Posted by Helene on March 19, 2012 – 3:42 pm
It’s remarkable how time stands still when there’s no cars, but donkeys, mules, horses and the odd ATV. Literally, Yelapa has no cars and the significance of it’s name (according to what I heard) means the meeting of elements where ocean, river, waterfall, mountains and jungle meet. It’s a visual treat riddled with textures, laughter, kindness and tasty tacos. No one but the indigenous families of the area can own the land. Snowbirds north of the border who migrate there for convenient short periods of time can only lease the land from an agreeable family and for a set time. When the period of the lease agreement is over, you are to revisit the negotiation process with the family land owner’s. This keeps most of the houses, palapas and huts to a reasonable size. No big developer of the Puerto Vallarta type dare venture here which is why this place is magic amongst many other countless reasons! Gracias Miguel for showing me this gem.
Posted by Helene on November 30, 2010 – 11:46 am
Turks and Caicos Islands otherwise known as the TCI, is nestled in the brightest of turquoise Caribbean seas south of the Bahamas. South Caicos is one of the smallest of the islands and perhaps the least favored for tourism. Both high level official corruption and Hurricane Ike left the island deeply scarred. According to Wikipedia the population in 2006 was 1579. Perhaps less today? Apparently there are 12 churches of sorts. I wonder if poverty breeds religion or does religion breed poverty? There are few roads and only 21.2 square KM much of which is abandoned Salinas and for this I question why one of the preachers drives around in a Hummer? There are two hotels under construction one of which is utterly massive called Highlands and has been in the works for the last 20 years and it appears lost in transition. It was the Cancun promise for investors at the time I suppose. For now the airport has a strip to handle small passenger planes a far cry from the commercial airlines needed to fill up the Highland hotel. Although, frankly these hotels may be what is needed to help boost the local economy.
There I visited Mike (my sweet heart) whom is hard working for the School of Field Studies. The 35 university students at SFS study the ocean and marine life which is remarkably bountiful. Never have I seen so much marine life nor will I ever use sea sponge again, it belongs on the ocean floor! I met wonderful people at the school (too many to mention) who kindly leant me their scuba gear and even took the time to teach me how to dive. Merci Claire!
The images below are random, expressing my 2.5 weeks between holiday, rekindling with Mike, observing the local poverty as well as making new friends. I look forward to returning early March and explore further with my camera.
business is done at glacier speed however the quiet beaches and stunning waters can be worth it.
photo by the lovely Ann-Marie
Posted by Helene on February 10, 2010 – 4:34 pm
Oahu, spells Aloha. The Aloha spirit is nothing like I’ve experienced before. Sheer kindness and laid back mentality lies deep within the Oahu’nian veins. Even the official and non-official photographers at the Volcan Pipeline Pro were so surprisingly casual. By the way those pro surfers who ride the pipeline are seriously nuts. If the opportunity arises to visit the lovely Karen and her kind spirited Island once more, I would wish to do an essay on the Aloha spirit and their comfort and respect towards their incredible ocean. “Aloha”!
shot by the lovely Karen
Posted by Helene on July 23, 2009 – 4:10 pm
Filed under Personal, Street
A short trip to Montréal with Félix fed many of our senses. Family, dear friends, photographer comrades, and walks along old neighborhoods fueled me beyond words! The City is known for its’ openness and it’s fabulously true, Montréaler’s do not seem threatened by the camera. I was a tourist in my old town and enjoyed opening my eyes.
