The Garden Isle of Kauai Shines Brightly - Kilauea Point Lighthouse

The Garden Isle of Kauai Shines Brightly, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

The Kilauea Point Lighthouse is a postcard-perfect landmark perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse, located on the island of Kauai, represents the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands.

I waited here at the overlook for about twenty minutes to get a decent even lit shot as the sun peeked in and out from the clouds. I was shooting with my medium range Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens. when I decided to switch to my Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens to get a tighter shot. Of course the moment I did that some heavenly light descended on the lighthouse. I quickly composed this shot before the light disappeared. Shortly afterwards, it started to lightly rain and so I headed back to the shelter of my car.

Ten minutes later as I headed toward Princeville, storm like conditions set in as heavy rains started to pour down. When I reached Hanalei a couple of miles down the road, the rains stopped and once again the sun made a dramatic appearance, albeit briefly.

That’s Kauai in a nutshell.

This will be the last photograph from my Kauai series. I hope you enjoyed it and if you plan to visit the Garden Isle please be sure to pack your swimsuit, your camera and a big smile.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Life's a beach and then you die? Lumahai Beach; Kauai, Hawaii

Life's a beach and then you die? Lumahai Beach; Kauai, Hawaii, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Lumaha'i Beach is located on Kauai’s northern shore, but do not let the picturesque views fool you. It is a beach best viewed from a distance rather than swimming. The beach has no protective reef, making the coast totally exposed to the open ocean. Nicknamed "Luma-die" by the locals, the slippery rock ledges, powerful waves, strong undertow and currents make this one of Kauai’s most dangerous beaches. I played it safe and went to the beach with my camera and left the swimming trunks behind.

Was there every a time you felt endangered while photographing?

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna taste your salt water kisses?
Who's gonna take the place of me?

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna tame the heart of thee?

-U2 “Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses”

I hope this photograph from the North Shore of Kauai warms up your cold winter day.

Since this post features a song from one of the world’s most famous band here is your U2 trivia question of the day:

Can you name U2’s first studio album?

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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So what are you going to do with your dash?

So what are you going to do with your dash?, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma–which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” - Steve Jobs

To explore is to seek new challenges.

People ask me all the time why I love to travel. I respond by saying I love new challenges. Then they usually follow up by asking me what my favorite place has been.

“The next destination,” I invariable state.

One day I was sitting in church and the pastor was preaching a sermon on living a fruitful life. He displayed a picture on the screen of a gravestone with the year of the date of birth and date of death (1909-1994).

“That’s your life, a simple dash. What you do between the moment you are born and when you die is up to you,” he declared. “So what are you going to do with your dash?”

I was raised by very strict Asian parents and when I went to college I was expected to major in electrical engineering (naturally because all Asians excel at math). I was an electrical engineer major for about a week before I switched to a double major of economics and political science. When my father angrily asked me why I went against his wishes I simply responded, “I’m doing something about my dash.”

I’m still doing something with my dash by fulfilling my wanderlust. Last month I was on the Garden Isle of Kauai, Hawaii. I filled my compact flash cards by photographing the lush greenery, stunning beaches and postcard views.

Anahola Beach Park is located on the east shore of Kauai and is a favorite of locals. Since most of the beach is protected from the high surf by a reef, it attracts more kids than surfers.

So that is what I have been doing with my dash. What have you been doing with yours?

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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