We continue to spend our days watching Bonobos out here in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kinshasa is a huge sprawling city which is clearly developing fast. Two years ago when we crossed the river from Brazzaville to Kinshasa, the immigration people had to copy out the forms three times by hand and then for us to fill them all in. It was laborious and it took hours. This time it was so much more efficient; only about 20 minutes. Better than Heathrow!
Although we have been here before, every day we see something new. Here are a few more shots from our rush production (between power cuts, sleeping and being out in the field). Bonobos are often very handsome, as you can well see from this shot!
Generally, Bonobos are pretty calm and relaxed. Sometimes there is conflict diffused either by sex, screaming, food or whatever. Towards the end of a day there can be a lot of grooming which is really cute and peaceful. These two do not have to speak to know what they are feeling towards each other!
We also think Bonobos are pretty cool, they know how to really relax. This is a female who shows that life does not always have to be meetings, emails, blogs and rushing about.
More later!
Julie and Adam
Bonobos being cool- 5 August 2011
Back in the Congo! 3 August 2011
Quick entry as connections in DRC are not great ... although a lot better than the camps in the Republic of Congo. So sorry if the images are not great quality, just trying to get something out between power cuts. It is wonderful to be back at Lola ya Bonobo near Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Weather is wonderful, food amazing and above all the Bonobos are as interesting as ever. This is our third visit and it still makes us smile as we sit and photograph these amazing creatures.
Today, our third day was really amazing. All photographs in this blog taken in the past 10 hours! We spent three hours with one group who was simply chilling out and relaxing! This mother was teaching her boy how to swing from trees!
And this young chap really liked looking at his reflection in the lens!
In the afternoon we moved to a lake and Stanley our boatman was able to steer us to have some great shots of Bonobos in the water. Bonobos, like many apes, have very heavy bones and would sink if they went in too far. Hence they only wade up to their chests. 
We were also able to see Bonobos in the trees where they are at very at home and able to show their strength.
Lesson from Adam. When taking shots of Bonobos using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II make sure the control dial does not slip to Tv etc and ruin a load of shots ....
Wonderful day, great trip, more to folow!
Julie and Adam
New York, New York - June 2011
Even just a few days in New York is fun. It's a fabulous city with numerous areas to explore. We fell in love with the Meatpackers district; the boutiques and street art/graffiti there are the new Soho cool and the high walk is a great extended aerial garden. Love it!
There are the theatres and galleries. The McQueen exhibition is exquisite, it's a shame we weren't allowed to take photographs, that would be a whole new photographic genre. But it was fabulous to just see McQueen's clothes in the flesh. His cut and sense of theatre was truly sensational. Something he said really sticks in my mind, he said he designs for a woman from side on, that way he sees her real and very individual shape. Makes perfect sense.
Hadn't realised just how many wonderful glass buildings New York has. On one day there were fantastic clouds and of course these were reflecting in the glass of the skyscrapers. So Julie has now become a cloud fanatic, always on the lookout for some great clouds and glass.
And the other good thing about New York, you know you're always going to be well fed....
Here's a really short YouTube slideshow:
http://www.youtube.com/user/shutterspeedtravel#p/a/u/0/oNoQVX1ZPDw
Julie and Adam
June 2011
A Stroll Around The City of London - May 2011
With the nicer weather upon us and no chance of getting away for an African adventure until July, we discovered it was possible to get a photo fix walking around the streets on our own doorstep. So just in a few hours grabbed after a day in the office, Julie and Sarah took to the streets of the City of London and took some shots of some of London's stunning architecture.
Take a look at our facebook page to see the selection taken on that day. in the meantime, this is the Lloyds Building. We probably need to photograph more of London, OK there are no wild animals but we have some pretty fine buildings and The Shard is coming along nicely!
Remembering Cuba.....
On a wet bank holiday here in London we looked back at "Soulful Cuba" ... and created one of our musical slideshows recording some of our best memories. Cars, Music, Cigars and Rum. What is better!!!
Enjoy
Julie and Adam
India: Holi and Varanasi - 22 May 2011
It has taken a little while, but we managed to put together our slideshow from our earlier India expedition. Again, India tops all your senses. Colour, sound and smells! Absolutely fantastic.
Julie and Adam
Salsa, Cigars and Che in Cuba: May 2011
Cuba is a fascinating destination for a short break or up to 2-3 weeks. There's quite a lot you can do on this small island although we think it's better to try not to do much at all! You could for instance have a great holiday not even leaving Havana, and just sleeping in til late, get up for lunch and a walk around the streets of the old town, taking in a daquiri or two, the street performers and some daytime music, before heading back to bed for a siesta and then up again for dinner and a late night of music and dancing at any one of a great number of venues. You could have this sort of break in Santiago as well.
Alternatively, you could tour the island, taking in some of the tobacco factories and the wonderful countryside and seeing some of the historical sites that tell the story of Che and the revolution.
Here are our impressions in a snapshot:
+ outstanding music on pretty much every corner, music is in the soul of the people. There are fantastic late night venues for live music which includes traditional (Buena Vista Social Club, rumba, samba, cha cha etc), reggae, reggaeton, rock, jazz, hip hop.... - all superb, live, and you will want to be up dancing irrespective of your ability.
+ warm, friendly people. It feels very safe walking around in the evenings. You are warned about pick pockets and some hustling but if you are a seasoned traveler and/or just keep your wits about you will find it much less threatening than walking around most other places in the world.
+ if you're a car buff, and even if you're not, there are all the great old American cars to look at and drive around in.
+ cigar officianado? No better place to visit. The tobacco countryside is beautiful and the tobacco factories fascinating. Prices are excellent for the real Cuban cigar if you buy at the factory shops themselves. Don't be tempted to buy from the touts who nick cigars from the factories, along with the certificates and packaging as these cheap cigars are bitter and sub-standard, you can easily taste the difference. You get what you pay for and the prices of the real deal are already very good so don't be tempted.
-/+ the food isn't great at all in the government owned restaurants which are the majority. It's typically a choice of pork, fish or chicken served with rice and beans and it's all very greasy. In some countries this would be good food, but not in Cuba. Having said that, before you go, look into the paladars and make reservations at these. They are privately owned restaurants, often in a block of flats so they're typically quirky but with really excellent and memorable food.
-/+ you wouldn't go to Cuba for the quintessential Caribbean island beach holiday but for a cultural fix, the people, music and dancing are really wonderful and for an insight into the communist regime it's worth going. As long as you don't overdo it - guides will want to show you absolutely everything there is to see and know about the revolution, which may be more than your level of interest, however it is truly fascinating to get an understanding of how the system works with its strengths as well as weaknesses and how people live on a daily basis.
+ the architecture. Really terrific buildings abound which is why UNESCO have listed some of the cities as World Heritage.
For additional images, please click onto our FaceBook page (on this site.)
We are definitely going back. See you in Cuba!
Julie and Adam
May 2011