Winonah Estranero

 

Adventurer Of The Month

-Winonah Estranero –

Instagram

Interview

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Winonah, but for the longest time in elementary and high school I went by “Winnie” because many of my teachers had trouble pronouncing my name. I’m 22 as of this month, and I live in Vancouver, British Columbia. Currently, I am in the process of finishing my degree in biological sciences. Although I have yet to formulate a solid “post grad” plan, I hope to spend more time traveling and exploring new places.

 

2) Wow we loves seeing photos of your adventures, how did it all start for you?

It’s funny because I used to have an aversion to all things outdoors, and would prefer to spend my time curled up in bed with a book. I still love to read but over the years I realized I wanted to travel and experience the world firsthand. But I didn’t really have the resources to jump on a plane and backpack through Europe like I first dreamt. So I made do with what I had and where I was. There are lots of beautiful trails here in BC, and Washington and Oregon are only hours away by car. So I would go out and venture to forests, waterfalls and lakes, and fell in love with nature. And naturally, I have to photograph it!

 

3) Do you have a favorite trip, if so what makes it so special?

In December 2014 I went to Utah and Arizona to visit some national parks. Zion National Park in particular stole my heart. There my sister and I hiked “The Narrows” in which the path is a river that winds through a narrow gorge. On either side of us were canyon walls a thousand feet tall! Since it was winter the water was cold, but luckily we had drypants on to keep us dry, and most of the time the water only went up to our waists. My sister however, was joking around and fell into a much deeper section of the river up to her neck. Fortunately, she was fine. The rest of the trip was just as amazing, every landscape had me speechless. Just thinking about them now makes me want to go back!

 

4) You capture the world so beautifully, do you have any tips on taking & editing photos?

Thanks so much! I am not a true photographer but I do like to experiment with photos, and I’ve learned that finding the right lighting sometimes makes all the difference. Everyone has their own style of editing photos, and it usually depends on what kind of feel you’re going for. For example, I like to use lighter natural tones because they bring out a soft quality to nature.

 

5) What was the first trip you have taken?

I’ve taken many short trips as a child. My family often went on drives to close-by cities like Seattle or Portland. But the first extended trip I’ve ever taken independently was to Maui, Hawaii a couple of years ago with some friends of mine. I didn’t know how to swim but I went paddle boarding/surfing and snorkeling anyway (holding onto a foam noodle for dear life).

 

6) What have you learned along the way about exploring different places?

At the risk of sounding cliche… I’ve learned that attitude determines the quality of your experience more than the actual place itself. Plan appropriately but always leave room for spontaneity. And lastly, there is always more to explore of a place so don’t leave just yet once you’ve reached your destination, keep going!

 

7) Do you collect any souvenirs from places you visit?

I do! Mostly pins and bumper stickers that I don’t actually put anywhere, and the occasional drinkware. Sometimes I bring home magnets for my parents to put on the refrigerator, and sometimes license plates from different states because my dad is a collector.

 

8) What makes your heart beat? What do you really believe in, stand for, want to tell others about?

My heart is after knowing God and making Him known. When I go out and explore I experience Him in every rising and setting of the sun, in the stormy oceans when the waves beat against the rocks, and in the night sky under millions of stars when I’m miles away from the city. And I love to testify about the Creator of it all by sharing my experiences through images and stories. One day I hope to travel with a greater purpose by embarking on mission trips.

 

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