Another from New Zealand. Sunsets/sunrises do kinda feel like cheating for this prompt... I took this picture from the top of Roy's Peak in Wanaka. It's a very popular and well known hike, even considering that it's 8km one way with about 1200m straight up. I thought I would avoid the crowds by leaving at 3:30 in the morning to catch the sunset. I was so unbelievably wrong. I don't know quite how to interrupt this, but at 5:30am, at the end of a 8km hike, I found myself surrounded by a Chinese tour group(and also a multitude of European backpackers, but the Chinese tour group really stood out). I thought any hike past 5km was safe, but apparently those days are past. Crowds aside the sunrise was spectacular and well worth the hike. On the technical aspect I continue to feel like my composition is always just slightly off. I've mostly been shooting with a 35mm prime(around 50 with crop factor) in order to force myself to think about placement. Very far from ideal with landscapes like this picture, but I'd like to be able to learn to find a good picture in spite of that. Still haven't quite hit the mark yet.
Nice shot! Was in Wanaka just last week. Only have a phone camera to work with sadly. I don't think I've ever seen the track not frequented by tourists; even early in the morning. Honestly, I'm glad they wanted to see it bad enough that they started in the wee hours! I love how the light plays over the mountains, never get sick of seeing that.
Man your attitude is directly parallel to what I saw all over New Zealand. Every local I met had pretty much zero (visible) frustration with tourists, and were just happy to share their country. I had to change half of my trip because people kept on suggesting their favorite places that were far better then anything I found on the internet. The attitude is the opposite of what I expirienced in Iceland, where most of the locals spots had been overrun and they had become extremely guarded. I loved Wanaka-it felt like a slightly smaller Queenstown. I wish I could have spent more time hiking around. On another note thank you for your suggestions! I loved my time out there, you live in a absolute wonderland.
I'm glad you experienced that - there are xenophobic people here just like any other and it would be a huge shame if you felt unwanted in our land. Were you in Queenstown/Wanaka in the week of 7th January? If so we probably walked past each other! If I had remembered/known a hubski person was floating around the area I'd have shouted you some drinks! I'm also glad you got to take the local advice - the Internet and blogs will get you to and from most places but the real gems are found by chatting to us hobbits. A lot of us truly love showing off the land and the secret places to people willing to hunt them out. What did your trip consist of overall, did you get to travel both islands? I am biased as all hell but the south reigns supreme for me.. Anyway I'm very pleased you enjoyed it!
Fortunately I expirienced none of that. Everyone has their bad apples. It seems like NZ has quite a few less then anywhere else I've ever been. Unfortunately I wasn't, I returned right before New Years. That would have been quite the thing to share a beer! "to us hobbits".. You earned a laugh out of me here man. I flew into Queenstown and then pretty much worked my along the west coast up north. Had enough time to do the Routeburn and Abel Tasman track :). I kept to the south island, really only because I was there for two weeks and didn't want to overextend myself. I'll try to write up a trip report sometime soon. Not the first time I've said that and not delivered, but I think I'll commit to this one.