Paul Tombleson

I had set my self up to get in some shooting both in the water and out, but now all that seems dashed. The weather has turned nasty with very strong winds and rain pounding the island relentlessly. The good part is I get the third part of the tropical rhythm section to play regularly… that being the rain on the tin roof and yes it is wonderful but not all day and night however!

Harbor Lights

There are a few respites in the weather and it is during one of these Trevor and I go down to the harbor area for a late afternoon shoot. Trev has the new Nikon D7000 with a Tamron 18-270 lens. A great combination and I can see what all the hoopla is about with this camera. It has a few nice features including the HD video, duel SD cards, U1 and U2 programmable switchable mode and excellent low light capability for the price. What little I got to play with it I really liked… lucky bugger Trev!

With this short window of opportunity we make the most of this windy but sometimes-sunny end of day before heading to Ravis Indian restaurant for dinner. So for 40 minutes we are in bliss exploring the boats and dockside while watching the sun play hide and go seek with the clouds and our potential shots. But this just adds to the fun and while we are off in our own directions we end up taking many similar shots.

High and Dry

The weather continues like this for the rest of my stay so these are the only images I have of the final week. Not to worry, I’m here to catch up with family and that I did.

Neighbor Saying Goodbye

One highlight worth a mention is my appearance on the “Whatever Treva” radio show as a special quest. It was fun to be on the radio again (as many of you know I was a minor radio personality in the San Francisco Bay area back in the mid 1980’s) and the banter and laughs with big brother Trevor was a highlight indeed.

So now it is off to the airport and the intolerable wait to get through security. I don’t wish to criticize the extra precautions taken with all the heightened tensions after the successful Navy Seal team 6 mission… I think I will leave it there as I love Rarotonga… but to say I was disappointed with the process is an understatement.

28 hours later I’m back in North Carolina where when I left the trees were bare… now they are green and the cries of hungry baby birds in their nests fill my back yard. Summer is just days away.

The Fleet is in... Hide the Women and Children!

I trust you enjoyed your free trip down under albeit through my lens? Until next time, thanks for coming along.