Our First Full Day with the AWAI in Venice

We took a vaporetto along the Grand Canal to San Marco

Our first full day of the AWAI photography workshop was full on. We began the day in small groups in San Marco and the surrounding area photographing the iconic sights of Venice.

 The Basilica in San Marco

Beautiful mosaics decorate the entrances

More beautiful mosaics

After a well-earned lunch, there was a two-hour classroom session on Lightroom, the software programme specially designed for photographers to enhance their images. This was followed by a visit to a mask-maker and a paper-maker.

Carlo Marega with a wall of his hand-made masks

The mask-maker was Carlo Marega, of Atelier Marega, who gave us a fascinating glimpse into the art of hand-made Venetian masks. His masks are constructed of “paper-machè”, and he follows the traditions of the ancient mask-makers dating back to the beginning of the XIVth century.

This is a traditional "plague doctor's" mask. The beak was filled with 

sweet-smelling herbs to protect the doctor from inhaling the the 

foul air and catching the plague. The doctor also wore a long coat and a 

large hat to keep his body covered as further protection.

 We watched how the masks are made with layers of card and glue.

Carlo Marega uses a card, something like construction paper, and although his masks are only made with three layers of card and glue, they are surprisingly strong and durable. Every mask is uniquely decorated, even if the base moulds are reused many times.

Carlos Marega also showed us how gold-leaf is applied to the masks

Our next stop was at the home of Alberto Valese, who makes hand-decorated paper, with a system first developed in the Byzantine era, called ebru. He studied for many years in Istanbul, and is the only foreign artist recognized as a "master" in Turkey. One of Alberto's specialities, is the marbled paper that was originally imported through the Silk Road from Japan and China to Turkey, and gradually spread throughout Europe during the XVII century.

Alberto Valese demonstrates his technique of splashing different paints 

onto a water and gel surface, before carefully placing the paper 

on top to absorb the pattern.

Paint on the surface of the gel

The patterned paper is then dried on racks. Every design is unique.

Alberto Valese also demonstrated the highly specialised technique 

of painting on the gel with very fine brushes, to produce a 

uniquely Turkish design

The finished design.

This day was amazing, and I waited with anticipation to see what the next day would bring.

Ultimate Photographer's Expedition, Venice 2011

"My beautiful, my own My only Venice - this is breath! Thy breeze Thine Adrian sea-breeze, how it fans my face! Thy very winds feel native to my veins, And cool them into calmness!" – Lord Byron, ‘The Two Foscari’

Byron expressed what many of us feel about Venice, it is so easy to fall in love with this unique city. I was lucky that Venice is only a two-and-a-half hour flight from Istanbul, so I was able to fly in on the morning of our first day at the Ultimate Photographer's Expedition, Venice, Italy 2011.

We stayed in the Hotel Abbazia, close to the Santa Lucia railway station. The hotel is housed in a restored ancient Abbey, that of the Discalced (barefoot) Carmelite Brothers, and many of the original features still remain. My room was up four flights of stairs (there is no lift), so I had plenty of exercise! There are rooms on the ground floor, but they must have decided that I looked fit enough to cope with all those stairs!

We gathered together at 2 pm, for our first meeting with Lori Allen, Director of the Travel Division at American Writers & Artists Inc (AWAI); professional photographer, Rich Wagner, and our Venice guide Kathy Scopin of Fantastica Italia. Introductions over, Rich checked our camera knowledge, before we all headed to a local cicchetteria for anti-pasta, a glass of wine, and an impromptu Italian lesson. 

Attendees getting to know one another. 

Lori is in the middle in a turquoise dress.

The other side of the table, with Rich in the centre, and

Kathy in blue next to him.

After dinner in another restaurant, new-found friends, Dave and Susan, stopped off with me for a delicious glass of Baileys Dream Shake (ie Baileys, ice-cream and cream) before heading back to prepare for our first day of photography with Rich Wagner.

Oh, incredibly yummy!

uShaka Marine World, Durban

Entrance to uShaka Marine World, Durban.

When we visited uShaka Marine World in Durban, the day was cold, windy and overcast. The upside to this was that there were few other visitors, so we were free to stroll around at will, unimpeded. uShaka Marine World is a vast complex of over 15 hectares (37 acres). We didn't have time to cover everything, so we confined our visit to Sea World, which has the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere, housed in a very realistic recreation of a 1920s shipwreck.

The replica 1920s wreck looks very convincing, both inside and out.

 

I don't know what kind of fish this is, but it was HUGE!

Shannon was fascinated by the fish, although rather a little scared.

Jordan was intrigued by the sea turtles.

I agree with Jordan, it's amazing watching the turtles swimming underwater.

 

There were lots of weird sea creatures (that's not a rock bottom left!)

We were there at feeding time, when the divers take to the aquariums.
This diver was putting morsels of fish into the mouth of a stingray.

From the aquarium, we went to see the dolphin show. Excitement mounted 

as the drummer announced the beginning of the entertainment.

The dolphins performed for us, they were delightful to watch

...and were rewarded with food.

Afterwards, they showed their appreciation by wagging their tails!

We all had such fun at the uShaka Marine World in Durban. It was a great end to our stay. The next day, David and I flew back to Istanbul. Here's to the next time! Thank you Jane, Sean, Shannon and Jordan.

The Shongweni Farmers' Market, KZN

 Hand-woven baskets for sale at the Shongweni Farmers' Market KZN

We made an early start last Saturday, in order to get to the Shongweni Farmers' Market. Open only between 6 and 10 am, this popular market is well worth a visit. The range of goods and produce on sale is amazing, and very good value.

We bought some delicious pesto and dips 

from this delightful Greek gentleman

All sorts of enterprising people have stalls in the market

...you don't even have to have large quantities to sell

There were even some owls, and other small creatures, exhibited

by an animal rescue centre, looking for donations

Jane and the children went to look at a magnificent metal rhino, among other animals and birds, being sold by some Zimbabwean entrepreneurs

Shannon enjoyed a cream cake

...and so did Jordan!

There are also buskers to entertain the crowds

We thought this young violinist was rather enterprising

...possibly recruited by his elder brother!

Overall, Shongweni Farmers' Market is a great place to visit on a Saturday morning in Kwa Zulu Natal. I hope I get to go again next time I visit Jane and family!