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Rhone Valley France

My first visit to the Rhone Valley, France, was filled with great wine, delicious food and wandering the streets of old cities just to see what was around the next corner. The way the light illuminated one street, while creating deep shadows on the next narrow lane meant that I was constantly lifting my camera to try and capture the scene. Driving next to vineyard after vineyard it was clear to see why the Rhone Valley has such a name for itself in the wine industry and the history of wine making.

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Spanish Grapes

With winding roads and rolling hills, Priorat a Spanish wine region, is just as visually stimulating to the senses as it’s wine is to the taste buds. Not far away, the village of San Sadurní de Noy, home to Cava production, the bubbly bottles at Mestres Cava, are aged beneath the town square in a series of underground tunnels one used during war time to hide beneath the city.

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The Streets of Spain

Wandering the streets of Spain, feels like stepping back to a time when life was simpler and community was stronger. Town squares were a meeting place for all major events, entrance ways were grand, and people took the time to sit in the street and have conversations with their neighbors or enjoy a coffee or glass of wine.

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Seeing Cappadocia from all Heights

Instagram worthy photos are impossible not to capture if you are willing to wake up early and watch the sunrise in Cappadocia, as hundreds of hot air balloons fill the sky every morning. With it's consistent winds, stunning scenery and large selection of reputable companies to choose from, Cappadocia is a balloon lover's dream. Hiking up to the top of "Lover's Hill" right in the center of Göreme to take in this phenomenon, I truly did feel like I had entered a scene from a fairy tale.   

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Hiking through Cappadocia's Fairy Chimneys

Cappadocia is one of Turkey's most popular tourist destinations and for good reason! Ancient cave homes from the Bronze Age, and palaces are still visible carved into rocks. Tall "fairy chimneys", or rock pinnacles formed from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, and shaped from erosion reach up to the sky. Walking through this semi-arid landscape, I was reminded of the National Parks of Utah, but with an added sense of wonder of the people who at one point carved their homes into the high up rocks for defense and shelter. With hot sunny days, and cool nights, Cappadocia is a place of wonder that can be explored by people of all ability depending on how far off the beaten path you want to wander. Being a tourist destination there are also plenty of unique hotels, artisan shops, and fantastic restaurants to spend time when you aren't hiking through the valleys, or visiting the open air museums.  

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Kayaking over the Kekova's Sunken City

The warm sun beats down as we paddle our double kayak across the glassy Mediterranean Sea to the island of Kekova. The now uninhabited island houses the remains of Simena, and ancient Lycian sea-side trading city. On shore pieces of homes, tombs, an early church and a staircase down into the water are still visible after a series of earthquakes destroyed the city in the 2nd Century causing it to sink beneath the water. Kayaking over the turquoise clear water, large pillars from the city long ago pass by beneath the boat of this now specialty protected area of Turkey's past.  

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Tranquility on the Turquoise Sea

Bright blue and aqua water, fresh seafood and a laid back vibe makes the Turquoise Coast a peaceful place to kick back for a few days. Basing ourselves is the seaside town of Kaş, we took a few days to just relax, wander the quaint town, sip an Efes beer on the beach and enjoy wine on the rooftop as the sun went down over the Mediterranean Sea. Once we were feeling rested and ready to explore again we jumped on board a ferry headed to the Greek island Kastellorizo also known as Meis one of Greece's smallest and most distant islands visible from the Turkish coast. The highlight of this island was taking a small boat to Galazio Spilaio (Blue Cave), where once inside the sun rays coming in from the mouth of the cave, reflect off the water and illuminate the stalactites a bright blue color making it feel as if we had entered a scene from the movie Avatar. While so close to Turkey, Kastellorizo, feels like you have entered another country with it's brightly colored buildings, cobble stone streets and uniquely Greek wine. We spent the afternoon sipping wine on the rocks, diving off rocks, wandering through an old castle and enjoying grilled octopus, fresh fish and of course more wine at one of the local restaurants. Taking the ferry back late afternoon to our peaceful room in Kas at The Hideway Hotel, and returning to our rooftop terrace to watch the sun go down as we looked back across the sea to the island we had just spent the day on in Greece.      

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Ephesus - Turkey's Ancient City

Once a port town and main center for trade, Ephesus located in Selçuk Turkey, is now an important archeological site with a rich and complex history. Ruled over the years by a succession of Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, the city once was home to 300,000 people in the second century AD. Home to the nearby Temple of Artemis, declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world, and rumored to be where The Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life, Ephesus draws people from all over the world to marvel at what remains of this ancient city. Walking the main street, I could imagine a life so different from mine in a time long ago. 

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Istanbul - A city for the senses

Right off the plane and into the heart of Turkey's cultural capital, Istanbul, where our senses were stimulated at every waking moment. Each day begins with the soothing sound of the morning Azan, or Islamic call to prayer, echoing through the streets just before sunrise. Walking miles on end to explore the history sites of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazar, and resting our feet by stopping for Turkish coffee, the best baklava ever tasted and plenty of cay, a black Turkish tea. With 15 million people calling Istanbul home, in addition to all the tourists from neighboring countries, it is buzzing multicultural metropolis, with some of the best people watching I have done in a long time. Loud music and the smell of nargile fills the alleys around Taksim square at night. During the day taking a fairy across the Bosporus to the Asian side of Istanbul, provides a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Seeing the city from the water offers a unique perspective, with quieter streets, markets and green parks I could have sat eating olive, cheese and mezze here for days on end.   

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When the Surf Meets the Jungle - Siargao

We came for the surf, we found so much more. Siargao is one of the over 7000 islands that make up the Philippines. Home to the famous Cloud Nine surf break, this island has been drawing tourists for years to experience the world class surfing, cheap eco conscious accommodation, fresh healthy food and multitude of yoga shalas. While it's hard not to spend your entire day surfing with a variety of breaks for all levels just a short and cheap boat ride from shore, renting a scooter or hiring a car for the day, there is so much to explore on this jungle island. White sand beaches, rock pools, endless coconuts, and farmers markets can entertain you in the day time. At night freshly caught seafood is thrown over a grill and enjoyed while sipping cheap local beer, before a visit to the local movie theatre, karaoke bar, jungle disco or simply back to your hammock to read before bed. Each restaurant and bar has it's own story and style to experience just like each surf break has it's own vibe and style to be enjoyed. 

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Dream Destination - Malapascua Philippines

It only took a few very long flights across the Pacific ocean, a four hour bus trip and a short taxi boat ride to get to paradise, but once in Malapascua the long journey was instantly justified with a smile that could not be wiped off my face and a lingering sense of peace. A small island in the Philippines north of Cebu, Malapascua is known for its scuba diving, but the above water attractions are just as stunning. Days begin with a sunrise boat trip to an outer reef, just as the sun is peaking over the horizon we jump into the ocean and slowly descend to see the famous Thresher shark, with its long fan like tail feeding on small cleaning fish. Emerging to the surface of the water the warm sun now shines brightly illuminating the clear blue and aqua water, some of the most stunning colors I have ever seen. Sipping hot coffee on the boat, it's only 7:30am and already I feel like everything I had hoped for has been surpassed. Back on the small island we call home for a few days, breakfast is a fresh mango smoothie and banana pancakes. Sunscreen is reapplied for some island hoping adventures, followed by reading in the hammock and an afternoon nap. A fresh seafood dinner eaten by candlelight with toes in the sand and we are off to meet new friends for karaoke and disco night where locals and tourists meet on the basketball court to drink rum and dance under the stars.    

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The Colors of Bryce Canyon

As the sun illuminates the iron rich rocks of Bryce Canyon, Utah, I wander down deeper into their shadows. Peering up I am amazed at their jagged form that has taken millions of years to be carved into these shapes by the wind, sun, water and snow in the sedimentary rock. "Do you see the hunter and the rabbit?" someone asks, pointing off into the distance at one of the Hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park is said to have the most abundant number of these tall skinny spires of rock called Hoodoos that often form shapes sending children and adult's alike on a scavenger hunt through the park to spot them all. Driving out of Bryce Canyon at sunrise, these panicles slowly disappear in the rear view mirror as we return to a landscape more familiar, almost as if we are coming back to earth from an adventure on a far away planet.  

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Hiking Zion National Park

My first trip to Utah's desert area began in Zion National Park. Rounding the bend toward Springdale in our 1991 Ambulance, converted into adventure camper, my mind was already blown by the brightly colored rocks towering either side of the road. Entering the park I knew we were in for an adventurous few days of hiking, exploring and photo taking. Each hike we did had it's own unique view of this incredible canyon. From the vastness of the Canyon Overlook trail, to the jaw clenching cliffs of Angel's Landing, to the washed out entrance of the Narrows and the stunning sunset at The Watchmen I couldn't take a step without having my camera ready for another shot. The beauty of this place can not be described in words and instead has to be seen first hand. What struck me about Zion National Park is that it's awe inspiring views really are accessible to all. A free shuttle that runs through the park gives passengers views up into the canyon in all directions and plenty of short paved trails allow one to get close to the brightly colored rock. For those with more mobility moderate trails are well maintained, and the adventurous souls have no shortage of elevation to gain, as over over mountain and around every bend, there seems to be a new valley to explore or peak to be summited. 

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Snow, Sake and City Sights in Japan

Arriving in Tokyo, Japan I was stuck by how a city can be so clean and quiet and yet so bright and lively at the same time. Small independent bars that seat only 8 people line Golden Gai streets, each with it's own theme and feeling. 24 hr sushi restaurants mean that you will never go hungry in this big city. The ski hills in the north island's area of Hokkaido lived up to their reputation of "Japow". Powder so deep that if you fall on a snowboard getting back up again can take a while and don't worry about lift lines or crowded runs, because there are so many different areas to ski that there is an open run for every taste. After a full day on the mountain coming home to a relaxing onsen, (a natural indoor or outdoor hot spring bath) to sooth the muscles, and a multi course traditional Kaiseki meal to not only feed the belly but the soul makes it hard to ever leave this place. Japan is a place I already can't wait to go back to full of hospitality, natural beauty and food to die for. 

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A quick escape to Puerto Rico, might just have been a life changing experience. While I have traveled to many (39) countries, Puerto Rico struck a chord in my heart. The ease of traveling to a tropical island, that still has the convenience of being a US Territory makes a trip to Puerto Rico an extremely approachable destination. Amazing surf, white sand beaches, a tropical rain forest and incredible snorkeling and diving topped off with beautiful smiles and welcoming people. While this trip was part work and part pleasure, the soothing sunsets and warm sea water made it an experience of reconnection to all that which is important to me.

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As the weather gets cooler, I am trying to come to terms with the fact that camping for the season may have come to an end. The memories of our incredible backpacking trip to the Winds a few weeks ago are still fresh in my mind. Waking up to a bull moose 10 feet from the tent, cozy meals shared with friends and scenery so amazing it was hard to put down the camera. Until next year . . .

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Thanks for the feature PlanetJH, it’s an honor to be included in this great article alongside so many inspirational female photographers.

http://planetjh.com/2016/09/28/feature-f-stop-fatales/