Two big days of driving to get from Exmouth to Broome with nary a stop along the way aside from my one in Port Hedland, which I was really excited about because I was going to see my friend Kirsty and photograph her (and her bump) underwater.
But first we had to get there.
Past the prawn. (I'm scared of prawns. Love to eat them, but they scare me)
and the other scenic diversions.
This road house was the only thing around for hundreds of kilometres, so they charged $36 for a piece of steak.
In a roadhouse.
It was clean enough. But it wasn't the kind of place I would expect to pay a good restaurant price for an average cut of meat fried up next to the burger patties.
The next one, a couple of hours up the road, didn't even try to look pretty.
The miners' donga accommodation out the back looked like some version of hell to me, though this lizard didn't care and was high-tailing it over there just to get away from my camera.
Karratha.
It's really hot out there, and we were there in May. Hard to tell in these photos, but it would be a killer in the summer months.
There is something so cool about a big pile of salt!
This one greeted our arrival in Port Hedland.
We stayed at The Esplanade Hotel, which wasn't too bad. The room was small and the door that opened onto the return verandah (great) didn't have a fly screen so we could have it open at night (not so great). We ate there with Kirst and her man, Clint in the fairy-light illuminated garden and the food was yummy, so the small room was worthwhile for the nice meal.
Kirsty and I used to live together in Bondi. A long time ago. She was the best flatmate, because when I used to come home from an all-nighter carving up the dance floor, and she would be on her way out the door to do an early shift at work, she would let me sleep in her oh-so-comfy water bed. That is a hallmark of a truly awesome flatmate.
Anyway, she is now pregnant and living in Port Hedland, so I just had to see her for an underwater session.
I had visions of a spectacular underwater world off the coast but the water in Port Hedland is not quite as clear and gorgeous as the rest of that oceanside stretch, so we needed to find a pool.
In the morning we met Kirsty at the Port Hedland Leisure Centre, where a lovely lady called Diane let us use the dive pool exclusively, so she is clearly an awesome person as well.
It was so fun having such a huge space to work with!
A few shots of Kirsty and her underwater bump session...
This is me...
And it was time to hit the road again
Welcome to Sandfire. I bet I can guess how they got that name.
Actually, I kinda lied with this post's title, because we didn't make it to Broome (at least not in this post).
We stopped about an hour shy of Broome at Eco Beach. Have a look at my next entry for more on that....
It's long been a dream of mine to visit Broome. The opportunity came when I kept a week free from bookings so I could take the kids to Lake Mungo (in NSW), only to be told by my kids they couldn't go away then because the had exams on (groan. geez I have nerdy kids). I still had the time off so I shipped the kids off to their dad and flew to Exmouth.
You actually land at Learmonth, which is an air force base so no photos allowed, and then drive to Exmouth.
I love the red earth in our country, and I adore these ant hills!
We checked in at the Novotel in Exmouth. It is, according to reports, the best hotel in Exmouth. It was very nice, and the bed was really comfy, but it was the price of a suite overlooking the harbour in a 5 star Sydney hotel.
This was an introduction to Western Australia's extreme pricing.
I get the whole 'it's a long way to the shop if you're importing stuff', but they do have meat and seafood living there... (A restaurant that looked like a pizza place, with bain maries in display cabinets, had main meals in the high $30's, for example.) The Novotel restaurant (Mantarays) was even more expensive, but the service we received there was so good with the waiter giving us a five star dining experience whether we looked like we deserved it or not. He was awesome.
Now Exmouth is not actually on the 'Coral Coast'. It's around the corner on the opposite side of a peninsular. It's still water frontage, but not the coral that the coast is famous for. And there is no where you can stay that is near the coral areas unless you camp, which I very much do not.
So Exmouth is the nearest town to access Ningaloo. but it's a really long way away.
We wanted a west coast sunset, so had to drive about 20 mins around the corner for it. There was surf there too.
Up at the light house I found the ideal viewing spot
and as the mozzies closed in (so many of them there), shot the sunset.
The next day we dropped in for a quick brekky at what looked like just an average takeout. I was going to get a bacon and egg roll but tried the Indo Rice and it was one of the best brekkies I've ever had! Check out the Continetal Cafe if you are in Exmouth. Then, with a satisfied tummy, we snorkelled, first at Oyster Stacks and when the tide got too low we went to Turquoise Bay, which is as beautiful as it sounds.
The area is known as Australia's Coral Coast, but in all honesty the coral that I swam to wasn't spectacular. I can't comment on what it would be like a bit further off shore, but it didn't matter anyway because the fish life was insane!
I've never seen so many colourful varieties in one small space before. It was really spectacular and my photos don't even do it justice.
But I'll post them anyway...
My favourite fishies are these shy blue ones. I love them!
Bliss!
The natural scenery around Cape Range National Park is really beautiful, and there is plenty of wildlife too.
One that made it
and one that did not
This little guy, patiently waiting to cross the road, was just sooooo cute!!
Eventually Sonny intervened and helped him across to the other side, where he sloooowly unrolled and went on his cute little way.
I was so lucky because I also got the opportunity to photograph backstage at Fiji Fashion Week this year.
I spoke at Fiji National University, then at Tailevu North high school,
and then also on the catwalk at fashion week(!)...
It was crazy, but it was fantastic too.
Talking with the students at the school it came to me that there were quite a few of them who were keen on photography as a career (with the amount of weddings hosted in Fiji, the tourist industry, and the growing fashion industry I think it is a good option for some) though the teaching there is so limited for that. Since I got back I have been trying to organise some more equipment so I can go to Fiji again and give some lessons.
That is something that would really make me smile!
Aaaand, I wrote an article to accompany Sonny's photos in the Fiji Airways in-flight magazine.
My first in-flight magazine article, so I am pretty stoked!
So you don't have to grab a magnifying glass.....
"Fashion in Paradise.
Years ago, while flying Air Pacific (Fiji Airways previous incarnation) a mellifluous voice came over the intercom to welcome us aboard “the world’s friendliest airline”. My young daughter misheard and thought the stewardess said the “world’s trendiest airline”, and the name has stuck with us since. Even if the slogan has dropped from the current moniker, it still holds true - Fiji Airways is the world’s friendliest airline - and since it is jetting people to and fro for Fiji Fashion Week (and for the purposes of my story) it can be the trendiest too!
Now Fijians are fabulous with a sulu, but when talking about fashion capitals around the world, Suva doesn’t normally get a mention – just ask acclaimed fashion photographer Sonny Vandevelde, whose job it is to travel the world covering all the action backstage at shows like Chanel, Versace and Tom Ford, in places like Paris, Milan and New York.
That’s right. The poor guy gets paid to travel the world and take beautiful photos of beautiful people in beautiful fashion!
Sonny is famous for his backstage photography, which is quirky, colourful and fun, and last month, with Fiji Fashion Week in it’s 8th year, Sonny travelled to Suva accompanied by myself, and Nicholas Huxley (the esteemed, and very talented, Head of the Fashion Design Studio in Sydney) to see what “Fashion in Paradise” was all about.
After a smooth touchdown in Nadi, Nicholas flew ahead to Suva, while Sonny and I took the overland route – Fiji is one of our favourite holiday destinations but as we had never been to Suva before, we wanted to see the countryside. That, and the fact we just can’t go past a meal of mud crab from our favourite restaurant Tomlus in Cuvu, on the Coral Coast. Truly it is the best mud crab, and it takes a long time to eat, so our arrival in Suva that night was very late!
The light of the next day revealed a stunningly serene vista over Lami Bay and it’s small islands, from our balcony at the Novotel. I had no idea Suva would look like this! Breakfast was accompanied by the most delightful array of tropical fish swimming past our table, almost close enough to touch, which along with that view of the bay lent the whole scene a cool, James Bond kind of feel.
The first stop on our schedule was a visit to Fiji National University to talk with design students about fashion and its related avenues. The audience had some great questions, and the panel had insightful answers. Fiji’s manufacturing industry is already well-established and ready for more, so building the fashion industry through the university’s fashion and design school is key to expanding in a growing market. Director of Fiji Fashion Week, Ellen Whippy-Knight, speaks passionately about the industry in Fiji. Her enthusiasm is not just words - she is making things happen from the ground up, starting with the students.
That night there was a great energy at the Vodafone Arena and we got our first taste of the exciting looks from both local and international designers. My personal favourites from the show were the relaxed, slouchy wearability and tailoring of the local, Rako Designs, and Dena Burton’s nod to 70’s styling with her Jetsetter collection.
On our second morning we had the pleasure of visiting Tailevu North College and speaking with the high school students there. Some are budding fashion designers, and artists, while others are keen photographers, eager to learn. I spoke with them about how photography is an industry of real growth in Fiji, and as someone who teaches photography I have no doubt I will be back there soon, giving a few lessons!
That evening, backstage was filled with models having hair and make-up retouches, scrambling into their outfits, and lots more great Fiji colour and patterns. I really loved the funky looks and gorgeous florals of Ilai Jikoiono, and the FNU Students had a fabulous collection, too!
Day three began with a children’s show – not just clothes for children, but clothes designed by children as well!
I have two words. Cuteness. Overload!
Backstage was buzzing with excitement because next it was a chance for the high school students to show off their outstanding talent, and I have to say, I was absolutely impressed and inspired by the designs of these students! If this is the future of Fiji fashion then the outlook is very bright. So many great pieces from all of the schools involved, but I really loved the classic pink styling from LDS, and the navy blue strapless dresses from Tailevu North (I’d like to put my order in for one of each now, thank you!).
The evening, and the event wrapped up with the Couture Resort Evening and Bridal Show. What a way to end it too, with really stunning creations! My highlight was the incredible Fijian Tapa wedding dress by Epeli Tuibqa. But I also adored the colour and movement of Robert Kennedy’s dresses, the boho looks of Hani Haring, the beauty and design of Aza by Ali Zulfikar and Nicholas Donlen’s awesome peacock feather dress…. actually, there were so many great looks I can’t choose!
Our last day in Fiji and Sonny got to do the one thing he loves more than taking photos – go for a surf. With fellow surfer Ben, designer from Hani Haring, they took a boat to Frigates and spent the day on the waves.
I took the quieter approach and snorkelled off the beach at the Shangri-La (my favourite home away from home). As I explored the underwater worlds, the silence only broken by the blissful chatter of the reef, I had a chance to muse over the last few days. As the thousands of stunningly colourful and patterned fish swam around me, I was reminded of the colour and patterns I had seen backstage and it dawned on me…
With inspiration like that, it’s no wonder Fiji has a great future in fashion!
Special thanks to Fiji Airways, Ellen Whippy-Knight and all of the sponsors of Fiji Fashion Week 2015.
Jacqui Turner."
The most viewed blog post on my blog are about Tomlus. Every day I have hits to those posts and since I first wrote them, you now have to book or queue to eat there. I really hope I can still get a table after giving them a mention in Fiji Times!!
I do have a few more great things to share about my Fiji trip, but since it came after WA (like straight after, like the next morning), I will have a chat about WA first....
So this year, I stayed in town as usual, but this time I got to have Evan with me as well. Usually it's just me tagging along with Sonny and he's usually way to busy to even notice on the rare occasion that our paths do cross in those backstage labyrinthine rooms. I loved having Evan along for the ride. Someone I could chat to all the hours that I spent in the media centre as we both processed photos (Evan was working as Sonny's slave, sorry, digital operator)
, and someone I could laugh with as we don't take things too seriously.
I think he enjoyed it too!
That is Evan's camera that he is holding too. I love that he has a passion for photography, and he loves landscape photography, not just models in bikinis, by the way!
I was so flattered to have someone find my backstage photos and write two blog posts about me too!
I've also had two articles published in the time away from blogging.
I really, really love it when my text and photos get printed in a magazine!
The first was Koncierge Magazine with my behind the scenes story and pics of a very cool shoot.
I have no online link to share, so I have popped my text here if you would like to read it without a magnifying glass...
"Airline travel used to be all about excitement and glamour. Not accessible like it is today with thousands of commuters on peakhour flying-people-movers, air travel in days of yore meant dressing up – itwas an occasion to experience in style.
Photographer, Sonny Vandevelde, and KONCIERGE Fashion Director Michael Azzollini teamed up to bring that style back, and there was no better fusion for designer gowns than with a Singapore Airlines A380 jet. In our view, one of the world’s finest, Singapore Airlines was the first to fly the double storied A380, and treat their passengers in all classes to a new era in comfort. We were lucky enough to be given access to all areas, even the turbofan engine!
But an aeroplane as a location is no easy task… International carriers don’t hang around airports for very long. Our plane arrived that morning and was due to depart at lunchtime. In the meantime it needed to be cleaned, and we needed to shoot eight outfits – something that could normally take a whole day – and before that we had to pass security checks.
We needed passports, and time.
Make-up and hair began in the wee hours so we were ready to go as soon as the plane was. Security checks and passes at the airport were made, and then we were on the plane being towed out of the way to a remote bay for cleaning and our shoot.
For what could have been a logistical nightmare, everything went like clockwork. It was fast paced, and full of energy (just the way Vandevelde likes to shoot). Out on the tarmac, with planes roaring past, taking off and landing, the adrenalin was high. We had to shout over the tremendous thunder of the engines, hair and make-up touch-ups were fast, we were dwarfed by the huge machinery, and the photos are strong, fierce, because of it.
Inside the aircraft was quieter. The light was soft, filtered and subdued. The first and business class cabins were refined, and models Yifan and Anne-Sofie made it their own, gave their own beautiful style, and the resulting photos are sublime. Two hours of shooting is all it took, in a superhuman feat from all of the crew, nine outfits in total, and it all came together. An incredible experience for all involved, and so much fun!"
And just a couple more photos that didn't run with the article...
I do manage to keep my Facebook business page up to date, and I grabbed just a couple of snippets from there.
I really wanted to share these photos because the Rumba Resort in Caloundra had great rooms, and this pool (one of two, and not including the spa, at the relatively small resort) was so cool! No surprise the kids loved it.
Belle.
India.
I caught up with friends there, visited the Ginger Factory and had a lovely little break. This was a waterfall and swimming hole. It's hard to see from the photo, but it was a huge drop to be jumping off!
Last posted my trip to Europe, which finished in August last year - almost a whole year ago.
I guess it's safe to say, I'm still struggling with the whole work/life balance.
Clearly I will never have the time to blog my jobs anymore, and honestly most of my hits are about travel anyway, so I'll be sticking with the personal stuff rather than the work stuff now.
I went to Melbourne last November, and Noosa in January. I know I took some lovely photos there, and stayed in some cool places too. I'm now on another holiday, actually. Currently sitting in Thredbo Alpine Hotel, looking out the window at snowy slopes and gale force winds. My back is too precarious at the moment for me to risk snowboarding (or more to the point, falling), so I thought I would play a little catch up here. I didn't bring photos from Melbourne or Noosa with me, but I did bring them from WA and the Blue Mountains, so I will see how I go...
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