Heritage Festival Sunset

Josh S 0 Comments Life, Music & Events
A beautful golden sunset over Edmonton.

I photographed the Heritage Festival here in Edmonton, Alberta. I was originally hired by the security contractors to do their photography of them in action. You may not see many of the photographs of them but I have decided to showcase some of the photographs.

The Heritage festival is an annual festival that showcases culture. Anything from dance to their local cuisine to history and more.  This year there was 71 outdoor pavilions each featuring a different culture and 25 stages throughout Hawrelak. It was absolutely amazing to go from one pavilion to another to enjoy the different tastes and smells. Having a unique opportunity to follow around the security it made the Heritage Festival seem like the world is smaller than it actually is.

Foodies unite! I’d plan to spend some money here, while entertainment is free the food prices add up especially when you’re sampling as many booths as you can. Prices aside it’s well worth the trip around.  It’s common to find similar foods at the tests for example skewered meat and elephant ears. The event samples are simply delicious. Food brings people together. We can see family meals are celebrated in many cultures, going to restaurants with friends etc.  Two pavilions in particular come to mind, France and Croatia. The two nations where rivals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. France took the cup while Croatia came in second place. Yet the pride of their nation was strong and a huge number of Croatians gathered on the streets to celebrate. For the festival these two nations are placed next to each other and they had a friendly rivalry.  France came with a replica trophy. The two shared in friendly jokes and laughter. In my opinion The Heritage Festival kicks it up a notch and helps bring Canada, and other cultures  together. It is a great way to celebrate multiculturalism in Canada.

The heritage Festival Celebrates Canada's Multiculturalism
A member of France poses in front of their pavilion at Heritage Festival

I invite you to check out my entertainment company’s website.  This site is where I place all my event galleries. Just click the link: https://www.SpassoEntertainment.ca

I am almost always open to photographing your event. I have years and years of experience focusing on events so please feel free to email me for a quote.

Luxury Travel- Maui

Josh S 0 Comments Travel

“If I just lay here, would you lie with me?”.Chasing Cars

I wandered upon this beautiful Hammock as I stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani. If you have ever stayed in a Fairmont hotel it is a must for the luxury traveler.
The Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel is perfectly located on the sea-side for both business and leisure guests in Maui Hawaii. The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers.
Inside this hotel is, Nicks Fish Market. It is a must for the local mahi-mahi (fish) and local catch.
For some excitement add some flaming strawberries!

Want to learn more about this hotel?

Hawaiian Luau

Josh S 0 Comments Music & Events, Travel

The origins of the luau go back to ancient Hawaiian tradition and has become a tourist attraction for the tourists that wish to get a glimpse of traditional culture. As the years went by the luau tradition became a timeless part of the Hawaiian experience. It is an event everyone looks forward to. Aside from dance the luau has a traditional feast. In this photo the crowd gathers around sunset to take a look at the main feature dish, Kālua pig (roasted pig).

Ono!

Delicious! or, “Ono” as they say in Hawaiian. I was able to enjoy some of Hawaii’s best traditional food. This food was to die for! Kālua is a traditional Hawaiian cooking method that uses an imu, a type of underground oven. The word kālua, which literally means “to cook in an underground oven”, may also be used to describe the food cooked in this way. In this photo the pig is wrapped in banana leaves to retain moisture as it is cooked for 24 hours for the luau feast.

Photo was taking at the Grand Wailea Hotel. Please help support me by booking a flight and a hotel to Hawaii.

Wailula Falls, Hawaii

Josh S 0 Comments Adventure, Travel
Waterfalls Hawaii

“Don’t go chasing waterfalls”.TLC

I originally avoided this photo until I took a second look the Wailula Falls.  These beautiful falls are approximately 140 feet (43m) tall and plunge into shallow waters (30ft/9m). They are located on the island of Maui on the Road to Hana, more specifically Mile Marker 45. It was a long day on the trails, we where exhausted so I only took a couple shots of these falls. There is a bridge we stopped just beyond.

Parking beyond the bridge I grabbed my tripod and jogged across the Hana Highway trying not to get hit by cars. I placed my tripod low and screwed on a neutral density (ND) filter to get the silky effect.

A couple photographer tips:

  1. The neutral density filter is like sunglasses for your lens. It will allow you to open your shutter longer thereby creating silky smooth waterfalls.
  2. Carry a lens cleaning kit. When I screwed on my neutral density filter I can hear the sand grind down my threads. Clean your lens!

There is a short path on the right side leading you to the Wailula falls. Be aware of slipper rocks. Hawaii is such a beautiful place!

Want to go see these falls? Visit my travel site:

Red Sand Beach, Hawaii

Josh S 0 Comments Life, Travel
Red Sand Beach, Maui, hawaii

“Clap your hands y’all it’s alright”.DUKE DUMONT

This beautiful, yet hidden, beach is located on the Road to Hana.  Parking can be tough but in my opinion it is worth it.  Paths are slightly narrow but are relatively easy to conqueror. The rocks form a nice break from the waves and offers a unique photo opportunity with a contrast of turquoise waters with the red sands. Trails coming up to the beach are not marked.

Once you’re on the beach do not be alarmed of naked people running around as this is also a nude beach.

Travelling in February is means its humpback whale mating seasons. Take this opportunity to view these magnificent creatures. That come to start new lives.
Extra tip: Hiking in the train may result in landslides for this location. Please plan accordingly.

If you like this blog or my photos please support me by checking out my travel site!

Where the Road Goes – Hana Highway

Josh S 0 Comments Life, Travel
road-to-hana-site

I couldn’t help but think of the song by Only Time by Eyna. This photo has me wander lusting.

It is taken on the west shores of Maui. I spend a whole day on the Hana Highway. the Hana Highway took us through various landscapes from bamboo rain forest, black sand beaches, red sand beaches, mountains, valleys,waterfalls and more!  The Hana Highway is a popular tourist attraction on the Hawaiian island of Maui and my not be for novice drivers.We first started our trip from Paia and took the 52 mile (84 km) long highway across some of the most diverse landscape I have seen.

Don’t let the 52 miles fool you. If you don’t stop it takes roughly 2.5 hours. If you take stops, like we did, it will take well over 8 hours. Make a day out of this. The Hana highway is loaded with  very winding and narrow and passes over 59 bridges, of which 46 are only one lane wide. There is is over 600 sharp curves, steep inclines,that will take you to lush tropical rain forests, black sand beaches, red sand beaches, waterfalls, iconic surf spots and more!

How can you make the best of this trip?

  1. Bring some extra cash – there is various food vendors on the side of the road. Try some out and give in to some true authentic hawaiian cuisine.
  2. Bring food – “Did you not just say there’s food?” I sure did! Although this road is popular and there is many vendors they still may be hours away.
  3. Bring a change of clothes and extra towel. – there is countless spots to swim, get wet and muddy. If you don’t mind staying wet I wore my swim shorts, a shirt and flippy floppies.
  4. Fill the tank – there is no fuel stations on this trip. Stop in Paia for some flat bread as you’re filling up.
  5. Don’t make other plans – a short drive but countless stops! Many guide books devote whole sections to the Hana Highway. Seize the day and make it count.

Some recommended stops:

  • Jaws (if the waves are high, take 10 minutes to gape at the brave-souls surfing). If you claim to have surfed Jaws but actually haven’t you are something the locals like to call a, “land shark”. Don’t be that person.
  • Twin Falls (just past mile marker 2, get out, take the trail, and jump into the cold water);
  • Painted Bark Eucalyptus trees (no need to get out, just slow the car down and take pictures);
  • Honomanu Bay County Beach Park (turn off the road to your left, drive down to a smaller and emptier black sand beach);
  • Waianapanapa State Wayside Park (the main, gorgeous black sand beach with sea caves);
  • Seven Sacred Pools (park, take the short path to the right, and you get to swim again [now you need that extra towel, you’re welcome] ).

“And who can say where the road goes?
Where the day flows?”.EYNA