This past week Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands were once again struck by a tsunami, which tragically killed hundreds of people and left villages in complete ruin. The Mentawai Islands lie within the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, an area in constant danger for catastrophe spawned from deep within the Earth.
Less than two years ago I spent two weeks surfing, traveling and photographing in these remote islands. All the while I was warned of possible disasters that can strike with out warning. This made for heighten awareness. However the beauty and natural splendors of the islands mesmerized the senses and your mind focused on what it could see and not what lurked beneath the earth.
I was fortunate to witness beautiful sunrises such as this and not the tragedy of another earthquake or tsunami like the one that occurred a few days ago. My heart goes out to the villagers of the Mentawai Islands. Their existence, by most standards, is poor and the daily struggle for survival is hard. Furthermore they must deal with a constant threat to their lives and villages. May you find peace in tomorrow’s sunrise.
Technical details:
- Nikon D300
- Nikor 180mm f/2.8D lens
- 1/250 @f/7.1
- ISO 800