English (UK) 
Nederlands 
Category
This week we want to present one incredibly good cause for the people of Kenya or more specific the Maasai culture. Kenya is one of our favorite destination countries, so rich and colorful. So, we think it is important to know more about the culture itself and the Nairoshi foundation, which supports the young population of the country.
Maasai culture
The Maasai culture is practiced in the biggest part of Kenya. These indigenous inhabitants are spectacular to watch and explore their way of living. They are differentiated by their clothing and the popular traditional dances. Big groups of tourists are rarely accepted near these villages. That is how the Maasai kept their authenticity and live their lives as they want.
However, during my visit, I was well accepted and lived for a couple of weeks in one of those villages and get to know the culture. I spent the time at the Nairoshi Foundation, so I was within the locals. I learned so much about the lifestyle and the challenges of the Maasai people. Families usually have multiple children, and the conditions are not the highest. Most of the time families don’t have enough resources to send all of their children to get a proper education. The lack of support has great consequences. They go to school for some time and then stop.
There is a gap between high school and college when the education is paid, and most families cannot afford that. Usually, young girls are arranged for marriage and to have children. Here comes the Nairoshi Foundation which supports the younger population of Kenya to be more educated and have a choice of different opportunities.
Nairoshi foundation
The Nairoshi Foundation is an organization in Kenya that is supporting the younger generation of the county to get a proper education. They often stop going to school at a young age around 13 tears old. The Nairoshi Foundation is rewarding these kids with entering and graduating higher education levels like high school. They are supported by donations and sponsors who are willing to give enough to change their lives and give them more opportunities.
Their mission is to support families living in hard conditions and change their lives and futures for the better. The projects of the 
foundation are all community-based. They are focused to improve the quality of life of the Maasai people in southern Kenya. There are three main projects at the moment. The Maasai widow program supports women in hard times. It is hard for them to support their children on their own so they are usually forced to stop their children from school so they can help the family. Therefore, the Nairoshi Foundation accepts these children to gain higher education as well as provide employment opportunities for widowed women.
Another project is the ‘Hope’ Academy which is a school build by the foundation to ensure education for children who don’t have access to such a ‘privilege’. Last but not least, they support students or young children through their academic development. After they finish the Hope Academy these children get support and the resources to go to high school and university. The Nairoshi Foundation is supporting numerous boys and girls to pursue their dream careers and get more future opportunities for success.
Better life
Kenya is one of our greatest photography destinations. We all love the landscapes, the culture and locals, and it’s wonderful wildlife. So Travelmarks Photography is supporting organizations like the Nairoshi Foundation that can improve the way of living in the country. Their mission is a great cause that needs to be followed. We want to see this better future for the children and to make sure they have options in life like more career opportunities. Many girls are dragged to marriage and early pregnancy which can be changed. You can easily donate any resources so they can fulfill their dreams or become a sponsor which means that you will support a child in need through its education like high school and university. Together we can do it possible for many more young children of Kenya.
As you may know, we already are offering a photography trip to Kenya. The richness of nature and wildlife is one of the treasures Kenya is offering. We are going to explore the culture, way of lifestyle and return home with the most incredible photographs. The culture behind Masai people is once in a lifetime to witness. We are having a private session with the so-called ‘Masai warriors’, where you can capture the beauty of this incredible culture. They are not used to communicate much with the outside world, and they prefer to stay away from tourists. Despite this fact, we have established genuine connections within the local culture so we can have this opportunity. 
On the other hand, the national parks in Kenya have been a great attraction for people all over the world. They show so much of the nature and wildlife of the country than anywhere else. It is always great when we can watch wild animals in their habitat, like hunting lions or tall giraffes walking around. A challenge when it comes to photographing them. It would take some time and patience for the perfect photo shot, but it is worth it. 
As we know, the perfect shot may take some time, the light, the composition, or something else. We can take our time and take the best shots from different angles. The opportunity to go to more photography locations and shot different subjects, from stunning landscapes to wild animals. Besides, we can spend more time with the local people and getting to know this diverse part of the world.
Iceland has been on our minds for a while, now we are developing a new photography trip to select the most interesting photogenic places within the country. It is one of the countries which are present in almost every traveler’s bucket list, crystal blue water, beautiful hills, and waterfalls make it paradise. When you hear Iceland, you may think of the Instagram picture of the Blue Lagoon, the most famous place, and quite crowded. However, Travelmarks Photography is searching for the most authentic places, hidden spots which has the qualities for great shots.
We have seen the beauty of Norway and we want to include new areas for photography, which have the same character but different. Travelmarks Photography is traveling already to the central part of the country or the Rondane National Park. Nevertheless, we want to explore the beauty of the north, which we believe the best location would be Senja Island. This is the second biggest island in Norway, sided by the Atlantic Ocean. With the wild diversity of mountains and hills, the landscape is incredible to watch and photograph.
Going on North the chance of taking the best photo of the Northern Lights is very high. This is one of the most famous phenomena in Norway and it is spectacular to be seen. As travelers, we keen on going on adventures, see and memories as much as possible.
Travelmarks Photography is offering a photography trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland, a combination of city photography and nature and landscape. Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland is the starting point which is great for architecture and portrait shots. On the other hand, we head to the north where the breathtaking nature is dominant- hills, mountains, and waterfalls are just amazing for photography. However, there may be some changes in the future due to the recent leaving of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
After the adaptation period, Brexit is official and applies from 1st February 2021. What will this mean to Northern Ireland and the Common Travel Area agreement? Following these events, the Northern Ireland Protocol will turn into effect from this date. The Agreement commits UK and EU to maintain an open border on the Island. There will not be an official hard border and citizens from the UK and European Union will be able to cross freely. The Northern Ireland Protocol states that all the benefits and respects in this area will be continued with an extension of the Common Travel Area rules application. There will be a difference in the imported and exported goods between these countries because of EU food standards and checkups, which was not necessary when the UK was a European country.
As we mentioned already there won’t be major changes in traveling between the two countries. Moreover, The Northern Ireland Protocol is aiming to avoid a physical border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Regarding visas and passports, there will not be any immigration control points. However, since you might not get checked as a traveler you should carry your passport with you entering Northern Ireland.
Besides, before traveling you are recommended to have health insurance. Your European Health insurance card (EHIC) will ensure your health insurance only in the Republic of Ireland. As the UK not being part of the EU, these rules do not apply. Visitors should arrange for themselves health and travel insurance while visiting the Northern part of the island. Always check with your insurance provider before the trip.
We started out with some morning nature shoots outside the bustling city, in the ‘Reserve naturelle de Eijsden’, which is located right next to the border with Belgium. The park is occupied by diverse animals, walking around you. We were lucky to see and photograph the wild horses in their natural habitat. 
Later we head to the heart of Maastricht, the Basilica of Saint Servatius located at the famous Vrijthof square. This building is one of the most beautiful and majestic in the town. Entering the Basilica, you will be amazed by all the colors and religious items. Photographing the basilica inside is a perfect way of playing with colors since the building is closed and very little light is coming through the glass painted windows. This is the time to play with the settings of the camera!
Further we visited the Gouvernement, it is an iconic building representing Maastricht. Surrounded by water and blossoming trees makes it perfect for photos. The interesting architecture is as challenging as exciting to photograph. 
Photographing the oldest bridge in the Netherlands sounds good right? It is still in use for pedestrians, and it is an icon for the city and Limburg province. You can approach the bridge by many angles and find the best for a shoot. Photographing the surroundings can be amazing addition to your photo combining the bridge with the reflection in the water. 
We are combining all kinds of photography in our workshops and last but not least we are finishing with nature shots. The Brunssummerheide is a national park near the city. After exploring the city, it is time for quiet time and outdoor photography. 
Of course we keep a constant eye on the developments and the corona situation in our destination countries. We work very closely with local entrepreneurs in our destination countries. In this way Travelmarks-Photography supports local and smaller companies. A perfect example of this is Win, our guide in Myanmar. Win himself works for Asia Photo Travels and Tours and therefore knows all the tricks of the trade when it comes to photography.
People soon think that in a country with more than 56 million inhabitants many infections will take place, but nothing could be further from the truth. Myanmar, also known as Burma, has more than 113,000 corona infections counted so far. Just for comparison: In the Netherlands this number is currently about 5.5 times as large. In addition, fewer than 3,000 people died from the virus during the entire pandemic. This is also a very low number.
Travel restrictions
Maastricht should of course not be missed during a photography trip through the Benelux. Due to its location, Maastricht is easily accessible from neighboring countries. In addition, the city is known for its cosiness and the historic city center. Definitely worth a visit!
In addition to these famous sights, there are of course many more photogenic places to be found. These are often less crowded and are therefore absolutely worth it for photography! After all, the 'secret' spots are often the most beautiful. 
This national park is a mecca for photography. Each season has special properties. Whether this is the flowering heather, a snowy landscape or the beautiful autumn colors, nature will never disappoint you. The park is therefore not only a popular destination during the high season. That is why this destination will certainly return in the photography trip.
People usually know that Dublin is the capital of Ireland. They often also know that the city has impressive architecture. But did you also know that Dublin was founded by Vikings more than 1000 years ago? They looted surrounding coastal towns and had their 'home base' in present-day Dublin. The history of the city is cherished to this day.
Ireland is the second largest British island, making it one of the largest islands in Europe. Ireland is of course known for its coastlines, but there are also a lot UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many special destinations have managed to secure a place on the World Heritage List and that’s something many people don’t know about. These places are mainly along the coast.
Fans of the Game of Thrones series will know that the series was filmed in breathtaking locations. The first thoughts often go to Dubrovnik in Croatia and Malta, but there are also a number of beautiful film locations in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is also sometimes referred to as: 'Game of Thrones territory'. These locations cannot be skipped during the photography tour in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
They say you will enter a kingdom of nature when you visit this park. The Rondane National Park is Norway's oldest national park and covers an area of over 900 square kilometers. It is also quite centrally located in the country. Almost 85% of the national parks in Norway are covered with mountains and so is the Rondane. 10 mountains even rise above 2000 meters. You will not find an incredibly colourful plant kingdom here. The park is mainly covered with forests and grasslands. However, these landscapes can also be beautiful. Especially in autumn, the park is decorated with the most beautiful colours. These create a magical atmosphere in the park even on cold and cloudy days.
Next to Rondane is Dovrefjell National Park. This park is known for being the best place in Norway to spot the famous Musk Oxen. They live in the wild and can therefore be spotted in their natural habitat. These impressive animals can weigh over 400kg and are not shy. Photographing the Musk Oxen will certainly not be a problem. In addition, September is one of the best months of the year to spot them. Furthermore, there are of course also many other animals to see such as arctic foxes and a lot of different bird species.
In short, enough reasons to plan a trip to the north. It’s therefore not surprising that Norway is one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers. If you still want to see the beauty of this country with your own eyes, we would like to take you on the next photography trip in Norway!
Recente reacties