National Geographic “Around the World by Private Jet” 2013 India, Tanzania, Jordan and Morocco
Man in Kachhpura Village Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
Young woman in Kachhpura Village, India Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
Monday, October 28, and we’re in Petra, Jordan. The last couple of stops were fantastic: Agra, India (for the Taj Mahal) and the Serengeti in Tanzania.
The intensity of India is wonderful. The visuals are unmatched anywhere in the world and I don’t think one can be ambivalent about the place.
Early morning at the Taj is wonderful, as you can watch the sunlight intensify on the white domed marble mausoleum as morning progresses. This is such a great time of day to be here as the crowds are light and the temperatures are comfortable.
We flew into the Serengeti, arriving in time for a game drive on the way to the Four Seasons Hotel. I think the revelation hits everyone on the trip at this point-we watched sunrise on the Taj Mahal, and later that same day we were photographing elephants in the Serengeti. Every stop has had that same feeling, it’s just here that it seems to strike you the most. I can’t imagine how one would arrange their own trip with this amazing itinerary.
I’m always asked where my favorite places are in the world. So many places we visit tend to fall short of expectations. But the Serengeti meets, then exceeds those expectations. When you are photographing a female elephant with her calves, and then look around to see 20-30 other elephants surrounding you, it is startling.
Petra, Jordan was incredible. I’ve heard visitors rave about the ancient city. The buidings were carved out the areas sandstone and contained a very early water conduit system. The city was established as early as 312 BCE. Discovered around 1812, it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Wandering what appears to be a slot canyon, one discovers the really beautiful Treasury, appearing at the end of the narrow gorge called the Sik, or shaft.. The city was spread over quite a large area, and consumes a lot of time in visiting.
While in Jordan, we also visited Wadi Rum, famous as the place a considerable amount of “Lawrence of Arabia” was filmed. Incredible rock formations surrounded by desert made famous in that movie
We ended the trip in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Souk, or old marketplace being a fantastic place in which to lose one’s self. Carefully lose one self. Hope you’ve enjoyed the blog, heading home now, and ready to be there!
Kids in Kachhapura Village, India Olympus OM-D E-M1 9-18mm
Kids playing with dyes in Kachhpura Village, India Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
Dancer performing Northern India traditional dance Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
early morning visitors at Taj Mahal Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
Visitor at Taj Mahal Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
Sweeper at Taj Mahal, early morning Olympus OM-D E-M1 9-18mm
Flying into Arusha, Tanzania, Mt. Kilimanjaro Olympus O-MD E-M1 12-40mmm f2.8
Leopard in Serengeti, first time I’ve seen a nest-dwelling leopard Olympus OM-D E-M1 50-200mm
Elephants in river bottom in Serengeti OM-D E-M1 50-200
Sunset over watering hole at Four Seasons Hotel, Serengeti Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
Zebras frightened by possible crocodile in Serengeti Olympus OM-D E-M1 50-200mm Four Thirds lens
Zebra beat a hasty retreat from stream Olympus OM-D E-M1 50-200mm Four Thirds lens
Petra, Jordan, and the Treasury in the background Olympus OM-D E-M1 12-40mm f2.8
Traditional military dance Olympus OM-D E-M1, 12-40mm f2.8, 5000 ISO
Birthday celebration, Jordanian waiter brings out cake with sparklers OM-D E-M1 12-40mm 5000 ISO
Jordanian guide in Wadi Rum, Jordan OM-D E-M1
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Story teller in old square and marketplace of Jemaa el-Fnna in Marrakech, Morocco OM-D E-M1 12-40mm
Baker in Jamaa el-Fnna, old souk of Marrakesh
An iron artisan in Jemaa el-Fnna, traditional marketplace of Marrakech OM-D E-M1 9-18mm
