Search for Life, Follow the Water (Oceania II)

Still in New Zealand, in December and January, I turn into a full-blown tree, bush, forest, trail, and volcano photographer. When the waves are bad, I run out at first light with my cameras and shoot the hell out of these most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen.

On a bench commemorating someone’s friend, I find a quote that I think about a lot: “I took a walk in the forest and came out taller than the trees.”

Surf and travel detritus, and a motel room in Ruahine Forest Park. Mt. Taranaki. I spend days driving around this volcano, trying to capture the best cloud formations. More plants, trails, sticks and stones, and sick waves; then I leave New Zealand for French Polynesia which is actually a totally fine place, and the locals are kind, and I learn a lot surf-wise, it’s tropical, and I eat ripe mangoes every day, but I get so homesick, for the first time in five years. My life on the road seems to be coming to an end.

From Tahiti and Mo’orea I travel back to Waihi Beach in New Zealand and from there straight to Medewi, Bali, in Indonesia. I surf with Alie every day, my good friend and teacher, and experience Silent Day. It’s such a peaceful day and everyone’s having a good time.

Then in April, I’m back in Switzerland and walk among the blooming cherry trees in my hometown Wittnau. (I’ve always been oddly proud of those trees, and the cherries, too.) Strolling around town, and again, going a bit insane photo-wise in these local forests. We bury Graham—may his dear soul rest in peace—and Lea and Lou come by for a visit. My mom makes malfatti on a Sunday, and we take a trip to Ticino and I photograph my bro in churches. It’s so sweet to be home.