Mid-afternoon, a view from the Connor´s pass to the valley floor and Brandon bay. Rain and cold, heavy clouds skimming the peaks but suddenly a burst of light in the valley.
A story behind: Dingle peninsula is absolutely one of the hidden treasures of west Ireland. It is quite remote and difficult to reach but it offers some of the Ireland´s most breath-taking scenery.
From Dingle ( the region´s main town ) the road climbs and approaches the ocean. When you finally get to the sea there are hair-raising views: from its westernmost point Blasket Islands can be clearly observed and to the south a nice view of the Skelligs islands can also be appreciated. The road is narrow: one side of the road hugs a wall of rock and the other side fells sharply to the creek of excited water.
Soon we arrived at our destination: the Dún Chaoin or Dunquin pier - a small port glued to the sharp wall of the rocky cliff 100 meters high.
From Dunquin pier the R560 road crosses the Dingle peninsula and Slieve Mish and Brandon Mountains to reach flat sandy beaches in the Brandon and Tralee bays.
When we passed the Connor´s pass it was raining again. But thankfully these bad weather moments can change into a photographer´s paradise.After the small stop at the pass and a considerable time of "ahhs" and "ohhs" we pressed on and soon arrived at the hotel.
Location: Connor´s pass, Ireland.
Gear: Nikon D80, Sigma 10/20 mm, ND 0.6 soft, tripod, umbrella.
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter speed: 1/30 sec
Focal Length: 12 mm
ISO: 400
Date Taken: July 13th, 2009, 16:56
Maciek.
Early morning sunrise over the Upper lake in Killarney National Park. From the left MacGillicuddy Reeks, Purple and Shehy Mountains.
Soon the road began to climb and quite suddenly we entered the Kerry district with its first magnificent views over its gentle hills and distant mountains.
Killarney National Park is a must-see place in Ireland: mountains, lakes, castles and rolling hills covered by thick forest. We passed the Killnarey town and entered the Park from the east. We headed for Gap of Dunloe - a high mountain pass with a magnificent panoramic views.
From the Gap we took R561 road and explored the Dingle Peninsula: the fishermen´s tiny but full of live town of Dingle, Slea Head promontory with high cliffs and a white sculpture of the Crucification, Dunmore Head tiny beach and soon arrived at the Dunquin pier ( see next chapter ).
From Dún Chaoin ( Dunquin pier ) we went back east, passed the unbelievably beautiful Connor´s pass to reach late in the afternoon our hotel ( the Ballgarry House hotel and spa ).
Location: Killarney National Park, Ireland.
Gear: Nikon D80, Sigma 10/20 mm, ND 0.3 hard, ND 0.6 soft. HDR.
Aperture: f/22
Shutter speed: 1+-0.7 sec
Focal Length: 12 mm
ISO: 300
Date Taken: July 13th, 2009, 05:38
Maciek.
It was raining cats and dogs all day. Almost no were pictures taken, no sight-seeing was done.
It would have been an awful day but in the evening we went to meet Jola Wojtowicz. Jola is a successful restaurateur in Southern Ireland. Her restaurant ( Jola´s Restaurant ) is considered the best restaurant in Kinsale and the surroundings. She started her very popular and busy restaurant 3 years ago and almost immediately it turned out to be a success.
In her menu she blends modern European kitchen with Irish and Polish accents.
We spend there very nice 3 hours while eating, drinking wine and talking to Jola.A short review:
Parking a car:
the place is located by the narrow, one-way street in old part of Kinsale, so parking a car in front of the restaurant can be difficult, although not impossible. Better leave your car in a parking lot by the yacht port ( Pier road ), wand walk 200 meters.
The place:
located in the nice building, when you enter you have a small bar, need to go down to a main restaurant room. Very nice decor, walls made of black stones, ambient music, fireplace, dimmed lights, occasional art exhibitions on the walls. Very intimate and relaxing. The restaurant is run by a Polish couple: Jola and her husband ( chef ).
The food:
International cuisine with a very interesting mix of Irish and Polish food.
At the end a home-made cherry liquor is a must.
The service:
Personalized, always a short talk with a restaurant´s owner who comes to ask about the food. The waitresses are nice and helpful.
The prices:
The starters up to 12 euros.
Main course: from 16 to 22 euros.
Desserts: up to 12 euros.
Wine list: from 16 to 60 euros.Maciek.
A story behind: A small family-run bar/restaurant where we had today a nice lunch, located close to one of the most impressive Irish heritage sites: the Rock of Cashel castle.
Unfortunately Ireland welcomed us with all-day-long rain.
Location: Cashel, Ireland
Gear: Nikon D80
Date Taken: July 10th, 2010, 13:11
Maciek.
A story behind: This is a Matosinhos beach, the most preferred beach in Porto. On the horizon one can see a Leça de Palmeira port.
The sunset was absolutely fabulous.
Enjoy as I did.
Location: Matosinhos, Portugal
Gear: Nikon D80, Sigma 10/20 mm, ND 0.3 hard, ND 0.6 soft.
Aperture: f/14
Shutter speed: 2.5 sec
Focal Length: 12 mm
ISO: 300
Date Taken: July 03rd, 2009, 21:11
Maciek.
We are back home from a few days long stay in Alentejo, southern region of Portugal, where we perfected the art of doing nothing.
Temperatures in the upper 30s, clear skies, pool, reading, some old movie watching... very relaxing.
Date: 29th of June 2010
Place: Casas do Sal hotel
Maciek.
Saint John Festival 2010.
One of the mobile food stands where you can buy farturas and churros.
Maciek.
The 2010 Rebelo boat racing on the Douro river, Porto, Portugal.
How did it look in 2009 ? ( find here ).
Maciek.
Last Tuesday I was poking around the Beira ( Beira is an semi-deserted and rustic interior province of Portugal being the frontier with Spain ) when I stumbled upon a small white chapel dazzling in mid-day sun. I stopped the car in the heart of "nowhere-Portugal", close to the tiny village of Aldeia Velha ( eng: Old Village ). I was intrigued how this chapel got stuck to the big black granite rock behind it.
As I was taking photos two old women from the village approached. We started talking. This is what Portugal is all about: friendliness of its people. They told me the history of the chapel. A long time ago someone draw the picture of Jesus Christ on the rock. Then people from the village erected a chapel which is since then known from its many miracles.
From the left: the castle in Trancoso ( Beira, Portugal ), two women I met in the village posing in front of the chapel.
June 22th, 2009, 12:06
Maciek.
A story behind: Last Tuesday I traveled to Ocreza Lake, central Portugal, not far from the Spanish border.
The sunset was absolutely fabulous. On the far horizon one can see the peaks of Muradal mountains.
Enjoy as I did.
Location: Castelo Branco, Portugal
Gear: Nikon D80, Sigma 10/20 mm
Aperture: f/18
Shutter speed: 3 sec
Focal Length: 12 mm
ISO: 300
Date Taken: June 22th, 2009, 21:15
Maciek.
Mid-afternoon, a view from the Connor´s pass to the valley floor and Brandon bay. Rain and cold, heavy clouds skimming the peaks but suddenly a burst of light in the valley.
