Tasman Glacier

NZ Photography Trip – Day 5

April 20th, 2017

When we woke up this time, I didn’t feel cold, as I was wearing 4 layers of clothes while sleeping in my warm sleeping bag. But once we opened the tent, we quickly realised that it was around -2 as we could see the frost on the tent. Somehow our bodies have already gotten used to the early rises so waking up for the sunrise was not a challenge anymore.

The plan for today was to head over to Tasman Glacier (6km away) and hope to see the sunrise over the lake / glacier. Unfortunately we didn’t get the great views we were expecting, but we still made do with what we were presented.

The day went pretty much the same as the previous 2, with battery charging, eating and some driving around.

As we were completely drained from the sunset yesterday, when we had to go up 2200 steps, we decided to go for the same lookout at Tasman Glacier as it was simple and had potential.

As you can see, today was more of a break day, as the plan for tomorrow is Wanaka its Diamond lake and Rocky mountain.

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MtCook

NZ Photography Trip – Day 4

April 19th, 2017

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any colder… 0° tonight. It’s 5am again, and we’re off for another sunrise photoshoot.

Rinse repeat with the battery charging – me sitting in the visitor centre waiting for everything to charge, while Anton is off taking photos somewhere. Some instant soups, apples and bananas later, its time for another hike!

Today to see the sunset we didn’t just hike a mountain. Oh no. We went up 2200 steps of Sealy Tarns Track to get a great view of the whole valley. It was tougher then expected. Hiking up a incline is one thing, but going up steps for 1.5 hours is a completely different beast. It reminded me of the tour du mont blanc, where you face steep climbs and challenging terrain, but this felt even more intense in such a short time.

The whole time we were going up – not a single cloud (at all, just clear blue skies; thats not that great for landscape photos). We finally reached the top of this track and we got a gorgeous view of both Mt Cook and the valley with the village.

Just when we thought that walking up was hard, going down was even worse. We could feel our legs shaking by the end of it, but we knew we had to keep going. It was pitch black and all we could see is the step beneath us thanks to our flashlights, and the stars above us. Oh the stars were absolutely amazing. We could clearly see the whole Milky Way every day, as no light pollution at all!

Once that was over, what awaited us was going to be the coldest night of our whole trip.

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NZ Photography Trip – Day 3

April 18th, 2017

Another day, another early rise. This time so we can get to our next stop – Mt Cook Village. But first a sunrise at lake Pukaki. After driving about 5km on a dirt road, we stumbled upon 2 cars parked next to a pond, and a bunch of people with tripods next to it. So we figured that that must be some kind of photography group or tour, as there was 1 guy who was teaching people what to set their settings to, to achieve certain creative effects. “Perfect” – we thought to ourselves, “if a photography group is here, this must be a good spot!”. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to get many good shots, due to the mountain ranges being pretty much fully covered in clouds, but was still a good stop.

Mt Cook Village is a small touristy village, with a grand hotel, visitor centre and a few restaurants. It also has a camp site – White Horse Camp Site, which is 2km away from the village itself. Unlike the one in lake Tekapo, this one doesn’t have electricity or hot water. That proved to be a rather big issue, especially because I only had one battery for my new camera, which would die after 1 day of shooting and a night of freezing in the cold.

We improvised by going to the local (back in the village – 2km drive) cafe and visitor centre to replenish the power in both the battery and our own bodies.

The plan for the sunset for today was to go to Hooker Valley – 1.5 hour hike one way. It wasn’t a hard hike, more like a walk, but still took a while. During the walk we made numerous stops to take photos of Mt Cook – the tallest mountain in New Zealand. And then at the end was the glacier lake – Hooker Lake with a gorgeous view of Mt Cook and its reflection in the lake.

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Unlocking the Thrills at Playcroco: A Comprehensive Guide

April 18th, 2017

Online casinos have revolutionized the way we experience gaming, bringing the thrill and excitement of gambling right to our fingertips. Among the plethora of online casinos available today, Playcroco stands out as a favorite for many enthusiasts. But what makes Playcroco online casino a must-visit destination for both new and seasoned players? In this article, we’ll delve deep into what Playcroco offers, how you can maximize your experience, and why it’s garnering rave reviews.

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The platform’s layout is intuitive, ensuring easy navigation through its extensive game library. Safety is another pillar of the Playcroco Casino experience. The site employs cutting-edge encryption technology to protect personal data and financial transactions. This focus on security allows players to gamble with peace of mind.

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The Playcroco app is an essential tool for mobile gamers. Downloading the app is straightforward, and once installed, the Playcroco login functions flawlessly. The app mirrors the desktop experience, providing access to the same features and promotions. With efficient loading times and responsive design, the app ensures that you stay entertained without technical hiccups.

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Lake Tekapo

NZ Photography Trip – Day 2

April 17th, 2017

Early to bed, early to rise right? Well, it was 5am and we had to be ready to hike up a mountain. Mount John was our first target. Apparently the whole lake would have been visible from the top, if it wasn’t covered in clouds… We only got a small glimpse above the layer of clouds and fog, until it consumed us as well.

That was not the best morning, but shortly after coming down form MT. John the clouds cleared up and gave us some beautiful views of lake Tekapo. After brunch and some shopping we went on another photo hunt, this time with seasonal trees and beautiful mountains.

For the sunset we went up the same mountain, but this time, the sky was completely clear, and the valley was just breathtakingly beautiful. We welcomed the night on the top of Mt John and then got some great shots of the milky way above it.

At that point I realised that my battery was dying on me and that this might prove a problem for the whole trip. A full charges takes about 2 hours, and I couldn’t just leave it overnight in the communal kitchen of our camp. That was a rather long evening of sitting there, charging my batteries and playing Pokemon Moon on my 3DS.

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New Zealand Photography Trip – Day 1

April 16th, 2017

I recently got myself a new Camera – Canon 5D Mark IV. So of course I need to test it out by taking photos of the most beautiful landscapes in the world – New Zealand.

My colleague – Anton and I embarked on a journey to the land of Middle Earth, with one goal in mind: “take as many beautiful landscapes as possible”.

NZ 2017 Day 1 – 16th April:

We flew from Sydney to Christchurch on an Emirates Airbus A380, like you normally would, and enjoyed the great entertainment that was provided to us onboard. Upon arrival we instantly encountered our first issue – getting held up by quarantine. We were carrying a tent, so to remove all possible remnants of soil, quarantine had to inspect and vacuum it. After a small delay and a quick lunch, we collected our rental car and drove about 270km to Lake Tekapo. Arriving at around 10pm, our next struggle was to set up our tent. That proved a bit more difficult than initially expected. Mainly because it was 4 degrees outside, a bit windy, and we couldn’t figure out how to assemble the thing. Eventually we got it done and I spent my first night in a tent. Oh we also took some night shots of the church!

Tekapo Church

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Sand Dune Photography

March 5th, 2017

I figured it about time I upgrade my kit. I love landscape photography, but I was constrained by my camera and lenses. So before embarking on a new journey, I upgraded a bit of my kit. I ordered the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM from Amazon Japan. Its so much cheaper from Japan then here in Sydney, so happy with the cheaper price I got.

So to test out this new baby, Anton and I headed for Port Stevens to take photos of some dunes. The weather wasn’t the best, but we still got some good pics:

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flexboxes

CSS Flexboxes

February 26th, 2017

Today I would like to tell you all about this awesome property that CSS got a while back, but is now finally fully supported by all browsers and should be used by all web designers and developers. This property is called Flexbox or display: flex.

Why should you use it, you might ask. The reality of it is, if you have ever tried to centre something vertically and horizontally in CSS, you know the struggle that it is, and you know how after swearing at the screen for 30 minutes, you’d just end up cheating and setting the pixels manually, cause nothing else works. What if I told you that flexboxes allow you to centre an item within a container with 3 lines of code, and it would consistently work across all browsers? Well it can:

display: flex;
align-items: centre;
justify-content: center;

Flexboxes use the concept of a container and items within it, and uses tools like: justify and align to determine the position of the items within the container. Furthermore, you can easily flip the direction (order) of the items using flex-direction, change the direction from row to column and  grow and shrink the items with just a few lines of code. Its that simple.

I have started using flexboxes at work exclusively, and have not even had to write another "margin: 0 auto" in months! Now I am in the process of fixing up the anime club sites with the same stuff, to make them more robust and the code cleaner and more manageable.

If you want to learn more about this, then here is a link to CSS Tricks, a great website for learning about various interesting css properties and selectors.

Also there is a flexbox game, where you can learn how to align elements in various ways. Unfortunately though, they dont show you the code, but you can work it out from the buttons you are pressing on their UI.

And here is an article (with GIFs), that goes over all the flex box selectors and explains how they work.

Desbloqueando los Mejores Bonos en Betfair Casino

January 13th, 2017

Betfair casino online es una plataforma que atrae a muchos jugadores con sus promociones. En esta guía, nos centramos en cómo usar los bonos de manera efectiva. Desde el bono de bienvenida hasta las ofertas regulares, te damos información clara. Imagen de casino Conocer los detalles te ayuda a tomar decisiones informadas. Usa esta revisión para aprovechar al máximo tu tiempo en Casino Betfair.

Introducción a los Bonos de Betfair Casino

Los bonos en Betfair casino son herramientas para mejorar tu juego. Ofrecen más fondos o giros gratis al depositar. Muchos jugadores buscan estas ventajas al elegir un casino online. Es importante entender cómo funcionan. Los términos varían, así que lee siempre las condiciones. Betfair casino tiene una reputación por ofertas sólidas y transparentes.

Los tipos de bonos incluyen el de bienvenida, recargas y giros gratis. Cada uno tiene reglas específicas. Por ejemplo, algunos bonos requieren un código promocional. Otros se activan automáticamente. Conocer estas diferencias te ayuda a planificar tus depósitos. En general, Betfair casino online mantiene promociones que se adaptan a varios estilos de juego.

Bono de Bienvenida: Detalles y Requisitos

El bono de bienvenida en Betfair casino suele ser el más grande. Normalmente, es un porcentaje de tu primer depósito. Digamos que depositas 50 euros y obtienes un 100% extra. Eso te da 100 euros en total para jugar. Este bono requiere que cumplas ciertos requisitos de apuesta. Estos requisitos indican cuánto debes apostar antes de retirar las ganancias.

Para reclamar el bono, registra una cuenta y haz tu primer depósito. Asegúrate de activar la oferta si es necesario. A veces, debes ingresar un código en la caja de pago. Los términos pueden cambiar, así que verifica la página de promociones. En Casino Betfair, el bono de bienvenida a menudo viene con giros gratis adicionales. Esto añade valor a tu experiencia inicial.

Recuerda que el bono tiene un plazo límite. Debes usarlo dentro de un tiempo específico, como 30 días. Si no lo haces, podrías perder los fondos. Además, algunos juegos contribuyen más a los requisitos que otros. Las tragamonedas suelen contar al 100%, mientras que los juegos de mesa pueden contar menos. Revisa la lista de juegos elegibles en los términos.

Promociones Regulares y Códigos Promocionales

Además del bono de bienvenida, Betfair casino ofrece promociones regulares. Estas incluyen bonos de recarga los fines de semana o giros gratis en nuevos juegos. Los códigos promocionales son clave aquí. Son cadenas de texto que introduces al depositar para activar una oferta. Por ejemplo, un código podría darte un 50% extra en tu depósito del viernes.

Para encontrar estos códigos, visita la sección de promociones en el sitio web. También puedes suscribirte a los boletines por correo. Betfair casino online actualiza sus ofertas con frecuencia, así que mantente atento. Algunas promociones son exclusivas para jugadores existentes. Esto recompensa la lealtad y te anima a seguir jugando. Usar códigos puede aumentar significativamente tu bankroll.

Requisitos de Apuesta (Wagering Requirements)

Los requisitos de apuesta son una parte esencial de los bonos. Indican cuántas veces debes apostar el bono antes de retirar. Por ejemplo, si obtienes un bono de 100 euros con requisitos x35, debes apostar 3,500 euros. Esto asegura que el casino no pierda dinero por regalar fondos. En Betfair casino, los requisitos suelen estar entre x30 y x40, dependiendo de la oferta.

Es crucial entender cómo se calculan. El bono y el depósito a veces se combinan para los requisitos. Otros términos incluyen límites de apuesta máxima cuando usas fondos de bonos. Juegos como las tragamonedas suelen tener contribución completa. Los juegos de mesa, como el blackjack, pueden contar solo un 10%. Revisa los términos para evitar sorpresas. Este video puede ayudarte a visualizar el proceso.

Consejos para Maximizar los Bonos

Para sacar el máximo provecho de los bonos en Betfair casino, planifica tus depósitos. Elige ofertas con requisitos de apuesta más bajos cuando sea posible. Juega en juegos que contribuyan al 100% a los requisitos. Esto te permite cumplirlos más rápido. Además, establece un presupuesto y apégate a él. Los bonos pueden tentarte a apostar más, pero juega de manera responsable.

Mantente informado sobre nuevas promociones. Betfair casino online añade ofertas regularmente. Usa los códigos promocionales correctamente para no perder beneficios. Si tienes dudas, contacta al servicio al cliente. Ellos pueden aclarar los términos específicos. En general, los bonos en Casino Betfair son una buena manera de extender tu tiempo de juego. Aprovecha las ofertas que se alineen con tu estilo.

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Bonos de Recarga Porcentaje extra en depósitos específicos x30
Giros Gratis Número de giros gratis en tragamonedas seleccionadas x40
Promociones por Tiempo Limitado Ofertas especiales en eventos o festividades Varía

En resumen, los bonos en Betfair casino pueden mejorar tu experiencia si los usas bien. Entiende los términos, cumple los requisitos y juega de forma segura. Para más detalles sobre las ofertas actuales, visita Betfair. Esta guía te da las bases para tomar decisiones informadas en tu juego online.

Mongolian Throat Singing

January 8th, 2017

You know that country between Russia and China? That country that no-one really talks about at all, and the last time was involved in something was in the 1200s. I am of course talking about Mongolia.

Recently I have been researching interesting places in the world to travel to, and Mongolia is high up on that list, of obscure places where people don’t usually travel to. Once of the reasons my eyes were set on Mongolia, was due to this beautiful performance and the stunning views behind him. As a photography enthusiast, I just jump at any opportunity to take some amazing shots of exotic places around the world. And I believe Mongolia will offer me some great views.

Lets hope that my plans work out and in 2018 Feb I will cruising down the valleys of Mongolia.