testing 1,2,3… underwater filming

Tags

Hawaii, snorkeling, travel, underwater camera

Friday, I put my Fujifilm point and shoot camera through an underwater test.  Jene and I were at Hupuna Beach, HI and I decided to see how well I could video while frolicking in the surf.  The answer – not very well.  The upside was – I never had so many laughs.  First problem:  I left the floating camera strap in my suitcase.  Second:  Crashing surf creates bubbles and churning sand, not exactly the clear waters I was hoping for.  Knowing those two things didn’t prevent me from testing out the camera, but I wanted to see what I could get.   Now if I could figure out how to include video clips without upgrading my wordpress account.  (I don’t mind paying for a premium if I thought the movies were decent or at least mediocre but nobody will be saying WOW to my silliness).  When I get home, I will be able to access my uTube account and add the link (I can’t remember my user name or password).

The next day would be the real test – underwater filming.  We were going snorkeling at “The Four Seasons” beaches.  Finding a spot where it would be easy entry into the water was made more difficult due to the low tides.  I went in with a friend of Jene’s.  We walked over lava rocks, sat on a flat rock and donned our flippers.  Sounds easy but I was being knocked about by the waves and I had the camera strapped to one wrist (yes, I forgot the floatable strap  again – duh!).  I spit into my mask, rubbed it on the glass and rinsed it with salt water,  pulled it over my face, blew the water out of the snorkel -  All set!  Now I had to maneuver my body from a semi seated position to a frontal swimming position without scraping my knees on the lava rocks or coral.  Phew!… finally I’m floating around in search of colorful fish and what not.

Click on Finding Nemo to see my movie clip.  (Not sure if I connected this correctly so I apologize if you can’t link up.  But it’s on my facebook page, so you can always go there.  Clicking on the above link will bring you to my One Media link, then click “download”.  The preview screen will allow you to start the video clicking the arrow >.

 

The sun decided to hide behind the clouds while I was snorkeling and the water was a little murky so the images are not the vivid turquoise sea or brightly color fish.  Oh well…  I tried.  The other thing I was disappointed in was I obviously didn’t focus very well or not sure if I had any control of it.  I set the camera for underwater filming and hoped it would all take care of itself.  I will now read the instruction book – something I probably should have done already.  But that’s me – dive in head first then figure it out.  No one was hurt and no animals were injured in the making of this movie (other than a few scraps and bumps on me, the camera woman).

Bitten by the “lazy bug”

Tags

Hawaii, travel

Oh my… over a week in paradise and all I want to do is relax and enjoy doing nothing.  That is so unlike me.  Even when we were camping and driving cross country, I was uploading images and blogging about my experiences.  Here in Hawaii, I really don’t have the where-with-all to expend that much energy.  I’ve copied my images onto DVD without even looking through most of them.  Just enough to know what I was burning.  And I apologize to my followers who are hoping to sightsee alongside me.  But don’t give up on me completely,  I’m sure I’ll be up and blogging in no time but for now, I am just enjoying every moment I can in Hawaii because as the saying goes – all good things come to an end.  And before I know it we will be heading back to our NY winters and I will want to revisit each and every day through photos of The Big Island.

Aloha.

Shooting whales in Hawaii

Tags

Hawaii, Humpback Whales, shooting wildlife, travel

Going on safari and shooting animals in their natural habitat has always fascinated me, ever since watching Wild Kingdom – Mutual of Omaha and other National Geographic type TV shows.  They brought you up close and personal.  Of course I didn’t like the killing part on the natural food chain but I loved the images of a lions and tigers and bears – Oh my!…  Of course my prosumer Canon EOS 50D w/ 17-70mm zoom is no match for the camera or lenses that the nature photographers have but it was rather exciting to stand in the shadow of their footsteps – if only for 2 hours of the photographic hunt.  Whale watching – can be checked off my bucket list.  Hawaii, has rules and the boats are not allowed to be any closer than 100 yards to a whale.  Now of course if the boat is drifting and a whale gets closer that’s ok but that doesn’t usually happen.  Whales are not that curious.  A moving boat and a moving target make it hard to focus and the distance between us was greater than I would have liked but here are a few shots that I captured.  I’m thrilled, I would have been thrilled even if I didn’t get any tail shots, just being there was a thrill of a lifetime.  Did I say I was thrilled…  Well, I was     And I got to share the experience with my husband.  Someone who appreciates all the gifts the world has to offer.   We ventured out to sea with Body Glove Cruises out of Kona, HI.  Thanks Denver for all your information, answering some interesting questions.

Humpback whale

I thought that it couldn’t get any better than that… and then it did  – two tails…

Wow is all I could say.  Oh wow  – not bad, not bad at all.    La dolce vita.

Aloha… postcard from Paradise

Tags

Hawaii bound photographers, travel

Greetings….  I’ve been a tad remiss in my blogging, mostly because we have had poor interest connection.  We’re staying in a multi-million dollar house and I kept losing the www.  Go figure, but I think it’s been fixed, a new router or something like that.  The home overlooks the ocean, gourmet viking/subzero kitchen, putting green, pool/hottub, 3 master size bedrooms with ensuite baths, the the real master – massive.  John our host loves the game. 

How to cram 5 days of roaming the big island into one blog.  We are staying in Kohala on the north west end of the big island.  Visiting Kawi, Wiamea,  Kaapa State Park and so many other beaches.  Stopping to talk to the horses at Na’alapa Stables.  Such beautiful animals.

Anyway, going through images is mind boggling so my normal daily blogs aren’t daily.  Oh well,  just know that I am trying to just be in the moment.

Black sand, white sand, hiking down, huffing back up.  Oy vey, Jene’s aching knees.  Sunday instead of watching the superbowl, we went whale watching off the town of Kona.  Very cool although we didn’t get any National Geographic worthy images.  I only have a 17-70mm lens and the boats have to keep a 100 foot distance at the very least.  Plus the whales are constantly on the move…

Yesterday we headed to Hilo and wound our way to some waterfalls.  Akaka, and Rainbow Falls were must dos in Lonely Planet.  We stayed overnight at Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel where the mynah birds make a friggin racket at dusk and dawn.

To be continued…  exhaustion taking over my body.

Hawaii bound photographers – aka weary travelers…

1/31/12:  Oh what a day…. Up before dawn, car service to airport, sit for 2 hours after security check, stupidly declined Jene’s offer to have something to eat. Sure as can be that we are on a meal flight. Meal flight? Who knew that you had to purchase whatever they were hawking as a meal. Our flight landed in LAX @ noon and we took a super shuttle van to Venice Beach. Had lunch on the “strip” and walked around, taking photos,   I tried my hand at using the video capacity on my little point and shoot Fuji. The skateboarders provided me the opportunity to follow their movement and zoomed in and out on the fly. Not expecting an Indifilm award at the Cannes for my filming debut. Who knows – if I can figure out how to edit and add music it might be worthy of uTube. Venice Beach  a unique place to say the least.

 

 

 

 

Hawaii: I was first up and found my way around the kitchen enough to put the first French Press pot on. .John made breakfast, cream-corn pancakes and more Kona coffee. Jene and I headed out in a NW direction and stopped in the town of Kawi for window shopping and lunch at Bamboo restaurant. I had the Hawaii Luau style pork and Jene had a Vietnamese salad with tufu. (Yum), then headed to a scenic point, stopping at Kapaa Beach – sighting whales spouting and breeching at a distance. The down side to EST/HST dispersion is that my body clock is still on EST so I am wide awake at 3:30 HST (8:30 EST). Also a bummer – although the weather is summerlike, the days are still short and site seeing is pretty much over at sunset @5- 5:30 We are experiencing technical difficulties with the internet and was without it for days and so there will a big lag in the realtime blogging that I normally do. Here are some scenes from our first few days in paradise.

All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…..(sorta)

Tags

Hawaii, photographers take a vacation, travel

This is the part I like and hate both at the same time.  I love packing for a trip and hate never having enough room for all that I want to take with me.  I’m a shoe person and could use an entire suitcase just for them.  My first 11 day vacation to CA had me packing 11 pairs of shoes, a pair for each outfit.  I had Samsonite luggage (2) 27″ pullmans – which empty weighed a ton.  I was a lot younger, luggage didn’t have wheels and I took the train to the plane (which was a long walk from my friend’s apt to the subway, down a flight of stairs, then a transfer and I’m sure more stairs to a bus to the airport).  After that experience, I learned to pack light and every trip I try to minimize what I bring.  Our 28 days road trip with various weather gear: parka, rain gear, summer clothes, hiking books, flip flops, sneakers and a pair of pumps all stuffed into 1 suitcase, the small tote held my camera and computer.  Of course weekly we were doing laundry.  Who does laundry on vacation one might ask, well now you know – Jene & I do   Yes, it’s a drag, but my car was packed with camping gear too.  It was a sight, stuffed to the rafters.

Now with the limitations that airlines are putting on their customers, packing light is even more critical.  I’ve watched people at the ticket counters, emptying articles of clothes into plastic bags until they were at the weight limit.  I have my list and checked it twice and yet almost always seem to forget something.  I shouldn’t have a problem buying whatever I might need, since we are in the states.

My excitement is mounting and the cold I woke up with Thursday seems to have left my body.  Zicam and Airborne plus inhaling salt water cleared my clogged sinuses. When I worked, I used to always get sick the day before a vacation.  It was like my immune system knew it could stop working too.

Our flight begins at 9am (est) and ends after 10pm (HST) with a 5 hr. layover in L.A.  I hope to be able to sleep on the plane which is sometime Jene does easily.  Me, I normally just close my eyes and rest with cat naps if I’m lucky.  Can we say jet-lag.

My sister is house sitting so my plants should survive and the birds will get their seed.  One less thing I have to worry about.  Jene’s son stays at the NY apt so our bases are covered.  It’s a mini vacation for them in a way.

Hawaii ready or not, here we come 

Check back in a couple of days, I’m sure to be blogging about our adventures and posting pictures.

Aloha.

Mary

Dreams – where do they come from?

Tags

dreams, finding happiness, Hawaii bound photographers, life, travel

A dream is a wish your heart makes – Walt Disney – Sleeping Beauty.

It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else – Erma Bombeck

On our 3rd date, my husband and I sat on his couch after dinner and talked.  We talked about life – his and mine.  And then he asked me something that no one had ever asked… “What are your dreams?”  I felt myself crumble, “I don’t have any” was my reply.  “Yes, yes you do”, he quietly said.   I wept.  He drew me into his arms and let my buried thoughts see the light of day.  (I was 54, he 62 – proof that life begins when you let it).

I was first married at 20, had a child a month before turning 24, separated 6 month later and raised my daughter as a single parent.  I did have a dream – to be an artist and I managed to do so for nearly 2 years when I partnered with a friend.  We had a pottery studio and store.  Her bitter divorce and sudden lack of interest took it’s toll and we parted ways.  With a young child, I could not manage on my own and so our shop closed.  I went to work putting food on the table, clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads.  I worked in advertising, loved being close to the creative process in the print production side.

Jene’s words haunted me and he encouraged me, as did my daughter to seek my dreams, it was time for me.  Long story short, I retired from a lucrative job at the age of 56, started designing and creating jewelry and found that people were buying my bracelets from me and placing orders.  WOW!  Something I did for fun, was catching on.  I sold in a trendy NYC salon, a VA shop and right off my wrist.  Wearable Art

Jene was already retired, and an award winning photographer, people I worked with always said I had a great eye when it came to composition, so I continued to shoot, started to exhibit and sell my prints… Mary Durante (Wehrhahn) Youtt

My life was always good, now it is better.  Better because I finally started to follow my dreams, the more I did, the better my life was getting.  Who knew?

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you’ve imagined – Henry David Thoreau.

So where do dreams come from?  From within, born out of desire, hope and aspiration.  They bring you joy, make your heart sing and can take on any form.  Having a child was a dream of mine, being divorced limited the number to just one but my daughter and son-in-law filled in the number with 3 granddaughters.  I opened up my heart to Jene and found love and we continue to live our dreams in the art world and through travel.

To lessen some confusion in my name, Wehrhahn was a borrowed name from my first marriage – one that I should have dropped a long time ago.  So some of my photography will bear that surname but my recent legal name is that of my maiden name and my husband’s  – Durante-Youtt.  If you like to see some of Jene’s work, click on his name to link to his.  Jene Youtt

La vita bella.

Mary

Visions of paradise dance in my head

Tags

Hawaii bound photographers, travel

I know that all my thoughts should be on the moment – enjoying whatever it is that I’m doing but my monkey mind keeps wandering towards Hawaii.  The USA for some reason has taken hold of Jene and me (a pre-wedding rail trip across the country and then our 28 day road trip – driving to visit a number of National Parks monuments and places of interest).  Our flights are booked and that’s about it.  We are staying at Jene’s friend’s place on the west coast of the big island of Hawaii.

So much time is taken up in reading Lonely Planet and AAA’s guidebook plus internet research on Trip Advisior that my brain is swirling and my eyes are bleary.  Friends are making suggestions as what we “have to do”  Oh you’ve got to do this or go there, we just loved it.  The list grows longer with each passing day – we are only going for 14 days + the 2 travel days. How will we ever cram all there is to see into the span of 2 weeks is mind boggling. Because it is the height of the season, it is recommended that reservations be made way before we take off.  Jene likes to leave things loose while I like to have things buttoned up but we’ve learned to both give a little in order to satisfy both our travel styles.  The only itinerary I want to book are our island hopping flights and a whale watching excursion.  The rest we can play by ear.  Oh yeah and maybe book a luau.  I know it’s touristy but I believe one has to play the role of tourist every now and again.  It gives you a different insight even into the city you live in.

I’m sure half of the New Yorkers have not climbed the steps of the Statue of Liberty and it wasn’t until I hosted out of town guests that I made that journey.  I am glad that I had taken my daughter to the top of the World Trade Center and had the chance to lunch at Windows On the World.  Had cocktails at the Rainbow Room, The View at the Marriott  Marquis, supped at One Fifth Avenue, had late night dinners and brunches at The Russian Tea Room, dinners at Tavern on the Green, The 21 Club, Patsy’s and so many other famous NY restaurants, drinks/lunch at the Plaza Hotel.  Things many people take for granted that they will always exist.  (luckily most still do).  Carriage rides through Central Park, The Great White Way, Radio City, Lincoln Center’s Operas, Ballets, and Jazz.  I discoed to the beat at Studio 54, danced at Roseland, CBGBs, The Mud Club, The Underground.  And yet, there’s so many things and places that are still on the NYC to-do list.  Even a stay-cation can be a wonderful experience if you take the time to walk around your town and see it through the eyes of a tourist.

Back to vacation plans and doing the touristy things…  I even arranged for a little surprise for us at the airport.  Jene is unaware so I can’t say what it is just yet.

Although winter is settling in in drips and drabs here in the NY metro area, I am still looking forward to sunny days and balmy breezes of the islands and can’t wait to slather on some SPF 50 and bask in the sun.   Our only other beach vacation was 4 days in Bocas del Toro in Panama and a warm afternoon on the island of Ischia in Italy.

Ischia

I can’t wait to drive the crater rim and see the volcanoes,

spend a night in the mountains star gazing and maybe even re-learn the hula.

Jene and I have relied heavily on tour guide books & review on Trip Advisor.  Lonely Planet hasn’t let us down yet, now if only I can get him to set his sights on the things he’d like to do in the islands, I will be happy because before we know it, we will be boarding the plane to paradise.

Where to next?

Tags

Hawaii bound photographers, National Parks, travel

For those not already following my Flights of Fancy blog – the answer is

Hawaii

With the holiday madness behind us, Jene and I can now concentrate on planning our vacation to Hawaii.  Even though it is not a foreign country or culture,  there’s is a lot I don’t know about the islands.  Jene and I will be leafing through Lonely Planet’s Hawaii.  A thick book, chock full of information and recommendations.  Narrowing the to-do list down to a few must-dos is essential for us and then we will leave some time to see how the wind blows and where life takes us.

On the big island, a trip to the Volcanoes National Park is probably first on the list.  On Fridays, in Feb. there are free (donations appreciated) hula and lei making lessons  at VAC (Volcanoes Art Center).  There’s The Crater Rim Drive and the Thurston Lava Tubes to explore. Kealakekua Bay is rated a premier snorkeling spot.  Mauna Kea is a snow capped Mountain with spectacular sunrises but the chill of the temperatures may keep us from the early morning schlep,  I really don’t think I want to pack a down parka into our suitcase.  Wouldn’t it be great if the visitors center supplied coats the way NY’s 125th St FairWay market does for their cold food section.  A discussion with Jene on whether we want to consider star gazing or mountain top sunrises on this trip indicates that we will be packing the parkas.  I’m sure it will be worth stuffing the luggage.  Looks like I’m be leaving my sexy pumps /sandals back in Jersey.  Shoes take up so much space.  Jene makes fun of me because I always do a pre-pack.

A few things I’ve read about:

In Maui shopping is best at the Maui Swap Meet according to the LP guide.  The Road to Hana is of interest – as is  Haleakala.  I even researched a GPS tour guide called GyPSy Guide that may be worth the $69 2-day rental.  It guides you as you drive to points of interest.

I wonder if we will become Volcanoed out after a few days of exploring.  After 2 days in Yellowstone I thought I had my fill of geysers and waterfalls.  But each was different and we had to keep plugging along, seeing as much as we could in our short time.

A luau on Maui, whale watching and a couple of sunrises/sets is all that we’ve pencilled in as we plan to island hop.  14 days is not a lot of time when you consider all that there is to explore.  Another island that comes highly recommended is Kuaui.

So the countdown begins as my anticipation grows.  Money management is a big factor and for anyone who knows me, I try to get as much value for my dollar as I can.  I researched some tips on Jo Levy’s blog and will look for The Entertainment Book” that she highly recommends.  Our stay on the big island will cost us dinner and drinks for our hosts.  And I’ve researched some fares for island hopping and the cost of a whale watching tour.  Next to tie down is car rentals.

I hope you will all virtually join me on our next “Mary & Jene’s Great Adventure”.

Elsa & Fred, a movie that will set the tone for the New Year… Live Life!

Tags

cinema, life and dreams, romance, romance tender at any age

Last night Jene and I watched a beautiful, tender foreign film, “Elsa & Fred”.  Directed by Marcos Carnevale. Starring Manuel Alexandre, China Zorrilla.  A touching romance comedy (and drama) that had tears rolling down my cheeks.  I sobbed through the credits and for 15 minutes after Jene ejected the DVD.  Set in 2005, Madrid, two strangers brought together at the end of life’s journey.  A spunky elder Argentinean woman and a Spanish gentleman.  Elsa opened up a world of life for Alfredo and he made her dream come true in one of the most moving flicks I have witnessed of love since “The Notebook”.

I guess this movie hits home with me because Jene and I met when I was 54 and he 62, life begins when you let it and love has no age boundaries.  Fulfilling dreams is what it is all about.  Early on in our relationship, we started to do that.  Jene wanted to see Panama. I used frequent flyer miles to make that happen and we’ve been traveling every since.  No one knows how long they have to walk on this earth, and a life shared, truly making it all the more worth while.

So on this New Year’s eve, I wish everyone would live each day as if it’s their last.  Love with an open heart and enjoy every moment.   La Vita Bella!

Mary