2007

golden gate bridge in fog by Sarka Holeckova

Morning in my backyard – San Francisco, California

You may have seen this photograph before but I decided to share the story behind it because it’s one of the photos that take me back to the moment whenever I look at it.

I have tried to photograph the majestic golden gate in its foggy glory several times but it’s not as easy catching the “right” fog as one might think.

One winter evening I see the fog rolling in and set my alarm for an early morning adventure. I drive across the bridge to the Marin Headlands, park my car and start hiking. It’s pitch black, quiet and the air is cold. Still half asleep, my mind wonders about how many coyotes are watching me from behind the bushes, I think to myself: ”What am I doing here so early?” The hill seems a lot steeper at 5 am than it really is. I work up a little bit of a sweat lugging my camera equipment and once I get to the top there is my reward: sleepy city covered with a thick foggy blanket slowly waking up, putting on an amazing color show, changing from pink and purple to orange and golden right in front of me.

After I take a few photos, I sit down and soak up the moment. It feels like I’m on a little dreamy island way up in the clouds. I used to hate the fog when I first moved to San Francisco but after a while it grew on me. There is something mystical about it …

This morning’s sunrise put a smile on my face and I realized you don’t always have to travel far away to see and experience beautiful things. It’s not easy, crawling out of warm covers before sunrise, but I’ll tell you, it’s absolutely worth it!

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Taos Pueblo lies about 1 mile north of the town of Taos, set in the foothills of the largest peaks in New Mexico. It is the only living Native American community designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The multi-story adobe buildings are made out of earth mixed with water and straw, then either poured into forms or made into sun-dried bricks.

The pueblo artisans, inspired by timeless traditions, produce beautiful handcrafted wares with clay, leather, wood and stone.

Vietnam sand dunes photographed by Santa Barbara based travel photographer Sarka Photography

Vietnam’s Sahara

Bau Trang Sand dunes lay 65 km North-East of Phan Thiet in Vietnam. Renting a motorbike or a Jeep in MuiNe and cruising along the beautiful coast makes for a great day trip. Hiking through the Saharan-like dunes can be quite challenging in the heat but definitely worth the experience. A small stand of pine trees sitting on the southern end of the dune lakes offer a perfect spot to escape the intense sun. The best time to visit is at sunrise or sunset to catch the changing colors from pure white to golden orange.

Morocco-medina-fez photographed by San Francisco and Santa Barbara travel photographer Sarka Holeckova Sarka Photography

Back in the medieval times – Morocco

I must admit traveling through Morocco can be quite overwhelming. The minute you step off the boat, you know you have arrived somewhere very different. Dusty towns, bustling markets, aggressive taxi-drivers, the sound of the call to prayer, women covered in veils and intense looks from every direction certainly make for a mind opening experience. The most interesting and my favorite part, was getting lost in the medina, especially in Fez. The incredible maze of nine thousand twisting alleys and blind turns crammed with shops, restaurants and mosques takes you back to the “medieval times”. I strolled through the shady streets, brushing against people and overloaded donkeys, passing hundreds of workshops piled with intricately woven rugs, colorful ceramics, embroidery, woodwork and ornate jewelry. I followed the exotic smells of mint and spices, and wanting to escape the constant attention of the shopkeepers, I sat down on little doorstep in a side alley and watched the day unfurl in front of me, with the fingers of sunlight threading their way into the busy market …

Sagunto Castle in Spain photographed by San Francisco and Santa Barbara travel photographer Sarka Holeckova Sarka Photography

Castle of Sagunto – Spain

Located in the northern part of Valencia province at the Sierra Calderona foothills. The walls of the ruined old fortress are nearly 1 km (over 1/2 mile) long and spread over the hillside with sweeping views over the Mediterranean coast and the town of Sagunto. The castle was built over several centuries and thus shows the evidence of Iberian, Carthaginian, Roman as well as Moorish occupation.

Sagunto castle in spain photographed by Sarka Holeckova San Francisco and Santa Barbara travel photographer

Vietnam Halong Bay by Sarka Holeckova San Francisco and Santa Barbara travel photographer

Floating Village – Vietnam

Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. It’s quite a journey to get there. Hopping on the traditional junk boat and sailing off into the dense cluster of nearly 2000 limestone islands formed over 500 million years ago almost feels like a fairy tale.

As the local legend says, the “Bay of Descending Dragons” was created when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders and the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. The dragons began spitting out jewels and jade, which turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form barriers against the invaders.

Sitting on the upper deck of the boat, facing the cold breeze, I take in this exceptional scenic beauty while our boat maneuvers through the maze of the protruding rock formations. The limestone pillars topped with thick jungle vegetation, change dramatically rising out of the ocean and coming out of the foggy curtain as we get closer and pass them. The unusual shapes and silhouettes of the rugged rocks provoke my imagination to find new names based on their resemblance.

The further we go, the more isolated and remote I feel. Passing sheer cliffs, hidden caves, few boats and fishermen, I didn’t expect to see a whole “floating village”! Tiny little houses tucked in between the limestone towers peacefully rock with the sound of the ocean. Painted with bold vivid colors, they stand out against the bright blue sky and the green cliffs. After we set the anchor nearby, I jump in a kayak and paddle closer to the floating settlement to take a glimpse and see how the fishermen live. It’s quiet, peaceful and I feel small surrounded by the massive stone islands. Sailing through the mystical labyrinth of Halong Bay is definitely a great experience carved in my mind forever.

Vietnam Halong Bay by Sarka Holeckova San Francisco and Santa Barbara travel photographer