Pemba from above, part 3

This is the third installment of my aerial photographs of Pemba island which lies north of the Zanzibari archipelago. It is considered the “green appendage” of Zanzibar, known for its lush forests of cloves, coconuts and mangoes.


surreal seascape in Northwest Pemba



an isolated beach in Ngagu



Ngagu is still devoid of mass tourism



the reef between Mjini Kiuyu and Kiwani


Pemba’s development has long been associated with the dhow, the traditional wooden sail boats that were the connection between Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Utterly dependent on strong tradewinds, dhows brought cloves to mainland Aisa and in return, sent back cargoes such as wood and silver. Even today, dhows continue to connect Pemba and the rest of its East African neighbors like Kenya and Mozambique.


aerial of the farms of Mjini Kiuyu



Maziwa Ngombe shelters thick plantations of seaweed



another view of the seaweed farms in Maziwa Ngombe



breathtaking shifting dunes in the South Channel, Pemba



a eutrophic tributary at West Pemba near Fondu island


To go: Pemba is a large island north of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago that is part of Tanzania, East Africa. There are regular fast crafts and flights between Zanzibar and Pemba. Air charters can be arranged from various operators like the one we made with Tropical Air at +255 24 223 2511.

the Pemba aerial series:
(part 1 in colloidfarl.blogspot.com
part 2 in colloidfarl.blogspot.com
part 3 in colloidfarl.blogspot.com

Pemba from above, part 2

continued from Pemba island from above part 1

Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous district in Tanzania is composed of 2 major islands, Unguja in the South and Pemba in the north. Unguja nowadays is almost exclusively referred to as the “Zanzibar” and is a world apart from Pemba. While Zanzibar is more densely populated and teeming with tourists, Pemba is desolate. Not that Pemba is lacking of natural attractions. Pemba has a greater number of islands, more expansive white sandy beaches and thicker forests. What it lacks sorely are infrastructure and facilities.


aerial view of the channel at Ngagu, Pemba island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa



Ngagu, in another perspective



Fondu and Western islands of Pemba


Pemba has two big “diving” resorts but they operate in rather remote areas that once there, you could not easily leave for lack of access to other points. When you go to Pemba on business, the logical places to stay would have to be either of the island’s 3 centers: Chake Chake which has the airport and the port towns of Mkoani and Wete. In these places, visitors only have a few guesthouses to choose from, and most offer only modest and with basic accommodations. Forget about cable TV, internet connectivity or room service. Save for these hostels, restaurants, at least the ones with waiting service and menus are basically absent too.


a seawater inlet in East Pemba that seems to have eutrophied with algae



dhows in the Kiungoni channel, Pemba



the tip of a reef in the South Channel, Pemba


But like most areas that are remote, the people are eager, friendly and accommodating. There are no commercial touts in the streets that are now plaguing Stonetown, the capital of Zanzibar. Villagers are a curious folk and they easily talk to visitors especially the small children who often don’t see people of a lighter skin.


an aerial of the northwest coast of Pemba



lush mangrove forest are common in the north



seaweed farms in Kiungoni


To go: Pemba is a large island north of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago that is part of Tanzania, East Africa. There are regular fast crafts and flights between Zanzibar and Pemba. Air charters can be arranged from various operators like the one we made with Tropical Air at +255 24 223 2511.

Pemba from above, part 1

The dark clouds hanging over the airport worried us. The forecasts in the internet were not good, with chances of precipitation over Zanzibar estimated in the high 80% range. Our schedules did not allow us great flexibility though and moving our aerial survey to some other day was not an option. June was not supposed to be wet but weather in Africa, as in most parts of the world, is unpredictable and the May rains have been lingering in Tanzania up to the present time.


shifting sand bars in the south channel of Pemba island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa



seaweed farms in Kangani, south of Pemba island


The pilot assured us that rains come in patches but generally, most of Zanzibar would still be dry. The timing already was perfect- it was low tide that mid-morning and we should be able to see clearly the seaweed farms that we would be inspecting. Without much discussion, we decided to go ahead. All five of us needed to go to Pemba anyway and the air charter meant just paying for the entire 12 seats of the Cessna 208B grand caravan.


an isolated beach in one of the many islets in South Pemba



a shallow reef where two channels meet, South Pemba


To our delight, the drizzle went away upon our takeoff at 9AM and the sun came out. While clouds still hang low over most of our trip, the sun did not disappoint and we were treated with the glory that is Zanzibar.


a shoal that appears only during low tide, South Pemba



seaweed farms at the banks of the village of Chokocho, South Pemba


To go: Pemba is a large island north of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago that is part of Tanzania, East Africa. There are regular fast crafts and flights between Zanzibar and Pemba. Air charters can be arranged from various operators like the one we made with Tropical Air at +255 24 223 2511.

a different kind of aerial

Aerials need not be strictly landscapes as seen from above. On occasions, luck would not be on your side and the seats that you needed were already taken by others. As alternative, there is always the sky, or the clouds, or even the plane to photograph. Here are three images I have taken way up high, which to my delight, turned up quite well, if only to tell the story that I was there.


just above Bicol, the Philippines

Salivating was more like my feeling when I was on a plane from Hong Kong to Cebu. We checked in a bit late so we were not able to get a seat at the right side of the plane where the sunset can be viewed in our southbound flight (phototip!). I kept on glancing at the opposite window and the sun was glaringly red. Instead, I entertained myself by catching the wing literally turned rose pink.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/25s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 400


sunset over Tarlac, the Philippines

Sunsets 35,000 feet above ground are different. You could not really see any horizon as the land is so far below. What you see are just colors above the clouds. This time, I was at the right side of the plane and this was what I saw.


Canon PowerShot S40, 1/200s, f/5, 12.3mm


over Laoag, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines

As much as I could, I would try to follow the plane's flight plan on the video channel as it is difficult to tell what's below when you are 30,000 feet above ground. That is how I would generaIly know where I was when a photo was taken. During daytime, nothing much happens and when bored, the clouds and the geometric forms of the window were fair game.


Canon PowerShot S40, 1/800s, f/8, 7.1mm

the desert dunes of UAE

The United Arab Emirates, a nation made up of seven kingdoms deep in the desertland of the Arabian Peninsula, must be as hot as it is reputed to be. Summer, which is from July to August, yields temperatures near 40 Celsius, but midday in the desert, the heat meter could rise as high as 45 degrees. Unsurprisingly, there is very little rainfall making the weather arid and dry.





the blue sky contrasts sharply against the orange sand
Canon EOS 350D, 1/30s, f/5.6, 22mm, ISO 100


The northeast features the Al Hajar Mountains with no notable rivers or lakes. The coast facing the Persian Gulf in the east is flat. What dominates its landscape is sand and there is lots of it. Much of UAE is part of the Rub' Al Khali Desert, one of the largest sand deserts in the world.


the mountain ridges appear as barren as the desert
Canon EOS 350D, 1/800s, f/5.6, 22mm, ISO 100




the parabolic sand dunes look red 30,000 feet above sea level
Canon EOS 350D, 1/800s, f/5.6, 22mm, ISO 100


Sometimes described as some kind of wasteland, the desert has stretches of rolling sand dunes in varying shades of yellow and ochre and at certain times of the day, even red. The marriage of the wind, the sun and the sand creates landscapes that could make you think of a beautiful red planet. On earth.


more surreal dunescapes in carmine hues
Canon EOS 350D, 1/1000s, f/5.6, 22mm, ISO 100



the desert exhibits lunar patterns
Canon EOS 350D, 1/800s, f/5.6, 21mm, ISO 100

10 tips in Aerial Photography, part 2

continued from 10 tips in aerial photography, part 1 in colloidfarl.blogspot.com


6. International flights often have TV screens for entertainment. When available, I always set mine to the flight channel which charts the progress of the flight against a map. I regularly take a snapshot of the channel screen so that I can place the location of my photographs at the later time.

7. Use your sharpest lens. Long lens are fine but only if they are sharp, otherwise you have a lot of post-processing to do. My favorite lens in most of my aerial photographs is my 18-55mm kit lens. I have a 70-300mm lens but it is soft and sensitive to camera shake.

8. Photography inside a plane is much like action photography. I often set my camera at the widest aperture or adjust the ISO so that a proper exposure of at 1/500s or faster can be achieved. The plane moves in such speed that is magnified at lower altitudes.

9. When the wide world below becomes your photographic canvas, always remember the fundamentals in composition. Think before you shoot. You may not be able to pass that way again.

10. Cut out glare. Depending on the light conditions, this may mean keeping the lens as close to the window as much as possible. Sometimes the shirt you’re wearing, even when it is all white, could get reflected on the glass and come out in the exposure. A plain dark shirt, especially black, works best for me.


more aerial photographs


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/800s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 100, -1/3EV
a highly populated island near Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 31, 2008



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/800s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV
an island in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 31, 2008
an unpopulated island off Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 31, 2008



Canon EOS 350D, 1/640s, f/6.3, 54mm, ISO 100
Tawi-Tawi, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Sulu archipelago, the Philippines, March 27, 2006



Canon EOS 350D, 0.005s, f/8, 55mm, ISO100, -1/3EV
Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, September 13, 2006



Canon EOS 350D, 1/800s, f/8, 55mm, ISO 200, -1/3EV
Laguna de Bay (?), Manila, the Philippines, September 12, 2006



Canon EOS 350D, 1/250s, f/10, 55mm, ISO 100
over Myanmar, SE Asia, November 18, 2005



Canon EOS 350D, 1/80s, f/6.3, 55mm, ISO 100
35,000 feet over Dhaka, Bangladesh, November 18, 2005



Canon EOS 350D, 1/250s, f/11, 55mm, ISO 100
the dunes near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa, November 10, 2005



Canon EOS 350D, 0.031s, f/5.6, 22mm, ISO 100
the desert dunes of Dubai, UAE, November 7, 2005



Canon EOS 350D, 1/160s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 100
Lantau Island, Hong Kong, January 8, 2006



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/800s, f/9, 55mm, ISO 100
West Madagascar, East Africa, November 16, 2005

10 tips in Aerial Photography, part 1

I am enamored by aerial photography. The patterns one can see from above are different and mostly are left unknown to the ordinary viewer on the ground. The earth from above takes on a whole new form. No wonder a lot of people attribute to flying as a spiritual experience.

Being a frequent flyer, I always try to get that window seat that provides the best view of the earth down below. But getting that right spot in the plane, away from the obstructing wing, is easier said than done. Luck plays a great deal in getting that enviable seat. Over the years of flying, I’ve learned some tricks of the trade which I am sharing here.

1. Study the flight direction against the map. Is the direction going northeast or directly west? If you’re a sunrise and sunset hound, determine which side of the plane faces west or east. What are the most likely attractions that one can pass? Short of asking the pilot, the actual flight path can only be acquired by experience so if you would take the same flight sometime in the future, check out now what the sights are below.

2. Be conscious of the flying time and the direction of the light. Sometimes, I purposely would sit where the sun is at the other side to get strong backlights against bodies of water. Check the weather too of your port of embarkation and the place of destination. Aerial photography is impossible in bad weather.

3. Be early in the airport. If it is possible to book a seat before the actual flight do so. International carriers allow you to choose a seat online although some of the good seats are often blocked. I have not tried this with domestic Philippines airlines which don't offer this service yet.

4. If you cannot get a window seat at the front, a section often reserved for the business class, settle for a seat at the back. The view of middle seats are blocked by the wing and the engine.

5. Keep a wet tissue. I find it useful in cleaning the windows (yeah, people stare at me).

to be continued

Here are a few samples of my aerial photographs.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/400s, f/8, 55mm, ISO 200
Laguna de Bay (?), Luzon, the Philippines



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/500s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV
rice (?) fields at Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 31, 2008



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/500s, f/8, 55mm, ISO 200
ponds near Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, November 8, 2007



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/160s, f/8, 55mm, ISO 100, -1/3EV
ponds in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, September 13, 2006



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/1500s, f/8, 55mm, ISO 100
salt farms in Madura, East Java, Indonesia, September 13, 2006



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/800s, f/9, 55mm, ISO 100
river tributaries in West Madagascar, East Africa, November 16, 2005



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/1000s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 200
Biddeford Pool, Portland, Maine, the US, December 18, 2006



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/640s, f/5.6, 25mm, ISO 100, -1/3EV
an unknown development project near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/640s, f/6.3, 55mm, ISO 100
Tango Island, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, the Philippines, March 27, 2006



Canon EOS 350D, 1/1000s, f/6.3, 51mm, ISO 100
an islet near Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Sulu archipelago, the Philippines



Canon EOS 350D, 1/200s, f/11, 47mm, ISO 100
sanddunes north of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa



Canon EOS 350D, 1/200s, f/11, 47mm, ISO 100
sanddunes north of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa


For other aerial photos, check out My Islands of Sulu