I finally pulled the trigger and registered my own domain: www.GoCraftyMe.com. After a few days of poking around the self-hosted wordpress site, I decided to stay with the current theme and layout, so you won’t feel too much of a difference. Please update your RSS feed, and come to the new site for a visit!
Last week, I joined this night sky photography group to learn how to shoot the moon and startrails. It was very cool! After a few tries to adjust ISO and shutter speed, I was able to get this picture, I can’t wait to shoot during mid autumn festival!
Then the group headed to a parking lot of a hiking trail in the middle of nowhere. It took me some time to get focus. ISO 1600, 25 seconds exposure. I only got about 14 photos when I left around 11:30pm. But watching Startrails software stacking them one by one was simply amazing!
They are not bad for the first try, right? I am looking forward to the next meetup.
Lisbon also has a name of “City of Seven Hills”, yes, it’s very hilly. When I got off at Baixa station the first time, I was totally lost. Luckily, I bought 7 day data plan sim card on my phone, looking at the map was not helpful, I had to use google navigation! Such a short distance on the map could mean a very steep uphill. It has great weather though. Although my photography tour guide told me it was unusual to have such August weather in June, the air was not humid, which was good news for tourists.
Great city view from Castelo de São Jorge:
More amazing view at the bottom of the castle, overlooking Alfama and the Tejo river:
Famous Tram that takes tourists up the hill:
Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon:
I spent 6 days in Portugal, a beautiful, peaceful, and friendly country. Reception at hotel was trying to help in every possible way; waiter in restaurant would remind me to wear backpack on the front, etc. What can I ask more for a vacation?
Other than the main tourist attractions in the city, day trip always excites me. Somewhere away from the city centre, some place more peaceful, something that’s very different. I went to Sintra, and it’s only 30 mins train ride from Lisbon.
Moorish Castle, a hint of Beijing’s Great Wall.
Pena National Palace, beautiful exterior colors, exquisite interior details.
After waiting for an hour for the bus, and another 40 minutes bus ride, I arrived at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Portugal and Europe. Breathtaking scenery, I couldn’t resist of a photo! It would be nice if I could stay to shoot the sunset, but the last bus to leave was at 9pm. Maybe next time!
Life is . . . 