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July 8, 2011

[SkyWatch] Take Off

No matter how many hundreds of planes I've boarded, I never fail to feel the wonder of the take off. Airports and long flights long ago lost their glamor for me. But the take off is different. 

Those few minutes from taxiing down the runway to when the 385-ton metal box on wheels defies gravity, lifts off the ground, and soars into the sky, leaving an increasingly distant world below, are simply magnificent.

This was my take off from the airport in Amsterdam last Friday as I headed home to Manila. It's my contribution to SkyWatch Friday.

taxiing
lifting
climbing
climbing
soaring

And that little bridge crossing the canal joins Sunday Bridges.

31 comments:

  1. fredamansJuly 8, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    WOW, what a journey!

    http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2011/07/sky-friday.html

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  2. LizJuly 8, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    These are beautiful. Happy sky watching.

    Liz @ A Simple Life

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  3. Kay L. DaviesJuly 8, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    Wonderful to see the little bridge over the canal as you took off, Francisca. A beautiful series of photos. Don't you just love it when planes have clean windows? LOL
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  4. Photo CacheJuly 8, 2011 at 4:06 AM

    this part gives me the chills, although i don't mind taking some pictures while the plane is rising.

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  5. Sylvia KJuly 8, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    I agree with you, Francisca, I feel the same way about flying -- rather not do it at all anymore, but the take-off is different! Your photos have captured that difference perfectly, breathtakingly and what gorgeous skies! Superb! I'm sure you're glad to be home, hope it was a reasonable trip! Enjoy your weekend!

    Sylvia

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  6. VioletSkyJuly 8, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    beautiful views from your seat on the plane!
    it almost make the other hassles worthwhile... maybe

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  7. Jidhu JoseJuly 8, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    nice shots
    happy SWF

    Jidhu Jose Photography

    My Skywatch

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  8. Ms. BeckyJuly 8, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    thank you very very much for the ride!! I was almost there - that familiar quiet that comes over the plane once it's off the ground and heading upward, into the glide. your photos are fabulous Francisca!!!

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  9. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 8, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Love the last pic...really nicely composed. I like the river snaking through the window...

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  10. cieldequimperJuly 8, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    I could spend my life taking off, I love the feeling in the pit of my stomach... I don't usually dare take photos just right then though...

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  11. AnonymousJuly 8, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Marvellous shots!

    I love lift-off and landing - but not the bit in between.

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  12. eileeninmdJuly 8, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    A great series! Neat shots from your plane taking off. Happy skywatching and have a wonderful weekend!

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  13. jabblogJuly 8, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    Lovely sequence! I love seeing the ground fall away.

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  14. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentJuly 9, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Fantastic sky watch shots Francisca.

    I'm pleased you were able to sort out your photo size problems. I found your blog through PicStory. Thank you for your lovely comments, I will try to link with Sunday Bridges.

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  15. AnonymousJuly 9, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    I'm with you there, although I am rarely as keen on the take off after a holiday!....:)
    ....and I'm amazed you found a clean window too!. thanks for sharing your view!...:)

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  16. KaoriJuly 9, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    I used to always fall asleep the minute I got on the plane...but lately I've been enjoying the view out the window, too! Love your photos from above. The clouds are always so much fun to see :D

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  17. GattinaJuly 9, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    Wow ! makes me speechless and that's something, lol !

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  18. UnknownJuly 10, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    The 4th photo is a fav scene - fluffy clouds from the plane :).

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  19. JayLeighJuly 10, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Oh, wow! Such beautiful pictures! What a great view!

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  20. ~✽Mumsy✽~July 10, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    I love this series of your sky watch photos! They are amazing.

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  21. LesleyJuly 10, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Lovely views of the flattest part of Europe!

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  22. Crafty Green PoetJuly 10, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    beautiful clouds in these photos!

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  23. Oakland Daily PhotoJuly 11, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    Great set of photos, Francisca. Nice of the airline to provide you a clean window too. I don't think I could do this. I'm too busy looking down, willing the plane to lift up. BTW, how long is the flight from Amsterdam to Manila?

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  24. PatJuly 11, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    Great shots! Gave me butterflies in my stomach!

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  25. AndreaJuly 11, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    I can fully relate with you here, i love the take off, and of course the landing, and i never fail to take photos. Views from above never fail to amaze me, no matter how often i've seen that specific route, i always see something new! How is home Francisca, you've been away for long!

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  26. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪July 11, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    what an exciting life you lead.

    I like the little puff of clouds.

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  27. jennyfrecklesJuly 12, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    I too love that moment of take-off, the sense of the aircraft's power, the excitement of going somewhere different. Your pics capture it.

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  28. UnknownJuly 12, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Great sequence, Francisca! I felt I was on that plane.

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  29. Sallie (FullTime-Life)July 15, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    It delights me that a world traveler like you takes pleasure in at least part of a flight. (I always feel so unsophisticated when I take pictures -- or even stare out the window -- while everybody else is always just so ho-hum.)

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  30. IngridJuly 18, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    (Let's see if it works with Mozilla instead of IE6....)
    Haha!! I regocnize the trees on the 1st and the cannal on the 2nd!! How often did I bike there when we still lived in Hoofddorp....!!
    A'dam Airport = official community of Haarlemmermeer; as well is Hoofddorp ;)
    You've really had an exceptional clean window!

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  31. IngridJuly 18, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Ehm, from where did I got this ID?

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