www.jomec/Life360
Scandinavia you can do it on a budget Guide:
Rediscover North Wales
How to get better holiday pictures
April
2012
ISSUE
3
and join us on a hike
PLUS
• Interview • Travel Quiz • Photo spread • Best road-trip tunes • Crossword • Reviews
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Looking for something unforgettable this spring?
By YanFei Ding
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must-see events for April 2012
Splashy Fen Music Festival
When? April 5 - April 8 Where? KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa What? Splashy Fen, South Africa’s longestrunning music festival attracts large numbers of people every year for a wonderful outdoor music experience. It offers the country’s hottest acts and top-class sound. Various kinds of food and drink, as well as colourful arts and crafts will definitely light up your weekend. And not to forget, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Drakensberg!
Whether you’re on Easter holiday as a student, or merely feel like taking a break outside of peak season; we’ve got 10 top events and places for you to go if you want to venture off the beaten path this spring.
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Bouake Carnival
When? March 26 - April 2 Where? Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) What? The carnival is known as a celebration of life and friendship. Tourists and natives get together to enjoy great music, traditional foods and cultural markets, and join in the famous street parties. It is for fun, but more importantly, it unites the continent of Africa and also the whole world in the the celebration of diversity. Looking for a hot spot or maybe a little culture shock? Go and check it out in Côte d’Ivoire.
A colourful dance group performs
More info at: roadtravelafrica.com splashyfen.co.za
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Traditional dancers at last year’s Carnival
Full Moon Party
When? April 6 Where? Koh Phangan, Thailand What? Sounds, bars, clubs and crowds; you will find crazy music, crazier dance and the craziest people at nights when there is a full moon at Haad Rin Nok, a stunning white sand beach! This is truly the perfect location, because Koh Phangan is considered the best place in the world to watch the moon. Also, watching the sunrise over the ocean after a sensational full moon party is an unforgettable experience, especially in a tropical paradise like Koh Phangan.
More info at: http://face2faceafrica.com
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The beautiful Xixi wetlands in their full spring glory
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Xixi Flower Festival
When? April 9 - May 18 Where? Hangzhou, China What? Come and enjoy the loveliest season of the year in the well-known Xixi wetlands, where splendid sakura, winter jasmine and China rose blossom beautifully in the spring. You are also invited to taste the flavourful foods at the markets near the wetlands after experiencing the unique activities and events based on Chinese traditional culture, such as Shaoxin opera and the famous lantern festival. Hangzhou lies just southeast of Shanghai and is within easy reach, so you can easily combine your visit to the sprawling metropole with a sidetrip to Hangzhou’s beautiful natural scenery. More info at: http://aidubao.feezen.com/ content/19000/
Chocolate Festival
When? March 30- April 1 & April 7 - April 8 Where? London & Bristol, UK What? Here you will see everything from hot chocolate to chocolate cakes, chocolate churros to chocolate pretzels, chocolate chilli to chocolate cocktails. Discover dozens of stalls showcasing artisan produced chocolate made with pure ingredients. You’ll get to know the real goodness of chocolate and you can even learn how to create your own at free tutorials! Welcome to chocolate heaven, chocoholic.
A crowded Full Moon beach party in Thailand
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More info at: fullmoonpartythailand.info fullmoonpartykohphangan.com Life360 Issue 3
You name it, they have it at this organic stand
More info at: festivalchocolate.co.uk
Last year’s spectacular MAYDAY party in Dortmund
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Maple Syrup Festival
When? March 3 - April 9 Where? Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada What? The Sugarbush maple syrup festival is an absolute must for the locals in Ontario, but of course tourists from all over the world are invited to join in this fun activity as well. With a maple cuisine dining experience, maple wine workshop, pancake barns, sugar bush tours and more there is plenty to do. So if Canada strikes your fancy, you definitely do not want to miss this Canadian rite of early spring. Springtime here is really sweet!
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International Comedy Festival
When? March 28 - April 22 Where? Melbourne, Australia What? This international festival in Australia is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world, alongside the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. With an enormous program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, television, radio and visual arts, the festival is perfect for any and all comedy lovers. Go enjoy the art of laughter, and have fun.
A quaint sugar shack in Canadian style
Hundreds of performers for you to choose from
More info at: www.maplesyrupfest.com
More info at: www.comedyfestival.com
MAYDAY “Made in Germany”
When? April 30 Where? Dortmund, Germany What? The MAYDAY “Made in Germany” music festival is an invitation to the world to come celebrate May Day, May 1st. This year it will be more tempting than ever: over 50 innovative DJs and Live acts from Germany as well as many other countries will be gathering here in Dortmund to bring you the best party you’ve ever had. Last year, 27,000 people came to celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary as the “Mother of all Raves”. Also, with the specially built 2011 anniversary floor remaining, the spirit of the first twenty years will be omnipresent in the impressive halls of the Westfalenhalle in 2012 as well. More info at: http://www.mayday.de/events/ mayday/englisch/index.htm
An expertly performed trapeze act at the Jambalaya Festival of Rhythm and Dance
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Polo Circo Festival
When? April 28 - May 9 Where? Buenos Aires, Argentina What? This is a great chance to watch amazing magicians, clowns, trapeze artists, contortionists and many other talented performers, as some of the best circus troupes in the world descend upon Buenos Aires. The performers not only come from Argentina, but also from France, Belgium, Guinea and Canada. They will showcase their individual styles and performances for more than 20,000 spectators in twelve days. Don’t miss out on this elaborate show of colour!
Be dazzled by the spine-bending acrobatics
More info at: www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/ index.htm?fx=event&event_id=239673
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When? April 6 - April 8 Where? Auckland, New Zealand What? The legendary Jambalaya Festival Of Rhythm And Dance returns with two days and three nights of music and dance workshops, live shows, theatre, art, crafts, international food, DJ’s, bands, parties and more. Jambalaya creates a festive community where you can connect with like-minded people, learn new skills through interactive workshops such as Tango, Burlesque and Maori dance, and see some of the hottest cultural talents from across the globe.
One of the great dance workshops given last year
More info at: www.jambalaya.co.nz/festival/ info Life360 Issue 3
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Scandinavia Special
Norway Sweden Finland
Discover
Oslo on a Budget
The Economic Intelligence Unit recently ranked Oslo the world’s fifth most expensive city to live in. Life360 looks at how you can see the Norwegian capital on a budget. By Alexander Thackrah Photos by Thomas Nash Peering through the frosted window of our Ryanair 737, the world lurches as we begin the descent towards the mattress of cloud far below. And as the jet pierces the cloud-line the world opens up to reveal a vast expanse of white. It may be mid-March but the Norwegian landscape lies coated by a thick layer of crisp, fresh snow. This being Ryanair, we bump to a halt 60 or so kilometres outside Oslo in the small town of Rygge. For such a small airport it is surprisingly well-equipped with a café and extensive duty free. And for £20 return flights from Gatwick, taxes included, we can’t complain; even more so when the terminal provides a warm haven from a chilly Norwegian evening. From Rygge, you have two options if you want to get to Oslo city centre. One being a direct bus from Rygge airport to Oslo Central Station, or sentralstasjon as it is called in Norsk (the Norwegians displaying their typical fondness for the letter S and apparent mistrust of the letter C). This will set you back 140kr for a single ticket and takes around 50 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a free five minute shuttle bus from outside the terminal to Rygge train station, which does a more than passable impression of deepest, darkest Siberia, and where you can hop on a train to Oslo Central for 140kr (110kr if you are a student). Don’t be put off by the sight of an imposing Norwegian locomotive bearing
down on you out of the darkness, headlights blazing; inside they are spacious and luxurious, fine products of Norway’s famed social welfare system. Forty-five minutes later and we are gliding through Oslo’s heavily industrialised outskirts, past vast building sites, huge piles of timber and tubes you could drive a double decker bus through; it is a city in a state of evolutionary flux.
Cocktails and caviar In parts Oslo is reminiscent of Stockholm, with its nautical history and effortlessly chic waterfront. Spending a clear evening down on Stranden, basking in the low Arctic sun and watching the comings and goings of some of Scandinavia’s priciest yachts and sailboats is a must. Unfortunately, the prices extend to the bars and cafés that line the waterfront, where you will do well to find a beer for under 70kr. But the location and abundance of Charlize Theron lookalikes offer suitable compensation. Elsewhere, particularly at the eastside of Oslo around Grønland and Tøyen, the city is more rundown, and has a quite different feel to it. Possessing a diverse mix of backgrounds, tastes, and on the surface at least, a large amount of homelessness, Oslo’s underbelly contrasts starkly with the coast’s cocktails and caviar. Just to the north of Grønland, we find our hostel. Wading through the sludgy snow
congealing on the pavement, the warm interior and more importantly, slip-free floor, are welcome respite from the biting Arctic evening. Sturdy walking boots are a must if you’re heading to Norway in early spring; the weekend we went felt more like late winter. And if you’re looking to minimise costs then lots of walking is essential as public transport is particularly pricey. The next day bathes Oslo in glorious sunshine; the ideal environment to take in the glistening waterfront. Dominated by the imposing City Hall, a huge structure that by rights should loom like some monstrous incarnation of the Battersea Power Station, but that in reality possesses a certain presence that renders it, if not aesthetically beautiful, then monstrously appealing. It is a truly gargantuan structure.
Spectacular views We spend the morning taking in the waterfront and the spectacular views across the fjord afforded from the battlements of the Akershuss Fortress. Perched on a headland that juts out into the choppy depths, the Fortress is a reminder of Norway’s strong naval heritage and chequered relations with neighbouring Sweden. Another must-see sight on the water is Oslo’s Opera house. A unique structure, its sloped roof slips seamlessly into the icy depths of the fjord, and simultaneously offers sun-worshippers Life360 Issue 3
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A half-hour winding ride on the metro from Central Station deposits you a short walk from the ski jump. Tickets for the metro are 30kr each way if you buy them at one of Oslo’s ubiquitous 7-11 or Neveren convenience stores; just don’t forget to validate them before you get on the train. g.
is amazin ss the fjord
erfront acro om the wat The view fr
a slope to climb up onto the roof of the Opera house; a vantage point that gives a unique perspective overlooking the city. After a quick lunch, we head to the National Gallery in the centre of town. The 50kr (30kr for students) entry fee is a price well worth paying for an extensive art collection that boasts works by Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Cezanne and of course Edvard Munch’s The Scream. Danish painter Johan Christian Dahl’s landscapes and in particular his masterly representations of clouds and sky, are themselves alone worth the entry price. For the ultra-frugal, admission is free on Sundays. A few minutes’ walk from the National Gallery down Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s main thoroughfare and home to numerous buskers, life-sized troll figurines and ski-toting Scandinavians brings you to the Royal Palace. During our visit, this was unfortunately under renovation; with vast white canvasses obscuring what are undoubtedly beautiful structures. Twenty minutes’ walk further on from the palace takes you to Vigeland Sculpture Park, the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic or a warm dose of aquavit. Walking there we pass through Oslo’s up-market area of Briskeby, the drives of whose large gated houses are lined with sleek grey BMWs, Porsches and Audis. Dominated by a stone monolith centrepiece composed of scores of naked bodies, the sculpture park’s many statues stand as a celebration of the sculptor Gustav Vigeland’s life work, and a fascinating exploration of the grotesque. On a chilly afternoon, a stroll past the leering and posturing stone figures can be an eerie experience, and you are imbued with the feeling that this would be the perfect setting for the next Scandinavian noir to hit our shores. But there is much more to Oslo that the city itself. The following morning, nursing sore heads and a on the advice of a gaggle of Norwegian nurses, we head up into the hills outside the city to the Holmenkollen ski jump.
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Life360 Issue 3
Skiing in Holmenkol-
Surrounded by a crowd of Norwegians waving red flags, sporting hiking boots and decked out in national garb, we feel a little underdressed as we begin the short ascent from the station to the jump. In fact, it turns out that the cross-country skiing world cup is going on up in Holmenkollen. It is a vibrant spectacle. Brightly coloured skiers shoot around a track that winds up into the surrounding mountains, culminating in a final dash down into the bowl of the stadium, roared on by thousands of flag-waving spectators. And all to the backdrop of the ski jump, a great grey ramp that ascends into the heavens. As the world cup is going on and the ramp is being used for training purposes we are unable to climb all the way to the top; you can normally. But even ascending half-way gives you a sense of the scale of the descent that faces a ski jumper when he stares down into the abyss. The climb to the top is not for the faint-of-heart; the steps are sheer and when the wind is billowing it seems an even longer way down. As Holmenkollen is up in the mountains surrounding Oslo, it affords breath-taking vistas back across the depression in which the city sits. The view stretches for miles across the fjord and up into the mountains on the other side. By the end of the weekend the topping of snow that covered the city has all but melted away, and as we spiral
bumpily back up into the sky it seems as if spring is well and truly on its way. Green is the colour far below and up above, £300 out of pocket, we bid Oslo farewell.
TRAVEL TIPS Accommodation When it comes to budget accommodation in Oslo, the options are limited. We plumped for Anker hostel, which costs £25 per person per night. If you don’t fancy couch surfing, this is the cheapest bed in the city. A ten minute walk down Storgata from Oslo Central, Anker is a great starting point from which to explore the city. Room-wise, the beds are comfortable and warm. A word of warning, though; if you want to leave your valuables in one of the hostel’s safes, you will need to bring your own padlock. Linen and towels (assuming you don’t bring your own) are also purchasable necessities. The atmosphere in the hostel was pretty dead, with a number of the people we met searching fruitlessly for permanent accommodation, or in the case of one Polish man, a job, in Norway’s capital. This is in part, I feel, due to the hostel’s policy of only allowing you to drink alcohol in your room and not providing a more communal kitchen area for any socialising to take place. This policy also means that some guests are provided with no alternative than to pre-party in their rooms, often to the detriment of roommates trying to have an early night. That said, a table football in the lobby is a welcome addition and provided the scene of triumph for Team Britain over both a Dutch duo and a Moroccan-Algerian coalition. The staff, too, are friendly and helpful.
Useful Phrases
Hello – Hei/ morn How are you? - Hvordan har du det? Cheers! - Skål! Thank you – takk And don’t let the toilet signs catch you out: herrer – men, damer – women On a clear day, a trip to the top of Oslo’s Opera House is a must.
The FIS Nordi
c Skiing Wor
ld Cup was he
ld in Holmen kollen from 9-11 M arch 2012.
TRAVEL TIPS Food and Drink
e ont. Mayb the waterfr s. g n ce o ri al p ts al seagull stru of Oslo’s astronomic A carefree e ar aw n u s he’ its because
Unsurprisingly, both the price of food and refreshments is high. Expect to pay around 60kr for a pint of Heineken or local Norwegian beer, Hansa. If you want to sample some local Norwegian cuisine, you will be looking at the wrong side of 200kr for a meal. One honourable exception is a charming little place on Youngstorget called Fyret Mat & Drikke. Home to Norway’s best burger and some charming staff, this little eatery five minutes’ walk from the station is thoroughly recommended. Get there early, though, around 18.30, to avoid disappointment. For something a bit more cheap and cheerful, there are a number of fast food joints that provide burgers and pizzas for around 60kr. Don’t discount Subway either, as 29kr for the sub of the day seems like a steal in Oslo terms. That said, unless you want to be painting the streets of Oslo green with vomit, avoid the McDonalds Big Tasty meal. At 100kr a pop and with a distinctly unsettling atmosphere, you would be wise to give this Maccies a miss. During the day, stock up on bread and snack food at supermarkets such as Rimi (a couple of doors down from Anker hostel) or one of the omnipresent 7-11 convenience stores. To save money on drinks, fill up your bottles with perfectly drinkable tap water back at the hostel instead of splashing out 20 to 30kr on the purchasable equivalent. For drinks, head to Grunerløkka, an area five minutes’ walk north of Anker where there are a number of cool bars and pubs to check out. Parkteatret hosts a young crowd with a good atmosphere, although the Tea Bar is my particular favourite with a lively vibe and attractive clientele. Alternatives are Bar Boca, or Bar Memphis, which also boasts a dance floor. There are also a number of bars and clubs around the main street, Karl Johans gate. Sø bar deserves a special mention for having a laidback vibe and good music. To save costs on alcohol, take advantage of the duty free at Gatwick. As Norway is not part of the EU, you are able to buy spirits at more discounted prices than usual. And above all, avoid taxis like the plague. Unless you want to get fleeced 300kr for a five minutes’ drive, then walk. Life360 Issue 3
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Kayaking in Stockholm Why not discover Stockholm this year? And whilst you’re at it, try something different, and see the city by sea.
By Alexander Thackrah, Photos by Thomas Nash
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The idea of kayaking round Stockholm was flawed from the start. Relying on the map-reading skills of a trio of university graduates turned out, not unsurprisingly, to be an unwise move. But viewing a city from the water offers an interesting perspective. Autumn in Stockholm is surreal. It is a city in limbo, betwixt summer and winter, between light and dark. On shore, tourists are dotted here and there, cameras raised and collars upturned, but most have left Life360 Issue 3
for warmer climes. The wind doesn’t whirl or bite but you can imagine it funnelling down the straits as winter sets in. Willowy natives glide through the streets; not one with a hair out of place. As we paddle through the city centre in our three kayaks, we are dwarfed by grey blocks lining the shore. They are ornately carved blocks, but blocks all the same; grand waterfront hotels, banks and symbols of commerce. And, like everything else in the city, they are vast. For Stockholm is a city
of expanse, where solitary figures stride through great open spaces. It is not a stretch to imagine its huge squares playing host to the ghosts of protests-past. After all, you tend to forget that Sweden is just next door to Russia. But it is the glow of the place that gets you. It infuses everything. In spite of the rapidly shortening days, there is light fantastic. It must be the low arctic sun but buildings, water, people, everything glitters gold. And the sky, it swallows you up; a canvas of
1 Kayaking through the archipelago 2 A dandelion style fountain just off Kungsgatan 3 The city’s grand waterfront 4 A brass band performing for the Queen’s visit 5 Stockholm is one of the world’s greenest capitals
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blue smeared with bruised clouds, flashing purple. Each one surrounded by a halo of light. Light that dances on the water. Every stroke of your paddle throws up a new eruption of dazzling spray. The way I think of it is this: imagine Britain as an analogue TV. Going to Sweden is like seeing the world in HD. So maybe we were dumbstruck as we paddled further out to sea, searching for the fabled left turn that would take us back to our hostel. It’ll be just round the next corner, we say, as the waterway widens around our trio of vessels. On shore, buildings are replaced by boats and boats by trees. The millpond of water we sped through in the city centre has morphed into larger swells, our kayaks
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rolling this way and that, arms burning. Until, after one false turn more, the water opens up into a vast stretch of arctic sea. Eyes straining, I can just about make out the horizon. Enormous cruise ships bark their presence as we hurriedly scuttle out their way. Time to check the map. After much trouble juggling paddles, waterproof bag and valuables over unfathomable depths, we extract our guide. Discovering that what we believed to be an island is
in fact a one hundred-mile long headland protruding into the North Sea breaches new boundaries of our notoriously poor navigation. And, it turns out, pretty tough to kayak round in an afternoon. Taking up heavy arms we admit defeat, rise over the wake of a passing Viking liner, and begin the slog back into the city. Life360 Issue 3
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Explore
Finland
Everything is cool in Finland – not only the weather
By Marcela Kunova
Photo compilation by Robyn Jay
If you’re already on the Scandinavian Peninsula, it would be a pity not to take in the splendour of Finland. With its snowy winters and delightfully warm summers, the country offers a wide range of possibilities for a great journey. Michal Jaso, 30, recounts his summer holiday in the small Nordic town of Lievestuore. “The nature in Finland is just fantastic. In the morning, me and my friends used to jump straight from the bed to the lake in the front of our holiday house. The water was deliciously fresh – 20 to 24˚C – and pure, so you could really enjoy the swimming. As in most of homes in Finland, there was an original wooden sauna just next to the lake. Sauna is an integral part of Finns’ lifestyle and, especially in winter, it is literally a lifesaver. But you can also really enjoy it in summer. So after the bath, we spent some time in the sauna heated to 80ºC and then we ran to the lake again. To the uninitiated, the splash of cold water is very surprising, it feels like your skin is itching. And honestly, it takes a lot of courage to jump into the cold water after having basked in the sauna for deliciously long moments. But this exercise is well-known for its health benefits and I can confirm that it truly keeps you fit through the day! Later in the day, we used to take a small boat and flit away to discover new islands around and about. There are a great number of islands housing untouched vegetation and wildlife. You can observe seagulls flying by the hundred on the horizon; reindeer can cross your way anytime and lovers of fishing will also find their paradise here. For lunch, we lit a fire in an open fireplace
and roasted a fish and some veg – you can easily find these outdoor hotspots everywhere. What’s extraordinary in this place is that there are so few people; you can go for a whole day without meeting anybody. So you can gently nap in the shade of a tree or go crazy with your friends, without worrying about what other people think. It is incredibly relaxing and liberating. One of the most beautiful things to do here is photography. You can take great snaps
literally everywhere and you will always discover new landscapes as the light changes from dusk to dawn. The sunsets, especially, are spectacular; I have probably taken my greatest pictures here. The only disadvantage to Finland is that the summers are really short. Obviously, every season brings something different but in my opinion, summer is definitely the best period to visit. I will surely come back this year – I admit that I fell in love with Finnish nature and wildlife. Lievestuore is one of those parts of Finland that is sparsely inhabited – I experienced here an immense calm and serenity.”
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1Sunrise and sunset 2 People The most common holiday pictures are sunrises and sunsets. To capture the colours, the best time to click photos of the sunset is 15 minutes before and after the actual sunrise/sunset. Check the local sunrise and set timings in order to prepare yourself. If you have an ISO setting, keep it at the lowest while pointing at the sun. Silhouettes add a greater charm to these pictures. Try taking the picture at an angle; don’t just shoot with the sun in the centre of the frame. If there is an ocean or any other water body, bring it into your frame. The light on ripples of water gives an attractive touch to the picture.
Be it your travel companion, yourself or a local, people always add an extra appeal to your holiday photos. When taking pictures with a monument or important landmark in the background, try getting the whole construction into the picture. Don’t always take pictures of people staring into the camera; side profiles or pictures of a person performing an activity are very interesting to look at. Get someone else to take your picture, don’t do it yourself. Quirky pictures with funny expressions and poses do provide a laugh later on. When taking portrait pictures of local people, ask permission. Focus on their distinguishing elements like facial features and attire.
Monuments and 4 Nature 3objects Try to take a picture of the whole monument and then get closer and try new ways of taking pictures through dark alleys, passages. If you can go close enough to an architectural monument with protruding layers or structures, try pointing your camera upwards whilst getting it very close to the wall. A strange vehicle, a peculiar street sign, a decoration that can be found nowhere else is a sight to preserve. While taking such pictures, make sure you get the whole object in the frame. If you can get a relatively normal background to the interesting object, the speciality is brought out even more strikingly.
Beaches, mountains, lakes are bound to get the shutterbug in you going. Try to take pictures without facing the sun, or any other source of light. Scenery pictures can be breathtaking even in simple point-and-shoot pictures. Get the texture of rocks, mountains, trees, grass to give an artistic twist to your pictures. If you can get people in the frame, or even a hand or a foot, it provides scale to the size of the object and adds an interesting twist to your photograph. Get down on the ground and take pictures of the dew drops on the grass or the sand pattern on the beach; do not be embarrassed! Your pictures will make sure you don’t regret doing this.
r u o y e k a m o r t e t s t p e 7 Tiday pictures b holi pbe disa re o t y l n ere a ures o f tea. H a simay pict o d i p l u o c h h ’s at your t everybody tter, even wit k c a b o is n oked es be ever lo Photography liday pictur u o y e o v Ha ur h em? d by th s to make yo p pointe i . t amera imple some s -and-shoot c and int Godbole a ple po a Godbole, ik n a T ria, By Tanik Aashish Rajga Expert’s Advice y b s o t ho P arg Rubal G
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Rubal Garg, a National Geographic photographer says, “Just be nice and don’t disturb the nature. Just go with the flow. Follow your heart. Click whatever you like. Don’t just follow google or any photographer. You can do a lot of crazy stuff with photography. Keep your horizons wide.”
Events and 5 performances Be it fireworks, acts, busker performances or street dances, these are the best memories, so capture these cultural experiences right. For fireworks, simple pictures work well. You can add a person looking at the fireworks to make it more interesting. Events such as parties, ceremonies and festive gatherings, take pictures of costumes and decorations that catch your eye. For performances, using flash might disturb the performers but when the light is low, flash needs to be used to capture the action and avoid blurred images. Click a lot of pictures when there is motion involved for interesting actions and effects.
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Animal photography
Animals in zoos, sanctuaries, national parks make beautiful subjects for photography. Wildlife photography is one of the toughest for non-photographers, mainly due to the distance between your modest lens and the animal. However, this should not discourage you from taking pictures of herds of animals or friendlier animals like monkeys. You can always take pictures of wild animals from a distance and crop them later. If you have a powerful zoom on your camera, use that. Try to get a clear background so that you get a two-dimensional feel.
and 7 Food Drink Travel is incomplete without interesting local food, and so is your travel album. Whether you could not get enough of a dish or you couldn’t manage to swallow it, food always makes interesting pictures. In some places, the way the food is served is equally interesting. Click pictures of the whole spread at first and then zoom in to get the feel of the texture of the food. For drinks, shoot the length of a glass with some light falling on the glass. This really brings out the colour and condensed droplets on a cold drink. Do not take a picture of a glass directly from the top, unless there is a decorative element to it.
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Are you world wise? Test your knowledge here!
Life360’s
Travel Quiz
Xie and Cai have fulfilled their dream of traveling around the world. They took many photos to mark the occasion. Can you figure out where they have been ? By Shu Liu
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Question 1 This location is on the north east side of the Himalayas, and is also known as the highest point on earth. This region’s spiritual leader is known all over the world, concerning the political difficulties it faces. Question 2 Look at the photo on the left: This place lies in the Caribbean area. Controversial regime shifts in this place have attracted lots of attention in recent decades. The person who led the country’s revolution half a century ago has become a famous symbol of rebellion. Can you see his face in the photo?
2 Question 3 The fifteen iconic Moai betray this location. Lets up the challenge: Can you give the name of the place, as well as the country it belongs to?
3 Question 4 This question is just to test whether you are a real apple fans. Please specify the city and state of Apple inc’s headquarters.
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Question 5 This country was claimed for Spain by explorer Ferdinand Magellan, which is why the name has Spanish origins. Tourism in this country is flourishing, and it is a worldrenown scuba diving area. Question 6 This country is famous for pagodas and temples, and was once ruled by the UK. Also, the biographic movie of a Pro-democracy activist from this country was recently released.
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Answers 1. Tibet 2. Cuba 3. Easter Island, Chile 4. Cupertino, Caifornia 5. The Philippines 6. Myanmar 7. Argentina
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Question 7 This is not a polar area; the glacier in the photo is one of this country’s main tourist attractions. It is also famous for its beef and football, and is a G20 major economy.
In the frame: By Tanika Godbole
Jake Morley
Meet Jake Morley, an all-round freelance photographer from Cardiff Starting with a little spy camera, photographer Jake Morley made the switch from film-making to photography long ago. Now, the 34-year-old has a boundless portfolio featuring weddings, fashion, travel, food, portraits, industry and interiors. He shares his views with Life360. When did you start taking pictures? “When I was a kid, about 10, I had a really small camera that was called a spy camera. It was one of the first spy cameras that came out. You could keep it in your pocket and take pictures without anyone knowing. I quite enjoyed that.” What makes a good photographer? “You know if you look at the room you’re in you’ll see some little bits of beauty. The best photographers, even in the most ugly, uninspiring room make beautiful images, and people blame the surroundings. But at the end of the day that shouldn’t matter.”
Which type of photography do you enjoy most? “I like doing a mixture of all kinds of photography. In fashion you have to make sure you and the clients are sharing the same vision, what they’re trying to achieve. I enjoy that, but then I’ll also enjoy capturing a joyous occasion in a creative way. Consistency is also important. You can’t just have a bad day and a good day. You have to do a good job even if it’s a rainy or a dark day, you have to capture the atmosphere of what’s happening and that’s the challenge that I really enjoy. When you’re working with people, capturing someone’s personality and gaining the trust of the person you’re photographing, and building a relationship with them allows you to kind of capture them properly, genuinely.”
How did you decide to switch to freelancing? “I was doing this work on the side, aside from my main work and I realized it was time to kind of make the move and just go out on my own, really. It started Jake Morley with a quiet period but it was the best thing for me. It fits around family life really well, and I am the master of my own destiny.” Difficulties of a photographer? “It can feel a bit crazy that things change so quickly, with the advance in technology. Some people feel that anyone with a decent camera can create great images. It’s becoming easier to create high quality images but really, does it matter? I mean, the best camera you have is the camera you have with you, really, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s a £1000 camera or a £200 camera. You have to have a thinking photographer behind the lens.” Favourite photograph that you’ve taken yet? “It was taken in North Carolina, USA in a boat. There were huge seagulls coming and landing on the boat, and there was a woman with a packet of crisps and this huge sea gull swooped down and took a crisp from her. I managed to get a photo with this huge sea gull flying towards me, and I was really pleased that I caught this moment really quickly. It’s fixed in my mind.”
The great debate: Canon or Nikon? “I use Nikon but I have used Canon gear, they’re also very very good, depending on what you’re doing. Canon seems to be a lot better with all the recording of movies and stuff. Nikon would be better with low light since the ISO seems to be better with Nikon. It’s just a matter of opinion really.” Any advice for beginners? “Just go out take some photos. Restrict yourself to taking only 36 pictures like you’re using film, and it will make you consider the framing and composition of each shot a lot more when you know you’ve only got 36. Just be one with the world and let your imagination flow and see beauty in every little thing around you.”
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Postcards from around the world
Where: Empire State Building, NYC, When: January, 2012 Why: I stood on the top of the building for two hours to watch the sunset. Then I realised that in the night, NYC was even more glamourous.
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Life360 Issue 3
Where: Rhossili, Wales When: March, 2012 Why: I was taking pictures during the shooting of a movie. During a break I captured this landscape...I found it peaceful.
Life360 Issue 3
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On the road... BOOK
Patrick Leigh Fermor’s A Time of Gifts
By Alexander Thackrah Be it Byron, Bryson or Theroux, all great travel writers can evoke a sense of place and an urge to travel within the reader. But for sheer atmosphere, you can do no better than immerse yourself in Patrick Leigh Fermor’s “A Time of Gifts.” Thirty-five years after the novel’s publication, Fermor’s autobiographical account of his walk from Holland to Constantinople remains as inspiring as ever. Written in an engaging and at times lyrical style, “A Time of Gifts” acts as a fascinating portrayal of inter-war Europe; a Europe that despite being on the brink of war remains a place of hope. The many and varied characters that Fermor meets on his journey are what make the novel, and it is their endless generosity during such a time of uncertainty and disquiet that is the most striking aspect of Fermor’s greatest work.
MUSIC
Rhythm Road
“Surfer Babe” by McFly
By Yanfei Ding
Youthful lyrics with pop-rock tones, plus the smell of lovely summertime. This catchy song is one that everyone wants when driving along the coastline in the sun.
“Thorns” by Charlie Simpson
Actually it is a tender soul-searching song with no thorns at all. Taken from Charlie’s folk album Young Pilgrim, the track is so right for country road drivers.
“Far Away” by Nickelback
This is a simple love ballad that has moved numerous listeners. The lyrics are a little bitter and sad but the sweet melody makes the song romantic. Put it into your playlist and feel the romance when driving at night.
“Boys and Girls” by Good Charlotte
With smashing drumbeats, it is a brilliant rhythmic pop-punk piece that will remind you of high school or college. Sing it out loud when you are in your Mini or Mustang with friends.
“Canon in D Rock Cover” by Jerry C
Yes, this is the rock version of the famous “Canon in D” rewritten by Jerry C, a talented Taiwanese guitarist. Sophisticated guitar techniques and powerful beats make this work epic. Play it anytime in your car and it would be the most fantastic thing, ever.
FILM
A torment trip
By Shu Liu The trip to find the truth is always tormenting, especially when you approaching the secret. The best picture winner in this year’s Golden Globes, “The Descendants” directed by Alexander Payne also won George Clooney an award. The movie was filmed in the secretive Kipu Ranch, south side of Hawaii, which is only accessible by private boat. Matt King (played by George Clooney) is a trustee of a 25,000-acre family trust land should decided whether to sell the land to developers after contract ends, at the risk of destroying the secret paradise. Even worse, Matt travelled to find the buyer of the land, but found out that the buyer Brian Speer (played by Matthew Lillard) had an affair with his wife. Beginning the trip with anger and hate, when Matt finally meets Brian, the last thing he wants to do is confirm his wife’s real feelings. The movie represents the complicated selfish side of humans, but whatever family brings to you--love, joy or pain--they’re still undeniably a part of one’s experiences and choosing to forgive may bring ease to your life.
Life360 Issue 3
Travel Alone
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The best thing about travelling alone is no Marcela Kunova doubt the flexibility. You can go – or remain – wherever you want, manage your time and travel at your own pace. Having no mates around makes you more open to meeting new people. It is so natural to start chatting with your neighbour on the plane or with the person waiting with you at the train station. You meet people and see things you simply don’t spot when you have to pay attention to your friends. Travelling alone automatically makes your life easier – there is no need to compromise on food, transport or who holds the camera. And, honestly, it’s so liberating – whatever you get up to on your trip, nobody will know about it back home.
Travel with friends
COLUMN
Alexander Thackrah
There’s nothing better than travelling with friends. Whether you’re trekking through the Slovenian mountains or finding novel ways to communicate with a trio of Hungarian students in Budapest, these aren’t things you want to be doing alone; you want people there to share the experiences, and the memories. You can still have the flexibility of doing what you want, when you want. If some of you want to sleep off a hangover, that doesn’t stop those who want to go out and soak up a spot of culture. And on a more practical note, travelling with people adds an added dimension of security; tourists everywhere are ripe pickings for all sorts of exploitation, and travelling in a group can decrease that risk.
Travel Crossword Across 1. Venice of the North 4. Dr Moneys (anagram) 7. A seal with ears; foque-esque 8. The world’s first space tourist; dictator 12. Co-hosts of this year’s Football European Championships 13. Opposite of early 14. Australasian dog 15. Moroccan market
17. American state 20. East African country 22. Wife of French president 23. You might want to brush up on this if you’re heading abroad 25. The Sahara and Antarctica share this characteristic 26. Europe’s longest river 27. Hungarian currency 28. Arctic people
30. German word used to emphasise something 32. i.e. the Marina Trench 33. Multilingual person 36. Large flightless bird 37&39. Air hostess(slang), first part of phrase 38. Turkish title of respect 39. See 37, second part of phrase
Down 1. Swedish platter 2. The Arab world’s oldest independent state 3. Northern canoe 5. Abominable snowman 6. Swiss mountain 9. African island 10. Ski slope 11. I wandered lonely as a … 15. Ancient city famous for its hanging gardens 16. Site of Egyptian temples 18. Malian city, From here to… 19. Airport deals section 21. To find something engrossing 24. Italian tenor; Horatio Caine 27. Forehand maestro 29. Crusoe’s island companion 31. Fish; biblical tower 33. Russian president; toilet 34. Shout 35. blood-sucking creature 36. Volcano (Hint: The words across the top make a wellknown phrase. For answer, please check: www.jomec.ac.cf.uk/life360)
JOKE
COMICS
A blonde is calling the hotline of an airplane company. - “Could you, please, tell me, how long does it take to fly from London to San Francisco?” - “Just a moment…” - “Awesome, thank you!”, says blonde and puts the telephone down. A traveller recounts his adventures of crossing the Nile. - “…at one moment, my ship was damaged and started to sink…” - “Oh my God,” says one of the public, “you might drown!” - “Impossible!” replies calmly the traveller, “crocodiles would never allow people to get that deep.” An Arab tourist visits Paris. When he comes to the Eiffel Tower, he says to his guide: “Oh, that’s beautiful! How many barrels of oil does it produce per day?” What’s the difference between an airplane and a car when they run out of fuel? - Well, the car starts to slow down while the airplane is going faster. Frank and Jack are talking on the bench. - “Hey, I’ve heard you went to the sea for holiday, did you?” - “Yeah, I went to Madrid.” - “Nonsense, Madrid is not on the shore!” - “Ah, that’s why the beach was so far from the hotel!” Border control police ask the driver. “Cigarettes, alcohol, arms?” “No, thanks. I have my own. Life360 Issue 3
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The world is a book and he who stays at home reads only one page
April
2012
ISSUE
3
- St. Augustine