Reflection!

Hello and welcome to my blog , an online photo journal depicting my travels throughout the Maldives.

This past week was absolutely made for photography! Calm seas, amazing visibility and of course my birds eye view gave me opportunity to capture some truly spectacular  images!

So much of my life's experiences are as a result of being in the right place at the right time. I feel confident when I say that this past week was an example of this. Everywhere and on everyday I found something that caught my eye that simply begged me to photograph it. 

 As I went through my photos,these past few days, one thing became very clear to me and that is reflection provides a compelling image. 

It is my opinion that reflection  is important in ones own life as well. I think it is important to reflect from time to time in order to evaluate the good aspects along with  the not so good. Of late I have been doing just that and for the most part I feel good about what I see. None the less there are some things that leave me unsure where my  next steps lie.Perhaps change is in order. Should I stay or should I go? Curious and cryptic, for that I do apologize but at the moment I am torn.

Without contrast photographs, in my opinion, are boring but not all contrast works. Contrast in ones life is stimulating but upon further reflection the reality of certain situations may be to unstable.For yourself and for those who count on you it is best to seek stability when available.Or at least this is my thought.

As I ramble on I realize that this text is going in  directions I did not foresee! I think it best to leave this line of thought and just go on to the images!

As I said I found so many things to photograph this week and to be quite honest I really had a hard time narrowing down what to post! I actually came up with 64 and so many more I really wanted to share! In the end I decided to post way less and save the others for a future post, random facebook posts, Flikr and of course to my new Twitter account!

I really hope you find something that catches your eye! Please remember if you want to see the image pop out give it right click!

Reflections of a Barefoot Pilot!

Early morning at the seaplane base. Just prior to the sunrise. On this morning I was on call for the first few hours and considering the weather what better use of time could there be than to capture the many moods of a rising sun!

 

 With a steady and unrelenting pace the sun peaks up over the Eastern horizon changing the yellow,orange and pink hue to the blue of the day.

As Ben and Peter pull out of the dock I am position to get a great shot. Even though the sun is strong and back-lighting this scene I think it works!

With the sun high above the base and the aircraft back from the first rotation of the morning.Like the natural symmetry of the Atolls that surround us the aircraft are lined up and awaiting their next flight.

Can be a very busy place this seaplane base of ours!

 Our brothers and sisters who wear the blue shorts lifting off of the North Left waterway!

One of MAT's planes landing on the North Right waterway while in the distance TMA's setting up to land next.

Landing up at one the resorts we travel to.

And as I carry on this photographic tour of the Maldives I present you a daybreak shot of the island named Kamhadoo in the Baa Atoll.

Moving along on these "glassy water" days who would argue that I don't have the best view of the Maldives! This one is of the Eastern edge of the Ari Atoll as it stretches from South to North!

High above Grand Centara!

Truly a mirror like reflection provided by the windless day! In the foreground is Vilamendhoo Island Resort, then RRanveli Village followed by the local island of Dangethi. All located in the South Ari Atoll.

Easily my most photographed chain of atolls. There is just something about the Ari Atoll that truly captivates me!

The resort of Vakarufalhi Island .

Maafushivaru Island  Resort.

And high above Maafushivaru Island Resort!

Constance Halivelli.

The W Resort And Spa.

If I had to pick a favorite from the bunch this one could well be it! It as if the Indian Ocean that surrounds the Ari Atoll became a giant swimming pool. Not a ripple to be seen for miles!

Or maybe this one!

 Or maybe this one! Okay I will stop now as really I can't pick a favorite! It is hard not to feel truly blessed on days like these. Mother nature conspired to give me a truly spectacular canvas to copy into digital form!

East side of  Ari Atoll looking from the North to the South!

 A couple of our aircraft loading up at one of the many lagoons throughout the Maldives.

A TMA aircraft on a floating platform waiting for the next load of travelers to take back to Male'.

 My aircraft on this fine day moored to a buoy at Meedhupparu .

Strolling along I spotted this scene, shark ! A tiny one surrounded by a school of fish!

As the setting sun closes the day I felt it only appropriate to close this post with images caught just before the sun fades in the West.

 Feel blessed to know you have a tomorrow.

 And to end the post a look at the tower overlooking our base. A well deserved shout out to the men and women who guide us home in fair weather and foul!

Hoped you enjoyed my reflections.

Be safe and be kind.

Rob one of the Barefoot  Pilots!

Getting It Done Through Rain Or Shine!

Hello and welcome to my blog! Glad you made the time to stop by.

Even though the weather was not always the best this week , actually at times it was down right nasty, 

I have a ton of images to post.

Quite a variety I have to say. Some rainy day fun highlighting the hard working Maldivian Air Taxi staff. Images from around the seaplane base here in Male'. Umbrellas,Kittens along with a young lady striking a pose on the steps of one of our Twin Otters.

So once again welcome to my blog which is a photographic journal of my life here in the Maldives.

Left click any image to open it up to a bigger size.

 

Now this is one thing I don't have a lot of these. Pictures of me that is!

So I was hanging around at Palm Beach Resort waiting for  departure time when I spied these young ladies out enjoying the surf. As I mentioned the weather was not all that great this week but you know life is what you make it and the ladies definitely had the right spirit. Enjoying everything the Maldives has to offer!

Hanging around at the end of the sandbar, waves crashing all around.A perfect time to take a picture!

Got this one looking Northwest along the beach close to where we dock the aircraft. Palm Beach Resort.

 

There is no doubt this day was grey and the wind was building but the Twin Otter is made for days like these!

Are you ready for the rainy pictures? You know I am! 

I realize that some of our passengers will have experienced delays and baggage that does not arrive when they  do. 

With the bad weather we have increased fuel requirements, got to be safe out there, and this means less baggage gets on the aircraft.Some times resort staff may have been bumped off or even paying passengers for that matter. I offer my apology to you for these inconveniences but I must say we employees are truly giving our best effort to have a safe trip  without to much inconvenience. However when the monsoon roars into to town it is important for us to know our limits.

When you see the images in this post I am sure you will agree we give it our best effort.

When the rain does fall I often think of a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The Rainy Day, more specifically the following verse.

"Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
  Some days must be dark and dreary."

As the rain starts to fall I grabbed my camera to record the scene around the seaplane base in Male'. In this shot I captured one of our hard working dock hands fueling one of our planes for its next trip.

Now the rain is really starting to fall as one of our Guest Relation Officers makes her way down to collect the arriving passengers.

I understand that this is terrible weather to be in whilst on vacation but an amazing photo op none the less!

 

Umbrellas make wonderful props!

Don't you think!

Of course some of us are not so lucky and are without an umbrella ! 

But as the title of this post suggests through rain or shine we do our best to get the job done!

It is hard to see and when the wind kicks up it is very challenging to maneuver on the water.

Not to mention landing in these conditions. Mind you it is usually much more challenging landing or taking off at the resorts because of the big waves that are kicked up by the strong winds.

It is very good to have an experienced crew!

Speaking of which here is a shot of one our cabin attendant, Anees , getting ready to hop off the plane to tie it to the dock. I should add that he is one of the fastest rope tiers we have. I am sure he would do well at a rodeo!

And as the crew approaches Arrish is ready with the umbrellas!

Here is one of TMA's aircraft coming in amid the rain!

 

And behind the scenes some of the new construction around our terminal. I thought it was cool how the water was dripping down like a waterfall. They are actually dry in there.

Okay enough of the rain! Here is one our birds in the main hangar undergoing an overhaul.

These guys working behind the scenes are important part of the team here at MAT.

On another day Captain Kirk taking her away from the dock.

While I was snapping away around the MAT base a TMA plane got close enough for me to get a good shot. I only had wide angle available at the moment so it was good of him to get a little closer!

Leaving the dock behind and off to the next destination.

Waiting for he next airplane and striking a pose!

Smiling faces warm my day!

Taking some time to relax and give me great pose. Azif and Moosa!

  

And here we have the lovely Syma took time out of her busy day to pose for me.

Maybe she should be on the next cover of the Maldivian Air Taxi inflight magazine. What do you think?

Not many hangar's are with out cats!I love these two guys!

 

Normally they hang around the staff canteen waiting for bits and pieces. Its those eyes and stripes that do it for me. They are pretty used to me by now and I have a soft spot for animals so I can't resist stopping to give them a pat or two!

Wow tons of photos on this post! I hoped you enjoyed them!

Till the next time so long for now from 

Rob one of the barefoot pilots!