The 2012 Travel Project: March 2012, Den Haag, Amsterdam and rural Netherlands

March would mark my parents' first trip to visit Julia and I in Paris, and at their request we would spend some time in Netherlands (I looked, and there is officially no "The") between the cities of Den Haag and Amsterdam and also visiting the villages of Zaanse Schans, Edam and Volendam.

This was not my first time in Amsterdam, however the other locations on our trip were all new and all had some amazing scenery to check out.

So let's look at some of the better shots:

This first shot is of the beach at Den Haag, we have since learned that this is one of the best beaches in this region, unfortunately, as we were there in March, it wasn't exactly beach weather...the sky was "real purdy" though.  Taken with the Tokina 11-16.

Not the greatest beach weather but still pretty cool

This next shot was taken in Zaanse Schans, a historic recreation village just outside Amsterdam.  It is the site of some of the few remaining working windmills in Netherlands.  Taken with the zoom.

This one is more of a playful texture/depth of field shot, but I just love the little alleys that you can find in Europe. I think this was in Edam.  Taken with the zoom.

Neat little alley

Next up, England.

The 2012 Travel Project: February 2012, Brussels, Belgium

February was cold and wet in Paris...it even snowed once!  Seriously...for real!  So naturally, like any other fun loving Canadian would do, we (Myself, Julia, and 3 friends from Total) decided to travel even farther north...to Brussels.

Beer, chocolate and fries abound...but the trick would be finding those gems of photos hiding in the city...

This first picture is more a case of a great subject than a great picture...This is "la grande place" in Brussels...really an amazing place!  Taken with the Tokina wide angle.

Good subject, OK photo.

This next one is of the inexplicable famous Mannequin Pis...Yep that's it there, peeing with a Shriner suit on...To add to that, it was surrounded by like 300 people and it was only about a foot tall...inexplicable...truly...Taken with a Nikon zoom 5.8.

Inexplicable

 This picture was taken in the EU Parlimentarium museum, which is still to this day one of my favorite museums.  Viewed from the floor below these balls formed a map of Europe, but from the upper deck they simply looked cool.  Unfortunately, I feel that this is another occasion where a better angle for the shot would have made it more interesting...oh well.  Taken with a Nikon 50mm 1.8.

Balls-y shot!

Next up, Netherlands.

The 2012 Travel Project: January 2012, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

We're off to an auspicious beginning here on the 2012 Travel Project with the 1st entry for January 2012 (yes I am very late...did you even read the last article...I know)...Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.  I must admit, I am relying on people being a little kind on this one...I am cheating a little here in that Luxembourg is technically a grand duchy, not a country...but hey, it has all the criteria (royal family, flag, government..etc), so lay off!

Anyhoo...this being my photo blog and all, I am not going to spend to much time talking about the place and instead just focus on the pics.  If you want more info on our trip and what I thought, go to my other blog and check out "Eric's Uninformed Travel Tips: Luxembourg Edition" (ericinparis2011.blogspot.com). So let's see some pics...

This first one is of one of the more picturesque bridges in Luxembourg City.  I always like to try and experiment with the layout of my shots and honestly, the more I look at this one, the less I like it...but oh well, here it is...enjoy :) Taken with a Tokina 11-16 F2.8.

Diagonal lines...Still not my friend

 I really do love this shot, especially the reflection of the building in the background and the mossy stairs heading into the calm water...tres cool...Again, I feel like I could have done it more justice by lining the angle of the bank paralell with the right side of the frame but, you live you learn.  Taken with 'ol faithful (our film zoom lens).

I am a sucker for a good reflection

 Finally, I love this one more for the subject than anything else.  This church was carved into the side of one of the many cliffs in Luxembourg City (see my other blog for more details on this).  I really like how the roof just disappears into the rocks. Also taken with 'ol faithful.

If I was a hobbit, I'd live here

And there you have it...That was our only trip in January, so next up February...I wont reveal it yet but the locale is famous for beer, chocolate and cartoon reporters.

The 2012 Travel Project: The Explanation

At the risk of overstating...It has been a very, very, very long time since I have posted anything on this, or any of my blogs, but, like a married nympho in Amsterdam, I am resigned to once again lie and say that I am going to try and be more faithful...

This Faithful...Totally

I am hoping that my subject matter will keep me interested anyway.  What is that subject you ask?  Let me tell you, I say...

We have quietly been working toward a goal over the first 6 months of 2012 and I want to capture it on both my blogs...We have managed to see at least 1 country a month so far this year, a trend I am hoping to carry right to the end of the year.

I will be capturing this goal in two ways...

1. Eric's Uninformed Travel Tips, on my other blog (Ericinparis2011.blogspot.com), will be providing my views on the countries we have visited.

2. The 2012 Travel Project Album, on this blog, will be covering the progress through my favorite photos in each country.

So check back often to see the updates...the first ones (the months that have already passed) are going to come hot and heavy, so you wont have to wait long!

My Top 5 Favoritist European Shots of 2011

Well, I have now been tasting the clean (slightly cheese flavoured) European air for the better part of a year now, and I thought it would be appropriate to post my 5 favorite shots of 2011 from across the pond.

So lets get this party started, in no particular order:


1. Chateau Chambord, The Loire Valley (France) November 2011:

We toured Chambord, Chenonceau and the town of Amboise with a friend and fellow expat in November and got this photo on the way back to the chateau after we ended our 4X4 tour of the king's private hunting grounds.

It was good to be the king

2.  Vimy Monument, Vimy Ridge (France) November 2011:

We actually had the opportunity to visit Vimy for the Rememberance Day ceremonies.  It was a really moving experience and I look forward to going again next year.

A great experience all Canadians should have

3.  Sacre Coeur, Paris (France) July 2011:

We have been back to this spot with just about everyone who visited us so far in Paris and so far it is still just as impressive as this first time.  My favorite view of Paris by far.

Greatest way to see Paris

4.  Basilica Saint-Michel, Bordeaux (France) July 2011:

Another town another tower...the view was definately worth the climb in this one though.

So many steps...

5.  Fort, San Malo (France) July 2011:

This one is a gem from one of my favorite places in France, San Malo.  Here's an interesting fact: San Malo was the birthplace of Jacques Cartier.

So cool...

Bonus.  Mont Saint Michel, Mont Saint Michel (France) July 2011:

I couldn't not show this one because we really had to work for it...in the end though, it is one of my favorite pics of all time.

There you go, there are a lot more the we really like, but these are the collection that have the "wow factor".

Let's see what we can get in 2012...

New Horizons

It has been a realllly long time since I have posted any new photos.  And since I have been here for 3 months now (here being Paris..duh), I feel that I should update with some France photos.

So here you go, the first of what I am sure will be many fond memories and photos from the other side of the pond.

I really like this first one.  We were at the Louvre with Julia's parents and I leaned against the glass pyramid to try and get the reflection of part of the building on the glass...I think it turned out well.  I took this photo with our 50mm prime 1.8.

This one is from the Dune De Pilat in southern France (close to Bordeaux).  I really love it because of the framing with the water on either side of the mound and I even like the sun spot...especially since I have vivid memory of how sunny and hot it was that day...Also, I love how small Juls looks in the pic.  It was taken with the 11-16 Tokina F 2.8.

Finally, this picture is of Mont Saint Michel in the Bretagne region of France.  We picked out a spot and camped for about 2 hours until the lighting was just right to get this one.  It was taken with the Tokina wide angle with a slow shutter speed...A sixth of a second I believe.

Enjoy...more to come.

Pictures From The Homeland 3: Chester

Time for the next (and last) of my pictures from home...That's right, from here on I only have photos from Europe.  Before we get to what I know everyone wants to see though, I have to pay homage to my hometown, Chester.  These first two pictures are from that town I grew up in and both were taken in the back harbor after a workout one day.  The first was taken with the Tokina 11-16 and the second with the Nikkon 50mm prime.  I like them both because the blues and the water just remind me of home...

 Finally, we have a photo from Queensland beach in Hubbards.  I decided to stop by while I was out for a drive and though it was too cold for a swim, it was perfect for a picture of the crashing waves...This photo may actually become my desktop background, it really reminds me of home.

And that's that, next photos will be Versailles...stay tuned!