Stone faces

I left something in that island, that I still haven't managed to get back... Even if since then I've covered thousands of miles looking for it. Must have fallen into the ocean. Maybe those Rapa Nui guys knew better than us and knew that looking in was always wiser than looking out...

I'm heading to...

Today, I was going to post a Central Europe pic which I found very 'artistic' and then I thought... isn't it boring? And went to my archives and looked for Tulum instead. After all, that's the place I can't wait to go to. Only... 2 more days!

PD.- Yes, I know, beach pictures overdose in this blog these days...

Always Peru...

Just finished reading 'Cochineal Red' by Hugh Thompson a few days ago. The book, it's a good, if slightly biased, depiction of Ancient Peru. In any case, for a traveler like me it gives you a good overview of the different archeological sites and the early history of the country. The style is premeditatedly that of an all-kind-of-public easy reading soft-cover (rather than a serious history book), like all the assorted booze stories let you know from the very first chapter, but nevertheless it's an enjoyable one. But what the heck, what's Peru without pisco sours anyway?

I've been 6 times to Peru, and what a weird country that is. One in which things have never quite come my way, in which (for giving an example) I've enjoyed some of the best dining experiences ever plus where I've also suffered from the worst possible episode of food poisoning. And that's just for starters... I've quite a few stories to tell.

This picture is a view of Lake Titicaca from Capachica. It was sunset on Easter's full moon night, this year. The skies, at that height, are so uniquely blue and transparent, and the clouds so white…

Cold and sleep deprivation added colors to the picture too.

Again...

And again... I couldn't resist to upload yet another Holbox island picture. I know, it's a cheesy sunset picture... But I'm so much looking forward this trip. Since I went there the first time this has been labeled as my 'favorite place on Earth' and still is. Not sure for how long, tourist development is an evil thing, but it's still pretty remote and without an airport nearby... so let's cross our fingers that stays like this for a little bit longer.
Only worry at sight are those hordes of tourists seeking to 'swim with the shark whales'... poor animals, it's all I can say. People laugh when I say that one day dolphins will lead a revolution and will start eating fat tourists... I really wait for that day. I can't really stand that 'swim with dolphins, sharks, whales, even manatees thing'... that makes all those animals captive or semi-captive so that some silly, boring and rich tourist kid can take a picture with them...
Apologies for the Sunday ranting, I woke up with my green conscience on today.

Back home

I'm going back home. Next week this time I'll be back in Mexico, and the place I really want to visit is this: Holbox. It's being a long time since my last visit there and I can't wait to be back in the island and do nothing but walk and walk along the beach, wake up at sunrise and just enjoy the feeling of being back... Anybody wants to come along? Coronas are on me.

Moai

The first moai I got to see at Easter Island. Moais are the one and only claim to fame for this little island in the middle of nowhere (literally). Funny enough all moais look inland, not outland. Which I'm not sure I understood, as if I where living in such a tiny place... I'd probably want to set my eyes somewhere offshore...

Jokes aside, I hold a soft spot for this island. It is an special place for me.

You can never have enough sunsets...

A view of Tikicaca

I know, another window. I just find them so poetic.

Sometimes traveling, gets so good that you don't want it to end... This was our view from our lodge in Capachica. One night only it was. A weekend trip.

Miss the sights and the company. Traveling on my own is never as fun.

Postcard to Jessica

I'm not a big fan of "postcard" images. In fact I actively try not to take that kind of pictures, and if I can't resist it and end up doing it, I try not to display them. What could be more "touristic" than a view of the Alhambra from San Nicolas? I guess only a view of San Marco in Venice...

But, Jessica asked me to send her a postcard from Granada, so here we are! Also yesterday was the day my "cofradia" hit the streets of my town... I hate not being there for Semana Santa and to miss the parade once again. But I guess that's the price you've to pay for living on the wrong side of the Atlantic ;)

Happy Monday everyone!

Tulum's Moon

On a January eve, just after sunset. It's amazing what you can do with a handheld little digital camera these days... No teleconverter, or tripod, or postprocessing. Just a well worn Canon G7, in Manual Mode.

With crystal clear skies, Tulum is one of the best places on Earth to contemplate a full moon.

The Albaicin at sunrise

Tulum ruins at sunset

Trying out my new Nikon D300 and 18-200 zoom lens, at sunset in Tulum. Still playing with my new equipment, and very happy with the results so far.

Jardines del Partal

It's been a long time since my last picture. As life has been full of travels and changes lately. One of the good parts was being back home...

This is home for me. The Alhambra in Granada. A view of the Partal (a reflection in fact). And introducing my new Canon G10.

Brooklyn

This picture it's all about texture and light. I like it. Reflects well what this neighborhood it's all about. I loved Brooklyn.

Can't wait to go back to NYC. After Photokina announcements, I'm longing for a new Canon G10... and a 5D Mark II (plus cool Zeiss lenses) too. I won't miss B&H this time!

Hawelka Café

I took this picture a long time ago. It's the charismatic Hawelka Café in Vienna. When I went there for the first time both Herr and Frau Hawelka were still attending the place. When I returned in 2,004 I was lucky enough to chat (in German, I knew those two years in Frankfurt would come handy one day) with Frau Hawelka and to have a last slice of those very famous Buchteln wafts of hers. And I even managed to get a picture taken of her and I.

Why do I tell you all this? Maybe because this is one of the very few places in Vienna that I like. I was talking to Celeste about her forthcoming trip around Europe, and the image of this café quickly came to mind.

This picture was part of my 4th exhibition, and I still like it. Like Sergio, I also miss those good old film times.

PD.- Apologies for the quality of this scan. The original it's buried inside a box somewhere and I'm too lazy to photoshop it...

Mahahual

South of the State of Quintana Roo, and with a beautiful coral reef... It has the cleanest waters of the peninsula.

La Carrera del Darro

This is a very personal image. I don't even expect it to be understood. It's sunset at Granada, by the Darro (Dauro in Latin) river, on the skirts of the Alhambra.

I'm posting it because it seems that Kodak it's considering to stop producing what must me the best film emulsion there ever was (or will): Kodachrome.

For years (decades) it was the standard National Geographic film... I used to shoot loads of it. And I love its color accuracy and the density it has. Nothing (and I mean NOTHING, being digital or analogue) can capture colors the way Kodachrome does.

Even under low light, these slides will return solid colors. I love this image because it captured the fall of a winter night perfectly. It's an atmospheric shot. Apologies about the quality of the scan though.

Nothing matches this film... I really really hope that Kodak decides to keep it alive.

PD.- Check this link to read a fascinating story (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachrome)

Room with a view

The view from cabaña no.40 at Copal. No A/C or Plasma TV, or even electricity, but when you have this view (through the mosquito net, that's it) from your bed... who cares?

Hotels can be this beautiful

Took it today, at Tulum. A view of Cabañas Copal.

I love Mexico, I really do.

And I do consider myself very lucky to live here.

Once upon a time...

I was lost in Budapest, and the night was falling, it was Easter Monday and the city was deserted, everything around was pitch dark... and then the Danube appeared in front of me. Magic.