St Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti

December 15, 2015

On the road between Nelson and Westport, or (Abel Tasman and the West Coast), you pass the Nelson Lakes National park. St Arnaud is a little detour worth the view. There is the first DoC campsite with hot shower I stayed at, with the most magnificent view of the lake and the surrounding mountains from the shelter. As it is usual in New Zealand, the weather is unbelievably changeable in one day and you can have summer sun and brownish mountain top changing to rain, then low clouds giving way to snow on the mountain top. The night was wet and cold and surprised everyone. But the words of the snow higher up made everyone go towards the lake to enjoy the view, bearing a smile on their face, almost forgiving the painful cold.

You can enjoy nice walks around lake Rotoiti, in the Honeydew trees forrest. You can let your curiosity push you to touch the liquid coming out of the tree and then lick your finger. You might feel like the many bell birds coming in the forest to feast on the trees...

Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park

December 13, 2015

Doing the Abel Tasman Great walk is a wonderful thing to do. Marahau is going a good place to start / end your "Tasmanian" stay.

If you are not looking forward to this beautiful track, you can shorten your stay and use the water-taxis to take you to parts of the National Park, walk parts of the track you chose, enjoy the beaches and the turquoise waters, then take a water-taxi back to Marahau.

All boat skippers have witty personality, and can easily change drop offs if it is convenient enough.

I don't know if the track won't turn into a mud pool after heavy rains, but on good days, it is a family friendly track to do. You can even arrange with the water taxis to drop your bags off where you'll camp so you enjoy the walk without carrying your heavy bag.

The waters are so clear that it is a perfect place to rent a kayak when the sea is calm. You can get close to seals, get introduced to their newborn pups swimming not far from them. They are really friendly in water, but are more aggressive on land, as they are not as mobile as they can be when swiming.

You can walk through tunnels revealing themselves when the tide is low

Discover lots of creeks and bays along the track

Swim or paddle amongst curious seals, they are very friendly in water, just don't wet too close on land as they are not as mobile and feel threatened

Waiting for the water-taxi to pick me up

Some creeks are only accessible by land...

Picton, Nelson

December 10, 2015

When you cross from the North Island to the South Island via water way from Wellington to Picton, the ferry navigates through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

The city center itself is not particularly eye candy, but the surrounding sound most certainly are. Take the scenic route whenever you can, it is longer but you get a such a view! Take some time to walk the Queen Charlotte Track or part of it. If the weather plays the game, you will be able to enjoy nice views of the Marlborough Sounds. You can take a boat tour and navigate areas that you would take a lot of time to reach otherwise, and other places you would need to be allowed as they are on private properties. After a long day of walking, reward yourself with green mussels, the local delicacy.

There are plenty of places to stop in and around Picton on your arrival or before taking the ferry.

Once you arrive in Nelson, don't miss the city center of this small liveable city. It is full of warmth. There are plenty of nice shops and cafés.

Nelson view from Branford Reserve. You can see the tip of Abel Tasman National Park across the Bay

Napier, Lake Taupo, Waikato River, Huka Falls, Tongariro

December 08, 2015

Napier is an unusual coastal city, facing the Pacific Ocean. As is was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake, the city features a art deco center, and a fair amount of art deco villas and houses in the suburbs. You can easily recognise those house as their architectural style really differ from the usual construction everywhere. The roof is usually flat, some corners can be curved, and you can spot decorative lines on the facades, three are common, but it can also be two.

When I arrived in Napier it was raining, Unfortunately for me, I left my lights on when I parked. Fortunately for me, Kiwis are very friendly and happy to lend a helping hand. I got lucky and found a bike shop open on Sunday late afternoon. I could borrow the wrench I needed to open the lid covering the battery, and then later re-charge the jumper-starter after it failed to start the engine the first time. They made sure the van started before everyone headed to their sleeping quarters.

After this unsuspected adventure, I relaxed in a series of hot pools under the rain, enjoying the view on the ocean.

Lake Taupo with a view on Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe, Mt Tongariro

Driving from Napier to Taupo is an easy 2h30, with the most beautiful part is the road along the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH5) and catching a glimpse of Lake Taupo at every other turn. The lake itself is as big as Hong Kong, so the view is pretty impressive to a novice eye like mine. The closer to Taupo I get and the more impressive the view is, with the view of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu covered in snow past the other end of the lake.

Unbelievably blue Huka Falls on Waikato river

Taupo city center is quiet and pleasant, and has shops to provide visitors, trampers, fishermen, pounamu jewellery seekers, along with a few nice restaurants.

It is easy to walk from the city center along Waikato river, which is wonderfully clear and which colours are extremely vivid. You can go early morning to Spa Thermal Park along Spa road, follow the trail to a wooden bridge, change to your bathing suit and dip in the small warm stream joining the Waikato River. You can easily hop from hot stream pool to cold stream pool and enjoy some time under the scrutiny of passers-by.

You can dry up on the way back to the van and head for Huka Falls, further up on the Waikato River. Incredibly blue. Incredibly loud. Incredibly powerful. The clear blue of the water on the length of the falls is impressive. I've been told it is because of the high amount of oxygen present in the water.

A few people leave from Taupo early morning to do the Tongariro Crossing and return to Taupo in the evening the same day. It's a safe way to do it, but you also spend a considerable amount of time on the road.

Road stop opposite Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve

December 04, 2015

Kapiti Island is situated on the West Coast of the Southern part of the North Island. As it is about 5km away from land, and with continuous and strict pest control, it has ben pest free for quite some time now. No rats, no stoats, no possums or other small mammals have access and destroy, disturb or kill the bird life. It is a paradise for threatened species.

After being greeted by our guide Manaki, we get a little introduction talk about the island and its inhabitants, we are led to the main building and meet Amo the matriarch, she locks us all in one room and make us open our bags. You could sense a certain tension from the moment we entered the main building. After Amo made sure no rodent jumped out of our bags in the room, the tension disappeared, and a warmth took its place. Amo is someone you feel lot of respect for right away.

The bird life is loudly voicing their presence and that surrounds you as soon as your get out of the boat. Of course you are being visited by all sort of curious birds wherever you step. Wekas are never far around you on the tracks, and you have to make sure your bags are closed when you pause for a snack or a sip of water. They will have a look inside your bag for sure if you are not paying attention to it, even empty its content in case something easy to grab and eat could be found.

Wekas have wings but don't fly. They will hop on the bench next to you. They can follow you through the wood, on the trail behind you, or open the road for you.

If you like apples for snack, you might have a friendly visit from a kaka, perching on your shoulder in the hope you would be weak and give them a little bite.

During day time, you can spot a few Takahe in high grass area, a little chick was born, and you could hear the whole family calling each other in soft and sweet "poko poko polo". Never got to see the little chick, though... didn't want to get too close and disturb them all.

I wanted to spot some kiwis by night. Manaki has been a good host and a good guide during my stay, always good eyes and ears to recognise the different birds flying and calling by. I could hear the male kiwis call further up the valley, but they didn't come down down the valley that quickly. They scare easily, you need to wear clothes that don't make noise when you walk, and avoid any ray of light what so ever. I wasn't lucky to spot any that night. Instead I saw lots of wekas that don't seem to ever sleep, they are always around, day and night. Also saw a blue penguin, amazingly far from any shore, probably on its way to his nest.

Kaka having a look on everybody's plate from a fair distance of the dining table

Saddleback / Tieke, first bird in the world to be saved from extinction by people, only seen in sanctuaries

Unless your name is Amo or a very special Kaka, stick to the sign...!

There is always a Weka near you somewhere in the bush

Amo the matriarch of the house is the only one getting away with leaving a plate for the Kaka to play with

Takahe carefully leaving the protection of high grass

If you are a fan of birds, you can spot quite a few if you just look up and around, also if you sit silently for a little while and let them come around you.

Other birds you can spot and/or hear : Blue Duck, Black Swan, Grey Duck, Kokako, Grey Warbler/Roriro, Fantail/Piwakawaka, Whitehead/Popokotea, New Zealand Robin/Toutouwai, Stichbird/Hihi, Tui, Bellbird/Korimako, New Zealand Pidgeon/Kereru, Silvereye/Tauhou, Pied Shag/Karuhiruhi, Little Shag/Kawau Paka, ...

Rangiwahia Hut Trail, Ruahine Forest Park, Manawatu Wanganui

October 13, 2015

Clear sky overnight while on Manawatu Scenic Route

On the way to Lake Taupo, while driving on State Highway 1, you can spot a sign on the road indicating Manawatu Scenic Route. Well, that is tempting enough! You soon find yourself slaloming through landscapes of luxuriant bush and landslides...the usual sheeps and cows...

After selecting a place to camp and use an existing fire pit to grill the sausages of the day, the clear night sky enabled incredible night shots featuring the Milky Way... There was no direct light coming from an electrical source, no lights from any houses around, no street lights,... The beauty of the stars and the length of the Milky Way... What an amazing vue...

What was probably a possum, gave me a few scares in the dark. It really sounds like someone is slowly walking nearby in the bush, without ever getting too close... The moonless dark night makes everything louder and bigger...!

In the morning, the sun soon heated the van and taking breakfast started to be really warm on the skin. Makes me wonder what it will be like in the summer months!

When you keep following the scenic route, you get to Main South Road Junction. From there you can follow the gravel road to Ruahine Forest Park. The Rangiwahia Hut trail is a very nice walk with amazing view over Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe and the Tongariro. You keep playing hide and seek with beautiful views. You also cross a lovely bridge, high above the stream.

Mount Ruapehu covered in snow, Mount Ngauruhoe on the right and part of Tongariro

Kuku Beach, Peka Peka Beach

September 13, 2015

"Last sausage" BBQ on the beach for sunset, Peka Peka Beach

Driving on the West Coast, you have plenty of opportunity to stop at beaches, with easy access. It'S a good excuse for long easy walks and you can enjoy the colourful bird life.

When it's time for sunset, just pick a beach and find your spot. That evening it was Peka Peka Beach, you can drive on the sand along a good stretch, stop for a quick BBQ with your last sausage to make a simple dinner of whatever you find in the van while enjoying the view and keeping warm once the sun disappears completely.

Sunset on Peka Peka Beach with view of Kapiti Islands

Royal spoonbill. This angle doesn't show the spoon-like beak

Tui - a bird you grow fond of

September 12, 2015

Listen to a compilation of Tui songs from Tararua and in the last bit, several Tui birds answering to each other in the Miramar peninsula.

While in the North Island of New Zealand, and in particularly in the Wellington district, you will hear the songs of Tui birds.

I grew fond of them. The songs are made of a variety of complicated sounds and also vary from one area to another.

The Tui is a shy bird, it hides in the tree and they can be difficult to spot.

They sing when they eat berries they love and they are fun to watch up close.

Though they seem to be black from a distance, you can see on a sunny day that they are dark green and blue. They have distinctive white feathers on their throat, which make an easy feature to recognise them.

Learn more about the Tui.

Castle Point, Castle Rock

August 23, 2015

Castle Point is a beautiful place to visit and Castle Rock makes a nice walk with amazing views.
If you need only one reason to go, then how about spending the night there and wake up with the rising sun, having your morning coffee looking at the warm orange light on the sea, and the occasional jogger or dog owner walking on the beach. But just the view with the lighthouse, the riff, the lagoon and of course Castle Rock, so massive and impressive, is worth the trip.

On a clear night, you can see the milky way above the lighthouse.

Castlepoint lighthouse in the evening light

Walking on the riff, you can see an incredible amount of sea shells as they are part of the rock you walk on.

You can make a short 2 hour walk to the top of Castle Rock, along the lagoon and with an breathtaking view of the coast line.

View of the lagoon from the bottom of Castle Rock

View from the top of Castlerock facing North

On the road we stopped near Martinbourough to visit a little glow worm cave, the main adventure being to get to the cave, driving through sheep, walking among cows and being sure we would get to the glow worms with dry feet in the gumboots, and eventually having ice cold water way above the knees!!

It was a little cave, but the magical view of the cave ceiling with all those blue like shining stars makes it a nice experience to do.

Tough life in the van for sunrise at Castlepoint

Putangirua Pinnacles

August 16, 2015

When you drive along the beautiful coastal road of Cape Palliser, you can make a quick stop for a short hour and a half walk in the pinnacles. It will exercise your legs as walking on half soft terrain will require your full attention especially going down, particularly as a lot of rocks are falling down as well. Prepare to get your feet wet in winter as you walk along the river bed and the stream cam be bigger at that time of the year.

You can even find stranded trampers without any light after sunset, looking for their way to the car park. Yes it can be somewhat tricky to find your way across the stream when it has been raining and the stream got a bit bigger.

Otari-Wilson's Bush, Shelly Bay, Mahanga Bay, Scorching Bay, Wellington Harbour, Breaker Bay, Mount Holdsworth

August 05, 2015

When staying in Wellington, there are a lot of walks to do everywhere. You can go to parks, reserves, walk on beaches or in the bush.

You can stare at the beauty of a 800 years old Rimu tree in Otari-Wilson's Bush. You can also enjoy the views of the many difference bays along the Miramar Peninsula. There are many pleasant walks with amazing views in the parks along the shore.

If you feel like escaping the city for a day or two, you can push it to Rimutaka Forest or even Tararua Forest, It is a maximum two hour drive along state highway 2 in the direction of Masterton. There are many small and loop walks as well as greater walks that can take you 2-3 days where you can stop and sleep in the huts along the trails where you can meet other trampers.

8oo year old Rimu in Otari-Wilson's Bush

Owhiro Bay, Red Rocks, Sinclair Head

July 23, 2015 in Travel, New Zealand

Following the road along the coast and Owhiro Bay will lead you to a gravel road only accessible to 4x4 vehicle. If you have a doubt, there is a big pool of water that seems deep enough to make you stop. You then wait for the next 4x4 to drive through it and you realise how deep the pool actually is and how glad you are that you didn't drive through it with your van.

So you park your van and have a nice walk until Sinclair Head via Red Rocks. The view is beautiful. You can see the South Island and it is impressive if Mount Cook is covered in snow. I captured a ferry leaving Wellington and heading to Picton.

On your way there, a local who drove past while he was "walking" his two dogs who were happily running full speed in front and next to the car spoke of hundreds of baby seals further up the road. I was happy to spot a few. One was really playful, he had found a pool of water and he was turning and turning in the water, scrubbing his belly and his face, even his back feet! It resulted at him waving. Sometimes he disappeared completely, only to reappear and start it all again.

Lake Ferry, Onoke Spit, Cape Palliser

July 19, 2015 in Travel, New Zealand

The road to Cape Palliser Lighthouse is beautiful in the morning. Once you get to the lighthouse, you have to turn around to get back to the main road. So you actually get to enjoy it twice!

It is a nice break to spend the nice in Lake Ferry, it is quiet, along Onoke lake, there is a nice pub at the hotel down the road.

The closer you get to the cape, the wilder the coast is. You can even spot sea lions resting on the ground, even on the road, but then they know better and keep going up past the road for a more quiet spot, away from the occasional car passing by, or stopping for pics.

Going up to the lighthouse can be quiet dangerous on windy days, but the view is nice. After sitting in the van for long drives, going up the steps in strong winds is quite a nice exercise for your legs!

Cape Palliser - view from the Lighthouse — Cape Palliser - view from the Lighthouse

Ashhurst Domain, Manawatu-Wanganui

July 12, 2015 in Travel, New Zealand

A friendly and chatty couple walking and playing with their dogs on Te Horo Beach talked about the beauty of the road to Palmerstone North. And so my road discoveries led me to it. A flat tire got me delayed and I drove there by night. I found a nice clean camp site with showers and outdoor kitchen in Ashhurst Domain to spend the night. No one else at the camp. You can enjoy a nice walk in the domain, listen to the birds that have such beautiful and never heard before songs. The Tui birds make such delightful sounds and they also have two white ball like feathers in their front neck that make them look so beautiful if you can spot those shy birds. A real delight.

Only on the next morning could I see the wonderful sight of driving along that gorge. arriving so late at night made me miss the view.

Driving in the Manawatu-Wanganui region is filled with scenery of green hills covered in sheeps and cows, a few houses here and there, the occasional school, a rare field of cabbage. You better venture there with a full petrol tank and don't miss an opportunity to fill it up even if you can still drive on what's left in the tank, there aren't many occasions for that.

Because you are driving up hill and down hill, you do get in and out of clouds and rain very often, you also spot a lot of rainbows. There aren't many dedicated areas to stop, so be prepared to stop on the side of the road for lunch time.

You can stop and have a look at a mount which has the longest name in the world. A dedicated stop area exists for you to safely take a picture of the long sign that mentions it, as well as the explanation to the name.

Tararua Forest Park, Otaki & Te Horo Beach

July 05, 2015 in Travel, New Zealand

Driving to the very end of the Otaki gorge road to find the camp place is quite nice ride, many portions of gravel road, chicken running free and the occasional car waving at you, hunter trucks parked here and there.

Apart from a party of kids based at the camp at the furthest point down the road, there was no one for the night at the little camp a bit before that.

Getting up early to do a 2-3 hour walk was satisfying. No path was visible from the parking lot, it turns out it was hidden behind a luxuriant vegetation. You kind of walk through a tunnel of trees, branches, moss and dead leaves.

As always for any such walk in New Zealand it is advisable to be very responsible. You can fill the intention's book at the nearest caretaker's office and let someone know where you plan to go and when you plan to return. The rapid change of weather condition can bring heavy rain or even snow, which can lead the path to be inaccessible or cut. A huge part of the road fell off after we walked on it. Another part of the path we could only go through because someone left a rope tied on a tree and that helped us climb up back to the path. The heavy rain from two days before created waterfalls from dripping walls and weakened the paths that are already fragile on dry weather.

Driving through Otaki we noticed a small market so we stopped. A few local veggies, arts and crafts, antiques and garage sales, some hot sausages and burgers for the hungry ones... A nice stroll and pause before hitting the road again.

View from the Fenceline Walk path — View from the Fenceline Walk path

Te Horo Beach with view of Kapiti Island

New Zealand, I have landed!!

June 08, 2015 in Travel, New Zealand

!!Click here to watch the Wellington Gallery!!

After landing in Auckland and waiting for some delayed luggage, I eventually caught a following plane and made it to Wellington!!

It feels good to be here, and Wellington is as they say: "the coolest little capital in the world".

Wellington will be the base of this New Zealand adventure, the place to go to and to return to while I'm here.

Everyone here is very friendly and chatty, which is wonderfully pleasant.

Although it is winter here at the moment, I find the temperatures pretty mild after experiencing a winter in Montreal. Temperatures have been varying between 9 and 17*C, but the wind is the tricky part, always present and sometimes very, very strong. I have experienced, as I had been warned, the four seasons in one single day. That makes it hard to dress in the morning for a day you are going to spend outside. The weather can indeed change very fast.

Everywhere you go, in the supermarket, on the streets, in a parking lot or a park, you can spot someone walking bare feet, no matter what age. The streets are clean for sure, but it is more a cultural habit.

While in Wellington you can visit Te Papa Museum, the Zoo, have a stroll in the botanical garden , enjoy the walk along the harbour and Oriental Parade, catch a wonderful panoramic view on top of Mount Victoria and after grab a meal or drink in Cuba street. If you are a movie goer and specially a fan of Peter Jackson, you can push your visit to Miramar peninsula and visit the Weta Cave, maybe even enjoy a screening in Peter Jackson's movie theatre called Roxy in the Center.

You can click on the gallery link to see first impressions of Wellington.

!!Click here to watch the Wellington Gallery!!

Festival Ebène Ivoire - Quebec City, QC, Canada

May 25, 2015

Valerie Clio & Elie Dupuis — Valerie Clio & Elie Dupuis

!! Click here to Visit Gallery !!

On Saturday, May 23rd, I woke up early and took a bus for a 3 hour drive to Quebec City.

I headed to Musée de la Civilisation, where the 5th edition of the Festival Ebène Ivoire took place.

This year the festival successfully raised an amazing 5584,54$ for the Fondation Elan!!

The event was sponsored by Dean Bergeron.

Present this year were : Power woman Valerie Clio from La Voix 2013, talented pianist and singer Elie Dupuis, also present were Marvin T, Abel Maxwell, Annie St Pierre, Laomée, some Gospel power by Gospel Moments, dancing performances from Salsa Attitude and Oreo Rhythm, djembe percussion by school Luma Percussion.

!! Click here to Visit Gallery !!

Chez Roger, QC, CA

May 22, 2015

!! Cliquez ici pour voir la galerie photo !!

Une semaine avec Roger est une expérience et une formidable aventure.

Cela veut dire : rencontre avec d'autres voyageurs, apprendre de leur expérience, partager des histoires, cuisiner et apprendre de nouvelles recettes, apprendre des expressions du cru, recevoir de bons conseils sur les plantes, les graines et les saisons de la part de Roger.

La maison de Roger n'est pas toute jeune, elle a bien vécu, mais elle offre le confort nécessaire à tout voyageur : un toit pour protéger de la forte pluie, un poêle à bois pour se réchauffer lorsqu'il fait froid, une cuisinière pour préparer de bons plats, une grande table de cuisine pour se retrouver et partager de bonnes choses préparées avec amour. Il y a surtout tout à côté de la maison de Roger un poulailler, un potager, une serre et une grange. Côté animaux, il y a chats et huskies, mais aussi poules, coq et pintade.

Il y a donc de quoi s'occuper: labourer, désherber, enlever le chien-dent autour des arbres fruitiers, replanter des crosnes, semer des graines, installer un récupérateur d'eau, planter des graines ou des jeunes pousses, donner à manger aux chiens, déblayer la grange ; mais aussi de quoi bien manger : des oeufs du poulailler, des asperges, de la salade

Roger habite seul dans sa maison, mais il est quasiment tout le temps entouré. Des voisins qui viennent pour un café ou pour lui demander conseil sur des graines ou des pousses, des copains qui demandent ou rendent service, des voyageurs qui viennent passer plusieurs jours à apprendre et aider Roger dans ses tâches, des jeunes de la villes qui viennent lui donner un coup de main chaque semaine.

Roger a le mot facile et l'histoire qui fait rire, avec les expressions du cru en bonus!

Roger est très impliqué dans le vie de la communauté, dans l'Organique, dans le fait de laisser le moins de traces possible de pollution, de déchets, ...

Roger n'a pas vraiment de revenu. Il vend ses légumes au marché chaque semaine, cuisine et fait des conserves avec le surplus qu'il utilise en hiver ou quand les récoltes sont petites ou mauvaises. Il se déplace à vélo la plupart du temps. Il rend beaucoup service, il aime la compagnie, même si c'est pour l'entendre de sa chambre. Il fait confiance à ceux à qui il confie une tâche, c'est une des raisons qui fait que les jeunes adorent être chez lui. Ils se sentent utile chez Roger. Ils y trouvent leur place. Et puis ils peuvent voir le fruit de leur travail évoluer, pousser, être récolté et parfois ils y goûtent pendant un déjeuner. Quel satisfaction!

Tout ça, j'ai pu l'observer et aussi le ressentir en ces quelques toujours passés aux côtés de Roger.

Un vrai régal pour les oreilles, pour les yeux, pour les papilles, pour le coeur.

Roger, un grand MERCI!!

!! Cliquez ici pour voir la galerie photo !!

On Set Photographer for Vine FX, London

November 22, 2014 in On Set

Thanks to Vine FX, I went to Albarracin, Spain.

BBC's Atlantis creator and producer Julian Murphy wished the looks of the city to look like Albarracin, specially the roofs that are so unique.

The medieval town of Albarracin is situated in the mountain, where the fork of the river flows at its feet. There is a massive and well preserved wall above the city.

The evening of the arrival it rained and temperatures dropped drastically. The next morning there was snow covering the surrounding mountains. The weather eventually played along on the third day. It really looked like the dry weather of Greece where the plot is supposed to take place.

I shot over 1500 pictures for texture reference and matte painting material. Huge panoramas (50k) with 3 exposures.

Season 1 first aired on 23 September 2013.

Season 2 first aired on 15 November 2014.

Amira Kheir for Rhythm Passport

November 01, 2014

Watching Amira Kheir live is quite an experience, you wonder where that power in her voice comes from. I had already met Amira for pics, for an interview and also for a session, but I had never seen her perform.

Seeing Amira on stage in Kings Place for London International Festival of Exploratory (LIFE) Music came a bit as a shock, as I couldn't believe the power that could come out of this person I had in front of my camera just a few days before.

There was a world between the soft spoken, smiling face I had captured and the impressive Amira on stage that was just as delicate in her gestures as I remembered her as her determined look in her eyes was new to me.

Both were focused and strongly anchored in the ground even though there was a lightness in her movements.

Wherever life and music will take her, Amira's roots will be right under her feet.

You can read Marco Canepari's review for RhythmPassport and also see some of the pics I took during the concert.