reportage – Seite 9 – rene bauer photography

Israel – Floating in the Dead Sea

„There must be a place to access the Dead Sea, isn’t it?“ I asked the nice young lady at the entrance of En Gedi. I had that experience of floating in the highly saturated salty sea twice when i traveled Jordan in 2014 (click here). Since i’m so close to that unique waters, i wanted have at least another short dip on this side of the sea.

„There’s a spa at seaside nearby, but it costs a fortune to get in“ she replied. „Better drive south to En Bokek. There’s a public beach without an entrance fee.“ she advised me. Thankfully i drove along the coast. The sun already was near the horizon when i arrived at that beach. The town provides changing rooms and fresh water shower at the sandy beach. Behind the beach are a few big, modern hotels and even a shopping mall. People enjoying to float on the water or sunbathing in the late afternoon sun.

Quickly i got myself into the water, and once again felt that strange sensation of the strong buoyancy. Literally lying on the water surface and looking over to the reddish mountains of Jordan, it felt like being on another planet, where gravity is different and light shines from an another sun. That thought carried on when i traveled into the night, followed by a cloud shaped like a space ship.

April 5, 2023März 30, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: humansofplanetearth, Middle East, nature, reportage, roadtrip, travel, waterTags: beach, beachlife, deadsea, Desert, enbokek, holiday, hotel, israel, jordan, landscape, middleeast, mountain, nature, people, renebauerphotography, reportage, saltlake, saltysea, saltywater, sea, Travel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Israel – En Gedi, The Oasis

There’s not just one En Gedi, i found out when i approached the area. My quick research earlier learned me about a kibbutz and a nature reserve, an oasis, with the same name. It’s not exactly the same spot, as i expected. The nature reserve lies not inside the kibbutz, as i thought, but a few kilometer up north of it. So be aware of it if you want visit it.

There’s a parking lot and big picnic area with some shops and cafe in front of the entrance. A friendly young lady at the booth explained me about the ways and activities within the UNESCO heritage nature park. I was poorly prepared about this spot and already bit late on the day. I was happy to learn, there are some shorter walks along a creek. So i followed the ‚wet trail‘ upstream. Beautifully along the green bushes inside a deep valley with incredible views over the Dead Sea. On some rocks i found to my surprise a couple rock hyrax glaring to wandering tourists. These cute mammals are seen often in Southern Africa, known also as rock dassies.

Along the way are several small waterfalls. Day visitors use the chance to have a dip in the tiny pools to cool off or just having a rest there. My walk ended on the higher and more famous David waterfalls. A cool rest under the spray of the falls, a couple pictures taken and the joy of the view for a few minutes longer. Too soon i had to walk back, but on a slightly different route to enjoy the view over the Dead Sea bit more.

April 2, 2023März 30, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: landscape, Middle East, nature, reportage, roadtrip, travelTags: davidfalls, deadsea, Desert, eingedi, engedi, hike, israel, landscape, mountain, nature, oasis, renebauerphotography, reportage, rockdassie, Travel, unesco, view, wander, water, waterfall Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Tel Aviv – Urbanlife

Tel Aviv.

A vibrant city indeed. People strolling along the pedestrian zones, sitting in one of the many cafes at a square or in a park or just going shopping in one of the big malls. The mild climate makes it even more comfortable to be in the streets and parks, especially now in the wintertime.

So far not really different to many other modern cities on the world. But then, there’s that mix of smaller, older buildings between big, modern skyscrapers. I can’t make it out a clear line between living area and business district. It’s all fluently.

It’s also lively and colorful, as i find bigger or smaller graffiti everywhere. And a lot of movement too, not only by car, but many by bicycle and e-scooter. A network of bicycle paths makes it easy to navigate trough the city. It’s fun to take one of the rental e-scooter and roaming trough the neighborhood. From time to time i have to stop for a photo or a nice cup of cappuccino, of course.

Februar 28, 2023Februar 28, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: HOPE, humansofplanetearth, reportage, roadtrip, travel, Uncategorized, urbanlifeTags: architecture, bauhaus, bicycle, cafe, city, citylife, downtown, grafiti, israel, jaffa, middleeast, mountedpolice, people, renebauerphotography, reportage, shopping, streetart, streetlife, streetphotography, telaviv, Travel, urbanlife, yafo Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Roma – A Glimpse Of Eternity

A winter day in Rome, known as the eternal city, is perfect for sightseeing. If the sun is shining and the temperatures are mild, even better.

I was surprised how quick i went trough all the entrances and security checks on the main tourist spots.

I’ll spare you all the details of the history and backgrounds, but will link the main attractions to Wikipedia for all those who seek more informations for their own trip to Rome.

For all those ones interested in some pictures, just do it my way: grab a coffee and enjoy what you’ll see:

Februar 25, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: culture, europe, history, reportage, roadtrip, travel, urbanlifeTags: amphitheatre, ancientrome, citylife, colosseum, eternity, europe, italy, pantheon, people, portraits, renebauerphotography, reportage, roma, romanforum, rome, sighseeing, spanishsteps, streetlife, Travel, trevifountain Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

The Cold-Wet In The Italian Apennin

Bad weather forecast for all the Northern Italy. Not only cold, but also lots of rain was predicted. No fun for camping at all.

I had to move on anyway. So i looked up for an alternative route and accommodation.

Go to the Apennin, they said. It’s fun, they said.

Fortunately i booked an apartment, i thought, when the cold creeped in the car as i gained more and more altitude. Around 1200 m a.s.l. the narrow, winding road got snow covered and icy.

Happily and safely i arrived that small unknown village, hidden in the thick fog,

Nobody to see on the street. Even the building, where i booked my apartment seemed abandoned. Only the neighbor opened his window, glared to my car and let me know, i’m parking on his property and have to move the car on the right place. The neighbor watch works all over the world, i thought amused.

Eventually i got into my warm, heated rooms and went out to explore the village. I passed the church and the memorial, which looked even more sad in the cold. A board at the pharmacy shows 4°C only. Many shops are closed down for the season. So are most restaurants and bars.

On the main square were some cars parked. Indeed, there’s a cafe open. Old men were sitting on tables, drinking coffee or beer and playing cards, while other watching and commenting the game. I could feel the eyes following me, when i entered and approached the waitress behind the counter.

Eventually they turned back to the game and to their conversation, while i sip on my cappuccino and observe the scene. The fog made the glass door milky, as if it try to push into the room. I felt like in a time capsule, thrown back 50 years or so, when the only bar in the village was the meeting point and source of the news, inside and outside of their world.

On my way back i found a little store, where i got some groceries, but most important some fresh bread, a small, typically cake, called panettone, and a bottle of red wine. What a cosy evening was awaiting me.

Dezember 18, 2022Januar 2, 2023 by Rene Bauer Categories: culture, europe, food, gastronomy, humansofplanetearth, nature, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, tinatortuga, tradition, travelTags: appennin, europe, italia, italy, landscape, nature, overland, people, renebauerphotography, reportage, rural, Travel, Village, villagepeople, winter 2 Kommentare

In The Boudoir With Thembi

Can we do some boudoir photography? Thembi asked me.

At least we gave it a try…

September 10, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, culture, Fashion, HOPE, humansofplanetearth, photoshoot, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, Southafrica, Uncategorized, urbanlifeTags: Africa, africanbeauty, africangirl, africanmodel, blackandwhite, blackbeauty, blackgirl, boudoir, girl, lingerie, model, people, photoshooting, portraits, proudafrican, reportage, Southafrica, Travel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

At the pump station – somewhere in South Africa

On our search of a good and cool location for another photo shooting we came across this abandon pump station on a farm. We decided for a rather shabby but sexy look. Maybe a bit like the pin-ups from the 70’s, but darker and less colorful.

Thembi got an old, stained, short trouser and a teared shirt. With her curly hair and a stern look, she posed in front of the huge petrol drum. The gas pipe in the hand she gave a self confident look to the camera.

Despite the serious look, it was all fun and we captured few shots. But decide for yourself…

September 6, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, Fashion, HOPE, humansofplanetearth, photoshoot, portrait, reportage, roadtrip, Southafrica, tinatortuga, travel, urbanlifeTags: Africa, beauty, blackbeauty, blackgirl, farm, fuel, fuelpump, girl, Landrover, landroverdefender, model, overland, people, photoshoot, pinup, portraits, pumpstation, reportage, Southafrica, tinatortuga, Travel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Pilanesberg National Park

It’s a long time since my last update here. However, my journey didn’t stopped, but leaded me further west. At the time i got near to Pilanesberg National Park, i thought it’s worth a visit.

Pilanesberg National Park is roughly three hours drive from Johannesburg. Situated on an ancient vulcanic area, it shows a distinct landscape with many hills, valleys and small lakes and ponds. Although the wildlife is not dense as in other national parks, it has a superb birdlife and the stunning landscape offers beautiful viewpoints.

So, i took my time for birdwatching, explored different corners in the park and climbed up the hills for splendid views. I did not encounter many other people here, except that truck got stopped by a white rhino. You can guess who got the right of way.

After a long, peaceful day in the park i still didn’t get enough from the landscape. That leaded me to another idea, together with a young lady i just met outside the park. A plan to combine her request with my fascination for the landscape in the park started to build up. But that’s another story will be told in my next post. Keep tuned!

August 1, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, animal, landscape, nature, reportage, roadtrip, Southafrica, tinatortuga, travel, Uncategorized, wildlifeTags: Africa, birdlife, birdwatching, elephant, gamedrive, landscape, nationalpark, nature, overland, pilanesberg, reportage, rhino, Southafrica, Travel, volcan, wildlife 2 Kommentare

May I Introduce You: Tortuga, Tina Tortuga!

Cars, especially travel cars and camper vans, needs to be named by their owners. I always denied this practice for my vehicles. Officially. But since many years I used to think, and tell in secret, if there’s a name for my beloved Land Rover, it must be „Tortuga“, the Spanish word for tortoise.

„Tortuga“ is not beautiful, but adorable, slow, but strong, nice green, but colored inconspicuous.

My friend Christa told me from a lady, who makes stickers for cars. After a few gin tonics and nice talks, I decided to give my motorized travel companion finally an official name. Now it was to find a nice turtle pictogram or drawing to put it on Tortuga as a sticker. It should be simple, rather cute, but not too childish. I found something appealing, I think. Watch the pics and tell me your opinion on the comments, please.

Marloth Park, the place for the official naming ceremony, couldn’t be better. Free roaming wildlife all over the estate. Lots of green, lush trees and a beautiful riverside to walk or having a sundowner with friends. A spot which means freedom, security and lifestyle at same time.

My friend Christa honored me to be the godmother of Tortuga for this event. After she helped me with the stickers, we got a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate that event. From now an, my Land Rover discovering the world with me not nameless anymore, but as

Tortuga, Tina Tortuga!

#tinatortuga

Tina Tortuga (#tinatortuga) is officially named 🙂

Januar 23, 2022 by Rene Bauer Categories: Africa, landscape, nature, reportage, roadtrip, Southafrica, tinatortuga, travel, Uncategorized, urbanlife, wildlifeTags: Africa, africaoverland, bushlife, Landrover, landroverdefender, landscape, marlothpark, nature, overlander, portraits, reportage, Southafrica, tinatortuga, travelblog, wildlife, zebra 1 Kommentar

The Beach Of Mozambique In Times Of Corona

The waves crashing to the rocks at the shore. Uninterrupted, everlasting energy of mother nature. It’s the first sound I hear when I wake up. The cool breeze brings me to the sandy beach. A tractor is pulling a boat for a fish trip to the sea. Those fishermen are early birds too, or are they called ‚early fish‘ then?

At the end of the beach the sun rises between the rock and the ocean. Very slow and deliberately the first rays hit the rocks, caress the waves and finally warm my skin. Beautiful colors unfold and pushing the dark of the night aside. The day started just now.

It’s weekend and since Maputo isn’t too far away from Ponta Do Ouro, many weekend visitors are expected. Loads of pick-up cars with picnic-families, sun-seekers and partygoers falling into town and beach. There’s just one obstacle: the beaches are closed for swimmers and sunbathers due the covid pandemic. It is allowed to walk on the beach, though.

Couples, families and groups of friends are moving along the beach. Among them are police forces watching no one steps into the water or even dare to swim. As soon a few dove their toes too deep in the water a sharp whistle brings them back to dry sand. But this is not stopping them from chitchatting, playing in the sand and making photos from each others.

With my camera in hand, I notice the gazes of three friends making selfies. Do you want me to take a photo of the three of you, I asked. A quick answer confirmed it. And so begins the first of many spontaneous photo shoots. There are kids, jumping around, friends want to immortalize themselves in the picture, families enjoy an image as souvenir. Other photographer showing proudly their camera, while girls showing me their best beach poses. I can’t tell when I saw last time so many smiling faces, so much laughter by jumping for the photos.

Only when the sun sets, the last light was fading, the beach emptier from the day visitors. The silhouettes of the last group disappears in the dark and the hidden crabs taking over the beach again. In the distance party music echoes across, but soon even this ends due the curfew. The last thing I hear are waves crashing to the rocks. Uninterrupted, everlasting.