Iceland: Shoot your own saga

By Srinivas Krishnan

The great Nordic stories and tales set in that magical realm called Iceland are alive even today. The sagas are epics of great battles and journeys, larger-than-life heroes and heroines and reflections of human nature and condition.

The landscape in which these sagas typically unfolded is strange, bizarre and eerie even by today’s standards. God seems to have taken a break from creation and let nature do its own thing in Iceland. It’s a place that’s highly unusual from what we are used to. No wonder the sagas developed here; it’s a mysterious land where you’ll find it difficult to separate reality from illusion.

Wouldn’t it be great then, to capture it all with your own camera and make an Icelandic saga of your own?

Picture perfect

Iceland is a geographical wonderland. Built on basaltic rock, Iceland is also geologically young. And you know how temperamental youngsters can be! It is a geologically active hotspot, with not just volcanoes, but glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, ice caves, lagoons and black-sand beaches. Then, of course, are the magnificent Northern Lights These unique characteristics give Iceland its otherworldly, surreal look that makes it a great setting for futuristic or mythological movies as well as makes it the hottest destination for photographers.

Imagine:

• Shooting water from a cavern behind the 63-meter drop of the mighty Seljalandfoss waterfalls
• Attempting to capture the double rainbow created by the spray of the Skogafoss waterfalls on sunny days
• Doing justice to the black sand and imposing basalt columns of Reynisfjara beach
• Visiting the mind-blowing Vatnajokull National Park with Europe’s largest glacier at its core and getting mesmerized by the Aurora high above.


• Trying to shoot serene ice crystals that wash up on the black sands at the edge of Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
• Getting dumbstruck and forgetting to take pictures inside of the incredible ice caves that tunnel deep into the Vatnajokull glacier
• Contemplating the rift between the two continental plates at Thingvellir National Park, capturing the mighty Gullfoss waterfall and observing the turbulent geothermal area that gave us the word ‘geyser’

In fact, you don’t have to imagine it anymore. Plan on a Winter Photography Workshop Tour of Iceland with The Wanderers and you can actually do it…

Photo finish

What’s special about the Winter Photography Workshop Tour of Iceland with The Wanderers? Well, let’s say once you do it, you will never get behind the lens of a camera and not think of Iceland.

• The tour is led by award-winning professional landscape photographers who will impart their skills to sharpen yours
• It can accommodate all levels of photography skills – whether you are the point-and-shoot type or think you are the next Ansel Adams
• Travel aboard custom-built four-wheel drive vehicles that are safe and comfortable
• Be part of a small group of not more than 14 participants, to give you individual attention
• Travel to – and of course shoot professional quality photographs of – some of the most stunning landscapes on God’s own Earth, including some remote parts of south Iceland
• Stay in comfortable and the best hotels in the individual locations

Don’t dream of it. Go on our Iceland Photography Tour and come back with beautiful memories stored in precious pixels…

Call us or mail The Wanderers today to know more about how you can create your own Icelandic pictorial saga!

Call Farah: 9820904765

Email: askus@thewanderers.co.in

Check out our package: Iceland: Winter Photography Workshop

Insiders view on Tahiti”

The Wanderers in conversation with Rob Thompson

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place.

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Tahiti.

Tahiti is on the other side of the dateline from India and New Zealand, which technically means you will arrive before you depart. So try and leave on your birthday and you can celebrate it twice!!

What is a must buy when in Tahiti?

A Tahitian Black Pearl!
The most valuable black pearls in the world, they are heavily monitored for quality and retain their value overseas.

One take-away after a visit to Tahiti?

Your photos! There are always as good as the brochures, but still not as good as the real thing.

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Make sure you plan your connections well. Remember that French Polynesia comprises of 118 islands that cover an ocean area the size of Europe. You will need to fly to Bora Bora or any of the other islands you are going to.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to Tahiti.. your swimsuit!

One activity anyone travelling to Tahiti should not miss.

Feeding the sharks and stingrays, with a picnic on a motu (little reef islet) – it is the only place in the Pacific and the rays are wonderful creatures!

Where should anyone, travelling to Tahiti, definitely get their picture taken..

In front of Mount Otemanu and the lagoon on Bora Bora. Also, from Point Belvedere up in the mountains of Moorea!

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo of Tahiti?

Any of the hotels surrounding the lagoons of Bora Bora looking back at the vista of Mount Otemanu.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise in Tahiti?

There are many places, but from any of the hotels on the west coast of Tahiti looking over moorea with the sun setting behind is an INCREDIBLE sight!

Most romantic place to take a special someone to..

The whole country!

Best place to have local food?

The Roulottes, which are caravans that pull up in the main port are of the capital city – Papeete.
Food vans that open up to numerous restaurants – local Tahiti, Italian, Vietnamese and many more.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend..

Poisson Cru – the local Raw fish in coconut milk. It is Amazing!

One place only the locals would know..

One of the best restaurants I have been to in the world – Le coco’s on Tahiti’s east coast.

The best bar and best place to catch up n a drink.
Hmmm, there are many. Make sure you go to Morrisons Bar in the main city of Papeete, Tahiti for a drink and a dance.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see

The FIFO each year in January is a festival of documentary films that have the Pacific as their main subject matter and is growing every year on the global film festival circuit.

Things guide books will not tell anyone about Tahiti?

It is not as expensive as you think.

Is there any particular month you wouldn’t recommend travel to Tahiti and what would that reason be?

Not at all, Tahiti is a year-round lagoon destination

In one sentence, Tahiti is.. Breathtaking

Robert Thompson has been representing the Islands of Tahiti for over 12 years now in various capacities, and in the New Zealand, Australian then Indian markets.  His time with Tahiti Tourism is directly related to his passion for the destination, from his first trip many years ago, where he immediately fell in love with the people, the landscape and the experience of what Tahiti actually is.  After over 100 trips in his career with them, he keeps looking forward to the next one!