Coming back home is never easy.
Not after a holiday like the one I just had.
Bruce and I spent a week in Croatia & Montenegro last week, and by the end of it, we just didn't want to come back. I kept my expectations low, even though both countries were high on my list of must-visit/must-photograph places, and both came highly recommended by friends.
The holiday turned out to be a photographers dream.
Wherever we turned, there was something begging to be photographed - benches, rooftops, even doors! Such old doors that seemed to guard the age-old secrets of time itself. The crystal-clear waters in about 20 shades of blue and turquoise is probably what I'll remember the most because usually, the clear and colourful parts are few and far between. But in Croatia & Montenegro, the water is clear and stunningly turquoise just about everywhere, and being immersed in it is like floating in air molecules that have turned fluid, if only just for a while.
I also set myself a challenge to only photograph with my new fixed 50mm f/1.8 lens on this holiday, forcing me to capture more of the beauty in the details, instead of just the obvious. It forced me to look at things very differently and it made me think every time I was about to click the button: if I take this photo now, will it encapsulate my experience of this moment, of this time, of this country?
It's funny how when I'm on holiday I hardly take photos of the food. I think it's because I do it all the time here at home, so when I am on holiday, it's just that - I'm on holiday. That's not to say that the food wasn't amazing. We had some great food (expect me to attempt making some of it for this blog!), but the biggest surprise was having the best fish I've ever tasted, on a tiny boat, caught and grilled right there on the boat, on our way to the Elafiti Islands.
We've come back with so many beautiful memories of our trip. And it was so much more than just a holiday and beautiful memories. It was a true experience, one that opened up my eyes and my senses to the beauty that is all around me, all the time.
What have you heard of Croatia & Montenegro? Have you been? If so, do share your memories, I'd love to hear all about it. If you haven't been to either, I implore you to visit. You won't regret it.
(PS: Congratulations to the winner of last week's KitchenAid giveaway! And a big welcome to all my new blog subscribers - I have many more exclusive giveaways lined up for you, which you will all be automatically entered into once they're announced, so stay tuned).
More photos after the jump.
