Nakalele Blowhole

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Janine at the Nakalele Blowhole, Maui, Hawaii.

Janine at the Nakalele Blowhole, Maui, Hawaii.

Yesterday we drove around the Northwest end of Maui – something we had never done before.  Very fun and worthwhile drive!  The highlight definitely was the Nakalele Blowhole!  Very dramatic – and a photo can’t begin to capture the sounds and force of the water shooting out of the hole, it was cool!

Eucalyptus Tree

Ron Niebrugge Hawaii, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Eucalyptus tree along the Hana Highway, Maui.

Eucalyptus tree along the Hana Highway, Maui.

There are some well publicized, colorful Eucalyptus trees along the Hana Highway.  This isn’t one of them.  Further down the “highway”, I spotted some colorful Eucalyptus branches rising high out of one of the numerous gullies.  I thought, if they are that colorful up high, I can only imagine what the base might look like.  It was a steep climb down into the gully, but I was not disappointed – these things were awesome!  And as an added benefit – people (I use them term lightly) hadn’t had the chance to carve their names into the bark like they have the ones that are more accessible.

Makawao Maui Photos

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Makawao, Maui.

Makawao, Maui.

Makawao is a cool little colorful rural town, that has a distinct feel that is much different then the typical Hawaii community.  It is made up of small shops and art galleries each with its own colorful character.  Add in some nice restaurants, and you have the perfect diversion from the beach – not that you really need one!  But just in case…

As I wandered around photographing this fun little town last Friday, it hit me that this was “black Friday”, the busiest shopping day of the year.  It was kinda sad to see just how few people were supporting these local artists and craftsmen on the busiest day of the year, knowing full well that 5 or 10 miles away was a Wallmart packed with huge crowds and lines.

 

Makawao, Maui.

Makawao, Maui.

Kite Surf Pro 2013 World Championships

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Moona Whyte and Jalou-Langeree battle head to head for the world Championship.

Moona Whyte (L) and Jalou-Langeree (R) battle head to head for the world Championship.

Yesterday we watched the 2013 Kite Surf Pro World Championships held nearby at Ho’okipa Beach.  Any time you can watch the best in the world at any event, it is a treat, and this was no exception.  It is amazing what these athletes can do with a kite and surf board!  This even is scheduled over a 10 day period, but conditions came together yesterday with big waves and hard wind that the entire event was able to be completed.

2013 World Champions.  Moona Whyte (from Hawaii) and Keahi DeAboitiz (Australia).

2013 World Champions. Moona Whyte (from Hawaii) and Keahi DeAboitiz (Australia).

With rows of colorful kites and fast paced action – this event was a photographers dream!

Runner up Jalou Langeree from the Netherlands having a quite moment after competing in the finals.

Runner up Jalou Langeree from the Netherlands having a quiet moment after competing in the finals.

I could post more photos including ones of the big air competition where the winner got 50 feet in the air! But, I’ll leave it at this.

Men's winner Keahi DeAboitiz.

Men’s winner Keahi DeAboitiz.

On The Road Again

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Sunset, Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii.

Sunset, Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii.

Tomorrow morning begins one of my longest, businesses stretches of travel ever.  Between now and April I’m only home for about 3 weeks.  Not complaining mind you – it should be a lot of fun!

We are starting out with a month in Maui where I hope to do a lot of photography and video.  A house sitting assignment has made this possible, and I look forward to the extended time to really immerse myself into the place.  And, spend a bunch of time in the ocean!

I’m then home for a couple of days before flying to Argentina and meeting the ship to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica as a guide for Cheeseman’s.  This will be the opposite of Maui, but just as wonderful if not more so.  I hear there is one cabin left if you want to join me. 🙂

With travel, the Antarctica trip is over a month long, then in mid January I’m home for 3 weeks before heading to the Southwest for 6 weeks.  I’ll be doing Anza-Borrego photo workshops and traveling to some other places that haven’t been determined.  Usually about now I begin promoting my Borrego workshop – this year both actually filled months ago before I even could mention them on the blog which is pretty nice.

To me, this schedule seems pretty crazy – but when I compare it with some of the guys I work with in Antarctica, I seem like a home body.  LOL  Guess everything is relative.

So, my blog posting schedule is about to become much more erratic over the next few months, and probably non-existent once I’m on the ship.  But, hopefully I’ll have lots of images and stories to share when it is all done.

Jurassic Falls

Ron Niebrugge Hawaii, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

The waterfall featured in the movie Jurassic Park, Kauai, Hawaii.

The waterfall featured in the movie Jurassic Park, Kauai, Hawaii.

“That is the stairway that Jack Black was filmed on in Mission Impossible” says the manager of a rooftop restaurant in Honolulu as he graciously blocked open a door to a fire escape to that I could go out on the roof for some photography.  And thus started a theme.  Everywhere we went in Hawaii there would be a reference to some show and movie having been filmed at the particular location we were visiting.  Like in this case, our pilot explained that this waterfall was featured prominently in Jurassic Park.

Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the Jack Black film, Jurassic Park or any of the other shows referenced so it didn’t mean much to me.  I understand the latest George Clooney movie The Descendants was filmed in and around Hanalei Bay in Kauai.  Hanalei Bay was one of my favorite parts of Hawaii – might be fun to see that film just for the chance to see Hanalei Bay again.  Then the next time I’m there, I could be the one saying ” Hey, I remember seeing this in the movie The Descendants!”