded, the tourists all went to Kuta and Seminyak and Ubud was a very far away place where mostly yogi’s were staying. Uluwatu was a great place with many surfers all around and full of energy, parties and nightlife that never stopped.

Jungle Stairs Bali

for sure one of my most favorite images, the wild and green stairs up to a jungle temple, in the 2 lake area of bali

I spend most of my time doing work for my dutch company, and when I had the chance, drive around my Scoopy ( scooter) to discover new places, find waterfalls, climb jungle stairs, find surf spots, and of course, enjoy the many beautiful sunsets, best to see on the south side of the island.

Another cool place that is worth checking out and not that far away from canggu, is the big tempe Tanah Lot https://www.rudolfodalamicio.com/bali/moody-ocean.

In 2021 I came back to this place, and had a much better light during sunset as can be seen in this image https://www.rudolfodalamicio.com/bali/ocean-temple-bali

Jungle Stairs

On my trip to the volcano in Bali, I took a different road than most people do, found a big empty parking lot somewhere remote in a Forrest and started climbing these stairs, all the way up to what seemed to be an abandoned temple. No tourists, No people, just us, surrounded by Nature, Monkeys and the spirits of Bali!

Incredible, the things you can find when you look a little bit further..

Moody Ocean - Tanah lot Bali

Indonesia, Bali, Canggu, Tanah Lot, 2017.

Great temple on the lava rock in front of the cliffs at bali.

I love the dark sunset, with the highlights in the waves. This shot was taken at low tide, so you can see all the coral reef in front of the island.

Lost Temple

Asia, Indonesia, Bali, 2017

After some driving around the volcano mountains, we found this hidden gem. A lost temple, covered by moss, plants and trees. Stunning place.

Coconut

Bali, 2017.

Washed up on shore. A coconut on the black lava beaches of Bali.
The sun was still behind the horizon waiting to rise. Close up of this Coconut, and the moving ocean waves that wash over these beaches. 

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple Boat

Asia, Indonesia, Bali, 2017.

The famous Ulun Danu Bratan Temple shot from a corner angle. The boat gives a great perspective to the picture.

Very crowded, touristic place where you need permission to take picture early morning or at sunset. 

Balinees Church Canggu

On the Island of Bali, you will find many temples, due to the hinduism culture and religion overruling the island. But you can also find some Protestant & Catholic churches a long the way.

This church is small but due to the insane sunset, the focus is still on the church

Ocean Temple Bali

Here is a nother shot of the Tanah Lot temple area near Canggu, Bali.

The temple you can visit and at low tide, you are aloud to go down on the beach, making for nice shots when sun is going down. This was taken during high tide with a longer expo, about 5 seconds and with a wide angle lens

Sunset on Tanah Lot Temple

Just when the sun is down, you can get the best shots.

At least its my oppinion. The colors are always breathtaking and the most people have left already.

This is Tanah Lot temple Bali

Bali river bridge

Bali river bridge

Bali Temple stairs

2 Face dragons

Campuhan Antapan Waterfall

The Campuhan Antapan Waterfall is a wonderfull small waterfall in Bali that is a bit man-made, but nevertheless worth the visit.

Leke Leke Junge Waterfall

The Leke Leke Jungle Waterfall in Bali is a hidden gem that offers photographers a stunning landscape to capture. Nestled deep in the jungle, this waterfall is a natural wonder that is sure to take your breath away.

The waterfall is located in the northern region of Bali and can be accessed via a short hike through the jungle. As you make your way through the dense foliage, you will be surrounded by the lush greenery and the sounds of the jungle. The trail is well-maintained and easy to navigate, making it accessible for all skill levels.

Once you reach the waterfall, you will be greeted by the sight of crystal clear water cascading down a rocky cliff. The water is a brilliant blue and green, and the mist that surrounds the waterfall creates a magical atmosphere. The waterfall is surrounded by a natural pool that is perfect for swimming and cooling off.

The Leke Leke Jungle Waterfall is a popular spot for photography enthusiasts, as it offers a variety of angles and perspectives to capture. Whether you are taking photos of the waterfall itself or the surrounding landscape, there is no shortage of stunning subjects to photograph. The waterfall is best captured in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and the shadows are long.

In addition to the waterfall, the surrounding jungle is also a great place to explore and photograph. The dense foliage and the abundance of wildlife make for a photographer's dream. From exotic birds to monkeys, there is always something interesting to capture.

Overall, the Leke Leke Jungle Waterfall in Bali is a must-see destination for photographers. The natural beauty of the waterfall and the surrounding jungle offer a wealth of opportunities for capturing stunning images. If you are looking for a unique and beautiful location to photograph, the Leke Leke Jungle Waterfall is a perfect choice.

Kapok tree brothers

On a trip into the lush fields of rice somewhere in Bali, I found these two beautiful trees, surrounded by great leaves, bushes and a view to the islands ricefields

Ancient Bali Tree Worship

In Bali you can find worshipping literally everywhere.

At this oldest tree (know to us) in Bali, the ancient Bayan tree, you can find a little temple in front of the big roots. This tree is truly magnificent and huge. Over a couple of hundreds year old and is to be believed a house for many spirits.

Meditation Morning

Ancient Bayan tree Bali

The ancient bayan tree in Bali is a sight to behold. This magnificent tree, also known as the "Banyan" or "Ficus Benghalensis", is a symbol of strength and longevity in Balinese culture. Its massive trunk and sprawling aerial roots make it a popular subject for photographers looking to capture the natural beauty of Bali.

The bayan tree can be found in many parts of Bali, but one of the most famous examples can be found in the village of Taman Ayun. This tree is believed to be over 300 years old and has become a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. The tree's roots have grown so large that they now cover an area of over 2,500 square meters, making it one of the largest banyan trees in the world.

The bayan tree is a sacred symbol in Balinese Hinduism, and is often associated with the god Vishnu. It is believed that the tree's aerial roots represent the god's many arms, and the tree's massive trunk symbolizes his strength and power. This is why many Balinese people will often make offerings at the base of the tree and pray for protection and guidance.

For photographers, the bayan tree provides endless opportunities for unique and stunning shots. The tree's aerial roots create a natural frame for the trunk, and the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves creates a magical and otherworldly atmosphere. Photographers can also capture the intricate details of the tree's bark and the texture of its roots, making it a perfect subject for black and white or sepia-toned photographs.

The ancient bayan tree in Bali is not only a beautiful and iconic natural landmark, but it is also a symbol of the island's rich cultural heritage. Photographers who are looking to capture the essence of Bali should make sure to include this magnificent tree in their shots. Whether you're looking for a dramatic landscape or a detailed close-up, the bayan tree is sure to provide the perfect subject for your photography.

Waterfall Beach Bali

Can you imagine this? A waterfall on the black sand beaches of Bali, not that far away from the busy canggu village.

This spot is very difficult to reach as there is no road here. But that makes for an even better place to shoot great work of a waterfall, reaching the beaches of Bali.

River community

These women all prepared their ceremony sacrifises by putting their little ornaments on the river, wishing for luck, wealth, piece and health.

The woman are colorful and the position I got, hoovering above them from a bridge, was unique.

Temple Fields of Rice

A great spot, somewhere in the lower part of Bali, that overlooks the 2 mountains, creating the center of the island.

Its really cool to experience the colder climate in the mountains, and the hot humid climate next to the ocean.

The temples here in te fields are for praying to the bali gods, wishing for good crops and wealth.

The work here shows great lines towards the mountains, all the way in the background

Ubud River Panorama

Sunset Perenenan

Pererenan Beach Statue

Uluwatu Lighthouse Sunset view

Holy Water Canggu

Holy Water Short Cut

A ricefield far far away

Pucak Kedaton ricefield view

Burning Rice

Sanur Morning twilight

Tegalalang Ricefield Panorama

The Tegalalang Ricefields in Bali are a sight to behold. Located in the Ubud district, these terraced rice paddies are a prime example of traditional Balinese agriculture and are a popular tourist destination.

The ricefields are situated on a steep hillside, and the terraces were created to make the most of the limited space available. The terraces are lined with small irrigation channels that are fed by a nearby river, providing the rice plants with the water they need to grow.

The ricefields are a beautiful sight, especially when the rice is growing. The bright green of the rice plants against the bright blue of the sky creates a stunning contrast. In addition, the terraces are often dotted with small temples and statues, adding an extra layer of cultural significance to the landscape.

One of the best times to visit the Tegalalang Ricefields is during the planting or harvesting season. During these times, you can see local farmers working in the fields, and it gives you a chance to learn more about the traditional methods of rice cultivation in Bali.

The Tegalalang Ricefields are a popular spot for photographers, and for good reason. The terraced landscape and the striking contrast of colors make for some beautiful photos. In addition, the small temples and statues add an extra layer of interest and cultural significance to the photos.

Overall, the Tegalalang Ricefields are a must-see destination in Bali. They are a beautiful and unique landscape that is steeped in tradition and culture. Whether you're a photographer or just someone looking to experience something unique, the Tegalalang Ricefields are definitely worth a visit.

The Hindu religion is one of peace and tranquility. Blessing the gods and worshiping them.

They have built temples all over the island, adding up to more than 1000. This one is situated at the rock at Tanah lot https://www.rudolfodalamicio.com/bali/sunset-on-tanah-lot-temple

One of the many waterfalls in Bali, Leke Leke Waterfall. Strond and powerfull

But, all of that was so different, when I came to Bali back in 2021, escaping all the ridiculous, mandatory quarantine rules and restrictions all around the world. 

When I landed back in Bali I immediately felt like being home. The plan was to sit out the BS epidemic and stay at least for 6 months. 

Little temples are everywhere to be found in ricefields in Bali.

It started off with my best friends being on the island with me and we spent some time together, having parties, going to Savaya and of course enjoying some of that magical mushroom tea you can easily find here on the island. 

A great ricefield, called tegalalang, near Ubud.

During my 6 months here, living in Kerobokan ( next to Canggu), i’ve spent a lot of time finding beautiful places, capturing the sunrises on the volcanos, hiking to find waterfalls in the jungles, doing some exploring of the other islands around Bali like for example Nusa Penida ( you can find all pictures and a blog here: LINK BLOG / LINK pictures.

A view from mount Batur, early morning with moving clouds

There is a lot of worshiping going on, here on the island of the Gods, Bali. Trees are home to magical creatures, 

Green leaves, ribbons and sunburst in Bali

NUSA PENIDA

Clouds and colorful skies in Nusa Penida island of Bali

Indonesia has a whopping 17,508 islands!! It’s impossible to visit all of them, and most of them are too small to even visit. But one of the most attractive islands is of course Bali. From Bali it is very easy to move around and visit many other islands that are just a boat ride away ( 1-3 hours tops).

One of the islands is Nusa Penida, that is located just a 2 hr boat ride from the east part of Bali.

The great thing about the little islands around Bali is that cars are either forbidden or very scares, making those islands an amazing place to breath and relax for a couple of days and escape the busy, vibrant roads of bali;s hotspots like Canggu, Kuta and Denpasar.

T-rex rock and beach during morning sunrise on stairs for best view and no people

Nusa Penida is an island you best discover renting a scooter and to explore hidden gems like Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida, Broken Beach / Pasih Uug - Nusa Penida, Atuh Beach, Thousand Islands Viewpoint and many more. I’ve listed some of the best spots here:

1. Broken Beach

2. Island Milky way

3. Kelingking T-rex beach

JAVA - JAKARTA

A very hot and epic sunset over this Jakarta Skyline during my Quarantine

This has been an interesting experience. Shooting mostly from my hotel bedroom as I was in a Quarantine period of 10 days, in order for us civilians to be able to enter Bali..

https://www.rudolfodalamicio.com/jakarta-indonesia

Altho I couldn't leave the floor, I was still able to capture some incredible sunsets, cityscapes and after having spent 10 days ‘in prison’ I was finally released and able to get to a high floor, to have a look out over a roundabout to catch a long shutter light trail of cars going both ways on the roundabout.

A brutal sunset on the other side of my room window

I love to catch these long-shutter light-trails in city’s

Jakarta has a great skyline making it easy to capture great cityscapes, find interesting angles, and show the concrete city in its full color. With some luck you will have beautiful sunsets too, but during the rainy season, you are more likely to catch some thunderstorms building up from the ocean and dropping down an enormous amount of water in just a few minutes.

Thunder is a given thing, here in the hot and very high pressure climate in Jakarta

SUMBA TIMUR

8 days of Sumba, 6 days of wild people, rough terrain, challenging kitchen food, and amazing landscapes all around the island ( and of course very undiscovered yet - so much exploring to do).

So we wanted to visit this island for a long time, since we are living in Bali throughout most of the covid-pandemic, so we didn’t get out much from Bali. The island of Sumba is very close to Australia and many of the people living there are related to the aboriginals from Australia. After some weeks of preparing, what we wanted to achieve, photography wise, and possible collaborations, we decided to fly in April. It's unfortunate that it's still the rainy season at the center of the island, creating dramatic showers between 11-17:00 o'clock most days. We weren't really prepared for this..
So we booked a one way ticket to Sumba knowing that it won't be difficult to fly from Bali to Sumba ( 1 hour) and back. When we arrived at the airport and flew with NAM air ( recommended), we had a smooth flight and landed at the western airport of the island, tambolaka. As you would imagine this airport is tiny and luggage is with you the moment you step out of the plane. 

Before our trip we decided to rent a car on the island, without a driver ( we like adventure) and we got both- the car and the adventure! But it's so recommended. Please don't rent a bike, you'll regret it later. 
Our Toyota rush was old but with all necessary equipment, including a roof rack and much needed air conditioning. We also had an automatic gear and, when you drive on the island almost everyday, for at least 3 hours, you'll understand you need a 4x4 with automatic gears. The roads are beautiful but challenging. Sometimes you can't drive faster than 10 km hr..

our hotel for the first 5 days! right on the beach ( in the meanwhile, the old fishing building has been demolished)

Day 1: 15 april 2022

Starting from the airport, we had to stop in a town called Waikabubak, which turned out to be a town we visited very frequently and had most items we needed for our stay, like fruits and some different food. We stopped at a warung called D'Sumba Ate Waikabubak, where Elmia was fortunate enough to find fresh fish and I got some banana pancakes ( turned out we ate that everyday, as bananas are one of the only fruits widely available on the island). 

We arrived at our hotel after a drive of about roughly 2hr to a surf spot in the bay of Pantai Kerewei. Our beach lodge called Sumba Beach House is a lovely little place straight on the beach. The access is easy and the place is surrounded by palm trees and wide beaches ( much different then Bali’s black beaches mostly without palms). The room was nice, easy and the bed was great. Recommend this spot, although it's expensive for what you get ( compared to Bali prices for example).

Elmira went out to surf in the morning a couple of times during our stay, but should have taken the boat out to some surf spots, as paddling took almost 20-30 min just to reach the right break.

We had some luck, with the sunsets, as you can see in these pictures, we took from some beaches around our place. Little did we know that the sandflies biting us every morning and evening were the worst bites that you can get, when it comes to scratching. 

Day 2. 16 april 2022

Meandering roads in Sumba

We started to wake up super early, to either catch sunrise( between 05:30/06:00 or to go out and surf. Exploring some parts of our area is the best thing you can do, especially when you drive a car, and I found some amazing beaches like Pantai Watu Bella and Pantai Marosi.

If you are lucky,  you can also find locals performing ceremonies at the hills near our beach, where they ride horses and do competitions. The views from these planes are breathtaking and highly recommend to visit, ( Lapangan Pasola Lamboya - Panorama Hobba Kalla)

During out trip, we discovered the Cacao beans, and curious to what they look/ taste and feel like, we decided to take one with us.

After an amazing breakfast served by our chef, we found ourselves driving towards the lagoon Waikuri Lagoon. We didn't take any pictures here as the weather changed when we arrived and because it was a Saturday, the lagoon was full with locals, making it an un-photogenic place at that time :(

With some Bokeh, I shot this young cacao bean growing in a cacao bean farm

Surely this lagoon in the summer or in the early morning should be worth a visit. ( mind that you shouldn't pay more than 50K We decided not to take the same road back. We went up north and came across 25 wild men hunting. ( wild pig) 

They wanted to stop us for things. Beaches all white color with blue marine water.( road doesn't show in google yet)

Elmira searching for cacao beans

During our road trip, we realized that this is not going to be an easy vacation, but a challenging week for us, both as a couple, photographer and as tourists. The drives on the road were really challenging, sometimes we spent 1 hour on 1 road that didn't allow us to speed over 5 km hr. Almost a standstill. Crazy! 

We must have had some patience because it took such a long time!

Day 3. 17 april 2022

We decided to take the same road again, because we wanted to see some planned views from the cliffs along the southwest coast line of the island. Little did we know that the locals here are very wild, have no idea how to treat tourist ( they see you as a walking white ATM) and they have no manners, as they are quite savages and you feel really scared when they come at you in the middle of nowhere, with their machetes, pushing you to hand over some money. You really feel uncomfortable when this happens to you on a cliff..

Elmira was the attraction

The sunset on this day was one for the books.. The whole sky just lit up and it lasted for 1 hour.

crazy sunset in a lake just in front of the beach

We were able to drive from 3 different points, to have 3 different kinds of photo’s all during the same sunset. That doesn't happen a lot as the distance between spots normally takes a long time. 

Day 4. 18 april 2022

On our fourth day in Sumba, me and Elmira decided that it was finally time to take a small Jungle hike and check out 2 waterfalls; Air Terjun Matayangu, and Lapopu Waterfall. Elmira decided to wear a beautiful dress but that turned out to be very unfit to hike a jungle with very slippery slopes and dangerous pathways ( the island isn't yet well equipped for tourists and everything is at your own risk. Walking on flip flops didn't make anything much better during our hike down to the base of the waterfall.

We knew after 4 days of experiencing heavy rain falls in the middle of the island every day between 1-4 pm, that hiking would be wet. We did it anyway and after 1 hr we found our self just 200 meters away from the waterfall, but with thunderstorms, massive monsoon rains and super dangerous rocky and slippery paths, stuck and as a protector, I decided it was best to turn around to a safer place and not stay in this jungle ( we were completely alone, no guides, and as it turned out, covered in mosquitoes and blood leeches). 

After some crying, and high stress moments and shaking of most leeches, we returned to our car, disillusioned, disappointed and drained of our energy, with no pictures taken.. What a day! 

Day 5. 19 april 2022

Last day in the west part of Sumba! We decided to spend a day at the hotel, to be relaxed, try to surf and not rush. We did a morning shoot but relationships sometimes need work ;) so we had to skip the shoot ( very unfortunate as this beach has great photogenic potential for personal shoots for dresses and jewelry. 

Perfect spot for some portrait pictures

Day 6. 20 april 2022
It was time to leave the west side of the island and explore the east ( especially I had a wish to take pictures of the dancing mangrove trees) part of the island. We drove for about 3-4 hours, stopping at our favorite city and having some good quality food there.

Along the way we made a bunch of moving street videos in the ever changing landscape on the island ( the east part is very different from the west). 

Having some locals waiting for us to pay them money, is one of the negative experiences of the island

 The best part are the hills called bukits and they are easily accessible by the main road. 

The views are stunning, really, just get there during sunset/ or sunrise to catch the best light ( we choose to be at the dancing trees so this time there are no colorful skies for us).

When you are driving on the island, you will notice that there is almost no straight line of road, and the roads go up and down all the time. This is quite tiring and impossible for the co-driver to read or do anything other than to support the driver ;) ( PRO TIP! lol)

There is just 1 main road leading from the west to the east to drive without much hassle. Arriving at the other big city called Waingapu, we immediately realized this part of the island is much more civilized so we recommend you start your journey here if you are looking for a little bit more relaxed ‘soft’ landing in Sumba. Because Sumba is not like Bali. There are no restaurants available in 99% of the island, not even warungs, and food is scarce. And if you find any, accept that it will be fried, with a lot of sugar and unhealthy. And nobody speaks English. 

So we came to Waingapu and our hotel was just 10 min away from the city center ( don't think about an actual center - more like a busy crowded road). The hotel we took was brand new and we enjoyed our stay here: Kambaniru Beach Hotel and Resort.

The rooms are good, the bed big and nice and the breakfast good enough to get your belly full for another day of exploring.

first day at this magical spot was full of clouds and later storm but that was a good way of exploring the spot

Because we arrived in time we still had time enough to drive 30 min from the hotel to the Dancing trees, to finally get those incredible sunset pictures I was dreaming about, since I saw them on the page of Daniel Kordan, 1 of my personal favorite photographer.. ( link)

When we drove up the beach I already saw it wasn't going to be my lucky day.. Gray skies were rushing from the Indonesian sea toward Sumba and when we arrived on the beach, it started to rain later. 

One of the things always a pain in the ass about popular places when you want to shoot a landscape, are the many people it attracts ( including me). Finally we arrived at the dancing trees that are just unique and so photogenic ; LINK, but I had a group of selfie hungry Jakarta families that wanted to have a photo taken with every tree. So when the clouds were moving in and the tourists were hiding from the coming rain, it was finally time to catch some shots. Luckily for me I planned 2 nights here, so my chances of getting a sunset grew by 50% :D.

Black and white Walakiri Mangrove trees, just before the storm

I still love the work I took here during a more moody sunset, and it also gave me time to understand the compositions I wish to get the next day, just hoping the sunset will be amazing

Day 7. 21 april 2022

When we woke up in our hotel we saw a couple of mountain bikes for rent and we decided it was a good idea to drive a bit around the sea shore and see some village life from up close.

It was great fun but rather heavy and a not so common experience for Elmira as she doesn't drive bicycles every day ;)

After a sweety hour of hilly landscape exploration, we took a quick shower, and went to waterfall called (link) Air Terjun Tanggedu

I was a bit skeptical about the many reviews and comments but this was very, very worth our trouble. The waterfall itself is not made for swimming as it is too strong during our stay there. But the road leading up to the waterfall all the way down from the beach ( we found an oasis called Pantai Puru kambera) is one of the best roads I have driven so far. 

Enjoy the roads!

The views during this ride are completely insane. Nothing like you would expect from an Island somewhere in the Indonesian Archipelago. This was more like a road from some part of Tanzania.. Dry fields of grasslands, rising above the sea level and therefore creating endless views all around the island. The curvy landscape is perfect for clouds and shadows to crawl along the fields and create a perfect atmosphere for stunning landscape photography. 

( follow this IG account to see all the movies and reels that we've made) 

Final day 8. 23 april 2022

As we didn't get the chance to take a PCR test in time, we were forced to spend another day in Sumba. We decided to take the advice from our friend and stayed at ORO beach, again, a breathtaking beach close to the airport and surrounded by nothing more than nature. The sea is so clear, the water so blue and the beaches so white. It’s paradise.

We decided to spend a morning trying to catch some nice light for a shoot for jewelry, but the light was already too bright to get the shots we set out to get. LINK

The great thing about these natural, secluded beaches without any people, you can feel free, drop your swimming pants and have a naked bath in the sea. What a life!

Thanks for exploring with us and hope you like to share this Blog and my Vision. See you next time!
Best Regards,

Rudolfo Dalamicio and Elmira

Waikaboebak Village

Visit Portugal. A country full of history and beautiful landscapes

Portugal

Whenever you have the chance to visit Europe, consider putting Portugal on your to-go list.

Portugal has a couple of big cities, like Lisbon and Porto, who are rich of history and have beautiful old city centers, with delicious pastries and wines, but is also very well known for its southern beaches, its surf spots, for example the beaches of Ericeira are amazing spots to catch awesome break lines and tubes, and its port wine from the Douro region, with travel option all year around.

The country's mainland has a small population, making it great for outdoor traveling, discovering and driving through the country's national parks.

Do you want to see lava stone islands or majestic lush green islands? Then visit the Azores or Madeira to find unique flora and fauna and great wines. (  Madeira is still on my list)

I have had the pleasure of visiting both Azores and the mainland of Portugal. Let me take you on a trip to these parts of Portugal and to show you the beauty of the country. 

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Welcome to the Azores

Azores

Welcome to the island of São Miguel, part of the Azores in Portugal.

Situated in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, and traveled for many centuries by different nations and discoverers, this island is the main island of the 7 Azores archipel. The weather is very dynamic on this island due to the volcanic mountains and the winds from the Atlantic ocean.

Due to this, It is very common to find yourself in a rainstorm at one point and 15 minutes later in sun covered hills. 
A warm welcome at Ponta Delgada’s bridge nordeste, while you drive or walk over this curious bridge. The lava stones have been used all over the island to build the houses and also bridges. The colonial style is easily recognised and the bridge is beautifully decorated with flowers of different colours. It's a treat to walk here and be guided into the village, where, in the back, you can find the town halls church tower.

A great memory of Azores are the views all around the island

Did you know that all over the island, you can find so many flowers? The grass lands covering the slopes on the islands are separated by bushed, showing the villagers who owns what piece of land. The Hyacinth flowers are spread out all over the island, making the island feel very welcoming and cosy,

We arrived to the island around auitumn, what is a great time to visit the archaepel

Leaves on the road in the mountains of San Miguel. The cars leave trails of lights when passing by

When driving on the many beautiful mountain bendy roads, there are times where you enter a mountain in sunshine at 25 degrees, and exit it 10 minutes later with humid, foggy clouds, where temperatures have dropped significantly to about 10 degrees, and winds have a huge impact on the overall mood. Altho its lush and green mountains are great places if the sun is shining, the mood changes so quickly and roads become foggy, fairytale-like places, as this one as you can see.

The island of Soa Miguel has proper roads, but it can take a while to go from all the way west to east, as the island is fairly wide and the maximum speed is of course low on the bendy roads. There are some highways you can take in the central part of the island.

When you visit 1 of the volcano lakes, you can find a little pier here overlooking the Lagoa das Furnas. This lake is usually covered in a thick fog, because of the high humidity and warm geisers still active around the lake. If you want to take a hike on the mountains slides, you can go for a hike, but be careful, its super slippery, and weather changes within 15-30 minutes, making a hike even more dangerous.After you visit the lakes, drive around and find loads of beautiful waterfalls, spread around the island.

Full of waterfalls, you can take your pick on one of them on San Miguel to get a long expo shot on the moving water and the green jungles surrounding them

Visiting Azores again is high on my list. A great place to visit all year around because of the constant temperature and great variety of weather around the islands.

Ericeira

Welcome to the surfers city of ericeira. It has a great variety of beaches, with empty spots all year around.
Figuare del Foz. An incredible empty beach line, where you can walk for hours, and see nobody. A truly unique experience when visiting a touristic country like Portugal. The coastline is filled with beautiful dunes, long and wide beaches and surrounded by forrests. Shot in late September, you have different weather in this season, from scorching hot day’s to rainy and even stormy weather to get some epic and moody sky’s like this picture.  

The rock seems to be alive in Ericeira. The ocean never stops to move

Continuing my journey from Porto down south, you come across a city at the beach, that has no appealing center, but the beaches around are one of the most beautiful beaches i have seen yet. Wide, open and without any other people, you. can really relax and enjoy the sound of nature.

Vila Real

A magical sunset over the granite mountains of Villa Real, north Portugal. The granite is visible to the eye and the mountain range is easily accessible by car.

Douro

One of the best kept secrets of Portugal, by far, is the Douro Wine region. Some of the best wines in the world are produced here, made from traditions that are more than 350 years old.

Westview in between pink flowers

On one of the quinta’s, the Quinta Nova Nossa Senhora do Carmo, spectacular views are guaranteed, overlooking the hilly, with grape-covered landscapes. Visiting in September gives you a high chance of seeing the harvest of the grapes. Visiting early summer or mid-summer will give your lush grape vines.

Lagos

Typically known to attract many tourists, but due to corona virus bullshit, we where asked to stay at home. I don’t believe so much in all this so I went off after my birthday to the south of Portugal; Algavre. 

I choose to stay in Lagos, a place with great photogenic scenery. I met some interesting people there, and my colleagues in a small place called monchique, well known for its natural water and springs.

One of my favorite shots and edits; the rock bottom of Lagos

Waking up early in the morning always pays off. If not for foggy mornings, long days or just the silence when the world hasn’t woken up yet, the sunrises can be very epic and memorable. Here In the Algavre town called Lagos, you have a perfect sunrise spot. Of course a popular place, but during the epidemic in 2020, I was able to take my time and create a remarkable moody scene and epic sunrise with a very moody rocky place. The location itself is accessible by some stairs, that leads to a parking place for campers. Especially early morning, this is worth visiting.

Lisbon

The capital city of Portugal is Lisbon, and we know it from many tram photo’s going up the steep streets. Because this has been photographed so many times, I choose to showcase another part of Lisbon. Situated at the water, and connected to the Atlantic Ocean, the 5 star hotel of the Marriot is a great place to enjoy some sunrise and sunsets, and overlook a fast area around the outskirts of Lisbon.

As you can see, it was autumn when I arrived and leaves where coloring brown. I celebrated my 36th birthday here, enjoying a nice 5 star room, and a Michelin star restaurant diner for 1. Of course, there was some port wine as deserts ;)

Great architecture can be found everywhere, but this bridge, the … is something else. Very long and low, the bridge connects land that 

Porto

Saving the best till last. Porto, a bit colder then most places but, with phenomanal gastronomy, views. nature and history, definaltly the best place and region of Portugal

What is not to like in Porto? This city has got so much to offer. From coastal clouds drifting in the city from the ocean, portwine tastings all year around and a very down to earth mentality of the people and locals.

As you can see, the scenery is breathtaking. The amount of picturesque scenes are countless.  

long shadows as the tram passes by on the Ponte Luís I

Strolling though this city, you will be amazed about the difference in height, the separation of the two parts of the town; on the north lies the hearth of the city, the cathedrals and the amazing small streets with many stairs to climb, but on the south bank of the Douro you are able to chill down at the river, after excursions in 1 of the many lagars of the big and smaller port brands. The Quinta’s produce their wines many hundreds of kilometers up the river, far to the east. Usually in pipas, the barrels that are being used to transport the wine to porto, they are collected on the river banks.

The streets are easy accessible for transport to have a quick transport from the dark and colder warehouses, keeping the pipas on the right temperature before the wine is ready to be sold. 

Sun is highlighting the back side of the Igreja de São Lourenço also known as the Saint Lawrence Church

This shot was made in 2015/2016. It shows a colorful sunset and clouds rolling in from the ocean. A sight, quite normal for late summer as weather is changing rapidly.

Left is Vila nova de Gaia, and on the right side you see porto.