tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637173647377121322024-02-20T11:51:54.551-08:00wandering, not lostjos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-41882003464641524832017-12-26T19:54:00.002-08:002017-12-26T20:04:39.108-08:00Tierra del Fuego holidayAfter a great couple of trips to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica, I couldn't just leave straight away... I've really come to enjoy Ushuaia and the whole environment of Tierra del Fuego... craggy mountains, peat boggy lowlands, wind-sculpted trees, and some very interesting history. A couple years ago I read an excellent book called The Uttermost Part of the Earth, by Lucas Bridges, son of the man who was essentially the first lasting European settler to the region. The book is his memoir of life in the region-- he became a pretty impressive man himself, not to mention his father-- which covers the beginnings of white settlement here, which is also a chronicle of the end of days for the region's original inhabitants-- several different groups of indigenous peoples. The first European settlers were missionaries but instead of thrusting a Christian god onto the heathens come what may, it was more of a working and supportive friendship that came from the Bridges family. I highly recommend it, as a highly readable history of this region, of a portrait of indigenous peoples, of the good and bad that can come from the mixing of cultures, and if none of that is intriguing enough, then it is also simply an entertaining adventure story, really. Well written, dry humor, just excellent. After reading the book, I discovered that there is a hiking route that follows an historic road created by the family at the turn of the 20th century to transport their livestock from the Beagle Channel side of Tierra del Fuego to the Atlantic, which then became the main commercial and communication route for the growing settlement of Ushuaia for 30 years before the current highway route was surveyed and built. I was enchanted with the idea of getting to walk in the steps of history and experience a bit of the history I read in Bridges' book. The route has been there ever since it was created but of course is being taken back by nature... eaten by the peat, as a friend says... plus destroyed due to changing river courses, the impacts of those landscape engineers-- beavers (introduced here to be hunted as a source of income and they sure have done well for themselves especially as they're not being hunted anymore!), and of course cattle, damn bovines. So it wasn't exactly pristine nature I was in all of the time, but it sure was beautiful to be out on my own for three days, finding my way through the obstacle course that are river valleys in this region. Super glad I had a GPS and the track on there to follow, otherwise it would have been more of a slog finding my way... it was hard enough even knowing where I should be going! And so, I bring you the Lucas Bridges Trail, or Senda del Ona. The Ona, or Selknam, were one of the original inhabitants of the area, mountain people, and they used part of this route for their hunting grounds and moving from one valley to another, as I understand it. I did see guanaco as I crossed the pass (the resident camelid species, related to llamas and alpaca but they are at higher altitudes and latitudes) which was cool-- a nod to the persistence of at least some of the area's original members.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is me at the start... if you squint at the directional arrow above my shoulder it says 46 km to Harberton, my destination... and you can see the profile of the route in green on the sign... "perfil altitudinal"... slow ascent, steep flattopped pass, then gradual descent... but again if you squint you can see that there's a little uphill blip at the end... a bit of a rude awakening it was, having to cross nine short but steep hills just before the trail's end... but I'm getting ahead of myself... here I'm just happy to be beginning! Was lucky enough to score a ride from a friend to the trailhead on the Aguas Blancas side, the same fellow I learned about the route from-- he's active in improving and establishing hiking trails in the region and had a lot to do with improving and establishing the signage for this route, he lives in Ushuaia and we worked together as expedition guides a few years ago. He also loaned me all the camping gear I used, thanks Luis!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the starting view down the trail...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first meadow and stream crossing of the trip, such a gorgeous day... I was so lucky to have excellent weather... would have been more like a nightmare if it'd been raining the whole time. Probably would have just skipped it and flown up to Buenos Aires instead! So glad that's not how it turned out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely gurgling streams...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me so happy to spy this awesomeness of a peat moss mound across the river... such incredible colors!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and so the beavers begin... ponds and dead trees = beavers. it would have looked so different back in the Bridges' day... but tried not to get too sad about it. Dang humans and our messing about...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so of course... plants. Lovely forest violets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and dog orchids... everywhere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aside from beaver affected areas, there was still plenty of dead and down trees and trunks and branches... just what happens with wind and shallow soils. But here the logs across the photo at bottom are actually remains of the road-- corduroy or rip rap they placed to firm up a muddy area. You can see that the road continues, there's a gap in the trees. These are the kinds of remains of the road that can be seen from time to time... but much has disappeared to erosion, etc.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yea, and then sometimes the trail looked like this. no trail. well, the original was under a beaver pond further downhill so this is the current option... crunch your way across the slope, skirt the pond walking on the dam (pretty solid actually!), and watch the GPS for hints as to the easiest way to make your way through the obstacle course!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peat moss! so it grows in huge mounds and lumps and if you have to walk on it, well I feel bad but it's so springy and soft, and it creates some amazing substrate for other things to grow... good thing I didn't take my macro camera or I'd never have gotten anywhere with all the photos I'd have taken...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but I did take time to sit and listen and daydream looking up in the forest...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first views of mtn peaks that I might be climbing near (turns out not, but still inspiring in the moment) and a great view of a natural normal valley floor with no beaver engineering just peat bog, the way it should be...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">forest scene... big trees, not much understory at all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">again, was super lucky to be hiking in fine weather, streams and rivers were low... barely got my boots wet the whole time. Was essential though to have a hiking pole, for balance and to test out muddy bits for degree of foot/leg sucking potential...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more sphagnum awesomeness! just growing like dr seuss land lumps and humps up on the sides of the valley away from lots of water, very cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mtn berry plant growing through the moss</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlhuWw6331X4KhflN42vLE6PnQMdFrDezkNPXhHqxP798YF2SxhIlx71WRrzjNPXW2xHSDNTn5HTSCotKVbLpnjGG4cRnOvaXMddIJ_Chqbt3fW0MIEpJxQrHR-rBaEWa4bAGZRbVZDyP/s1600/IMG_1411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlhuWw6331X4KhflN42vLE6PnQMdFrDezkNPXhHqxP798YF2SxhIlx71WRrzjNPXW2xHSDNTn5HTSCotKVbLpnjGG4cRnOvaXMddIJ_Chqbt3fW0MIEpJxQrHR-rBaEWa4bAGZRbVZDyP/s640/IMG_1411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more trail remains, but being consumed bit by bit by the mud and peat...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_AVRgbjuX_8/WkMFQGXHZKI/AAAAAAAAKjY/3REXQ51YPy8oqr6V5t0TvSAiGJ8OjamMwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_AVRgbjuX_8/WkMFQGXHZKI/AAAAAAAAKjY/3REXQ51YPy8oqr6V5t0TvSAiGJ8OjamMwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">alpine primrose! reminds me of the scotia primrose up in Shetland, but this one's bigger and white. fun to have global green friends! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so, this is a small scale example of the process that has created the famous stone runs on the Falkland Islands. the process of particle sorting by frost and melt action... shoves the rocks and bits aside slowly slowly until there are bands of rock and bands of soil... you can see linear patterns in the rocky areas above treeline in the above photo if you zoom in real close... stand by for more examples later on. Neat to see it here on such a small scale after seeing the massive examples on the Falklands. Talk about deep geologic time...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YnIU4GpXcNw/WkMFV3K_G3I/AAAAAAAAKjg/uDPOt0WCVj0ypxly1FCtJu8t1XtPiSX8gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YnIU4GpXcNw/WkMFV3K_G3I/AAAAAAAAKjg/uDPOt0WCVj0ypxly1FCtJu8t1XtPiSX8gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1474.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got a titch windy on the pass, but really wasn't so bad all things considered... got away with being lazy and didn't even break out all my layers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IagWfiuBVVs/WkMFdAU8y8I/AAAAAAAAKjo/E3ZC31MkXDk9SdTzU6tiU9Za-mCS9mcAgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IagWfiuBVVs/WkMFdAU8y8I/AAAAAAAAKjo/E3ZC31MkXDk9SdTzU6tiU9Za-mCS9mcAgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1479.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what is this?! sea thrift, as an alpine plant?! used to seeing this along the coasts of the UK and Falklands... but apparently it's a cosmopolitan thing here in TDF... or could it be a subspecies? fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L661HpeQeSo/WkMFdhbWoEI/AAAAAAAAKjs/-zZFrOMgYxMnxTrSO8KOEvOcQ8ERR-ShgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L661HpeQeSo/WkMFdhbWoEI/AAAAAAAAKjs/-zZFrOMgYxMnxTrSO8KOEvOcQ8ERR-ShgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1484.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an example of a more developed stone run, with bands of rocks and bands of soil that had developed a covering of vegetation....</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6VtEN5_1iI/WkMFlHSMmEI/AAAAAAAAKj0/8zAQM9JnzLAoBWM5smrSYZ-gPJBr63McgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6VtEN5_1iI/WkMFlHSMmEI/AAAAAAAAKj0/8zAQM9JnzLAoBWM5smrSYZ-gPJBr63McgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rAGZbbdT6EA/WkMFl2iWA9I/AAAAAAAAKj4/IONZ4yG63vIvhvOkEW-jK06xmXQesm07wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rAGZbbdT6EA/WkMFl2iWA9I/AAAAAAAAKj4/IONZ4yG63vIvhvOkEW-jK06xmXQesm07wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as I came over the pass, I spied several guanaco that eventually saw me and bounded away... then I saw another on the ridgeline and it kept an eye on me, silhouetted the whole way as I went west and it went east...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UF2JitPX8LQDS808aS-VS3k1Qy8gKqKSyHhBfpvQE3itqtSqG8NH2FbO4FnGvqtZN0Nm4oDmZSkILkEPFxlUu7aOaiIiT_S5anyqs2zaWH-fXm77B78KkF6b9OQZC-ux_WHqK4lZgKwv/s1600/IMG_1548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UF2JitPX8LQDS808aS-VS3k1Qy8gKqKSyHhBfpvQE3itqtSqG8NH2FbO4FnGvqtZN0Nm4oDmZSkILkEPFxlUu7aOaiIiT_S5anyqs2zaWH-fXm77B78KkF6b9OQZC-ux_WHqK4lZgKwv/s640/IMG_1548.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the wee speck at the right-side junction of the peak and the ridgeline is the guanaco...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oAxHj36JVE/WkMFucW4A9I/AAAAAAAAKkM/oysxX5tMTGsA81B4BLmzLHaVf1n7appLQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oAxHj36JVE/WkMFucW4A9I/AAAAAAAAKkM/oysxX5tMTGsA81B4BLmzLHaVf1n7appLQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1558.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more nascent stone run strips...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXpBg9_zrGw/WkMFtLWOuiI/AAAAAAAAKkE/XE30cqeiWGUaYlMdCxZpXh45K6IzPDFMgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXpBg9_zrGw/WkMFtLWOuiI/AAAAAAAAKkE/XE30cqeiWGUaYlMdCxZpXh45K6IzPDFMgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an example of one of the trail markers that I'd see every so often, a comforting sight. this was also just after the first real rain shower I experienced... on the second day, and it was interspersed with what I call "snow rain"... it wasn't light fluffy snowflakes, it wasn't icy sleet or hail... but wee small snowballs 1mm across that fell with more of the weight of rain but with the lesser density per volume of air of snow... does that make sense? it was cool. especially as it lasted all of 10 minutes max, then the sun came out again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4h_RMkJKY9o/WkMFt3iNfjI/AAAAAAAAKkI/6XGvkCketjMBxsSo6EKt4E-pqIthgl5gwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4h_RMkJKY9o/WkMFt3iNfjI/AAAAAAAAKkI/6XGvkCketjMBxsSo6EKt4E-pqIthgl5gwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1614.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">second night's camp, a nice soft nook of Nothofagus (beech) leaf duff. It was a pyramid shaped tarp, held up here with a hiking pole and staked to the ground... first nights camp it was held up by a line thrown over a branch overhead. Pretty slick, and lightweight. Again, thanks Luis!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWcxUAbj1Z4/WkMFy3aRHlI/AAAAAAAAKkQ/0AkdNL5lk0o9KXTZgjcGqcEJlDC8bJW_gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWcxUAbj1Z4/WkMFy3aRHlI/AAAAAAAAKkQ/0AkdNL5lk0o9KXTZgjcGqcEJlDC8bJW_gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1621.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is an icon of the TDF forest, pan del indio. it's a fungus that grows out of a canker in beech trees, and you can eat it. kind of crunchy and squishy... king of like a fig with a crisp outside and jucier inside and not really any taste.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this girl is happy to be out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the home stretch... hiking across the pastures of Estancia Harberton, cleared by hand and fire a hundred years ago or less, now grassland with lovely buttercups and atmospheric old rotting tree trunks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmfuro3l1-ruAvGECuPP-5Femx5Fs_Qhi6MOFQn5N-ZDmgTyotHQDg1kOClxVYruDAEgww2WdhXwU9hkU8GUSpK9pEal9w3BLqtueZU6ZJS-t3bj9NowQJ8r-WGgAnOvtaxOgka09cj0/s1600/IMG_1684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmfuro3l1-ruAvGECuPP-5Femx5Fs_Qhi6MOFQn5N-ZDmgTyotHQDg1kOClxVYruDAEgww2WdhXwU9hkU8GUSpK9pEal9w3BLqtueZU6ZJS-t3bj9NowQJ8r-WGgAnOvtaxOgka09cj0/s640/IMG_1684.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here I am at the other side. done! and an aside... please forgive the overabundance of selfies... all for you mom and dad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfDXup41wIg/WkMF67Db8FI/AAAAAAAAKko/_pOn5cpxh58-vD84D97VGYHtVOSHiW53QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="1024" height="178" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfDXup41wIg/WkMF67Db8FI/AAAAAAAAKko/_pOn5cpxh58-vD84D97VGYHtVOSHiW53QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1687.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estancia Harberton, deck view from the below house-- which was home to the ranch foreman for many years. best view on the place, I'd say.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7i5_Ymwouo/WkMF8UsWQkI/AAAAAAAAKks/PbQPS38aEF8rhz-5W_E_iCMYOxRge28-QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7i5_Ymwouo/WkMF8UsWQkI/AAAAAAAAKks/PbQPS38aEF8rhz-5W_E_iCMYOxRge28-QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1686.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treated myself to a stay at the estancia for a night instead of trying to hitch my way immediately back to Ushuaia... I'd come to work at the museum here a couple of years ago-- an amazing place with an excellent variety of marine mammal skeletons on display after having been washed up on beaches in the region then cleaned and articulated by an army of interns over the years...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset from the hill above the house... the marguerite daises aren't native, but gosh they sure are lovely!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSeKmHJlwic/WkMGA_1dtOI/AAAAAAAAKk0/zJ0FNbUTnqY9X_gcaH6H7EvO0TvewURiwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171223_213306287_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSeKmHJlwic/WkMGA_1dtOI/AAAAAAAAKk0/zJ0FNbUTnqY9X_gcaH6H7EvO0TvewURiwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171223_213306287_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a walk around the peninsula the next day... amazing shoreline lichens!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W3rmqc4vkQ/WkMGIKhlDOI/AAAAAAAAKlE/6MHz_EXG45g6rn9PMF9aiRTDbcgv0DHRQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171224_142804673_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W3rmqc4vkQ/WkMGIKhlDOI/AAAAAAAAKlE/6MHz_EXG45g6rn9PMF9aiRTDbcgv0DHRQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171224_142804673_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">incredible high altitude clouds streaking above the cumulus... and a flock of gulls for a bonus!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwdlFr6Bzng/WkMGJN2gTfI/AAAAAAAAKlI/erUralc8jns29gRGm2LmSnu71mWlyshFgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171224_143051218_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwdlFr6Bzng/WkMGJN2gTfI/AAAAAAAAKlI/erUralc8jns29gRGm2LmSnu71mWlyshFgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171224_143051218_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After getting back to Ushuaia, I still wanted to do more hiking in the area, and there are a couple you can do directly from town which was convenient and fun to just start walking up into the "backyard" so to speak. Quite the backyard... the Cerro del Medio hike just kept going up and up and up... legs were more tired after this walk than after the three day backpack! Awesome to cover the same altitude gain in one hike that I did over the three days too... saw the same and more alpine plants, was awesome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXx6m_LyGfQ/WkMGMUi_AmI/AAAAAAAAKlM/G_J6aSdUTe4DrAMJnGrd66Dc7Hq85fjAwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_131326845_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXx6m_LyGfQ/WkMGMUi_AmI/AAAAAAAAKlM/G_J6aSdUTe4DrAMJnGrd66Dc7Hq85fjAwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_131326845_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">realized that so many of the neat plants in the Falklands are actually alpine plants here... they've just moved down in altitude in the islands... but life is just as tough there because of the wind. Not the cold, Falklands is rather temperate because of the marine influence... but the wind just beats everything to heck. Cool perspectives on larger-scale ecological adaptations.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-Xy14hxOGo/WkMGO2P2nqI/AAAAAAAAKlU/aJkcnxFgFhUo_QmnrjvApNgscXbg3aA8QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_131443613_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-Xy14hxOGo/WkMGO2P2nqI/AAAAAAAAKlU/aJkcnxFgFhUo_QmnrjvApNgscXbg3aA8QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_131443613_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some cool geologic phenomena happening here... not exactly stone runs, but some sort of thaw/bleed out of meltwater and stones creating these mini-blowout slumps and drainage patterns... what think you, trained Geologists?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9iRwP1IPNg/WkMGPW5QQ1I/AAAAAAAAKlY/pTmCsj52sEoDTPH64M29tvnp7gHvABgjACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_132030028_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9iRwP1IPNg/WkMGPW5QQ1I/AAAAAAAAKlY/pTmCsj52sEoDTPH64M29tvnp7gHvABgjACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_132030028_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gosh dangit! alpine maritime thrift! ?!?! so cool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">called chocolate flower... and it really does smell like chocolate. like the chocolate daisy in west texas. this isn't a sunflower family member though... will have to look into what makes that smell...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TeHV6EsNa8/WkMGiC_syQI/AAAAAAAAKlo/BMmtY4bIuyUDW5zfJFkjTdSlYr9xYKUQQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_134858316_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TeHV6EsNa8/WkMGiC_syQI/AAAAAAAAKlo/BMmtY4bIuyUDW5zfJFkjTdSlYr9xYKUQQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_134858316_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeousness. aside from the idea of melting/disappearing glaciers. but the lake was lovely... and it had at least one species of swimming bug in it, what a surprise!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GaKj78YB6i0/WkMGkoN0U6I/AAAAAAAAKlw/AhN-gxO_hJcTJstZ2xRb6GqDGoCW4_PdQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_135916283_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GaKj78YB6i0/WkMGkoN0U6I/AAAAAAAAKlw/AhN-gxO_hJcTJstZ2xRb6GqDGoCW4_PdQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_135916283_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a "hell yea" view from on top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_km7FYjcDG8/WkMGki7v-QI/AAAAAAAAKls/hc_PlQE9oLgByp8vsfL2G2N1Z6VMXLlpgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_135933844_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_km7FYjcDG8/WkMGki7v-QI/AAAAAAAAKls/hc_PlQE9oLgByp8vsfL2G2N1Z6VMXLlpgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_135933844_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy me</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oIMFzkBi0_Q/WkMGr_V7M7I/AAAAAAAAKl0/Xmn54Woo9pQVNl45-HMCYNbmKfp6kGYNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_140552198_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oIMFzkBi0_Q/WkMGr_V7M7I/AAAAAAAAKl0/Xmn54Woo9pQVNl45-HMCYNbmKfp6kGYNwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_140552198_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ushuaia, the west half anyway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T24iad9LHhY/WkMGwzMbUAI/AAAAAAAAKmA/2FLYvtT6F8M_wcE4fRqSQOMdqBUFJWvUACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_142411032_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T24iad9LHhY/WkMGwzMbUAI/AAAAAAAAKmA/2FLYvtT6F8M_wcE4fRqSQOMdqBUFJWvUACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_142411032_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such fun wee plants! some sweet wee mustard...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7CQjUhxx5c/WkMG3XsLzTI/AAAAAAAAKmE/tBHoIqfd5PsTjjOnx2BrwicbFTmkqvCswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_142715490_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7CQjUhxx5c/WkMG3XsLzTI/AAAAAAAAKmE/tBHoIqfd5PsTjjOnx2BrwicbFTmkqvCswCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_142715490_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGujGPykHOI/WkMG5hgL9tI/AAAAAAAAKmI/6zLD5_WHCCA6hHiM-tghjN4BDvQk_3x9wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20171225_151502054_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGujGPykHOI/WkMG5hgL9tI/AAAAAAAAKmI/6zLD5_WHCCA6hHiM-tghjN4BDvQk_3x9wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20171225_151502054_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thank you, tierra del fuego </td></tr>
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jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-24412817380507756092017-11-29T09:21:00.000-08:002017-11-29T09:24:33.727-08:00in the southern ocean againAnd just to round out my year of fantastic places, I was offered the chance to return south as a ship-based guide and who could say no? So here I am, onboard the m/v Plancius with Oceanwide Expeditions. Here are some images from our previous 20 day trip through the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic peninsula. Amazing as ever. Enjoy... I sure am ;)<br />
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I'll leave it to you to figure out which pics belong to each of the three places.... have fun!<br />
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And here is a link to the online site where our trip log and other mementos of the trip will be posted, feel free to check it out:<br />
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/trip-log/pla22-17-trip-log-falkland-islands-south-georgia-and-antarctic-peninsula?utm_source%3DOceanwide%2BExpeditions%2BNews%26utm_campaign%3D4da206d497-TRIPLOG_PLA22-17_29NOV-2017-ENGLISH%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_b2597ebe3f-4da206d497-124384441%26mc_cid%3D4da206d497%26mc_eid%3D641eef7ee3&source=gmail&ust=1512062554651000&usg=AFQjCNEItBaWpw3SLXmZBFvVCPncLLaN4w" href="https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/trip-log/pla22-17-trip-log-falkland-islands-south-georgia-and-antarctic-peninsula?utm_source=Oceanwide+Expeditions+News&utm_campaign=4da206d497-TRIPLOG_PLA22-17_29NOV-2017-ENGLISH&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b2597ebe3f-4da206d497-124384441&mc_cid=4da206d497&mc_eid=641eef7ee3" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;" target="_blank">https://oceanwide-expeditions.<wbr></wbr>com/trip-log/pla22-17-trip-<wbr></wbr>log-falkland-islands-south-<wbr></wbr>georgia-and-antarctic-<wbr></wbr>peninsula?utm_source=<wbr></wbr>Oceanwide+Expeditions+News&<wbr></wbr>utm_campaign=4da206d497-<wbr></wbr>TRIPLOG_PLA22-17_29NOV-2017-<wbr></wbr>ENGLISH&utm_medium=email&utm_<wbr></wbr>term=0_b2597ebe3f-4da206d497-<wbr></wbr>124384441&mc_cid=4da206d497&<wbr></wbr>mc_eid=641eef7ee3</a><br />
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<br />jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-52434101816361712552017-11-29T09:05:00.001-08:002017-11-29T09:05:30.544-08:00"Fire and Ice" as they say...ok a quick insight into my quick trip.... after my summer onboard the Serenissima cruising around Scandinavia and the UK, on my way back to the states I organized a way to stopover in Iceland. Because, why not?!<br />
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It was pretty awesome... interestingly it didn't overwhelmingly blow me away, but only because I've been lucky enough already in my life to visit some pretty spectacular places. The Icelandic landscape is incredibly varied but the country is quite small relatively speaking so you can see so many neat and unfamiliar things in a short span of space and time. Which is awesome for first-timers, and/or people that haven't traveled much I guess. For me, around every corner I kept seeing sights that reminded me of Nepal, New Zealand, South Georgia, Bolivia, and even Big Bend!<br />
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So it's not that I didn't feel like Iceland was boring or uninteresting, but it was curious that I wasn't as affected emotionally as I thought I'd be. Perhaps a casualty of seeing and doing so many new things over the past several months. And also since my trip was so short, I know that I made a very superficial visit as well. Driving like a banshee around the island in 6 days... not a strategy to really get into the feeling and the energy of a place. So I am to blame as well, I know there are places I will be blown away by... so I will make sure to spend time there my next visit.<br />
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And so. After that introduction, here are some photos to show the undeniable beauty of the place, regardless of the depth of my connection. More text later on when I have more time and focus... this is just so get some of the beauty out there.<br />
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xox :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the little campervan i rented... basically a stationwagon with a higher back roof... good work li'l sweetie!</td></tr>
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<br />jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-85080926663823074522017-11-03T22:46:00.001-07:002017-11-03T22:46:15.955-07:00Land of the Vikings... and all things civilized<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The ship itineraries continued over to Norway, up to Tromso then down the Norwegian coast... then I got off the ship to visit friends in Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. I then rejoined the ship at Copenhagen and continued exploring the coast north and then back across to the UK, ending finally back where I began the UK season in Portsmouth!<br />
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The scandinavian and European part of my summer was excellent for so many reasons, and it was repeatedly refreshing and edifying to take advantage of and benefit from a much more human-centric system of life most easily summed up by the depth, breadth, and variety of public transportation options. But that I found on my own travels. This will be mostly my ship-based memories... we'll see what I can find!<br />
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It's easy to start with the most spectacular bit... the Lofoten Islands, off of Tromso. As a colleage said, it's the barrier or speed bump on the way north to Svalbard!<br />
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I say not a bad hump to have to suffer...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kittwakes repurposing window ledges</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an old fishing village and fishermen huts-- back in the days when there was a huge seasonal workforce to harvest cod and put them out for drying on racks in the salty wind... now just some heads strung up to evoke the history of the place...</td></tr>
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I have joked many times that summer in Scotland and Norway equals no summer... but we did have some pretty spectacular weather a few times and boy does it make all the world of difference. but the moody weather days were also pretty neat too.<br />
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Heading down the coast, a variety of scenes. It is more rugged with fjords and mountains in the north and things slowly mellow as you travel south. We called in at a variety of places, taking busses to visit cities, parks, villages, do some hiking... too many names to get into at the moment, but here's a visual smorgasbord...<br />
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Tromso and the Polar Museum<br />
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Oslo, the Fram museum, Viking ship museum... pretty awesome.</div>
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Bergen, my favorite city there-- neat alleyways and old buildings, lots of character. And you can hike up the hill behind town and can go hiking or skiing... for an hour, or days! Being in the nature is a very Norwegian thing. So awesome to have that quality of recreation (variety of trails for walkers bikers skiiers in winter, refuge huts, lengths...) so close to a major city.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2eIoBpSElzM/Wf1GUeW_RxI/AAAAAAAAKV8/NbGC8jmqCsMkQG5uQMdukvrQRJ7EBscsACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170620_182311194_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2eIoBpSElzM/Wf1GUeW_RxI/AAAAAAAAKV8/NbGC8jmqCsMkQG5uQMdukvrQRJ7EBscsACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170620_182311194_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view at a distance from the historic warehouse sector... the Hanseatic Quarter</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_M6ReJruciw/Wf1GQG5NkNI/AAAAAAAAKV8/tt2e4eMoOPUhLhE4Jd9Ey9tLrTYdEuWlACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170620_181823569_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_M6ReJruciw/Wf1GQG5NkNI/AAAAAAAAKV8/tt2e4eMoOPUhLhE4Jd9Ey9tLrTYdEuWlACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170620_181823569_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiFsGIrQpg4/Wf1GKZ1csMI/AAAAAAAAKV8/ZIcXbFw_oxwdx91oeK28Zzn557iOTU4xACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170620_173912825_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiFsGIrQpg4/Wf1GKZ1csMI/AAAAAAAAKV8/ZIcXbFw_oxwdx91oeK28Zzn557iOTU4xACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170620_173912825_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside one of the old Quarter buildings conserved as a museum; these are the beds for some of the guild members and/or visiting merchants... snug as a bug in a matchbox!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_I-Rij5yY0/Wf1GNILwm1I/AAAAAAAAKV8/ZWh7NmLiU8gs22kNch9GB3Sf1CRzngGiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170620_173311307_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_I-Rij5yY0/Wf1GNILwm1I/AAAAAAAAKV8/ZWh7NmLiU8gs22kNch9GB3Sf1CRzngGiwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170620_173311307_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cool old office cubicle... old wavy glass!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ9NdSqry8c/Wf1GReRPpyI/AAAAAAAAKV8/nYm-pEhm5-IGSFWc7KFUNiEKQWv4nASqgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170620_181500113_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ9NdSqry8c/Wf1GReRPpyI/AAAAAAAAKV8/nYm-pEhm5-IGSFWc7KFUNiEKQWv4nASqgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170620_181500113_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tribute to Cod, the unlovely but hugely important fish to the region and really the world economy. Check out the book Cod: the biography of the fish that changed the world, by Mark Kurlansky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvR5Y2P0aiA/Wf1H72uHyiI/AAAAAAAAKYA/FBiDqqEzdMQwRzkOUyF9Km4fHS2-C4tFACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170704_160724288_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvR5Y2P0aiA/Wf1H72uHyiI/AAAAAAAAKYA/FBiDqqEzdMQwRzkOUyF9Km4fHS2-C4tFACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170704_160724288_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bergen from above... these are real houses, no living museum.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFfJjhw3TWRfHRysg9hR680JHPlHdcqL8p8F8rTvFg1mhRJtEpnbVPqMuB84I21EM6uZV4Z5iDlP6wVsXE0nHe8f_L5y6ZGeGJHs6jS5xlwuDSFTZ7fAaZOMhuKSvkBg0lNtLhlj4dBVL/s1600/IMG_20170704_160516270_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFfJjhw3TWRfHRysg9hR680JHPlHdcqL8p8F8rTvFg1mhRJtEpnbVPqMuB84I21EM6uZV4Z5iDlP6wVsXE0nHe8f_L5y6ZGeGJHs6jS5xlwuDSFTZ7fAaZOMhuKSvkBg0lNtLhlj4dBVL/s320/IMG_20170704_160516270_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4EW2-h-MMw/Wf1IBje44II/AAAAAAAAKYA/5P7old_TTogogV-k20aW8YLTmJyLAfLrACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170704_160940778_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4EW2-h-MMw/Wf1IBje44II/AAAAAAAAKYA/5P7old_TTogogV-k20aW8YLTmJyLAfLrACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170704_160940778_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0_sG2YVHeQ/Wf1ICxrUCUI/AAAAAAAAKYA/8a-1tTflxCkJKVdqb6cafBEFKyPbxRXeACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170704_174402467_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0_sG2YVHeQ/Wf1ICxrUCUI/AAAAAAAAKYA/8a-1tTflxCkJKVdqb6cafBEFKyPbxRXeACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170704_174402467_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and really above town in the recreation zone...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sA5HT0bokRQ/Wf1IJIrXneI/AAAAAAAAKYA/SFPvH38hZv8x2Rz613ZRcRZHOgo8Erp8gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170704_182148211_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sA5HT0bokRQ/Wf1IJIrXneI/AAAAAAAAKYA/SFPvH38hZv8x2Rz613ZRcRZHOgo8Erp8gCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170704_182148211_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely trailside rest stop...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayC1R9VG7vU/Wf1IQ7MM_kI/AAAAAAAAKYA/QK-dTbVr60wY2hcwcNLQ47Q34pyCif54QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170704_192906018_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayC1R9VG7vU/Wf1IQ7MM_kI/AAAAAAAAKYA/QK-dTbVr60wY2hcwcNLQ47Q34pyCif54QCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170704_192906018_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking down at the port area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMf6Qto9M3w/Wf1ILpwZvxI/AAAAAAAAKYA/ozBGKF6MT2ox2ULWDbsGYajg73OnMRLRACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170704_220937088_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMf6Qto9M3w/Wf1ILpwZvxI/AAAAAAAAKYA/ozBGKF6MT2ox2ULWDbsGYajg73OnMRLRACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170704_220937088_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a real fish (though dead), on display at the fish market. i'd guess we tourists asked lots of questions about "well jeeze marge, i wonder what that thing is?"... i imagine the friendly fishmongers kindly provided a sign to give their vocal chords a bit of a break...</td></tr>
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and outside of Bergen is Trollhousen, Edvard Grieg's home conserved as a museum and where there is also a purpose built auditorium where the conserving foundation hosts a rotation of Grieg-focused pianists who give regular recitals. We would be signed up for a private recital on each of our visits to the city (I attended three or four) and each soloist was excellent, with their individual choice of pieces which was a nice variety as a repeat visitor. Usually however their final piece was his wedding march which was when their unique styles were demonstrated more clearly. a gorgeous venue-- specifically designed to allow the viewer to experience the nature that inspired Grieg at the same time as the performance... the red cottage you see through the window was the actual retreat where Grieg did his composing, overlooking the sound. A deeply thoughtful and truly affective experience.<br />
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Now, an assortment of other images from smaller towns and such along the coast...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8eGT5PgrSnMqqhK5fYxj1ViRoSBDC0iP6r_IxpQXxJR8kS-fdAgkTUOqnO71IexQABvIhF_0toezRRHW3Ef7VBtIVoVxNPVdjarFL9M1t7b80m2sU7oM8kwuB9b7A1nf1JeekFPZLJ6v/s1600/IMG_20170621_101518312_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8eGT5PgrSnMqqhK5fYxj1ViRoSBDC0iP6r_IxpQXxJR8kS-fdAgkTUOqnO71IexQABvIhF_0toezRRHW3Ef7VBtIVoVxNPVdjarFL9M1t7b80m2sU7oM8kwuB9b7A1nf1JeekFPZLJ6v/s320/IMG_20170621_101518312_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of wooden churches in Norway, this one was particularly beautiful</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2S6tXv_niQ/Wf1HGhw5MxI/AAAAAAAAKWs/rANsMOQqzgo1tX5DFgE0GDS2cT1ElZ4xACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170622_131829782_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2S6tXv_niQ/Wf1HGhw5MxI/AAAAAAAAKWs/rANsMOQqzgo1tX5DFgE0GDS2cT1ElZ4xACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170622_131829782_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZj0xGXqxg0/Wf1HG3B54CI/AAAAAAAAKWs/PJmUtgE3tcczUZWzoNbR4qD_jap_q214QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170622_151741984_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZj0xGXqxg0/Wf1HG3B54CI/AAAAAAAAKWs/PJmUtgE3tcczUZWzoNbR4qD_jap_q214QCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170622_151741984_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USHvDaDZN8U/Wf1HOJg_1NI/AAAAAAAAKWs/IpWYI6V33Jc1IqIJh4zGKNrV8Bi-h3bEACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170623_095256574_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USHvDaDZN8U/Wf1HOJg_1NI/AAAAAAAAKWs/IpWYI6V33Jc1IqIJh4zGKNrV8Bi-h3bEACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170623_095256574_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the incredible display of wildflower in the highcountry was difficult to capture in the grand scheme... took lots of individual photos and created a plant guidebook sort of file for guests to take home with them... which was really fun for me, a great way to learn the local flora and enjoy the plants that much more deeply via their photos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3BVDw3zaHUA/Wf1HRMh8fxI/AAAAAAAAKWs/M9FBTrJAFycwVt-2f6ntXNtIvXjTLhYFgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170623_150954099_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3BVDw3zaHUA/Wf1HRMh8fxI/AAAAAAAAKWs/M9FBTrJAFycwVt-2f6ntXNtIvXjTLhYFgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170623_150954099_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">turf roofs all the rage... great insulation. rafters then slabs of rock, then layers of birch bark then turf which will then host a wide range of naturally colonizing species of grass, moss, flowers... and even trees if you're not keeping up with your roof weeding chores!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFyzC1z1YGQ/Wf1HSyIWDdI/AAAAAAAAKWs/RUHCaY6RacEmyre3X3jGbXy-rsmE8pvawCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170623_172026369_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFyzC1z1YGQ/Wf1HSyIWDdI/AAAAAAAAKWs/RUHCaY6RacEmyre3X3jGbXy-rsmE8pvawCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170623_172026369_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spectacular high country</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs7HsQ_Mgt99VevF7WikhG7DjiAUNS1XcyXrO9mK9f_vFB7B8Q97LUwyrVHxf1jdahmLpL8i147sTuiw2GXuaEDVAwiKRWGzqjtKMBzV8F4_tEda-KOlQ5kJvKm-slbZ2jW-Xv-3sfV5X/s1600/P6190372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs7HsQ_Mgt99VevF7WikhG7DjiAUNS1XcyXrO9mK9f_vFB7B8Q97LUwyrVHxf1jdahmLpL8i147sTuiw2GXuaEDVAwiKRWGzqjtKMBzV8F4_tEda-KOlQ5kJvKm-slbZ2jW-Xv-3sfV5X/s320/P6190372.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">butterwort... carnivorous plant! big sticky broad leaves...</td></tr>
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(some) Beers of Norway... well, I encountered them there anyway. I think the O is actually Danish?</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpODueFj5Vo/Wf1HjvcvnmI/AAAAAAAAKXc/vIGR5OTF7U4hxrypIhaWjKYgz5-fQ_A2QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170627_132849528_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpODueFj5Vo/Wf1HjvcvnmI/AAAAAAAAKXc/vIGR5OTF7U4hxrypIhaWjKYgz5-fQ_A2QCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170627_132849528_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqvIvo1Xvhk/Wf1IjFTGoxI/AAAAAAAAKY4/nv2DoLOeYlAc5zGflCUB_znmVaN_BbHBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170707_112745722_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqvIvo1Xvhk/Wf1IjFTGoxI/AAAAAAAAKY4/nv2DoLOeYlAc5zGflCUB_znmVaN_BbHBgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170707_112745722_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we went inland a ways to take a trip on the Telemark Canal... I'd never gone through locks before...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7bfsotzyCiA/Wf1IcLKf-_I/AAAAAAAAKY4/De4YBb5z2DsUkExze0B7pqoGPMjUdGpgACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170707_110306732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7bfsotzyCiA/Wf1IcLKf-_I/AAAAAAAAKY4/De4YBb5z2DsUkExze0B7pqoGPMjUdGpgACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170707_110306732.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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visited the "art deco capital of Norway" at Alesund...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5lOS1lIAiMa1TNdaSlNk7RtDZ4HMAlvk0-OwLn8f2zE0Zgtik23KuHOlkuukkpQbZyJK5LzlLUgWKDdgA8JNCMpHbYtN04lOjbEvq8ayPyfRNveZh5jYX0zPzPaYVwau9DuP-1q54lq0/s1600/IMG_20170624_094809612_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5lOS1lIAiMa1TNdaSlNk7RtDZ4HMAlvk0-OwLn8f2zE0Zgtik23KuHOlkuukkpQbZyJK5LzlLUgWKDdgA8JNCMpHbYtN04lOjbEvq8ayPyfRNveZh5jYX0zPzPaYVwau9DuP-1q54lq0/s320/IMG_20170624_094809612_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CFqSbK0FZt8/Wf1HfhY6ZMI/AAAAAAAAKXc/tXpK3JXpTUQJCpILxea3aBgRPF2kLU_eACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170624_113711425_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CFqSbK0FZt8/Wf1HfhY6ZMI/AAAAAAAAKXc/tXpK3JXpTUQJCpILxea3aBgRPF2kLU_eACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170624_113711425_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGzB-EVWxLg/Wf1HhSxWZbI/AAAAAAAAKXc/6MpS14TT0hQrfhX5313Ga5Rxsy64G_n8gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170624_120407309_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGzB-EVWxLg/Wf1HhSxWZbI/AAAAAAAAKXc/6MpS14TT0hQrfhX5313Ga5Rxsy64G_n8gCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170624_120407309_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which had a knit store showing the cutest baby wear ever!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gZN32nn6aw/Wf1HYktyoMI/AAAAAAAAKXc/FxyxPjur8zE2xjr50xiQUOhI8eURpTcJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170624_093627171_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gZN32nn6aw/Wf1HYktyoMI/AAAAAAAAKXc/FxyxPjur8zE2xjr50xiQUOhI8eURpTcJgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170624_093627171_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and then some really cute small towns / villages in the south where the theme was all white houses and terra cotta roofs... including Kragero where Edvard Munch spent a lot of time painting and being inspired...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Sat-IZJGeg/Wf1IrFdnycI/AAAAAAAAKY4/jovHt04jHS4jmu4tE_AF7Im96zB0xQsVACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170707_160758229_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Sat-IZJGeg/Wf1IrFdnycI/AAAAAAAAKY4/jovHt04jHS4jmu4tE_AF7Im96zB0xQsVACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170707_160758229_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89aE1-c16H0/Wf1Irt1bpnI/AAAAAAAAKY4/tZtLNXOulEQwgrGSfDJ2txfIWRuJHEcjgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170707_164229640_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89aE1-c16H0/Wf1Irt1bpnI/AAAAAAAAKY4/tZtLNXOulEQwgrGSfDJ2txfIWRuJHEcjgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170707_164229640_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">the man himself (in bronze) with a replica of his painting "the light" behind... he is looking out to where the sun would rise with that sort of brillance... beautiful.<br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYBoL0CqCm0/Wf1IT-FFE1I/AAAAAAAAKYA/MQGsjSF5LfArAgJsSIsmvAADgHOndLacQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170705_160012103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYBoL0CqCm0/Wf1IT-FFE1I/AAAAAAAAKYA/MQGsjSF5LfArAgJsSIsmvAADgHOndLacQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170705_160012103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z75LH805Oug/Wf1IXmo9DCI/AAAAAAAAKYA/sNe9wKgdSIAzLsQMA3Fp0-3BBY0ADthCACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170705_161619875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z75LH805Oug/Wf1IXmo9DCI/AAAAAAAAKYA/sNe9wKgdSIAzLsQMA3Fp0-3BBY0ADthCACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170705_161619875.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are a few shots from Skagen, Denmark. Right up a the tip...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h56J6P5xSTI/Wf1JGDq83WI/AAAAAAAAKZo/VpyToRc5E58qaV1pq3qILYkKVRNsFNozQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170709_141240516_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h56J6P5xSTI/Wf1JGDq83WI/AAAAAAAAKZo/VpyToRc5E58qaV1pq3qILYkKVRNsFNozQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170709_141240516_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the theme here... yellow and terra cotta... and BMWs and porches etc in the driveways of these wee village houses... Danes have a high standard of living but this was clearly some sort of Martha's Vineyard-esque sort of holiday scene.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZmcUNyPdbE/Wf1JHoXvepI/AAAAAAAAKZo/oGyfoE7RmLoUC2O0VVqLsHWmovZjE7tLQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170709_142851749_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZmcUNyPdbE/Wf1JHoXvepI/AAAAAAAAKZo/oGyfoE7RmLoUC2O0VVqLsHWmovZjE7tLQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170709_142851749_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-pWCo77PGM/Wf1JOUnL7_I/AAAAAAAAKZo/e492fTAS-3onaahKkjnjcuVwSDPE753dACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170709_144319658_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-pWCo77PGM/Wf1JOUnL7_I/AAAAAAAAKZo/e492fTAS-3onaahKkjnjcuVwSDPE753dACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170709_144319658_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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cool mirror, or lens... what amazing design and function</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXZpjC2xWJc/Wf1JT9QwfRI/AAAAAAAAKZo/3xGixv9BJVwDHhWGAyqksZUc7_wOUHalACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170709_144341795_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXZpjC2xWJc/Wf1JT9QwfRI/AAAAAAAAKZo/3xGixv9BJVwDHhWGAyqksZUc7_wOUHalACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170709_144341795_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">great view from atop the lighthouse, of where the North Sea meets the Baltic Sea... you can see the turbulence in the ocean and the different colors at the top right of the photo, leading from the apex of the sandy shoreline off to the right just below the actual horizon.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NOxeDyAK27Y/Wf1JQSIv3vI/AAAAAAAAKZo/fYFmY8r4OdseUY3c1WY-smO9yoYkbO2WACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170709_144701727_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NOxeDyAK27Y/Wf1JQSIv3vI/AAAAAAAAKZo/fYFmY8r4OdseUY3c1WY-smO9yoYkbO2WACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170709_144701727_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1ozQnc5sko/Wf1JZMSHRhI/AAAAAAAAKZo/dHU2ot3P7hYNCft73mug0hI431QhJ7WiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170709_160947444_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1ozQnc5sko/Wf1JZMSHRhI/AAAAAAAAKZo/dHU2ot3P7hYNCft73mug0hI431QhJ7WiwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20170709_160947444_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here is the actual meeting point of the waters... swimming prohibited because of the crazy currents. There wasn't any wind this day... but crazy waves happening out there off the spit. Had my feet in two bodies of water at once... pretty neat.</td></tr>
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Gosh, so many more photos I have but maybe they'll make it here another time. Hope you've enjoyed the trip so far. Until the next installment... tallyho!jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-37150488141461774902017-08-20T06:21:00.001-07:002017-11-03T20:57:25.064-07:00Back to "work"... UK style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well. My how things can change in the space of a day, or night as it really happened...<br />
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Left Manila after a fun last night out with good friends, flew back to Chennai, India, to pick up my body bag of gear, and then hopped on a night plane to London.</div>
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It was rather surreal as he plane dipped below the clouds on the landing approach... it looked rather like we were flying into a diorama, a museum exhibit with AstroTurf and plastic houses set up for a game of Monopoly... Everything so tidy, clean lines, big blocks of simple colors (green grass, brown / brick houses, grey asphalt)... was there any life? It was hard to tell, everything went in the same lines, same flow, so ordered and discrete... nothing standing out except the absence of things standing out.</div>
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And then. I got off the plane at Heathrow and was reminded there most certainly was life in this new land ;)</div>
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Thus began my UK season, exploring the western coastlines (and manors and gardens) from Portsmouth (on the south coast) around the western toe of England, pinballing north back and forth between Ireland and Britain, on up to Scotland's Outer Hebrides islands where we experienced (among other things), sea birds, sea stacs, seals, seaweed, and the outer island culture of peat cutting, blackhouses, and Harris Tweed to name a few regional icons.</div>
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Just a smattering of images from several trips... I'm updating pics and captions and trying to get the rest of my summer "in print" so to speak so there is a clean slate for next adventures... hope you have fun tagging along!</div>
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xoxo friends!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDd3p6c8XZ8/WZmMd_7FFzI/AAAAAAAAKHo/k78nYPpTR8gG0PXgrCu2tBhurTHVOzRRwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDd3p6c8XZ8/WZmMd_7FFzI/AAAAAAAAKHo/k78nYPpTR8gG0PXgrCu2tBhurTHVOzRRwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like Mont St Michele, it's the English version-- St Michael's Mount, off Penzance. It's a private castle accessible at low tide, with some stunning terraced gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view down from the castle battlements, can see some of the garden terraces below</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view up from gardens... it's a mild climate here at the foot of England, gulf stream and all so the gardens are quite "Mediterranean", lots of succulents</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've got SO many plant pics so have to be judicious... this is a gorgeous geranium relative from... dang. I forget but will look it up again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">biking around one of the Isles of Scilly, no cars (for tourists anyway) just carts, horses, tractors and fine views</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bay on the isle of Bryher... nearly opposite an excellent we cafe/pub...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so many gins in England... wanted to do some tasting (they advertised 10 local bottles!) but as it was only 10:30am and my first trip guiding with this new company, so I took a photo instead of a bottle...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">working up to fully expressing my inner viking in Waterford, England</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on a bus trip through Snowdonia National Park in Wales</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note to self...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shots from the many fine manors and gardens we visited</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">redwoods in Scotland!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">typical view, the commute home from a day of touring ashore... yes i'm driving and imaging at the same time... not illegal (yet!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zda2xusP6Ss/WZmMjObVRGI/AAAAAAAAKIc/Cltu_5T4xtknh_CKWWfsDwBt3AFvvOjpACLcBGAs/s1600/P5231833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zda2xusP6Ss/WZmMjObVRGI/AAAAAAAAKIc/Cltu_5T4xtknh_CKWWfsDwBt3AFvvOjpACLcBGAs/s640/P5231833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ahhh, and here we are getting to Scotland and the outer Isles... this is sea pink or thrift and an example of the lichen amazingness that occurs at the shorelines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yg3bIMmX5s/WZmMjppKSmI/AAAAAAAAKIg/3c8RD0UmRN4F6Czdvei7P_sE2jXgrRviQCLcBGAs/s1600/P5242064_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yg3bIMmX5s/WZmMjppKSmI/AAAAAAAAKIg/3c8RD0UmRN4F6Czdvei7P_sE2jXgrRviQCLcBGAs/s640/P5242064_.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">One of my only surviving photos of an amazing place, Loch Scavaig... read a book called The Stonor Eagles for a feel of these majestic inner reaches and wild places.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqROpa7Y-7w/Wf0j2X95-AI/AAAAAAAAKQs/DXl5pJy40_oFt8mmADnmsPcWeDZ5dG4bwCLcBGAs/s1600/P5242039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqROpa7Y-7w/Wf0j2X95-AI/AAAAAAAAKQs/DXl5pJy40_oFt8mmADnmsPcWeDZ5dG4bwCLcBGAs/s640/P5242039.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sundews! that's what bogs are good for...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rI1WeEUQtN8/Wf0j2ULoqqI/AAAAAAAAKQo/YkTDLwBcD_0kDZbY9llL9ckPQHq7cQ9ngCLcBGAs/s1600/P5242012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rI1WeEUQtN8/Wf0j2ULoqqI/AAAAAAAAKQo/YkTDLwBcD_0kDZbY9llL9ckPQHq7cQ9ngCLcBGAs/s640/P5242012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptbVONG3CfM/Wf0kxAH2a2I/AAAAAAAAKRQ/ItQ9Z2azy1w1uq40lpgP_T64daF3ZoBIACLcBGAs/s1600/P6050234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptbVONG3CfM/Wf0kxAH2a2I/AAAAAAAAKRQ/ItQ9Z2azy1w1uq40lpgP_T64daF3ZoBIACLcBGAs/s640/P6050234.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">St Kilda... sort of like a South Georgia analogy for British folk in many ways [y'all correct me if I'm mischaracterizing!]... the western-most inhabited island of Britain, a remote outer island group where a small community used to live essentially in isolation, very bare to the bone surviving by harvesting cliff-dwelling sea birds (by going over the cliff on ropes or climbing just about sheer cliffs from the ocean up...). Nowadays ships are more reliable and efficient so travel is easier to get here, but it is still quite difficult due to the usually unruly weather and sea conditions so it is somewhat like a holy grail for those Brits/Scots who are keen birders and interested in history. </span>This image documents a fine day at St. Kilda, on the main island of Hirta overlooking the harbor, our ship the Serenissima, and the contemporary facility used as part of a missile monitoring defense network-- civilian contract-run. The old village settlement is out of view around to the left of the monitoring facility (some village buildings are well preserved for museum and hosting conservation trust workers), but what can be seen here from that era are the remains of corral walls, and the cleits (small stone shelters) built to store the harvested seabirds-- dried and preserved in situ due to the door openings to catch the severe down-slope winds but protected from most of the all pervasive rain. We were lucky this day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hXwya_sNhf36_k6uj7qVbYsYdrLWy0vTz7soeDSUE55u2Zxe41pch_10tFdw4GP9jyim8LKA_ef6OwPV9d_7Q3jky6pMBmd00b0X3hjkfNuLZ4sU8qgMIaGVrWDN-getOwTAgFI3D-Uf/s1600/P5271836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hXwya_sNhf36_k6uj7qVbYsYdrLWy0vTz7soeDSUE55u2Zxe41pch_10tFdw4GP9jyim8LKA_ef6OwPV9d_7Q3jky6pMBmd00b0X3hjkfNuLZ4sU8qgMIaGVrWDN-getOwTAgFI3D-Uf/s640/P5271836.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">similar vantage on a less fine day... but you can still see the harbor and I'm standing upright not being blown about... so not so bad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_O4s43fHeXs/WZmMkOUmHaI/AAAAAAAAKIo/X6LLF4aZsdU-1X97ZDw30oE-Lk-tFmPlACLcBGAs/s1600/P5271824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_O4s43fHeXs/WZmMkOUmHaI/AAAAAAAAKIo/X6LLF4aZsdU-1X97ZDw30oE-Lk-tFmPlACLcBGAs/s640/P5271824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This is the cliffy backside of the island. When I took the previous photos overlooking the harbor I was in a similar position and orientation as these folks. The birds all roost on those cliffy slopes, and that's where the residents went over and down to harvest them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sZoKJDROfU/Wf0kry1Wd5I/AAAAAAAAKRA/ekKoQx8WeWYpJ6WjIJ0phBGckNfzxnz0wCLcBGAs/s1600/P5271826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sZoKJDROfU/Wf0kry1Wd5I/AAAAAAAAKRA/ekKoQx8WeWYpJ6WjIJ0phBGckNfzxnz0wCLcBGAs/s640/P5271826.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">who's ready to go down to get supper?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4c6TtDbOkTU/Wf0ksZdvRQI/AAAAAAAAKRE/NjoqvQRlokUuCD8Mdu1Ll-qjEDrTMWv5ACLcBGAs/s1600/P5271823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4c6TtDbOkTU/Wf0ksZdvRQI/AAAAAAAAKRE/NjoqvQRlokUuCD8Mdu1Ll-qjEDrTMWv5ACLcBGAs/s640/P5271823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken on my belly looking down the cliff... at a pair of fulmars, in their home spot, happily not feeling the threat of being eaten by a human any time soon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ-L0zZLvyow_lvOT3IvEvyMDLPkTK_rDi9Y4F7LVSv8YKAs9IR6yqAVWl-5WDe8kFaC_piNEUTfNLG6-T2I-SqeMWGZVGhe1v8yaO74cs4sXrRpv3Ei_yvT5mAkSVlgqWG7uVwzPgiRY/s640/IMG_20170825_154137378_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after visiting Hirta, the next highlight is to "ship cruise" around the sea stacs-- these vertical rock pinnacle islands that are home to thousands and thousands of seabirds... this is a gannet colony and look closely up into the sky... all the specks there are birds! And they utilize any small crack or crevice on the rock for their nest.<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx3ajj1foi8/Wf0kwmIR75I/AAAAAAAAKRM/NMeobumj2RE37vkQrG3Ba9A4ccka6qFbwCLcBGAs/s1600/P5271867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx3ajj1foi8/Wf0kwmIR75I/AAAAAAAAKRM/NMeobumj2RE37vkQrG3Ba9A4ccka6qFbwCLcBGAs/s640/P5271867.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />this shows better definition on where the birds are... again all the specks up in the clouds are the thousands of birds flying and circling, coming and going from feeding grounds, time off the nest, etc. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BtTii57Ab3A/Wf0klpbKh3I/AAAAAAAAKQ4/gKzuM-KieZgROFj54Sf--BMaJfB8lTw7wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170825_154451235_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BtTii57Ab3A/Wf0klpbKh3I/AAAAAAAAKQ4/gKzuM-KieZgROFj54Sf--BMaJfB8lTw7wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170825_154451235_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1SA3_5MAjg/Wf0kke3S-OI/AAAAAAAAKQ0/EHlgZSwz88Y_EQE1zlYRI7CUNn0fNz32ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170825_154519066_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1SA3_5MAjg/Wf0kke3S-OI/AAAAAAAAKQ0/EHlgZSwz88Y_EQE1zlYRI7CUNn0fNz32ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170825_154519066_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here again, looking closely you can see white lines criss crossing the rock-- the white is bird guano staining below the nest sites... as our geologist would say it's a fine example of biology highlighting geology... lots of faults in the rock formations in this region.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TqyghDPaykc/WZmMkOf1lKI/AAAAAAAAKIk/6ynzSQpZhFon2y3GDyQ_qz_9suwW7usRgCLcBGAs/s1600/P5281870_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TqyghDPaykc/WZmMkOf1lKI/AAAAAAAAKIk/6ynzSQpZhFon2y3GDyQ_qz_9suwW7usRgCLcBGAs/s640/P5281870_.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and yes... many plants. this is a heath spotted orchid, quite abundant in the boggy areas. so lovely to be around new and interesting flora!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AV3SlBoNVl8/WZmMk3TxnHI/AAAAAAAAKIs/dB06qkx05NQ3cPBzGWwl_FaHaN94Gd0kwCLcBGAs/s1600/P5281909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AV3SlBoNVl8/WZmMk3TxnHI/AAAAAAAAKIs/dB06qkx05NQ3cPBzGWwl_FaHaN94Gd0kwCLcBGAs/s640/P5281909.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">when in Scotland... all things haggis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WO-ZKy80mg/WZmMlYNXLXI/AAAAAAAAKIw/W0r1ok4_Qpc86WcniZW9yXy4bDjG9U_wQCLcBGAs/s1600/P5311876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WO-ZKy80mg/WZmMlYNXLXI/AAAAAAAAKIw/W0r1ok4_Qpc86WcniZW9yXy4bDjG9U_wQCLcBGAs/s640/P5311876.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i got my very own puffin picture. gosh they are so cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2q_Wf--QI/WZmMl3DlfgI/AAAAAAAAKI0/y9fkrAEG6eIIVxUYgeylxNRUmdOTbzeuACLcBGAs/s1600/P6110171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2q_Wf--QI/WZmMl3DlfgI/AAAAAAAAKI0/y9fkrAEG6eIIVxUYgeylxNRUmdOTbzeuACLcBGAs/s640/P6110171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another day at work...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d45i7rPYw94/WZmMmb6HltI/AAAAAAAAKI4/jllzM2pi5IwOr297Sn_8YbC9pY0ascx6wCLcBGAs/s1600/P6120500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d45i7rPYw94/WZmMmb6HltI/AAAAAAAAKI4/jllzM2pi5IwOr297Sn_8YbC9pY0ascx6wCLcBGAs/s640/P6120500.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">views over Tanera Mor of the Summer Isles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DY_AqRgDCVk/Wf0sjCo6JhI/AAAAAAAAKSQ/_WNexr4mZqY0tACWg27E9mESDcdwEm0rQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170824_113730049_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DY_AqRgDCVk/Wf0sjCo6JhI/AAAAAAAAKSQ/_WNexr4mZqY0tACWg27E9mESDcdwEm0rQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20170824_113730049_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a tour of the island of Lewis (which also includes Harris on the same terrain, just a mountain range inbetween more or less...) for us includes a visit to a blackhouse museum. Blackhouses were the traditional living structure, build half up with stone then covered with a frame roof filled/topped with what we in the states would think of as a sort of "sod" roof, then topped with thatch/hay/etc. The sod here though is peat-- which is sphagnum moss and other vegetation that grows slowly in water-dense areas, then eventually with a covering of heather/heath-- low shrubby finely stemmed and leaved plants. this all keeps growing slowly with the lower layers slowly decomposing in place, but not really decomposing because there eventually is no oxygen and it's wet and cold... so it's like a fossilized soil. Thick and dense and black, with this really tough shrub mat on top. So you take slabs of that, with the heather still on, and put the peat side out to shrink and dry and tighten (to become waterproof) on the outside, and the airtrapping fine-featured heath on the inside and it's a nicely insulated roof to live beneath in the really inclement weather that is the day-to-day norm in the outer Hebrides. Now, it's a blackhouse because the fire was inside... not much of a chimney, and the animals were in there too originally-- keep them warm (and you warm too!) and close by to manage. Not the most luxurious of times. these rebuilt houses look pretty flash compared to what grimmer conditions probably prevailed in many of them. the folks living in them were the crofters, the folks working the land owned by a master or landlord. Crofters were close to indentured servants... couldn't own the land, always in debt somehow to the laird... people are still crofing today but there are many more rights and certainly improved conditions. There's at least one fixed up blackhouse that's up on AirBnB for example...<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02QXAAej4No/WZmMmvHEy4I/AAAAAAAAKI8/VX31FzYyzrQa-idTIfGfhOF1778LeUaPwCLcBGAs/s1600/P6130112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02QXAAej4No/WZmMmvHEy4I/AAAAAAAAKI8/VX31FzYyzrQa-idTIfGfhOF1778LeUaPwCLcBGAs/s640/P6130112.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">inside the blackhouse museum... these foot-pumped looms have been in use for around 100 years. if you buy something with the official Harris Tweed label, that fabric was woven by someone such as this chap-- by hand/foot, at home, on this island. Pretty cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5fvwkab7Xs/Wf0seTrsv7I/AAAAAAAAKSQ/xmxTuI3ZQckXAG2ztGD6swAEIfnRAqY7gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170824_110342822_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5fvwkab7Xs/Wf0seTrsv7I/AAAAAAAAKSQ/xmxTuI3ZQckXAG2ztGD6swAEIfnRAqY7gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20170824_110342822_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another local stop to a remnant of a viking era stone building called a broch, dating back to around 100BC. Many theories about what purpose, whether defensive residence, or simply a local McMansion of the time, lookout tower, etc. It would have been about twice/three times as tall, cylindrical and a bit narrower at the top. Beautiful surroundings. The pink in the landscape are the flowering heather plants.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather up close!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCUSd302wJvxv0qp5y-oDjhRQh3g7DvejY3atlaXTEoOuhHzuPtC0Nt39mzZKSxPM_sEC9OYyiYIYbBeXKyPYwsqQbXbuHQ0_65wYrRzjbW1NLr7bV9CkKxQLs0-xnU9IqK4kiVNOLyci/s1600/P6021911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCUSd302wJvxv0qp5y-oDjhRQh3g7DvejY3atlaXTEoOuhHzuPtC0Nt39mzZKSxPM_sEC9OYyiYIYbBeXKyPYwsqQbXbuHQ0_65wYrRzjbW1NLr7bV9CkKxQLs0-xnU9IqK4kiVNOLyci/s640/P6021911.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here is a peat bank where folks come to cut their peat to use for home heating fuel... you can see the blocks of peat (dark rectanguar bits) stacked up along the top of the bank and scattered about, left to dry out before they're loaded up and taken home, stacked up like firewood. These banks have been used/cut for generations... it's like a plot allotted to your family and/or your croft and may be several miles from where you actually live. Nothing is fenced or marked... it's just known whose area is whose... so it's not bog though sphagnum does start off in boggier areas... but the veg grows up and drains and then becomes suitable for cutting... the peat "grows" about 1cm per year. So if a peat bank is a few meters thick... well, it's not as old as coal for a heat source, but it's got some age into it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6T4Vuppxe0/Wf0s73flURI/AAAAAAAAKTY/4va2t6mTaNACBQB8rPB93g7ullzavBgjwCEwYBhgL/s1600/P5281880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6T4Vuppxe0/Wf0s73flURI/AAAAAAAAKTY/4va2t6mTaNACBQB8rPB93g7ullzavBgjwCEwYBhgL/s640/P5281880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here's one species of sphagnum moss, the main ingredient in peat. so this is the same stuff as what's known "peat moss". Widely used in gardening and horticulture... it's a great thing-- natural, holds water, has antiseptic/antimold properties... but it is definitely not a sustainable resource in a human-lifetime sort of sense. Renewable, well, yes. But if you want to wait around 8000 years until the next time you can cut the same swath of peat for your front door wreath arrangement... well, you think about that. I'm fine with local use for heating but not harvesting on an industrial scale like happens in parts of the world. There are alternatives... coconut coir for one is pretty awesome. And that's a waste product. Admittedly with travel / carbon costs since it comes from the tropics. But in the grand scheme I think it's a better choice than peat-- leave that carbon in the ground when we can. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6iT_yMT_wfSOigAoWj1l-e6dOSaoMpQmiRFbk42WAWwxBL_CjR5LzaXn8gSo_7aKjWa7mm3q1bxp8mAo2TTFs9gJlOfFMeJ4khdRGFdgJ1Z1vBgfvjVf9pBrkwJzm74x7HIrrLIToftW/s1600/P6130228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6iT_yMT_wfSOigAoWj1l-e6dOSaoMpQmiRFbk42WAWwxBL_CjR5LzaXn8gSo_7aKjWa7mm3q1bxp8mAo2TTFs9gJlOfFMeJ4khdRGFdgJ1Z1vBgfvjVf9pBrkwJzm74x7HIrrLIToftW/s640/P6130228.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading across the island, we get to the Standing Stones of Callanish, the local version of Stonehenge but much older if I remember correctly... 3000BC!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r46Xo8Cnpxc/Wf0tSl5Bw8I/AAAAAAAAKTY/f_GVLg3Mx8srNRfvdPcdp0nUqT-U1-HwwCEwYBhgL/s1600/P6021961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r46Xo8Cnpxc/Wf0tSl5Bw8I/AAAAAAAAKTY/f_GVLg3Mx8srNRfvdPcdp0nUqT-U1-HwwCEwYBhgL/s640/P6021961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then on down through the Uists... just big open scenery.</td></tr>
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OK, here on is just a selection of more random UK images... no particular order!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYVvNz2MFBY/Wf0tCXFM7oI/AAAAAAAAKTY/ap_o-3S1R_sF5N62wG5LKgYShgymGej-QCEwYBhgL/s1600/P5281972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYVvNz2MFBY/Wf0tCXFM7oI/AAAAAAAAKTY/ap_o-3S1R_sF5N62wG5LKgYShgymGej-QCEwYBhgL/s640/P5281972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">abandonded settlement on Mingulay, and these gorgeous native wild flag irises are everywhere in the Hebrides... so lovely!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVq6AmuGLS4/Wf0tCV3DFBI/AAAAAAAAKTY/MY_eg8nFbVQ8oGg0yb-WeWzRbOYNiJZ6ACEwYBhgL/s1600/P5311842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVq6AmuGLS4/Wf0tCV3DFBI/AAAAAAAAKTY/MY_eg8nFbVQ8oGg0yb-WeWzRbOYNiJZ6ACEwYBhgL/s640/P5311842.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in the chapel / cathedral on Iona, nature is inside as well as outside... I love that there are sweet ferns in the walls of this special place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwbfNqxkBcA/Wf0tHdvl6KI/AAAAAAAAKTY/Gp5P42we1OYM1UZJW4Dy0-SIc6l_7Z9ngCEwYBhgL/s1600/P5311843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwbfNqxkBcA/Wf0tHdvl6KI/AAAAAAAAKTY/Gp5P42we1OYM1UZJW4Dy0-SIc6l_7Z9ngCEwYBhgL/s640/P5311843.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iron doesn't stay in its original state for too long on these salt-spray-engulfed islands... lots of character</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEvLEJdeoUU/Wf0tLz_50II/AAAAAAAAKTY/JAe0Y1AmvCgx2Ogr4l_Zw_5AFwrLCV18QCEwYBhgL/s1600/P5311858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEvLEJdeoUU/Wf0tLz_50II/AAAAAAAAKTY/JAe0Y1AmvCgx2Ogr4l_Zw_5AFwrLCV18QCEwYBhgL/s640/P5311858.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bluebells and puffins. summer in the Hebrides!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dS5aLPV7lSo/Wf0tLKBDxwI/AAAAAAAAKTY/FR9ZFvDn2NMQpeHSKMIwK6sRRzQ8TidrwCEwYBhgL/s1600/P5311871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dS5aLPV7lSo/Wf0tLKBDxwI/AAAAAAAAKTY/FR9ZFvDn2NMQpeHSKMIwK6sRRzQ8TidrwCEwYBhgL/s640/P5311871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there are worse views of home from the job site...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in Scotland... whisky is... rather a theme.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp53PcHnnYk/Wf0sv8QoQ3I/AAAAAAAAKSQ/pW9VYgHFo5MPwgbAXVcCkbf3XF3jAmPPACEwYBhgL/s1600/P5231952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp53PcHnnYk/Wf0sv8QoQ3I/AAAAAAAAKSQ/pW9VYgHFo5MPwgbAXVcCkbf3XF3jAmPPACEwYBhgL/s640/P5231952.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some pretty amazing geology... similar formation to what we see in the states at Devil's Tower in Wyoming, or along the Columbia Gorge in Oregon... columnar joints in basalt-- resulting from particular conditions when magma cools underground. And now it has been uplifted and eroded for us to marvel at. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5M8YINhwTk/Wf0syqIIzZI/AAAAAAAAKSQ/GZJaeFxnmXwiD0iDRaTNXNXMr650JrzmACEwYBhgL/s1600/P5231961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5M8YINhwTk/Wf0syqIIzZI/AAAAAAAAKSQ/GZJaeFxnmXwiD0iDRaTNXNXMr650JrzmACEwYBhgL/s640/P5231961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local boat for day tripping tourists... but we came over from the ship by zodiac</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYGBYfIm-Ig/Wf0szQMxoMI/AAAAAAAAKSQ/wRFHTsGDxc89Sl1QtGOoxqhFg1SkL1HrACEwYBhgL/s640/P5231963.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can walk a sort of catwalk into this cave, but no zodiacs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not every day is sunny...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but sometimes the socked in clouds lift to give views like this for the lucky lagbehinders...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">zodiac cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsbE108--LQ/Wf0tdpFKVWI/AAAAAAAAKTs/yXM27CD6qFoGbTaSTEc8x4M2Teg7ZMLQACEwYBhgL/s1600/P6110201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsbE108--LQ/Wf0tdpFKVWI/AAAAAAAAKTs/yXM27CD6qFoGbTaSTEc8x4M2Teg7ZMLQACEwYBhgL/s640/P6110201.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">touristic voyeurism into the mass-boudoir of guillemots... they didn't seem to mind...</td></tr>
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and then we hit John o Groats-- tip of mainland UK, then up to Orkney and Shetland and then... across the sea for the next leg... Scandinavia! I'll leave it here for now... more to come!<br />
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jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-23471771814081964962017-08-13T12:13:00.000-07:002017-11-03T16:06:18.221-07:00Tropical dreamstate transition...Leaving the blue waters and amazing underwater world behind,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one last feel...</td></tr>
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I bussed up into the highlands. I had been recommended by friends to see the world heritage area of the rice terraces around the village/town of Banaue. I had seen rice terraces sculpted into the hills in northern Vietnam so this didn't feel like the end-all-be-all sort of sight to see for me, but I was intrigued by what friends and travelers were saying, and internet pictures looked pretty cool (is there anything that hasn't been documented and posted in the virtual world at this point?!)<br />
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Catching a bus out of Manila isn't the easiest thing that one can do... multiple terminals for different destinations... and private businesses running busses to the same destination have their own terminals in usually differnet parts of the city. Fun. But here's the beauty of either traveler's hostels or AirBnB... the local knowledge. I had planned to stay the night at an AirBnB place I found, just renting a room from someone in their apartment. After arriving that morning my host was a young real estate agent and he was super hospitable and was keen to chat so we went out for a bite to eat and had great conversation about different cultures and what it's like to live in Manila, etc. He helped me to realize that maybe there weren't so many bus options heading up into the highlands and after I did some research I realized it would be best if I tried to hop on a bus that night to arrive at Banaue in the morning so I didn't loose too much time just waiting around for a bus in Manila (not the most relaxing place for me I found). So my host was great, I made the decision a bit late in the day, which meant I had limited time to get to the bus terminal to see about buying a ticket as the online system wasn't working properly (no surprise). So he ordered an Uber taxi ride and came with me to help out, which was very sweet. We got there in time, but the tickets had been sold out... but two people hadn't shown up... so maybe I could still get a seat? So stuck around and waited and voila, was able to get one of the no-show tickets. And my host stayed the whole time just to make sure it all worked out... and then once I'd boarded the bus, he even came on to give me a bottle of water, making sure I was comfortable enough for the overnight trip. Super sweet and totally uncalled for... but really Filipino folks are by and large so lovely and thoughtful, it was just one more example of niceness I'd experienced while there. So in the end I didn't stay for my booking, but didn't ask for a refund, the help and conversation that my host offered was truly priceless and worth the wee amount I'd booked his room for. Yay for AirBnB!<br />
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After an uncomfortable night on the bus we arrived at about 6am or so in Banaue and was able to organize a trek to begin that morning, after getting some breakfast and repacking my stuff into a small daypack. There are a lot of walks possible up in this highland region but I decided not to get too fancy and just for the "typical" three day/two night route since I was on limited time... hate not being able to dawdle but had to pull up the panties and be a goal-oriented tourist for this one :)<br />
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And so, we went! I lost a lot of photos on my dead ipod, but luckily had taken a bunch on my camera as well. I was entranced with the mountain/jungle vegetation... so thick and lush. Big trees, vines, flowers... just very cool. The walk went through some pristine mountain forest and then dove down into some valleys and such that were terraced here and there. The terraces formed a part of the village defense... the village was placed in the center of the terraces so to make the approach of any contrary folks very obvious and over open territory. The terraces and the way they were built into the landscape were endlessly absorbing. Have lots of photos that very well could be of the same exact valley but a variety of viewpoints just because they were continuously changing but beautiful, you just wanted to capture and recapture the essence of the place endlessly.<br />
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It was neat too to see the progression of the rice cultivation. All stages were in evidence-- ready to harvest, being cleared for planting, fallow, newly growing seedling plants, and all inbetween. The villages had "modern" buildings of wood and/or tin but also many of the traditional huts-- square sided with thatched pointed roofs, elevated off the ground to minimize rodent predation on the grain that would be stored in the attic area under the roof.<br />
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Stayed the first night in the small, more isolated, village of Cambulo. The folks were very friendly and welcoming and had some of the village children do some dancing for us, and then we joined in. The boys especially were wearing traditional outfits. There was a very deep cultural history there, well portrayed in a few museums in Banaue (sadly, pictures lost on the ipod) which I was glad to have visited the morning before starting the trek. Amazing wood carvings and examples of the variety of dieties and rituals associated with harvests and living in that highland society. National Geographic had an article about the "headhunters" of the region, published maybe in the late 70s or so that discuss the culture from a vantage that was closer to when the culture was more active and remembered and "real" than it is in today's changing (technologically advancing) environment.<br />
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Second night stayed in the village of Batad that is a bit more touristy (several guest lodges with signs and such, within the village center but most on a hillside across the valley and closer to the paved road where folks can hike in within a few hours). Another friendly place, and nice food. I had hired a guide to lead me through the villages which wasn't strictly necessary but I thought it would be a nice value-add to ask questinos about what I was seeing and to not loose time if I got turned around. I'd bet I could have found my way on my own but some of the paths and ways to get around/through the terraces were a bit obscure so I think it was well worth it. My guide was young, a bit of a dandy really, and was interested in working for the police force, so the guiding job was going to pay for his college education. It was fun to kid him about the girls he was chatting up here and there along the trail-- there were little kiosks every now and again selling cookies, crackers, bottles of soda (kept cool by being placed in a few inches of water inside a tub), etc. All of this would be hauled from the nearest commercial center... perhaps hours away. One even had "young coconuts" which is a lovely treat-- you hack off the top to get the coconut water inside... and the entrepreneurial lady who ran the kiosk bought them in Banaue and carried them in several hours to sell to trekkers... not cheap as they have to be transported from the coast but so worth it. Especially as there were some cheeky chickens hanging around that ended up doing some sneak attacks on some unsuspecting trekkers, trying to get at the coconut meat inside the coconuts, leading to some very loud exclamations of surprise and ensuing protestations... pretty funny actually.<br />
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And so, here are some images!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTqdCQImZPom6w0hbYc-BuqVmUWGsr8o7D55CIzc9xqas8oMs-G9Ips54e1F-FClYXQ7eVm0bt4V0SIK2pdhoASrfl1wqFVSyTdfWXS6Cf5yz6Ah9NiMEgheccyyvtex1EcMDnkhhpkQJ/s1600/P4220954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTqdCQImZPom6w0hbYc-BuqVmUWGsr8o7D55CIzc9xqas8oMs-G9Ips54e1F-FClYXQ7eVm0bt4V0SIK2pdhoASrfl1wqFVSyTdfWXS6Cf5yz6Ah9NiMEgheccyyvtex1EcMDnkhhpkQJ/s640/P4220954.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rice just beginning to grow after seedlings planted out in new paddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEzVDjzw3hM/WZCdMBuVCCI/AAAAAAAAKFE/N6xL_rmLFvI8PGk-MRAiXO7_NQLunE1ZACLcBGAs/s1600/P4220956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEzVDjzw3hM/WZCdMBuVCCI/AAAAAAAAKFE/N6xL_rmLFvI8PGk-MRAiXO7_NQLunE1ZACLcBGAs/s640/P4220956.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new and old together. the older huts often used for storage, like a garage in a way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmELnhMQSRw/WZCdUP3CK7I/AAAAAAAAKFU/IWHW7lK0tUIUoXzQMWrTcKw1Ns4pB4fpACLcBGAs/s1600/P4220962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmELnhMQSRw/WZCdUP3CK7I/AAAAAAAAKFU/IWHW7lK0tUIUoXzQMWrTcKw1Ns4pB4fpACLcBGAs/s640/P4220962.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the guest house in Cambulo, the "Am-Way", and an older photo of the children's dance we were treated to below</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there are different kinds of rice grown in different areas and for different reasons, this was just one in seed I found one day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting closer to harvestability</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlbeOldwzYM/WZCdZjONn6I/AAAAAAAAKFk/Uo63ijAuYy8spYHd1KC_sOalhm0erH8ogCLcBGAs/s1600/P4220984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlbeOldwzYM/WZCdZjONn6I/AAAAAAAAKFk/Uo63ijAuYy8spYHd1KC_sOalhm0erH8ogCLcBGAs/s640/P4220984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wee seedlings are densely planted at one end of a cleared/muddy paddy, not too wet, and then they are taken from the "nursery" and out planted to a prepared paddy somewhere else. These seedlings are being protected by strands of tape pulled maybe from an old VCR tape... very effective as they catch the wind and shine and flicker in the sun...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcz7Fd8YTHHDCmKn6fjJvZxX_sIQWld6tzRfFdrNuNOyT4L7VIXkGV32BBE36C6YJ6aFlZUt2TEtOBSOhVu8iPXxyJ09EOHW_To1a3ervA0_50kelvob9tniQt6fK7wHYwBZ7C-2tlL68/s1600/P4221007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcz7Fd8YTHHDCmKn6fjJvZxX_sIQWld6tzRfFdrNuNOyT4L7VIXkGV32BBE36C6YJ6aFlZUt2TEtOBSOhVu8iPXxyJ09EOHW_To1a3ervA0_50kelvob9tniQt6fK7wHYwBZ7C-2tlL68/s640/P4221007.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a more modern version of the traditional hut... elevated on amazing tree-root trunks, but newer timbers, really nice aesthetically and obviously in regular home-like use.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9YEDXQ_IvM/Wfz02GnqfiI/AAAAAAAAKPM/4E_34u4wh4EeCP3yTucZ8CatNK5vZy_7wCLcBGAs/s1600/P4221006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9YEDXQ_IvM/Wfz02GnqfiI/AAAAAAAAKPM/4E_34u4wh4EeCP3yTucZ8CatNK5vZy_7wCLcBGAs/s640/P4221006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so neat, use what you've got. chicken coops from bamboo and wood. art to me, utility for them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chewing of betel palm nut (fruit) is a regular activity here, my guide was doing it all day long. You take a pepper leaf (or some other leave that has a bit of flavor) and wrap the nut and some lime and stick the wad in your gum. As far as modern medicine is concerned it's not great for the health, especially if you add lime into the potion as it scratches your cheeks/gums to allow the intoxicant more readily into your system... but also increases chances of mouth cancer. though when i mentioned something like this to my guide and some of his buddies who were chewing they said that they know old men who have chewed their whole lives with no problems... so. Do what you will :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtQsLKbD3c4/WZCdbV56jxI/AAAAAAAAKFs/as-lTb30_6s19Lgvgv4cwYbzh9GjjVO3gCLcBGAs/s1600/P4221011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtQsLKbD3c4/WZCdbV56jxI/AAAAAAAAKFs/as-lTb30_6s19Lgvgv4cwYbzh9GjjVO3gCLcBGAs/s640/P4221011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nicest kiosk we came across, the one selling young coconut. you can see one on the left of the counter. No hairy husk yet, you use a machete to cut off the thick husk (that becomes hairy later) and then just a bit at the top (if you're skilled you don't cut off a finger nor lose any of the water inside!) so you can drink it up then scoop out the gelatinous pulp (on its way to becoming the harder stuff we know of as "shredded coconut" etc.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44-66tO2hdQ/WZCdhD3L6sI/AAAAAAAAKFw/5lEfNDXYM5sZTfD0hk2Hprs05Fg29ZDhACLcBGAs/s1600/P4221015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44-66tO2hdQ/WZCdhD3L6sI/AAAAAAAAKFw/5lEfNDXYM5sZTfD0hk2Hprs05Fg29ZDhACLcBGAs/s640/P4221015.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sometimes the coconut inside is a bit more congealed and you can scoop it out just as this sweetie has done... rewards for concentrated work :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1XiljHzo3Y/WZCdnWokz3I/AAAAAAAAKF4/OQ5B_dh5whA0Uouk7D7Lg2mgFdz8Q7cPgCLcBGAs/s1600/P4221058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1XiljHzo3Y/WZCdnWokz3I/AAAAAAAAKF4/OQ5B_dh5whA0Uouk7D7Lg2mgFdz8Q7cPgCLcBGAs/s640/P4221058.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the center of Batad village</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOoGIUYqppw/WZCdnU9eWQI/AAAAAAAAKF0/g2jfhgEf_HkDYkOaHIPs7ZQkK5qEXCp6ACLcBGAs/s1600/P4221061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOoGIUYqppw/WZCdnU9eWQI/AAAAAAAAKF0/g2jfhgEf_HkDYkOaHIPs7ZQkK5qEXCp6ACLcBGAs/s640/P4221061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">too small, but this is Batad from on high... just surrounded by tall peaks and a river way below off to the left... steep steep sides of these valleys, so very cool to wind your way from valley to valley around curves and twists... not for those with weak legs! (or knees! mine were swollen and tight for about two weeks after my three day trip... sigh, not so young anymore!)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uz5O3J3DM5k/WZCdnys1N1I/AAAAAAAAKF8/028GSW-d3JI3Xp5tScisbiSx-AUgvqPOQCLcBGAs/s1600/P4221070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uz5O3J3DM5k/WZCdnys1N1I/AAAAAAAAKF8/028GSW-d3JI3Xp5tScisbiSx-AUgvqPOQCLcBGAs/s640/P4221070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssap0x0UAx0/WZCdrTqpAyI/AAAAAAAAKGE/CdMA7OzCjdc5jEVYtDMjiWwGuTkxMhQKQCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssap0x0UAx0/WZCdrTqpAyI/AAAAAAAAKGE/CdMA7OzCjdc5jEVYtDMjiWwGuTkxMhQKQCLcBGAs/s640/P4231108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how rice is harvested and stored up here. They're bunched up in topknot sort of things and then hung over rafters or in the sun to dry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F3im5deOuSs/WZCdrmcLrpI/AAAAAAAAKGI/4FZ2yZ869EgRLpKGo2W3tdXgEaJgk9ArQCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F3im5deOuSs/WZCdrmcLrpI/AAAAAAAAKGI/4FZ2yZ869EgRLpKGo2W3tdXgEaJgk9ArQCLcBGAs/s640/P4231111.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical house scene, where these rice bunches were on a table in the courtyard.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORDkn_CXn4btrzGFuIuH3mo8ANQRX-Rq-kiXUKZRyxzl2RloTon6YfkduOW3VrmCIycTVBIq1a7L7uqdG5yt6A_ehY4AnYZhyIwPmUVDFEWpL4ARqXaCjA6zvFaL1WcLD0qgKl3XewkUj/s1600/P4231115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORDkn_CXn4btrzGFuIuH3mo8ANQRX-Rq-kiXUKZRyxzl2RloTon6YfkduOW3VrmCIycTVBIq1a7L7uqdG5yt6A_ehY4AnYZhyIwPmUVDFEWpL4ARqXaCjA6zvFaL1WcLD0qgKl3XewkUj/s640/P4231115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxX9XyuLgiQ/WZCdusTZsYI/AAAAAAAAKGQ/F9Dj1pvmkBkp64axdo6AyeqwH93mS25KwCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxX9XyuLgiQ/WZCdusTZsYI/AAAAAAAAKGQ/F9Dj1pvmkBkp64axdo6AyeqwH93mS25KwCLcBGAs/s640/P4231116.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmN9LXFb9L4/WZCduz0KuWI/AAAAAAAAKGU/MXSWIW47l94C5Z_jpErCu_aYM6pHSVLCwCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmN9LXFb9L4/WZCduz0KuWI/AAAAAAAAKGU/MXSWIW47l94C5Z_jpErCu_aYM6pHSVLCwCLcBGAs/s640/P4231136.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bit of modern with traditional, neat to see technology and utility merge.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_vcDqb5p2E/WZCdvSOZYaI/AAAAAAAAKGY/B5litPBFeZoJdKbwhrwFkms6qt4qlQaagCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_vcDqb5p2E/WZCdvSOZYaI/AAAAAAAAKGY/B5litPBFeZoJdKbwhrwFkms6qt4qlQaagCLcBGAs/s640/P4231152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLEPK5P8E6U/WZCdyVpMH1I/AAAAAAAAKGk/3jUxD6IeUYQoXOC9w8HbyVp6-eUvqF3OQCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLEPK5P8E6U/WZCdyVpMH1I/AAAAAAAAKGk/3jUxD6IeUYQoXOC9w8HbyVp6-eUvqF3OQCLcBGAs/s640/P4231196.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I discovered this crazy amazing moth in my room, seemed like it had been stuck in there for a while, with raggedy wings. I couldn't hardly believe it was real. I wanted to help it out, but also get a picture before it flew away... luckily I was able to do both!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7g6drYxlD0/WZCdxzdUXsI/AAAAAAAAKGg/3CAqD66UA7E-0yaPtSlmhiZJkqluN9vMwCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7g6drYxlD0/WZCdxzdUXsI/AAAAAAAAKGg/3CAqD66UA7E-0yaPtSlmhiZJkqluN9vMwCLcBGAs/s640/P4231192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so beautiful!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myRfvw1yd14/WZCdxiK4sEI/AAAAAAAAKGc/1Z3pV5TQm-oKCZftkaOIGwN-oXLkzByuACLcBGAs/s1600/P4231207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myRfvw1yd14/WZCdxiK4sEI/AAAAAAAAKGc/1Z3pV5TQm-oKCZftkaOIGwN-oXLkzByuACLcBGAs/s640/P4231207.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and of course... flowers! didn't capture too many great photos of the things I saw but this turks head mallow was one beauty...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghefrGfnr68MJsHj2AbqRoSxi6CQZh7DUwxd6KeloPJlDL2Rds-8Djr0FX9A96dR71vqHFdg0Vcvyu9GWOxNj_GUcoGHyrcu4Ky3xHmxSkx0M7YpFI6pReaMrwd7Seh43TABcgvTEdxaVG/s1600/P4231208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghefrGfnr68MJsHj2AbqRoSxi6CQZh7DUwxd6KeloPJlDL2Rds-8Djr0FX9A96dR71vqHFdg0Vcvyu9GWOxNj_GUcoGHyrcu4Ky3xHmxSkx0M7YpFI6pReaMrwd7Seh43TABcgvTEdxaVG/s640/P4231208.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6c1pTaav4OY/Wfzspj3qEaI/AAAAAAAAKN0/wvcsCckM1LUdK54STYZ6EYv0K_2wXqqNQCLcBGAs/s1600/P4221029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6c1pTaav4OY/Wfzspj3qEaI/AAAAAAAAKN0/wvcsCckM1LUdK54STYZ6EYv0K_2wXqqNQCLcBGAs/s640/P4221029.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this amazing thing....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUMCgoYngXQ/Wfzsu5aT9NI/AAAAAAAAKN4/78Mj3HkoHRY3T-5wEFA9g5VwZl8Pu-JEQCLcBGAs/s1600/P4231155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUMCgoYngXQ/Wfzsu5aT9NI/AAAAAAAAKN4/78Mj3HkoHRY3T-5wEFA9g5VwZl8Pu-JEQCLcBGAs/s640/P4231155.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of green things growing... and having just been in Madagascar, it was interesting to see plants native to there being grown as potted plants here, "in the middle of nowhere" far away from home... it's in the Euphorb family, the spiky stalks and red flowers, known to some as 'crown of thorns'... and lots of Madagascar periwinkle too (also known as teresita)... rare in its native habitat but grown all over the world in gardens... and was (and is!) used to help control blood sugar for diabetics and is source for medicine that has drastically improved cure rates for some types of leukemia. Pretty awesome!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parting photo of the heritage village of Bangaan that we passed on the paved road driving from our exit point from the trek near Batad, back to Banaue. Pretty sweet.</td></tr>
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Then I went further into the highlands to the village/town of Sagada that's known for the tradition of putting their dead into coffins hung from cliffs or put into caves. It was a beautiful area in pine trees and neat limestone cliffs/caves/hills... did some cave exploring and hill walking-- very set up for tourists but still interesting. It's been a long-time retreat for Filipinos and others for years... a respite from the heat of the lowlands. There was somewhat of a hippy/drop out time as well, but now it's properly "discovered" and a building boom has been on for several years now. You can still find a quiet corner, but it's hard to overlook/under-hear the construction mania. No photos... dang ipod.<br />
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The highlight of my trip here was seeing coffee plants/bushes/trees in person, discovering that civet coffee is collected/made here<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HayzzjxoCY4/WfzuL6kxNvI/AAAAAAAAKOI/ogHnXXT25V0491ko7bWFg3Wl7eHs4KesACLcBGAs/s1600/P4241252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HayzzjxoCY4/WfzuL6kxNvI/AAAAAAAAKOI/ogHnXXT25V0491ko7bWFg3Wl7eHs4KesACLcBGAs/s640/P4241252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coffee "tree"... topped so that it is easier to harvest from perhaps, or branches out to catch the sun in the understory, maybe create better habitat (lure in) the civets?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coffee beans just in duff on forest floor, "processed" -- after passing through the gut and expelled as poop and the poop has just weathered away to leave the berry/bean...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cezJirKGyZA/WfzuoWwMi1I/AAAAAAAAKOM/WcM0edI340sXubHpbuu16cUzVFRErjp_QCLcBGAs/s1600/P4241226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cezJirKGyZA/WfzuoWwMi1I/AAAAAAAAKOM/WcM0edI340sXubHpbuu16cUzVFRErjp_QCLcBGAs/s640/P4241226.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the start of that process... the flowers of the coffee plant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7zql6M9eWg/WfzuqY9u61I/AAAAAAAAKOY/AZWkbT9GO0sv0H9usfUbzilBo4IzOiG6QCLcBGAs/s1600/P4241244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7zql6M9eWg/WfzuqY9u61I/AAAAAAAAKOY/AZWkbT9GO0sv0H9usfUbzilBo4IzOiG6QCLcBGAs/s640/P4241244.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and fruits-- they're red when ripe...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2FUA1ljxBE/WfzuqT7M2eI/AAAAAAAAKOc/iCpRbpyVCJAL2kPK-Xaa9KrwPOnRCS4_QCLcBGAs/s1600/P4241245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2FUA1ljxBE/WfzuqT7M2eI/AAAAAAAAKOc/iCpRbpyVCJAL2kPK-Xaa9KrwPOnRCS4_QCLcBGAs/s640/P4241245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a nicer closeup of the unripe fruits</td></tr>
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and then maybe the real highlight was finding the local species of pitcher plant... so awesome!!! Not like the ones we have in the states that grow upright as sort of leaf-cones straight out of the ground... the asian ones (not genetically related, but somehow have developed similar strategy... they grow in nutrient poor areas and supplement nutrients by trapping and dissolving animal/insect prey)... so these asian ones develop from tendrils growing out of the tips of leaves, and have a flower spike like an aloe or something like that for their sexual reproduction. Pretty cool.<br />
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they grow like a little scrubby bush... not sure about woody parts-- they'd be way in the middle of the cluster, but really just seems like a bunch of leaves and then these dangling pitchers...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous textures</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my awesome guide Helen, taking me to see the sights and not get lost in the myriad of trails in the hills... had only so much time to wander and make it back to catch my bus back to Manila! You can see how tall the bloom stalk in here, waist height (taller than that if you're 5' Helen!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such cool flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen said that they're appreciated by locals because they are a source of water if you're out and need to slake your thirst... you pluck off a pitcher that hasn't opened up yet, such as this one... and you pop the top yourself (just squeeze at the lip slightly)-- and there's liquid inside just waiting! this way it hasn't been open to catch whatever sorts of nasties you may not want to swill along with the water. And no, it's not just water-- there is some sort of enzyme (probably slightly more complex than that...) in there that breaks down the exoskeleton of insects... not sure what it'd do to your gut over time (I drank from one or two and haven't dissolved yet!), but enzymes have been isolated from the liquid of another asian species of pitcher plant that show promise as some sort of treatment/support for celiac disease... go nature, and smart and curious people! Yay science!</td></tr>
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And the from Sagada, I took an overnight bus back to Manila, met up with ship friends again for a great buffet supper...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FAdHI0eK04/Wfz1Fv_24gI/AAAAAAAAKPU/eEWROfQGm3Q8x8y_sMQlTYQ4zohiaiaZQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170428_182928789_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FAdHI0eK04/Wfz1Fv_24gI/AAAAAAAAKPU/eEWROfQGm3Q8x8y_sMQlTYQ4zohiaiaZQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170428_182928789_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sort of prophetic as I was about to begin my summer guiding in the land of the vikings... but this was Viking asian-style. Worked for us!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCsNLYcx1oQ/Wfz1ForuoMI/AAAAAAAAKPQ/KQVhi1pysSQ90pFrWUtRZ__c0H-KLlIIwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170428_211331669_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCsNLYcx1oQ/Wfz1ForuoMI/AAAAAAAAKPQ/KQVhi1pysSQ90pFrWUtRZ__c0H-KLlIIwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170428_211331669_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such great folks and so fun to be reunited and having fun together on their home territory! herbert and mj now married and Rydel and Katherine... all Antarctic friends, love y'all!</td></tr>
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...and then it was time for the work commute... off to India to pick up my gear and hop a flight up to London. Follow along!jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-83924280405570170542017-08-11T08:12:00.003-07:002017-08-11T08:19:08.764-07:00Philippine Dream... second act!OK! Well, all rants about technological glitches aside... here's what came after my travels with my friend Katherine. She went off home after our white water rafting trip on Mindanao (which is the same island where all the crazy crackdowns and fighting have been occurring over the past few months... there was a bit of unrest in the south of the island just after we were there but nothing like the full on "militarized response" that it escalated into...), and I took a ferry up to the island of Bohol. I stayed at this amazing place called Nuts Huts, where I was right in the middle of the jungle and stayed in a traditionally made bunglaow thing, up on stilts, thatched roof, walls of woven bamboo... and all the pictures have disappeared into the ether... first because of Blogger issues on my ipod, then phone, and then my ipod died... so. Just trust me, it was amazing. Google Nuts Huts Bohol if you're keen to see it, I would have stayed for days. Right on a river so you could swim, and kayak, or just listen to the water (and the river/lunch cruises that blared crazy Frank Sinatra music, passing every 15 mins from about 11-3pm every day...)... or cross the river and go for a hike through the forest... which I did, which was sort of like taking a stroll through "the neighborhood" even though it felt like a proper jungle... but every so often a trail would head off to the left or right, or you'd walk right past a bamboo/thatch hut/house... folks were living everywhere. It was really neat. I was walking along through what felt like proper deep jungle, and then I swore I heard a basketball being dribbled. And I thought... nah... wonder what bird it is. And then it kept going. And then through a break in the foliage I saw... a guy dribbling a basketball! On a dirt court, in a small clearing in the forest, with baskets nailed to coconut palms on either end (or some other sort of trunk if it wasn't exactly that romantic-perfect image)... pretty sweet.<br />
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Sorry, but no photos unless I can recover the ipod.<br />
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The island is advertised as having great nature (check), wee mini tarsiers (saw them, and they ARE super wee, and cute), and this place called the chocolate hills which I had thought I would skip... but then rented a scooter and whizzed around and went right through the area so did end up seeing them. The scooter trip was a great way to get out and feel free to explore some distance, but also stop when the mood struck and it looked interesting to step off the paved path. The first diversion to a waterfalls had me also stop to take pictures of a quintessential rice paddy with farmer who was even wearing the stereotypical wide-conical thatched hat... who then walked up and started chatting to me in pretty good English. He had relatives in the states and had been in business but decided to go back to farming. Photos are from that area, but not the actual rice paddy scene itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvun4hCkJHU/WY27yWLqA3I/AAAAAAAAKCM/qcNQX7mebwQcWV4XT08_PmTokiYDbzo3gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170410_095851714_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvun4hCkJHU/WY27yWLqA3I/AAAAAAAAKCM/qcNQX7mebwQcWV4XT08_PmTokiYDbzo3gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170410_095851714_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside rice paddies, coconut palms... just another typical view on a Bohol gravel road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PV54Lboqe0/WY27vEiyozI/AAAAAAAAKCE/7mwjEz88O8U4NZb6bBMll37TfsZej6daQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170410_095926079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PV54Lboqe0/WY27vEiyozI/AAAAAAAAKCE/7mwjEz88O8U4NZb6bBMll37TfsZej6daQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170410_095926079.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably poor resolution, but a larger perspective....</td></tr>
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The chocolate hills are a really interesting geologic area, just pretty exact conical-shaped hills, and just look sort of alien and trippy from an elevated view. It was cool, but really just a sideshow. You can google it and see the same photos that I took/saw. Really the scooter ride around the south part of the island was just a nice way to get out and about. Just lots of village scenes, cows in fields, people going about daily life in all sorts of ways. Then I wanted to get on the water, after enjoying the terrestrial side of things there. And I'd heard of this phenomenon where lightning bugs would congregated in trees and would have a synchronous flashing thing going on... so if you went out at night to see it, it would be quite a show. So I did that. And it was awesome. Still don't know exactly the biological reason behind it, but they gather in groups at the highest part of trees alongside the waterways of the delta. I went out at sunset with a small group and the bugs did their thing... was like a pulsing, starry-night, lava lamp sort of effect. Very cool. Then the next morning I went out for another kayak trip in the same area, which was cool to see the same stretch of river but during the day, and we got in a little closer to the mangroves, went exploring in the forest itself, paddling between trees and roots... trusting my guide that he'd know his way out. And, eventually, he did ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1xLBkFrofs/WY2-uMxesYI/AAAAAAAAKC0/1y8c5Jjrq9MJk7C6q-55of7OUyb6CK2KwCLcBGAs/s1600/P4110302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1xLBkFrofs/WY2-uMxesYI/AAAAAAAAKC0/1y8c5Jjrq9MJk7C6q-55of7OUyb6CK2KwCLcBGAs/s640/P4110302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a typical local small boat, with the one (or two) sided outrigger balance/support set up. It's tucked away here among the mangroves perhaps waiting for another bushel of nipa leaves to be collected. There is an industry around harvesting nipa palm leaves for weaving and thatching-- this species specifically as it is resistant to rot where others are not. My guide put himself through school doing this work... he owns a store and had done other business but now is happy being a guide and sharing what he loves about nature.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nipa palms lining the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating the "mangal" or mangrove forest</td></tr>
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The "forest" in the river delta system was really interesting, with nipa palms making up the majority of the "forest" at water's edge... which is used widely to thatch roofs and weave walls for the traditional housing option in the region. If you have more money etc. now you'd be building with concrete and corrugated tin, but dang those buildings get hot. The thatched ones let the air circulate which can be critical in the hot and humid times. But insects, cold, rain... I'm sure there are tradeoffs. The morning before I left, as my guest house hostess and I were watching the morning news, we saw that there had been a "terrorist attack" on the island... and I got a facebook message from Katherine asking me where I was and telling me to get out asap. There had been some armed men and they were apparently wanting to target a touristy area just a couple of towns away (if you divided Bohol into quarters-- 12/3/6/9, I was at about the 9:00 position, and the attack scene was happening at about the 11:00 position). I thought this was a bit concerning as it was in the same "quarter" so to speak, so I asked my hostess about it, and she said "oh, no, it's so far away, no problem!" I'd already stayed the night and paid her so it wasn't necessarily to make sure I stuck around, and her sentiment was echoed by the kayak folks I went out with that morning-- who also had already been paid etc. So they were all confident that it was no big deal. All the same, I was happy enough to be leaving that afternoon on a ferry to the island of Cebu-- to stay at a guesthouse run by the relatives of a friend of mine, which I found out about via Facebook. I tell ya, for all its ills, FB has proved to be an amazing way to make connections while being on the road... make one post and you just never know who will pop up saying they're close by or they know someone at X place so go see them, etc. More on this later. But to the Cebu ferry... it was pretty average, just seats since it was just a couple hours, but interesting was some of the cargo...<br />
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Do you see what's sticking out of one end of the woven bag there on the floor? It's a rooster tail! It was still holy week and folks were traveling far and wide to go and visit family... and many men were traveling with their fighting cocks-- which they had secured in these woven bags with just tails sticking out. Kind of a "you know you're in the Philippines when..." sort of a moment it seemed like. The BnB in Argao (BJs by the Sea, highly recommend!!!) was really lovely, a sweet neat town, a great place to relax, eat amazing food cooked by Joy, and have excellent conversation with Billy-- he had a career in the diplomatic service so we got to share some perspectives on places and cultures, really lovely. This image is from the rooftop of the BnB.</div>
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After the mini-relax session, I got an early morning transfer to Cebu's airport, and flew up/over to the island of Palawan... renown for its limestone karst geology, underground river, and amazing island scenery and marine life. I did the tourist trip to the underground river, which was interesting for the geology but certainly had to buck up to "suffer through" the mass tourism scene. But then I was able to book into a three-day "expedition" boat to go island-hopping off of El Nido... the town was touristy but I was able to find a peaceful place to stay on the outskirts for the days on either side of the boat trip. AirBnB was a great resource to find more of a local connection rather than the larger hotels/hostels. Here are just a few shots from that trip... want to get this out for y'all to see and I've got free internet here in Skagen, Denmark (yay to the Seamen's/Visitor's center at the port) so we'll see what I can throw out...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drying rice on tarps... this was a common sight all through my Philippine trip... it was harvest season for many areas and the rice drying by and large was always done on tarps at the road sides... this was cool as it was on a windswept dock... but shortly after I took the photo the family was out dumping the rice into storage bags as an impending grey cloud of rain got closer and closer...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every island seemed to have its own version of the local rickshaw transport... this was a full-cab thing with all sorts of decorations, pretty sweet!</td></tr>
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It was a pretty awesome trip. We slept on land in thatched huts and spent the day on the boat, stopping at various islands to check out the beaches, snorkel, kayak... the water was clear and turquoise, the plants growing out of the sheer limestone rock were amazing (fat-trunked begonias!), and fishing for our dinner... awesome. Then I took a ferry up to the island of Coron/Busuanga off the tip of Palawan... for more limestone and snorkeling. Wish I'd had more time up there... could only hire a boat for the afternoon before catching my booked flight out the next morning... but totally worth it. Spectacular snorkeling with really healthy coral-- that was the most stunning bit. The first time, from Australia, Maldives/Seychelles, and even around El Nido/Palawan, where I saw really health staghorn corals. Stayed at a really neat guesthouse on stilts over water, all bamboo and such, totally local, had to follow a very obscure winding alleyway passing through what felt like peoples' living rooms and backyards to finally emerge on a walkway over water to get to the guesthouse. Very comfortable and very friendly-- highly recommend the Krystal Lodge of Coron Town. Here are a few shots from that experience:<br />
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There's so much more... but will leave it here for now. From Busuanga, I flew back to Manila, and then bussed it into the interior to check out the world heritage rice terrace region around the village/town of Banaue, with a visit to Sagada, known for the funeral practice of coffins being hung in caves/off sheer cliffs. That'll be the next post. Until then, have fun and enjoy! :)</div>
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<br />jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-62424233918834601442017-05-30T05:23:00.001-07:002017-05-30T05:23:21.688-07:00Stand by to stand by...haha, life is fun... and full!<br />
<br />
finally got around to taking the India hint off the header... was there briefly with the ship work but then ended up spending my whole break between contracts in the Philippines. I have another installment coming for that trip-- but it's gotten eclipsed by the start of my UK-based ship work and the full-on schedule there. Just about enough time on the ship to catch a few meals and change clothes for outdoor/indoor suitable gear :)<br />
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and then my ipod went and died... so my most trusty platform for blogging (and good pictures!) is gone. Will have to see if I can figure out how to use Blogger on my android phone... funny how it's an android program yet it worked better on my ipod. Go figure. Might be forced into more time on the laptop. <br />
<br />
As for now, I'm collecting images of northern climes... sundews for one. So cool! Learning all sorts of new boggy plants.<br />
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Well friends, thanks for reading and all the nice feedback, it's fun to share my journeys. Hope this finds you well and happy in the world.<br />
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Until next time...<br />
enjoy!<br />
:) josjos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-71910457933103093152017-05-04T04:57:00.001-07:002017-05-04T04:57:32.434-07:00Philippine Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I had been planning to spend the break between ship contracts with Noble Caledonia traveling in India but when I found out that some Filipino friends had just finished contracts and were at home, and got encouragement to visit, I decided to head out and grab the chance. I figure I can always go back to India but would rarely be able to catch just one-- let alone several-- ship folks, working different companies and different contracts, home at the same time. Score!</span></div><div><br></div><div>These are friends I made over my three seasons working on the Sea Explorer, and come to find out they hadn't seen each other since the last time we all worked together which was two years ago, so it was extra fun to be a catalyst for some reunions.</div><div><br></div><div>My flight over from Chennai was via Kuala Lumpur, and got some nice views of the mountainous island when we flew out <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And then lovely bits and pieces of islands before descending to Manila on the island of Luzon.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dUiOThmz6us/WQW3fQTwDmI/AAAAAAAAJ70/V7CD4UIEvesCBaNEEiKr-ram6mFQyYFcACHM/s640/blogger-image--1711516249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dUiOThmz6us/WQW3fQTwDmI/AAAAAAAAJ70/V7CD4UIEvesCBaNEEiKr-ram6mFQyYFcACHM/s640/blogger-image--1711516249.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E2JojeSDzeI/WQsW-Z-fy3I/AAAAAAAAJ-k/2HzM1HUJAQcypqDj1EiMmJpob3wYEoAxQCHM/s640/blogger-image--500634233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E2JojeSDzeI/WQsW-Z-fy3I/AAAAAAAAJ-k/2HzM1HUJAQcypqDj1EiMmJpob3wYEoAxQCHM/s640/blogger-image--500634233.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cool patterns of fish farm (I presume) nets stretching out from the coast...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZxI6hn-dcuQ/WQWw6swBBHI/AAAAAAAAJ3M/YrbNSyQMtNohfv831m1WiVw6KRK59feEwCHM/s640/blogger-image--781369618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZxI6hn-dcuQ/WQWw6swBBHI/AAAAAAAAJ3M/YrbNSyQMtNohfv831m1WiVw6KRK59feEwCHM/s640/blogger-image--781369618.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><div>The main friend who I was coming to visit, Katherine, had made it to the airport just as I arrived which is no mean feat considering the traffic situation in Manila. And unsurprisingly after happy hellos we went straight to lunch, at a seafood market with restaurant right across the alley... you buy, they cook.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTh0pu-qyjs/WQsVf0vfizI/AAAAAAAAJ9c/v5AHsGKgz7k4drj-00V4X_NWGuosgnU0QCHM/s640/blogger-image-434776811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTh0pu-qyjs/WQsVf0vfizI/AAAAAAAAJ9c/v5AHsGKgz7k4drj-00V4X_NWGuosgnU0QCHM/s640/blogger-image-434776811.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OK51JdLFhww/WQsV0CfQLJI/AAAAAAAAJ9s/WIghwqsyyrgHaVCkqEvk3jWNtDYSZl3-gCHM/s640/blogger-image--1024473953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OK51JdLFhww/WQsV0CfQLJI/AAAAAAAAJ9s/WIghwqsyyrgHaVCkqEvk3jWNtDYSZl3-gCHM/s640/blogger-image--1024473953.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_UhfISKADjo/WQW1WhkwntI/AAAAAAAAJ6Q/mopiUDG-li4N7EZHUUNVDvQCYYUSQ5gXACHM/s640/blogger-image-904105922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_UhfISKADjo/WQW1WhkwntI/AAAAAAAAJ6Q/mopiUDG-li4N7EZHUUNVDvQCYYUSQ5gXACHM/s640/blogger-image-904105922.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITU5xeVhYJE/WQW3aAKZ6oI/AAAAAAAAJ7w/5ZLYHtaeFywHxo7cVxmxM7yd68zzbSlwwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1701592179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITU5xeVhYJE/WQW3aAKZ6oI/AAAAAAAAJ7w/5ZLYHtaeFywHxo7cVxmxM7yd68zzbSlwwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1701592179.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And so began my PH experience!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-COHtccP0PTE/WQW2HGEXtWI/AAAAAAAAJ60/VyVnG2BRJxI3Mu8AWEPL_JNP8mCv9l14wCHM/s640/blogger-image-740787679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-COHtccP0PTE/WQW2HGEXtWI/AAAAAAAAJ60/VyVnG2BRJxI3Mu8AWEPL_JNP8mCv9l14wCHM/s640/blogger-image-740787679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OpTRCrP5rFE/WQWyf6ixNUI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/_Ja90rs9uA0ed5lhlyAkunmwsb74HKCAQCHM/s640/blogger-image--350055951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OpTRCrP5rFE/WQWyf6ixNUI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/_Ja90rs9uA0ed5lhlyAkunmwsb74HKCAQCHM/s640/blogger-image--350055951.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Another ship friend joined us too, Monette, but was a bit late bc of Manila traffic... a common theme during my stay. </div><div><br></div><div>After lunch we set off towards a hotel and drop Monette closer to home on the way but no... after navigation challenges (apps like "wase" pronounced "ways" are a critical part of any smartphone kit here to avoid traffic; I think the same electronic lady with the nice voice lives inside all routefinding apps!)... and after an hour or two of an interesting to me drive through the local scene, </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BWF11os-nsM/WQWz1pQX_1I/AAAAAAAAJ5c/MJyaRONSJwk9FiB24bim5BhF7V4C9-gzwCHM/s640/blogger-image--551372543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BWF11os-nsM/WQWz1pQX_1I/AAAAAAAAJ5c/MJyaRONSJwk9FiB24bim5BhF7V4C9-gzwCHM/s640/blogger-image--551372543.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>we arrived at, lo and behold, Sky Ranch amusement park in Tagaytay-- a popular place, up in the hills sort of on the other side of the island (it's got a skinny bit here); known as a nice retreat from the higher temps of city. </div><div><br></div><div>You may come to notice that the themes of this holiday are food and adventure... so first we bought some Krispy Kreme donuts, obviously, and then rode the <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ferris wheel and the swinging Viking ship. Then we went to have a popular dish here, bc of the cooler temps, a soup called bulalao, broth and veg with a beef cut like ham hocks... yummy and the perfect antidote to blustery conditions. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7gfPrjxrTg/WQWyvYRQauI/AAAAAAAAJ4k/1Yyqe-V6Hewr_0oGg2B-ZJZL13zP7zsSQCHM/s640/blogger-image-547407191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7gfPrjxrTg/WQWyvYRQauI/AAAAAAAAJ4k/1Yyqe-V6Hewr_0oGg2B-ZJZL13zP7zsSQCHM/s640/blogger-image-547407191.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kat and Monette</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gzk1h52OA1Y/WQW18f1cPLI/AAAAAAAAJ6s/B4RNTDKidF8xr9mtQvFLtG_cr-REQUm7gCHM/s640/blogger-image-1744188171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gzk1h52OA1Y/WQW18f1cPLI/AAAAAAAAJ6s/B4RNTDKidF8xr9mtQvFLtG_cr-REQUm7gCHM/s640/blogger-image-1744188171.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ARHZKjvkgIo/WQWzwUMSI9I/AAAAAAAAJ5Y/HqIoPnbrdkAa3CQaucfztyX_b-pnJMWmACHM/s640/blogger-image--1212033347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ARHZKjvkgIo/WQWzwUMSI9I/AAAAAAAAJ5Y/HqIoPnbrdkAa3CQaucfztyX_b-pnJMWmACHM/s640/blogger-image--1212033347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Well fed and well thrilled we headed back towards Manila, but just a few minutes out from the amusement park we discovered via Facebook (Kat was posting pics from the evening... FB is super popular here, posting proof of life excitement and adventures and chatting etc...) that some other good friends were home and right in the area so we set up to meet at a local mall and had another reunion in the parking lot with Mary Jane and Herbert, again it had been 2 yrs since everyone had seen each other... Super great!</span></div><div><br></div><div>Spent next day catching up on missed sleep (my flight over left at midnight, no sleep really so up for over 24 hrs) and blog posts at hotel while Kat attended to some family responsibilities. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Next am early we left for first adventure... parasailing! Was fun even to get to the site, had to take a "jeepny" which is like a minibus with set routes and such (printed on the sides) but individual decorating schemes... and def constructed for short people!</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MPUMFUJBAVM/WQWzcV_xCNI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/05U12NcKxLAIIBYBuIKib1migFHffiWJwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1638030846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MPUMFUJBAVM/WQWzcV_xCNI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/05U12NcKxLAIIBYBuIKib1migFHffiWJwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1638030846.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then a trike, which is the PH version of a tuktuk or rickshaw type thing (a motorbike inside a basic frame, some with a roof and/or windscreen, all attached to a passenger cab)... but again, def made for smaller folks than I!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SyaFW_i-9IY/WQWxPz04GhI/AAAAAAAAJ3c/rxLgOj9-BcYLZRwNvRvbwXjYyul7gvG8ACHM/s640/blogger-image-723273770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SyaFW_i-9IY/WQWxPz04GhI/AAAAAAAAJ3c/rxLgOj9-BcYLZRwNvRvbwXjYyul7gvG8ACHM/s640/blogger-image-723273770.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A view from one trike to the next... and from within!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uLAvvw8NIAU/WQWzmackoGI/AAAAAAAAJ5Q/M_HfQoWhY5AgL6d7-37--3MGLsBSHgx2wCHM/s640/blogger-image-1510179377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uLAvvw8NIAU/WQWzmackoGI/AAAAAAAAJ5Q/M_HfQoWhY5AgL6d7-37--3MGLsBSHgx2wCHM/s640/blogger-image-1510179377.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then we were there, in a ruralish spot with a nice big hill as a launch spot. The day was sunny and the breeze was beginning to pick up a<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> bit... and one by one we got our chance!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OKDCAyDrygo/WQWz_vKT4xI/AAAAAAAAJ5k/2_8p5f8fU9I0h250GTyTBV35lyK8vkejwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1917003082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OKDCAyDrygo/WQWz_vKT4xI/AAAAAAAAJ5k/2_8p5f8fU9I0h250GTyTBV35lyK8vkejwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1917003082.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ObR8Y8Hr1A/WQW3PzJQX0I/AAAAAAAAJ7o/lC3QF5zM1WYbV0zuw10JJrUzoCtRiT8KQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1349061212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ObR8Y8Hr1A/WQW3PzJQX0I/AAAAAAAAJ7o/lC3QF5zM1WYbV0zuw10JJrUzoCtRiT8KQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1349061212.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xgX1NYBNAZg/WQsU2zAQytI/AAAAAAAAJ88/4Uyj1qkIM3M3DSMTMtfJhsWjjLqQs9UxgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1748673650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xgX1NYBNAZg/WQsU2zAQytI/AAAAAAAAJ88/4Uyj1qkIM3M3DSMTMtfJhsWjjLqQs9UxgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1748673650.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeYnHiBFH-k/WQsVaqMdQwI/AAAAAAAAJ9Y/3Ifp9L5cEQsvULYUA1QoH5OABAfLdHDpgCHM/s640/blogger-image--483630037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeYnHiBFH-k/WQsVaqMdQwI/AAAAAAAAJ9Y/3Ifp9L5cEQsvULYUA1QoH5OABAfLdHDpgCHM/s640/blogger-image--483630037.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BxENN2NCKmQ/WQWz6YhcZOI/AAAAAAAAJ5g/V7aa7IN1lncXV0WeZDKE2t3S1l3SPEBcACHM/s640/blogger-image-2025467961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BxENN2NCKmQ/WQWz6YhcZOI/AAAAAAAAJ5g/V7aa7IN1lncXV0WeZDKE2t3S1l3SPEBcACHM/s640/blogger-image-2025467961.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n-EWuvTW2ss/WQW3U6aBwNI/AAAAAAAAJ7s/h5k_1D364wAc479Al11Sn0sZ9heFdMNzwCHM/s640/blogger-image-852140785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n-EWuvTW2ss/WQW3U6aBwNI/AAAAAAAAJ7s/h5k_1D364wAc479Al11Sn0sZ9heFdMNzwCHM/s640/blogger-image-852140785.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mrn6LkcS6As/WQsWNgDl36I/AAAAAAAAJ-A/3ocNRYQFAPk6FDb8BcegZPDGVOCWAj2OgCHM/s640/blogger-image--387735989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mrn6LkcS6As/WQsWNgDl36I/AAAAAAAAJ-A/3ocNRYQFAPk6FDb8BcegZPDGVOCWAj2OgCHM/s640/blogger-image--387735989.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5uOunwl-djc/WQW3KuuLXQI/AAAAAAAAJ7k/pIl0gtA6LWofKJ06s4nOSG_LwFdbp2IqwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1870039829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5uOunwl-djc/WQW3KuuLXQI/AAAAAAAAJ7k/pIl0gtA6LWofKJ06s4nOSG_LwFdbp2IqwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1870039829.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div>The cows didn't seem too impressed with our arrival at the landing spot, but I sure was. As the German pilot/ owner said, maybe the scenery is not as spectacular as the alps but here in Carmona it's a better ride, instead of just descending from high place you can actually catch the thermals and have fun, which is what we did! So peaceful, maybe starting up a parasailing scene in west Texas is in my future? It's a great spot for gliders, so why not?!</div><div><br></div><div>We even met the only person from the Philippines that competes for the world title in parasailing, for accuracy and cross country!</div><div><br></div><div>Spent the afternoon at Mall of Asia, doing a bit of shopping (anything you could ever want you can find at the largest mall in Asia!)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EXTSC78An58/WQWxKoauKWI/AAAAAAAAJ3Y/rYcHad3z3AMXiTEt-K9BwzeTyrImz6kWACHM/s640/blogger-image--1730447033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EXTSC78An58/WQWxKoauKWI/AAAAAAAAJ3Y/rYcHad3z3AMXiTEt-K9BwzeTyrImz6kWACHM/s640/blogger-image--1730447033.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yRCAmcVS6pQ/WQsWtn3nSgI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/8y3oIRNcHQAVngRVZJ7EVorLaIYj9SqrQCHM/s640/blogger-image-127174078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yRCAmcVS6pQ/WQsWtn3nSgI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/8y3oIRNcHQAVngRVZJ7EVorLaIYj9SqrQCHM/s640/blogger-image-127174078.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">J. Co donuts (on the food list), the PH competitor to Krispy Kreme, super yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tUx4O0msjYw/WQW3FSdYekI/AAAAAAAAJ7g/zIBVXE_E0QUnI6OLQchr4M71XuwsxbiBQCHM/s640/blogger-image-877714902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tUx4O0msjYw/WQW3FSdYekI/AAAAAAAAJ7g/zIBVXE_E0QUnI6OLQchr4M71XuwsxbiBQCHM/s640/blogger-image-877714902.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div> and then had an amazing meal to top it off... a platter for four (as advertised) was no problem for us! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ctW506cZuUA/WQW0TkbbTfI/AAAAAAAAJ50/1jMrGjXwT28Ugi5idOsYoaoaJmu5yeHAACHM/s640/blogger-image-255964648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ctW506cZuUA/WQW0TkbbTfI/AAAAAAAAJ50/1jMrGjXwT28Ugi5idOsYoaoaJmu5yeHAACHM/s640/blogger-image-255964648.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cHSJaR1fQ_k/WQWxFllhwPI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/4iXR7HGWyeA9bxzirHlfTZ0_Q8yLZhKhwCHM/s640/blogger-image--319519868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cHSJaR1fQ_k/WQWxFllhwPI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/4iXR7HGWyeA9bxzirHlfTZ0_Q8yLZhKhwCHM/s640/blogger-image--319519868.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m4a6nIe3qqE/WQsVGIWdjAI/AAAAAAAAJ9I/JWbBLNFPGUYnzYHw9APs6nzUwjh9c88yQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1044485212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m4a6nIe3qqE/WQsVGIWdjAI/AAAAAAAAJ9I/JWbBLNFPGUYnzYHw9APs6nzUwjh9c88yQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1044485212.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Before and after! </div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OKbO0Y0Hrdw/WQW0OpVo8vI/AAAAAAAAJ5w/mzWMK9cUxcU04cX_67OU4V5Cem-ABxnXACHM/s640/blogger-image-1741414056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OKbO0Y0Hrdw/WQW0OpVo8vI/AAAAAAAAJ5w/mzWMK9cUxcU04cX_67OU4V5Cem-ABxnXACHM/s640/blogger-image-1741414056.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So much rice but it didn't go to waste, we actually folded it up in the banana leaves and have it to some kids who were asking for spare change...</div><div><br></div><div>And a special treat as we were holding our full stomachs enjoying the fresh breeze a fireworks show started up just down the promenade, a perfect celebratory event matching our sentiments about the day.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AY4_QTzrN_0/WQsW41cFDcI/AAAAAAAAJ-g/a8ulVAb2Di8rGX1Y-Udz9e6ATtYYzK3iwCHM/s640/blogger-image--310523845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AY4_QTzrN_0/WQsW41cFDcI/AAAAAAAAJ-g/a8ulVAb2Di8rGX1Y-Udz9e6ATtYYzK3iwCHM/s640/blogger-image--310523845.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Since Manila isn't really what most folks come to the Philippines to explore... the next morning we flew to the island of Cebu and took an afternoon bus south to set up for our next adventures... swimming with whale sharks and canyoneering!</div><div><br></div><div>If not apparent yet, this is an adventure holiday, at least the part with Kath. She's keen on adventuring and has a list of things she wanted to do and it just worked out for me to visit and be an adventure enabler! Her job onboard the ships is as purser (and is a rising hotel manager) so she's quite organized and she pretty much had our whole trip planned out in her mind so all I needed to do was show up and be ready for fun... done! </div><div><br></div><div>Arrived at the village of Oslob after a beautiful 4 hr bus trip down the coast. Just in time to book our trips the next day and find a place to stay for the night. Even a wee walk before sunset gave me a chance to connect to the slower pace of life away from the city which was very welcome! Walking down the street from the guesthouse I passed families hanging out in the street catching up with themselves and neighbors, everyone smiling and happy, with me the only blonde blue eyed person within how many miles? Not a lot of European-type tourists in PH which is kind of fun. As I walked kids will often break out with "hello!" and "how are you!" trying out their English which they learn at school. But the sweetest was as I walked past a family a wee tyke, maybe two, walked directly toward me with a purposeful manner and with a sweet serious face took my hand and held it to his forehead for a second and then went dutifully back to his family... everyone was smiling ask and forth between me and him... it was so precious a greeting all I could was say thank you and give back a huge smile. I found out later from Kat that that was like a sign of respect or a greeting a child would give to a respected elder... such a lovely way to enter into this next phase of my visit! </div><div><br></div><div> I continued on my walk, past a beautiful church, an oceanside park, and along the beach back to the guesthouse and a good nights rest.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5jJIwIfADMA/WQsWIi0V3OI/AAAAAAAAJ98/hwIkSo687OcKDOp-23Sbv1_kZZbX5qjTgCHM/s640/blogger-image--204851283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5jJIwIfADMA/WQsWIi0V3OI/AAAAAAAAJ98/hwIkSo687OcKDOp-23Sbv1_kZZbX5qjTgCHM/s640/blogger-image--204851283.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowRLqFfyvqqblgKU72dxxU-fOfX9PV-508eC7HazV9vULOEB_N8P6E2_3PgEF5SmAKVU90icGRWXAEV_RbCUd3l1HcS58OTzO691JxICVsk4UL4qtQU5Y0shtVL2s1-MZQokumYb853EB/s640/blogger-image-696400570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowRLqFfyvqqblgKU72dxxU-fOfX9PV-508eC7HazV9vULOEB_N8P6E2_3PgEF5SmAKVU90icGRWXAEV_RbCUd3l1HcS58OTzO691JxICVsk4UL4qtQU5Y0shtVL2s1-MZQokumYb853EB/s640/blogger-image-696400570.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hRiS-Fjait4/WQsWne4tb5I/AAAAAAAAJ-U/TFCSxLkPMAMfOVFe0jgBGu1Q3hC8iyjmwCHM/s640/blogger-image-245129991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hRiS-Fjait4/WQsWne4tb5I/AAAAAAAAJ-U/TFCSxLkPMAMfOVFe0jgBGu1Q3hC8iyjmwCHM/s640/blogger-image-245129991.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7kcvc8bk_Mo/WQWzhYz40gI/AAAAAAAAJ5M/gKWZVjQtKrEIRQYUR8t17SStzQez7rz5ACHM/s640/blogger-image-520280105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7kcvc8bk_Mo/WQWzhYz40gI/AAAAAAAAJ5M/gKWZVjQtKrEIRQYUR8t17SStzQez7rz5ACHM/s640/blogger-image-520280105.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OBwMbx3TE04/WQWxABwr4UI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/WGvVZQ0AeOMF9sQuvmevDntK6svZla1xQCHM/s640/blogger-image-996411574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OBwMbx3TE04/WQWxABwr4UI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/WGvVZQ0AeOMF9sQuvmevDntK6svZla1xQCHM/s640/blogger-image-996411574.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was so cool, a modern sea wall with concave design to reflect the waves right next to an old school version, a bunch of sticks and posts driven into the sand and interlaced with others, creating an energy break that still allows for circulation... neat to see both techniques side by side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rNY0W3VMNIc/WQWzrYqFf3I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/KT7tK98AB30PPKt_dsKnNO4l53N4PD4vQCHM/s640/blogger-image--2027046534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rNY0W3VMNIc/WQWzrYqFf3I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/KT7tK98AB30PPKt_dsKnNO4l53N4PD4vQCHM/s640/blogger-image--2027046534.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6B8X_U_Sug/WQW0JgLfofI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/FKKyzEqUzNUhMjkSV-xFUS_RWtYszyPngCHM/s640/blogger-image--1681191277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6B8X_U_Sug/WQW0JgLfofI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/FKKyzEqUzNUhMjkSV-xFUS_RWtYszyPngCHM/s640/blogger-image--1681191277.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next day we were up early to make the short drive south where the whale shark swim was based. It was a bit of a chaotic not so nature peaceful experience but as the tourism interest in that has led to the Philippines protecting the species instead of continuing to allow hunting, well then I'm all for it. There were easily 100 people at the pavilion where a briefing took place (don't touch them, don't wear sunscreen) then we got into small outriggers, two abreast on a seat that would really fit only one normal American butt, maybe 8 total in boat and the "Rangers" paddled is out maybe 20 yards from shore along a moored line where 10 or so other boats were or were heading and then got in the water... a few other "Rangers" we're in solo boats flicking bait chum in the water and here and there you'd see a big hole open up in the water surface... that was the whale shark hoovering in the food-rich water. So we put on our snorkel and mask, lowered ourselves in the water, stayed by the boat, and looked around hoping to get a glimpse of the sharks... but mainly tried to avoid the frantically manic (manically frantic) antics and appendages of the Chinese fellow trying to get photos and video of himself and the sharks in all possible angles poses etc. We had a few close encounters as the sharks wove their way in and out of the human mayhem trying to get an easy meal out of the deal... Kat saw the first shark then spent the rest of the time (30 minute limit in the water) trying also to get photos and video but all in the end were foiled by our manic frantic friend. I couldn't be bothered with photos, just wanted to watch the dang fish! I had to keep telling the guide to simmer down I'm not interested when he kept trying to get me to go under for a photo with Kat's gopro... I overheard her explaining to the guy-- who was just trying to be really helpful and max out our experience-- that "she's a scientist... she just wants to see it, she doesn't need a picture". A very strange concept here in the land of selfie documentation mania. We laughed a lot about that difference between us! In any case it turned out fine for me, got to watch the sharks feeding, and swimming a bit under the boat for a good, human free approach to the bait area... pretty neat all things considered. They weren't as big as I expected... but if I knew they were interested in eating humans I would have thought they were plenty big enough ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Out of the water for a rinse off and order a breakfast to go (vinegary milk fish, fried eggs and rice in a takeaway tub yum!) and our tour organizers took us off to the next activity-- canyoneering! It was a two hour drive around the southern tip of the island, coast road, just lush banana and palm tree scenery through a succession of small settlements, all sorts of building types from huge new concrete holiday homes or up and coming small hotels, more humble concrete homes, concrete first floors with wood or thatch walled second stories, right down to palm thatch/slat one story homes to huts. People out and everywhere, walking along the road, at home, doing chores, in/at shops, on scooters, in trikes... and plants and flowers too, so many yards and window boxes and plantings. Wish I had the ability to capture it all, quite the visual panoply.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The canyoneering was an in and out affair, and as we walked out it was tons busier than when we arrived... made me appreciate the air of mystery present on our approach. I also wasn't really sure what to expect, so that always helps heighten the mystique!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-su7Mn7JzDIo/WQWxxTOsYFI/AAAAAAAAJ30/V6Zh8zxg_b07Pwxdib92QBASUuCc15-qwCHM/s640/blogger-image--546829202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-su7Mn7JzDIo/WQWxxTOsYFI/AAAAAAAAJ30/V6Zh8zxg_b07Pwxdib92QBASUuCc15-qwCHM/s640/blogger-image--546829202.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Quiet path with no people turned into an avenue thick with families toting picnic equipment on the way out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BUnwcuuMFRE/WQsVvPHz_DI/AAAAAAAAJ9o/4dqRAwgAsAc_eCk1CZEMcFs9ESbgySAbwCHM/s640/blogger-image-2056168979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BUnwcuuMFRE/WQsVvPHz_DI/AAAAAAAAJ9o/4dqRAwgAsAc_eCk1CZEMcFs9ESbgySAbwCHM/s640/blogger-image-2056168979.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Can't ever get rid of the botanist eye...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXLHtM_dwms/WQWxqEJhZ-I/AAAAAAAAJ3w/bCmJKBA9LXcu61M7uspteLGhT6j6vzmYQCHM/s640/blogger-image--403933335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXLHtM_dwms/WQWxqEJhZ-I/AAAAAAAAJ3w/bCmJKBA9LXcu61M7uspteLGhT6j6vzmYQCHM/s640/blogger-image--403933335.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The home of our guide and likely many family members, as well as gear storage dressing area etc. we wore life jackets and old sneakers and used an empty plastic water bottle as a floater for camera and GoPro. Headed out and walked for an hour maybe along a rivercourse with progressively rising walls and pools, had to wade a few areas, take some obligatory photos, then swim some pools</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8bIkVSm94us/WQW21uCIOBI/AAAAAAAAJ7U/-8HyQH3GyakFM3BqK9TQ2zfBSwm7tDWGACHM/s640/blogger-image--1712505675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8bIkVSm94us/WQW21uCIOBI/AAAAAAAAJ7U/-8HyQH3GyakFM3BqK9TQ2zfBSwm7tDWGACHM/s640/blogger-image--1712505675.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dcv1JZkFWKk/WQWzIMRCtgI/AAAAAAAAJ44/PCtc5FVVNXoz4NpWaWTr-LB1L3jS4kZzgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1324003786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dcv1JZkFWKk/WQWzIMRCtgI/AAAAAAAAJ44/PCtc5FVVNXoz4NpWaWTr-LB1L3jS4kZzgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1324003786.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKoz7M1WyoVrY5Ujof7DigQecobKGucxh_rjbxRizkYXtKL4csri5dWwSHbRqy_fBHDIGiBIoUr37Iz1lQNFvVTZHURQ85umAQI8x9EJ8GA6BQP2oTnAHhT0PLXMMZ1rVg9t05H2JDCuY/s640/blogger-image-1032352510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKoz7M1WyoVrY5Ujof7DigQecobKGucxh_rjbxRizkYXtKL4csri5dWwSHbRqy_fBHDIGiBIoUr37Iz1lQNFvVTZHURQ85umAQI8x9EJ8GA6BQP2oTnAHhT0PLXMMZ1rVg9t05H2JDCuY/s640/blogger-image-1032352510.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zp8XrMBQ6OI/WQsWXhb3eoI/AAAAAAAAJ-I/aSaGYQk5sf4LbaCpFOIjydhbUNsttMGYACHM/s640/blogger-image--196436229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zp8XrMBQ6OI/WQsWXhb3eoI/AAAAAAAAJ-I/aSaGYQk5sf4LbaCpFOIjydhbUNsttMGYACHM/s640/blogger-image--196436229.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> and then climb a small pour off/waterfall up to our first big jump... 15 meters? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMhQUEQ4kWsI-4Wm8gR60oa4I3uWL1ArCFCjtIw81WaX7Jn9ampiPExtn4EYcEuMYBuCuAXE5NtiJ1DUn_RCvIwfXOQY7ATMYO_Uf-KxW8vNVawSQSq_oQhnjq8IyGJTlNme3PemHUbpX/s640/blogger-image--1834767459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMhQUEQ4kWsI-4Wm8gR60oa4I3uWL1ArCFCjtIw81WaX7Jn9ampiPExtn4EYcEuMYBuCuAXE5NtiJ1DUn_RCvIwfXOQY7ATMYO_Uf-KxW8vNVawSQSq_oQhnjq8IyGJTlNme3PemHUbpX/s640/blogger-image--1834767459.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> High enough to take me about five tries to actually do it! Kat, as adventurous as she is, is a bit afraid of heights and had to ask the guide to jump with her and even then he had to pull her with him! All went well and we had lots of laughs as we headed back downstream from there. Really beautiful canyon area, of course I wanted to continue upstream farther but that will have to stay on the "next time" list. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the way out as I said, the mystique was replaced by a feeling of a family amusement park, but still beautiful amidst the hubbub </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tMqMWGksxEY/WQsUiw47CGI/AAAAAAAAJ8s/bbRU8CN6adITq6PSx5wX5VFboPdRFSLCACHM/s640/blogger-image--1279371343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tMqMWGksxEY/WQsUiw47CGI/AAAAAAAAJ8s/bbRU8CN6adITq6PSx5wX5VFboPdRFSLCACHM/s640/blogger-image--1279371343.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And there was a fellow selling fresh local honey... maybe one of the most amazing things I've ever tasted... with a bright exotic lemony flavor not to ever be reproduced on my palate again...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zN_QtIUnQTw/WQWzSYsZX0I/AAAAAAAAJ5A/yk8jN8ZhwGsbPajT_uLDnaC26HcSBsz3ACHM/s640/blogger-image-24248060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zN_QtIUnQTw/WQWzSYsZX0I/AAAAAAAAJ5A/yk8jN8ZhwGsbPajT_uLDnaC26HcSBsz3ACHM/s640/blogger-image-24248060.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6AU51oYoTUk/WQsU8MHNaVI/AAAAAAAAJ9A/q7NwTHzYmnk7ZedhUEf-gGaWx33oRR07gCHM/s640/blogger-image--2076175054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6AU51oYoTUk/WQsU8MHNaVI/AAAAAAAAJ9A/q7NwTHzYmnk7ZedhUEf-gGaWx33oRR07gCHM/s640/blogger-image--2076175054.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RA8bkeOhveE/WQsVVlrrumI/AAAAAAAAJ9U/lxUmEPNJ65Un2mptjIjL42GAH82feP4UgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1778528944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RA8bkeOhveE/WQsVVlrrumI/AAAAAAAAJ9U/lxUmEPNJ65Un2mptjIjL42GAH82feP4UgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1778528944.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On our way out we bought bananas on a stick (fried in sugar, damn good, can't wait to try replicating at home!) from one of these shops and </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">also buko, or young coconut, the water plus the flesh scraped out..., </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">processed fresh and dumped in a bag </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">with straw to go! Agh the ubiquitous throwaway plastic bag...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cgMCkvElS0s/WQW1hnA01qI/AAAAAAAAJ6Y/GInqY74naX0rYI69u3thW0gR3_KlUhs8gCHM/s640/blogger-image--1837129916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cgMCkvElS0s/WQW1hnA01qI/AAAAAAAAJ6Y/GInqY74naX0rYI69u3thW0gR3_KlUhs8gCHM/s640/blogger-image--1837129916.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7_fim8pT8pBmGvOUidPqIip-LNQxnfow8gLXrjatcr0jdhzIVHEdrn-_tVmNYhBXg_oS9PwFahgaGCaRI3bORnLKOag9XM1Alw_uyh01h53Mvbhh1dHbHvXOdWBmVoR7B4JwEEIJXbHm/s640/blogger-image-1849135257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7_fim8pT8pBmGvOUidPqIip-LNQxnfow8gLXrjatcr0jdhzIVHEdrn-_tVmNYhBXg_oS9PwFahgaGCaRI3bORnLKOag9XM1Alw_uyh01h53Mvbhh1dHbHvXOdWBmVoR7B4JwEEIJXbHm/s640/blogger-image-1849135257.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Saying goodbye and thanks to our guide we hopped on a bus back to Cebu City, crossing the island west to east but didn't see much as I got an aisle seat and it was sunny out so folks had their window shades pulled. Spent the night at a hotel with a computer which saved me since I needed to apply for another Indian visa that would allow me to stay longer in the Philippines, and there were document upload and file format issues that made it so I couldn't just use my phone or iPod... and luckily it all worked out! Then we headed out to dinner to sample a regional specialty (roast pig, called lechon) at the "best" place for it in town... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-armReNVSkhE/WQW2XgOxHrI/AAAAAAAAJ7A/ZArCUfcc1hM8rQlVu4sgeXFkMVaq5OLogCHM/s640/blogger-image--892444409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-armReNVSkhE/WQW2XgOxHrI/AAAAAAAAJ7A/ZArCUfcc1hM8rQlVu4sgeXFkMVaq5OLogCHM/s640/blogger-image--892444409.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5MnWuW5Y9c/WQWyqep5i2I/AAAAAAAAJ4g/iVs8AnYIAXcap7GCloHolnjt1zqdEUfggCHM/s640/blogger-image--1873283925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5MnWuW5Y9c/WQWyqep5i2I/AAAAAAAAJ4g/iVs8AnYIAXcap7GCloHolnjt1zqdEUfggCHM/s640/blogger-image--1873283925.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Oh my gosh amazingness... kangon (adobo greens), three kinds seaweed salad, spicy and plain lechon (damn that cracklin skin was guuuud!), pancit (glass noodle seafood sesame yumminess), and three desserts just cuz... tapioca drink, sweet coconut rice, sweet cassava roll. Um, yes, just the two of us for dinner... never you mind...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUz_qusR4Sc/WQWylJDM0iI/AAAAAAAAJ4c/_aY6eIcMtIEH8BGD9DzUFtRQ-KUJuYJrwCHM/s640/blogger-image-932654636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUz_qusR4Sc/WQWylJDM0iI/AAAAAAAAJ4c/_aY6eIcMtIEH8BGD9DzUFtRQ-KUJuYJrwCHM/s640/blogger-image-932654636.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This country is so interesting and surreal at times... you can be sitting down to a totally new foods meal like this and then look over and see a typical strip mall scene from home complete with dollar (peso) store, big cars, and KFC (can you see the colonels outline on the sign?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0tyviinp7jc/WQsVLV-svmI/AAAAAAAAJ9M/fPLasShWPP0FNV5h1GIuVzmwtOTxONxTACHM/s640/blogger-image-2033383133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0tyviinp7jc/WQsVLV-svmI/AAAAAAAAJ9M/fPLasShWPP0FNV5h1GIuVzmwtOTxONxTACHM/s640/blogger-image-2033383133.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were so satiated when we got back to the hotel we were both almost immediately asleep. Ha! A relaxing next morning, did a bit of city touring, to see a cross that Magellan placed and a church from the 1500s and then up to "the tops", an excellent view of the city area and cool picnic spot </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u_pEKbC4qek/WQsWchWEwMI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/FaKoleTErwAllZ9DYbzNbHFUYcPTSxSigCHM/s640/blogger-image-1528901368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u_pEKbC4qek/WQsWchWEwMI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/FaKoleTErwAllZ9DYbzNbHFUYcPTSxSigCHM/s640/blogger-image-1528901368.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8KPh622jEho/WQsV-bl9FYI/AAAAAAAAJ90/1I6B5pRFgX0uaaxBUoW4hdK4wrJsE383ACHM/s640/blogger-image--1074393834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8KPh622jEho/WQsV-bl9FYI/AAAAAAAAJ90/1I6B5pRFgX0uaaxBUoW4hdK4wrJsE383ACHM/s640/blogger-image--1074393834.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fE4OpgINUw0/WQWx7-lG26I/AAAAAAAAJ38/Rd5l-DptlYY0PcKe4widZ8nUF_Ccgh_UQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1383102414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fE4OpgINUw0/WQWx7-lG26I/AAAAAAAAJ38/Rd5l-DptlYY0PcKe4widZ8nUF_Ccgh_UQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1383102414.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-df_z4hgFbaE/WQWxaQinaWI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/VHaK0ohOtf8wDflScutvzWEGxY3X5QTsACHM/s640/blogger-image--1336055027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-df_z4hgFbaE/WQWxaQinaWI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/VHaK0ohOtf8wDflScutvzWEGxY3X5QTsACHM/s640/blogger-image--1336055027.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--PqZgWc68nw/WQWxVC9lf4I/AAAAAAAAJ3g/2vaYMNn5wFo3ZAoC8RS-AWhlogKIA3-CgCHM/s640/blogger-image--177812263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--PqZgWc68nw/WQWxVC9lf4I/AAAAAAAAJ3g/2vaYMNn5wFo3ZAoC8RS-AWhlogKIA3-CgCHM/s640/blogger-image--177812263.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Each segment of the building had picnic tables on one side and different eateries on the other. One, a bar meant for nighttime hours, had an eclectic assortment of decorations...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JUrfXWXX6kg/WQsWSmUFpHI/AAAAAAAAJ-E/FE_NjjkTRzQGjZLDjTaIxt2gECvbAmIvwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1498376666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JUrfXWXX6kg/WQsWSmUFpHI/AAAAAAAAJ-E/FE_NjjkTRzQGjZLDjTaIxt2gECvbAmIvwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1498376666.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fea1NdZzfzI/WQW0Ymmo3oI/AAAAAAAAJ54/hjB4KejsRc8W_SMWjOa7QWbk5eCSPzDwACHM/s640/blogger-image--778610777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fea1NdZzfzI/WQW0Ymmo3oI/AAAAAAAAJ54/hjB4KejsRc8W_SMWjOa7QWbk5eCSPzDwACHM/s640/blogger-image--778610777.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xoxkd-reNu8/WQW1sRqD4lI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/VmAjP5RR1Y8mewBa2uGAi22fzM89_apSgCHM/s640/blogger-image--296033482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xoxkd-reNu8/WQW1sRqD4lI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/VmAjP5RR1Y8mewBa2uGAi22fzM89_apSgCHM/s640/blogger-image--296033482.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And there were some neat plants growing in the cracks...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QbD5hI6hTDQ/WQsXDjD4y3I/AAAAAAAAJ-o/42aucK9VvmIPvUErIlSMnFlgkXvdCwP6gCHM/s640/blogger-image-764152811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QbD5hI6hTDQ/WQsXDjD4y3I/AAAAAAAAJ-o/42aucK9VvmIPvUErIlSMnFlgkXvdCwP6gCHM/s640/blogger-image-764152811.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TnvO6rBCPao/WQsUx-dqH2I/AAAAAAAAJ84/InbK2jY4MYkUXi02B1TLGKhQAS__s__FgCHM/s640/blogger-image-822592033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TnvO6rBCPao/WQsUx-dqH2I/AAAAAAAAJ84/InbK2jY4MYkUXi02B1TLGKhQAS__s__FgCHM/s640/blogger-image-822592033.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWCPoCXZVF2TfOpzWSOFyu_zlepfmE7ymVG6XkhyturL5CEIcJn-2vZHNWKR0SFcbR-fzS_p4l4BJZbQebtWe1E0GY5TXQHY8e43Yl38CZbFvTUeJnsfVIFam450s4jkowr2aAbrWwL21/s640/blogger-image-1020705912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWCPoCXZVF2TfOpzWSOFyu_zlepfmE7ymVG6XkhyturL5CEIcJn-2vZHNWKR0SFcbR-fzS_p4l4BJZbQebtWe1E0GY5TXQHY8e43Yl38CZbFvTUeJnsfVIFam450s4jkowr2aAbrWwL21/s640/blogger-image-1020705912.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And around the corner was Skyline Garden, I thought a nice viewpoint spot turned to also be a memorial garden with plaques and presumably ashes deposited behind. It was a perfect spot for me to grab a few nature moments...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GU2CTkefwRA/WQW1cGsd8aI/AAAAAAAAJ6U/FtjkMelgk-U9Zn8eohWaoc99lKPCrdf1QCHM/s640/blogger-image--280079329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GU2CTkefwRA/WQW1cGsd8aI/AAAAAAAAJ6U/FtjkMelgk-U9Zn8eohWaoc99lKPCrdf1QCHM/s640/blogger-image--280079329.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ozSYvxGjpWE/WQW0dteaK1I/AAAAAAAAJ58/R8Kb0c4HYv0Me6YEXyUUAZm71XG9KpnVQCHM/s640/blogger-image--84712783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ozSYvxGjpWE/WQW0dteaK1I/AAAAAAAAJ58/R8Kb0c4HYv0Me6YEXyUUAZm71XG9KpnVQCHM/s640/blogger-image--84712783.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then headed back down to the city and sorting out the next leg of the trip... bus then ferry to Bantayan Island, our skydiving destination!</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Transport options come in many flavors, as per usual in most countries other than the US I find ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For our trip north from Cebu City we could have taken a bus (aircon or open window) but as it worked out we found a minivan which was great... The touts scare up passengers and wait to fill the whole van and then light out hell bent for leather. It's a quicker journey typically, and we were hoping to make the ferry in time, the trip was about 2 hrs shorter than the bus. But it's a bit cramped...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-snowFE2tJ-I/WQsVk9KzR_I/AAAAAAAAJ9g/gF_ZaU8Ieb8c417UAsjyfIFD7Ct9_EuLQCHM/s640/blogger-image--307271665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-snowFE2tJ-I/WQsVk9KzR_I/AAAAAAAAJ9g/gF_ZaU8Ieb8c417UAsjyfIFD7Ct9_EuLQCHM/s640/blogger-image--307271665.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As it happened we arrived late but the ferry had been cancelled anyway due to poor weather. So we lucked into the last room at the local (and luckily palatable) pensione, and proceeded to have a typical "locals special" evening, eating street food (all parts, pieces, and animals apply here!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gapy6cLsESY/WQWxfUgeI4I/AAAAAAAAJ3o/qLNvklpa71cDV2RK5YWafzA2xbK9p-KKACHM/s640/blogger-image-647851973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gapy6cLsESY/WQWxfUgeI4I/AAAAAAAAJ3o/qLNvklpa71cDV2RK5YWafzA2xbK9p-KKACHM/s640/blogger-image-647851973.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S44WV9vywWg/WQW1GhlbRgI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/8erOwcaaxLcz_EzcDIcGhvZ8KUG0_9PSQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1329524483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S44WV9vywWg/WQW1GhlbRgI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/8erOwcaaxLcz_EzcDIcGhvZ8KUG0_9PSQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1329524483.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pretty cute, rice is a staple at every meal but hard to serve fast food style so the fix is to steam it inside these wee cute leaf-wrapped packets...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jz0laRsBUTw/WQsXKQAi3iI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/jNbYBRfL5is-7ycKSU4JGwJ1pEd-Ii_swCHM/s640/blogger-image-671267471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jz0laRsBUTw/WQsXKQAi3iI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/jNbYBRfL5is-7ycKSU4JGwJ1pEd-Ii_swCHM/s640/blogger-image-671267471.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and then we joined in, as you do, at the videoke spot one stall over (karaoke with a video machine playing in the background... which *obviously has nothing to do with the song being played (aside from including a generalized version of the lyrics, translations approximate)... on the Sea Explorer the crew bar had one (crew being mainly Filipinos) and it would loop clips of a great white shark exploding out of the water with a seal in its mouth, a rattlesnake going after some critter, and then a generic Asian-pop girl all dolled up with makeup looking what I guess was supposed to be sexy, all while we're singing Neil diamond and other sappy elevator/80s songs... this one at Hangyan port had a loop of a pirate themed Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue photo shoot knockoff full of scantybikini clad buxom white ladies and a few token seconds of some dumpy white guys with beards bandanas and bad costumes... </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3OrocMkMcnk/WQWxkzHG-tI/AAAAAAAAJ3s/WfmjyooQzd02Dwr_gYqglo0I8bDyxh_TwCHM/s640/blogger-image-227439771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3OrocMkMcnk/WQWxkzHG-tI/AAAAAAAAJ3s/WfmjyooQzd02Dwr_gYqglo0I8bDyxh_TwCHM/s640/blogger-image-227439771.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next morning onto the ferry! All manner of boats to be seen on shores and waterways. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5zXBYXiRrAg/WQWya5W73nI/AAAAAAAAJ4U/21mFmPDd1S85hn3i-B8yEi93oCOxiRAdACHM/s640/blogger-image--95855552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5zXBYXiRrAg/WQWya5W73nI/AAAAAAAAJ4U/21mFmPDd1S85hn3i-B8yEi93oCOxiRAdACHM/s640/blogger-image--95855552.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jzhfRLgzQEI/WQWyGIqF-8I/AAAAAAAAJ4E/JAosewzURmEnMVZws58z21Z01bPDMootwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1818971795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jzhfRLgzQEI/WQWyGIqF-8I/AAAAAAAAJ4E/JAosewzURmEnMVZws58z21Z01bPDMootwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1818971795.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Upon dock approach, Make the moves how you can, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No OSHA reps here, no uniforms no shoes needed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nN0CvfXby8E/WQsUs-xxClI/AAAAAAAAJ80/EGOyoHxq2MEdBF-Xq8t-0oWgnDYkg5PVACHM/s640/blogger-image--1853485815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nN0CvfXby8E/WQsUs-xxClI/AAAAAAAAJ80/EGOyoHxq2MEdBF-Xq8t-0oWgnDYkg5PVACHM/s640/blogger-image--1853485815.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0725h1f_UTo/WQsV5J2l6tI/AAAAAAAAJ9w/50mUWuFbp-YmIXYZQu3RkIVSPmWYqDfHQCHM/s640/blogger-image-789617166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0725h1f_UTo/WQsV5J2l6tI/AAAAAAAAJ9w/50mUWuFbp-YmIXYZQu3RkIVSPmWYqDfHQCHM/s640/blogger-image-789617166.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pkS3FCREdkY/WQWyQSjXBJI/AAAAAAAAJ4M/ydybRlVwF5AXHU8BSrj04_aWFbBebLgGACHM/s640/blogger-image--334021310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pkS3FCREdkY/WQWyQSjXBJI/AAAAAAAAJ4M/ydybRlVwF5AXHU8BSrj04_aWFbBebLgGACHM/s640/blogger-image--334021310.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Was so impressed with the guys on the side walls of the ferry up there waiting to tie up to the neighboring barge... one guy actually took off his flip flops after a bit, presumably to get better footing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once ashore we hired a trike to show us a few options of places to stay and fell in love with the Kota Beach Resort, which funnily enough had an entrance sign proclaiming it camp sawi or camp tragedy as Kat translated... well I'll take a PI version of tragic beach camp anytime !</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uJqbJ8I94XTb77DUuT7FdyJ6MB71JGywwROYIsqc796kisivoadkl_cSaoQzexBuVGKcwN1C5r0pPLKGcUhEmbz7UGDb0ELPthOd-SwAAaRawD8_Z-x79phA2wPY82FC9yjOCChqJhoc/s640/blogger-image-1833833818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uJqbJ8I94XTb77DUuT7FdyJ6MB71JGywwROYIsqc796kisivoadkl_cSaoQzexBuVGKcwN1C5r0pPLKGcUhEmbz7UGDb0ELPthOd-SwAAaRawD8_Z-x79phA2wPY82FC9yjOCChqJhoc/s640/blogger-image-1833833818.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-juBgeHV5GZM/WQWyViOg33I/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/891jaELY6tECBUsOs-afgcxP0P4PiX-KgCHM/s640/blogger-image--810154917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-juBgeHV5GZM/WQWyViOg33I/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/891jaELY6tECBUsOs-afgcxP0P4PiX-KgCHM/s640/blogger-image--810154917.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">View from our cottage porch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_FjvcWoGlp4/WQsUn47GbOI/AAAAAAAAJ8w/Icyfj9X29v8yawIIjgK5dl_9AXWvekmVwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1177303311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_FjvcWoGlp4/WQsUn47GbOI/AAAAAAAAJ8w/Icyfj9X29v8yawIIjgK5dl_9AXWvekmVwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1177303311.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had hoped to get right into the skydiving but as you can see the weather stayed threatening rain so on standby we ended up with two full open days. Continuing with the theme, clearly it was tragic to have to waste time here. Enjoyed amazing food at the resort including the local version of ceviche called kinilaw (OMG!!!!! so good!!!! ginger makes everything better!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-80ZYkFj37aw/WQsUYmatV9I/AAAAAAAAJ8k/iEdMvyx_xQoc8vaI-bsGOrFN3S2SHJh6wCHM/s640/blogger-image-194982807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-80ZYkFj37aw/WQsUYmatV9I/AAAAAAAAJ8k/iEdMvyx_xQoc8vaI-bsGOrFN3S2SHJh6wCHM/s640/blogger-image-194982807.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">fresh shellfish, the conch like thing shared one evening by some sweet ladies sitting next to us, and once we got the tip from them to get local stuff at the market and ask the resort kitchen to prep it we got scallops to start the day the next morning... </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14TgbZ_-6jedG2iYtZfQnfRvhk5tPISZMlTF5J1LZlHDmk1BKrVpUviAdcKulZWqjVJ6p13_oOBGkI6MtWK65zwYqQ1efHdbKSSn-ICgcSDWNllYkQSVJQ8XhqZ0_U-ByZqGCwYmprTy-/s640/blogger-image-775368339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14TgbZ_-6jedG2iYtZfQnfRvhk5tPISZMlTF5J1LZlHDmk1BKrVpUviAdcKulZWqjVJ6p13_oOBGkI6MtWK65zwYqQ1efHdbKSSn-ICgcSDWNllYkQSVJQ8XhqZ0_U-ByZqGCwYmprTy-/s640/blogger-image-775368339.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pAZlJghnwTw/WQsVBCBpRoI/AAAAAAAAJ9E/Cahyl7WohbUc244Nv2hsn5qGr3zpau-TACHM/s640/blogger-image-1136478850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pAZlJghnwTw/WQsVBCBpRoI/AAAAAAAAJ9E/Cahyl7WohbUc244Nv2hsn5qGr3zpau-TACHM/s640/blogger-image-1136478850.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ifNPt9B4Oh0/WQWy0IEAOFI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/1JkLaoEx4TwX07BJT8GjjgRPqm1RKoclACHM/s640/blogger-image--1779798656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ifNPt9B4Oh0/WQWy0IEAOFI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/1JkLaoEx4TwX07BJT8GjjgRPqm1RKoclACHM/s640/blogger-image--1779798656.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And a sweet drink called taho, made of bean curd (like tofu) and molassesy tasting liquid, doled out from two separate pails that this fellow toted around and served up like an art form (Kat could down three glasses at a time, we were on "Taho guy" watch every morning) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--epBLIbO3ZU/WQW2MtJ50vI/AAAAAAAAJ64/-3WRuqf272MM-i7iKgQKDwsW-6-jWgdXwCHM/s640/blogger-image--435915723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--epBLIbO3ZU/WQW2MtJ50vI/AAAAAAAAJ64/-3WRuqf272MM-i7iKgQKDwsW-6-jWgdXwCHM/s640/blogger-image--435915723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-20IKIaDNSiQ/WQW2B6KXyvI/AAAAAAAAJ6w/kXAwjGt1E8EjtELGyjlKUNVaIgspZr4WACHM/s640/blogger-image--498143689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-20IKIaDNSiQ/WQW2B6KXyvI/AAAAAAAAJ6w/kXAwjGt1E8EjtELGyjlKUNVaIgspZr4WACHM/s640/blogger-image--498143689.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We explored the island a bit, very rural and sweet, at one point had the idyllic classic scooter ride down a rural lane flanked with coconut trees and thatched houses and goats and chickens and flowers and no pics b/c I'm a safe driver;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pg7d1QLpdx0/WQW13AyvXnI/AAAAAAAAJ6o/b8-B-K_OJL08FkLmJMh7acoEicCCeAjgACHM/s640/blogger-image--1154556516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pg7d1QLpdx0/WQW13AyvXnI/AAAAAAAAJ6o/b8-B-K_OJL08FkLmJMh7acoEicCCeAjgACHM/s640/blogger-image--1154556516.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qvlvC-8YAXM/WQsWDkrO--I/AAAAAAAAJ94/tVu-aburdZ8PiZnbIXcTrhCaYB7-BZX6ACHM/s640/blogger-image-1893602189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qvlvC-8YAXM/WQsWDkrO--I/AAAAAAAAJ94/tVu-aburdZ8PiZnbIXcTrhCaYB7-BZX6ACHM/s640/blogger-image-1893602189.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SNxnu7tlc8E/WQWyLGMLgwI/AAAAAAAAJ4I/hR8xOk0oIBUjUWbEqsBGkzz9ZrsikNyDgCHM/s640/blogger-image--2120445357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SNxnu7tlc8E/WQWyLGMLgwI/AAAAAAAAJ4I/hR8xOk0oIBUjUWbEqsBGkzz9ZrsikNyDgCHM/s640/blogger-image--2120445357.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vt9CXgWOTtE/WQW1m1tfvJI/AAAAAAAAJ6c/z1GfcNvcfEw7PZY1zgarAcVtvSF0TJ4NwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1356811189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vt9CXgWOTtE/WQW1m1tfvJI/AAAAAAAAJ6c/z1GfcNvcfEw7PZY1zgarAcVtvSF0TJ4NwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1356811189.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our last evening was rough... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3jqflkeoEc4/WQW1xkpxKrI/AAAAAAAAJ6k/yXjlOPrUjocS6WLrOAV_JwORU9G_RasggCHM/s640/blogger-image--1132744129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3jqflkeoEc4/WQW1xkpxKrI/AAAAAAAAJ6k/yXjlOPrUjocS6WLrOAV_JwORU9G_RasggCHM/s640/blogger-image--1132744129.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the dawn was perfect and we were on our way to the airport! A briefing and many signatures on a many paged waiver later... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NK0ZVoq_haE/WQW2gOwzuCI/AAAAAAAAJ7E/rjYJuE96rckUpWae6XWTa1pUWarW5VVDACHM/s640/blogger-image-134585999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NK0ZVoq_haE/WQW2gOwzuCI/AAAAAAAAJ7E/rjYJuE96rckUpWae6XWTa1pUWarW5VVDACHM/s640/blogger-image-134585999.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3VvvwPbaJ0Y/WQsWiJDFuAI/AAAAAAAAJ-Q/MmaGUJZN8FcKrtLJWqEIi80tPuYAHRdnACHM/s640/blogger-image--388002182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3VvvwPbaJ0Y/WQsWiJDFuAI/AAAAAAAAJ-Q/MmaGUJZN8FcKrtLJWqEIi80tPuYAHRdnACHM/s640/blogger-image--388002182.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Px1MllDKixU/WQWzDDj9HXI/AAAAAAAAJ40/G0ercEvrquEZD1CmVRW0CTizGBvnMXzZwCHM/s640/blogger-image--908712399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Px1MllDKixU/WQWzDDj9HXI/AAAAAAAAJ40/G0ercEvrquEZD1CmVRW0CTizGBvnMXzZwCHM/s640/blogger-image--908712399.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C2KD__zjCRw/WQW2liKrPdI/AAAAAAAAJ7I/JH4Kq3xqFWYDcyBCR8495L1hUWIj3cpZwCHM/s640/blogger-image-69406816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C2KD__zjCRw/WQW2liKrPdI/AAAAAAAAJ7I/JH4Kq3xqFWYDcyBCR8495L1hUWIj3cpZwCHM/s640/blogger-image-69406816.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And away we went! Can only say I'd do it again and wish it would last longer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's Kath... I think this is my favorite photo of my entire experience in the Philippines! Photos from the go pros attached to wrists of the tandem pilots... it wasn't me shooting this photo as I was twirling about up there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2W_pu3E8aY/WQW27EHOQuI/AAAAAAAAJ7Y/rrQrAgRuFU0pCv7du6ye6DzJO3tM2nbnACHM/s640/blogger-image-442146257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2W_pu3E8aY/WQW27EHOQuI/AAAAAAAAJ7Y/rrQrAgRuFU0pCv7du6ye6DzJO3tM2nbnACHM/s640/blogger-image-442146257.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We landed on the beach of our resort actually, a pretty slick deal. Seeing how absolutely genuinely to the tips of her toes thrilled and stoked Kat was after we landed, and then watching her watch and rewatch the video and that she had this secret smile on her face for the rest of the day... she was scared but so proud of herself to do it... priceless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our next adventure river rafting seemed rather tame by comparison... took a private car (next step up in terms of quick and direct and also price on the trike-motorbike- bus-van-car continuum of motorized land transport) back to Cebu City to catch an overnight ferry to Cagayan de Oro on the island of Mindinao... for which we arrived just in time, treated ourselves to a cabin to get a good sleep and see what that world was like onboard a ferry as opposed to the cruise ship world we were familiar with, and just continued to roll along under a protective star in that we arrived 6am, found a company with an opening for a medium advanced trip leaving just that morning which was what we wanted and needed because Kat was up against her time limit and was hoping to head back to Manila that night! Whew!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0HhP7VshGdw/WQW3ARcL9dI/AAAAAAAAJ7c/UgnZVTGniwcCfRpc1hE6F-hWHZer_HFZgCHM/s640/blogger-image-298808634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0HhP7VshGdw/WQW3ARcL9dI/AAAAAAAAJ7c/UgnZVTGniwcCfRpc1hE6F-hWHZer_HFZgCHM/s640/blogger-image-298808634.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UsTPk1DqCVg/WQsVqFj6UXI/AAAAAAAAJ9k/8Bsx-SzrFKEkpa94J7bbDXh8Ev8DfainwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1464120540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UsTPk1DqCVg/WQsVqFj6UXI/AAAAAAAAJ9k/8Bsx-SzrFKEkpa94J7bbDXh8Ev8DfainwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1464120540.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpKT_OPorjCFXdfuR6wVB_StckRefWh3nIDBOiTvFam0TAVw10KehSwS_sl2orDFs1v9wlyXBZxjaeiBCNC2etngINjceXO01OBQWaSFaP9Ipte9o7xrJYiAHovovy5N9-uw1nIk-5SCv/s640/blogger-image-1168838104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpKT_OPorjCFXdfuR6wVB_StckRefWh3nIDBOiTvFam0TAVw10KehSwS_sl2orDFs1v9wlyXBZxjaeiBCNC2etngINjceXO01OBQWaSFaP9Ipte9o7xrJYiAHovovy5N9-uw1nIk-5SCv/s640/blogger-image-1168838104.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9HIfzA6sD2E/WQsVQXvbM0I/AAAAAAAAJ9Q/C2F1hSV6By8ED1y-5PnjRVxnaMvgrGS6gCHM/s640/blogger-image--341628196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9HIfzA6sD2E/WQsVQXvbM0I/AAAAAAAAJ9Q/C2F1hSV6By8ED1y-5PnjRVxnaMvgrGS6gCHM/s640/blogger-image--341628196.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was right before I saw a snake in a small niche in the rock, and excitedly said as much in the spirit of "hey this is so cool, wildlife right here next to us!" which then induced Kat to mad screaming and clawing her way away from the rock wall... note to self: not everyone wants to see a snake much less know that one is at eye level as we float by... Dang scientist. But not to worry, a fun time was had on a beautiful stretch of river.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HC--P8oXf3Q/WQWzNKQfd1I/AAAAAAAAJ48/mIXOMWP6yLshWXaZNyfgdPyitz4XcKzagCHM/s640/blogger-image-1212839244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HC--P8oXf3Q/WQWzNKQfd1I/AAAAAAAAJ48/mIXOMWP6yLshWXaZNyfgdPyitz4XcKzagCHM/s640/blogger-image-1212839244.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpA45jZCpRispByOvKyQQKRouYArKSz7X8uBwRNsl6U3YzSoFJW3pLUNhcYqF2rQxY19MniMwzeAVMkM1eYXsTJMRPopA_75-QV40kxPhGilSvKMe4rkKh4yWISHjpt3K1hO8rXNwV8Wa/s640/blogger-image-35700959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpA45jZCpRispByOvKyQQKRouYArKSz7X8uBwRNsl6U3YzSoFJW3pLUNhcYqF2rQxY19MniMwzeAVMkM1eYXsTJMRPopA_75-QV40kxPhGilSvKMe4rkKh4yWISHjpt3K1hO8rXNwV8Wa/s640/blogger-image-35700959.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a1t4hyRSe1g/WQWy95hVkNI/AAAAAAAAJ4w/hTzwpfXJOYQJK_eapHOheNHfjqFq2IeyACHM/s640/blogger-image-624214908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a1t4hyRSe1g/WQWy95hVkNI/AAAAAAAAJ4w/hTzwpfXJOYQJK_eapHOheNHfjqFq2IeyACHM/s640/blogger-image-624214908.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then. The Amerasian Adventure came to a close. Holy Week and responsibilities at home were calling Kat back and so, again under the protective star, we said a rushed goodbye for now be safe have fun as she ran to catch her ferry back north. I was now on my own, and apparently without the Filipina charm as the night ferry I had hoped to take was sold out, leaving me stuck in the busy port after dark. But not to worry, the powers of technology and modernism came to the rescue... turned on the data function on my phone (had gotten a local SIM card and text/call/data plan, and had just expanded my data usage amount via the online portal of my network provider during a long taxi ride while connected to a friend's mobile wifi hotspot who was hooked into the data off the cell network...) opened up the Booking.com app and booked a cheap enough nearby hotel ($20 for ensuite bath, aircon- which I hate anyway- tv and free wifi, one of the Red Planet chain... not much soul but entirely functional and modern) within about 2 minutes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then went out the port gate, found a taxi (metered so relatively aboveboard unless they take you the long way but I've got a map app that works offline with the phone GPS so can see where we're going...), and was getting settled in my room about 20 mins from discovering my hoped for ferry was sold out. Maybe that Filipino charm was still lingering with me a bit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And with that, I'll call this chapter done... and see how long it'll take to upload! Stay tuned for more adventures :)</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br></span></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-52785137665968327852017-04-04T01:11:00.001-07:002017-04-04T01:11:34.399-07:00The Venerable Island... Sri LankaWell, as all names go when chosen by the local people... invariably they are quite simple and reflect the "we are the center of the world" perspective that all humans seem to have... so when the people of Ceylon, upon unbecoming Ceylon and transitioning to self rule from the British, the place had always been Lanka-- or island... and so to elevate that to nationhood, they added the Sri-- diffusing light and radiance, venerable. And it is in fact a pretty special place. Though the arrival at port in Colombo was not particularly auspicious or culturally significant... Just another container port with big rigs...<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qUeFVqGsuLM/WONRLrdqLDI/AAAAAAAAJzI/pVwBIbbiDd0/s640/blogger-image-899585817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qUeFVqGsuLM/WONRLrdqLDI/AAAAAAAAJzI/pVwBIbbiDd0/s640/blogger-image-899585817.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first day out for half the group (otherwise you signed up for a simple city tour and free time in afternoon (i.e. shopping) was an all day tour up into the central part of the island to see the botanical gardens and temple complex said to that house a relict of the Buddha himself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In theory it was a great outing, get to see some countryside apart from the port and coastal areas... especially as it was almost a four hour drive one way... but it was full on traffic the whole time, horns blaring and everything. The main artery into the highland was a two lane road (flexible lanes of course, depending on how many and what type of vehicles wanted to pass each other at the same time...) with shops houses developed spaces filling every niche. It's the classic problem that every place with vehicles sees or will increasingly see across the world, as more people are able to afford vehicles of whatever size/make/model... the roads that carry them will get ever fuller and more congested... the arms race of creating infrastructure to house and circulate our necessary items will never keep up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Be that as it may, it was still an interesting exercise in "away from shore" excursions and there was country to see, rice paddies and cattle egrets and buffalo and forest and granite looking rock outcrops and even a tunnel carved through a boulder that the Brits did way back and is now a wee shortcut for local vehicles since big ol tour busses can't make either the sharp switchback not fit into the hobbit-scale hole.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Sadly we didn't really have much time at the botanical garden (an affiliate of Kew in England!), and that's not just the botanist in me talking! But there were some nice sights including a lovely stand of giant bamboo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XPmwcC7arow/WONRXJYwGYI/AAAAAAAAJzQ/oK3Oz_tZn8A/s640/blogger-image--549168284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XPmwcC7arow/WONRXJYwGYI/AAAAAAAAJzQ/oK3Oz_tZn8A/s640/blogger-image--549168284.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">several trees full with hundreds of roosting fruit bats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5MxYmENkovk/WONOaEe6-3I/AAAAAAAAJxU/O_3H2EFPeY8/s640/blogger-image--1882241227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5MxYmENkovk/WONOaEe6-3I/AAAAAAAAJxU/O_3H2EFPeY8/s640/blogger-image--1882241227.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and some cool tropical flowers including one from a cannonball tree </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpqtM1fqaaLPSN-EBGsfrAmN1VK1Ufg20I4a5tCa2zky9AW5_3jKYyXwo3FCnGWH7F0V1C6ealiXFg1rCQENVChyphenhyphenHphzZlkc-LoIpE8D_kScZoaTI_SVQjJJMQf9g7JIqp4erRtU-JChu/s640/blogger-image--1744611917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpqtM1fqaaLPSN-EBGsfrAmN1VK1Ufg20I4a5tCa2zky9AW5_3jKYyXwo3FCnGWH7F0V1C6ealiXFg1rCQENVChyphenhyphenHphzZlkc-LoIpE8D_kScZoaTI_SVQjJJMQf9g7JIqp4erRtU-JChu/s640/blogger-image--1744611917.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And one of many Bauhinia species</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q4jQPJy3Dmg/WN5pl51R_1I/AAAAAAAAJv0/TA97DoQFOwY/s640/blogger-image--138557038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q4jQPJy3Dmg/WN5pl51R_1I/AAAAAAAAJv0/TA97DoQFOwY/s640/blogger-image--138557038.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The lunch stop was at an historic hotel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3A-DYohhQd8/WONPsw-0c1I/AAAAAAAAJyQ/NLrLRUxsV5I/s640/blogger-image-152842783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3A-DYohhQd8/WONPsw-0c1I/AAAAAAAAJyQ/NLrLRUxsV5I/s640/blogger-image-152842783.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Featuring old b/w photos of days gone by... quite the spectacle then and even now despite regulations on maximum working hours and conditions for elephants-- revered in the country and better treated now than when used previously for working labor animals as well as for religious purposes </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FfU-zf02jk8/WONOU65m0mI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/FsIqTk6c0i4/s640/blogger-image--855931649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FfU-zf02jk8/WONOU65m0mI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/FsIqTk6c0i4/s640/blogger-image--855931649.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then we set off for the temple of the Tooth, where Buddhas tooth, or a replica, or the replica was burned (sneakily substituted by temple guardians for the real one in the nick of time) by some colonial power in effort to banish silly idolatry, or the real one was actually burned, the ashes dumped the the lake, but then magically reconstituted and remaining as proof of the Buddhas everlastingness... pick one and feel good about it :). In any case the temple was pretty awesome and it rained a pretty good shower on us just as we removed our shoes and got inside... which was tricky on the slippery marble steps and floors but added a special ambiance since within the temple it was open to the sky in parts so there was water gushing down gutters and dripping off roofs and making lovely noise all around us yet we were dry. Magical.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9KkmWPII35s/WONRQ8mWGQI/AAAAAAAAJzM/xKCuOBnD5Mw/s640/blogger-image-2037621442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9KkmWPII35s/WONRQ8mWGQI/AAAAAAAAJzM/xKCuOBnD5Mw/s640/blogger-image-2037621442.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n2jGV_vpPHU/WONTx4-eKeI/AAAAAAAAJ0o/WINfhUxk7qY/s640/blogger-image-1910873216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n2jGV_vpPHU/WONTx4-eKeI/AAAAAAAAJ0o/WINfhUxk7qY/s640/blogger-image-1910873216.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENPaZfAfr_C0uYQX4Oscy4l9Tt0XZ4J97lxqWDYarDX9NbrQU0M5s6b3xqiZEEZ2f_XX_tk0DeakYF2Kjfq8veUL23CWv2faB8m4LgUVuHZ3AyGjLIXSv-RBEwFD_GRWVpGWsT3rfP9AQ/s640/blogger-image--1322208138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENPaZfAfr_C0uYQX4Oscy4l9Tt0XZ4J97lxqWDYarDX9NbrQU0M5s6b3xqiZEEZ2f_XX_tk0DeakYF2Kjfq8veUL23CWv2faB8m4LgUVuHZ3AyGjLIXSv-RBEwFD_GRWVpGWsT3rfP9AQ/s640/blogger-image--1322208138.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZiDvJSlZzX0/WONOJcmwBEI/AAAAAAAAJxI/ytVP3JdQEQs/s640/blogger-image-357413411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZiDvJSlZzX0/WONOJcmwBEI/AAAAAAAAJxI/ytVP3JdQEQs/s640/blogger-image-357413411.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XekrBGTuGf4/WONOPMRe1GI/AAAAAAAAJxM/wB6EoVc5Mi4/s640/blogger-image--1393331722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XekrBGTuGf4/WONOPMRe1GI/AAAAAAAAJxM/wB6EoVc5Mi4/s640/blogger-image--1393331722.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VmS4r1JUqk0/WONRkle5UQI/AAAAAAAAJzY/h00TwKhus-s/s640/blogger-image-1635860863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VmS4r1JUqk0/WONRkle5UQI/AAAAAAAAJzY/h00TwKhus-s/s640/blogger-image-1635860863.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4BLW-SB2VWHBxIOiQLL9XjVHJc86yjDDip9wXlFj8O0C8arfATiN7tOHfPUJ5VKjuyOOO2kosSSzqBxqns7vk0JCNjUkMYK0RUYsaG-4WQiujqw0odF6BHMLZX-eBN6uyXCjd_MYNb2o/s640/blogger-image--1144030753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4BLW-SB2VWHBxIOiQLL9XjVHJc86yjDDip9wXlFj8O0C8arfATiN7tOHfPUJ5VKjuyOOO2kosSSzqBxqns7vk0JCNjUkMYK0RUYsaG-4WQiujqw0odF6BHMLZX-eBN6uyXCjd_MYNb2o/s640/blogger-image--1144030753.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-90lFt4apPfY/WONPiEcVN8I/AAAAAAAAJyI/s_tgTq_5bPQ/s640/blogger-image--1533875078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-90lFt4apPfY/WONPiEcVN8I/AAAAAAAAJyI/s_tgTq_5bPQ/s640/blogger-image--1533875078.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2RrGUjVjVhA/WONTle0DCCI/AAAAAAAAJ0g/Du3zUbhSHMA/s640/blogger-image--1077284113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2RrGUjVjVhA/WONTle0DCCI/AAAAAAAAJ0g/Du3zUbhSHMA/s640/blogger-image--1077284113.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dN0WX8JTeFo/WONQG0fvFLI/AAAAAAAAJyk/PhlyVjVwhcE/s640/blogger-image--1936480197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dN0WX8JTeFo/WONQG0fvFLI/AAAAAAAAJyk/PhlyVjVwhcE/s640/blogger-image--1936480197.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2J96rOkW7iM/WONTrhI423I/AAAAAAAAJ0k/v9nTIXFGrDY/s640/blogger-image-978070260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2J96rOkW7iM/WONTrhI423I/AAAAAAAAJ0k/v9nTIXFGrDY/s640/blogger-image-978070260.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next up the old Dutch trading town of Galle. Well it wasn't just the Dutch who utilized this port, archaeological remains date back to BC times. Beautiful old church especially the gravestones, and great displays and artifacts at the maritime museum, then we took a walk around the fort ramparts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LCVf_QvaStk/WONUjmRFsqI/AAAAAAAAJ1M/CD8F6n_TKbY/s640/blogger-image-735821282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LCVf_QvaStk/WONUjmRFsqI/AAAAAAAAJ1M/CD8F6n_TKbY/s640/blogger-image-735821282.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtyzLhf-EAZdhoH3TOwv37qffBdL2LiWC7bYN-UAxjVCcrAwmfaMSahK75uOIH0UqZAwmgo71lxys757cCUdD2Bz2qEw7qhCJxX7Sh_ElMkJibgTq455D_dGJdp2p4bK9NMgtPSkhOn_b/s640/blogger-image-2058270125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtyzLhf-EAZdhoH3TOwv37qffBdL2LiWC7bYN-UAxjVCcrAwmfaMSahK75uOIH0UqZAwmgo71lxys757cCUdD2Bz2qEw7qhCJxX7Sh_ElMkJibgTq455D_dGJdp2p4bK9NMgtPSkhOn_b/s640/blogger-image-2058270125.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xWPibQ605FA/WONRwDqfrLI/AAAAAAAAJzg/ofvLUD7-OuI/s640/blogger-image--134648438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xWPibQ605FA/WONRwDqfrLI/AAAAAAAAJzg/ofvLUD7-OuI/s640/blogger-image--134648438.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjYMgPYOLjI/WONUeeUjh-I/AAAAAAAAJ1I/heCJAjFOXRM/s640/blogger-image--1356317231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjYMgPYOLjI/WONUeeUjh-I/AAAAAAAAJ1I/heCJAjFOXRM/s640/blogger-image--1356317231.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They liked the ol skull and cross bones they did</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfC0MdOb8ts/WONPXoCnF5I/AAAAAAAAJyA/a45eQfKfuAY/s640/blogger-image--594866732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfC0MdOb8ts/WONPXoCnF5I/AAAAAAAAJyA/a45eQfKfuAY/s640/blogger-image--594866732.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B1jbEECJQMU/WONUo-anaDI/AAAAAAAAJ1Q/Od4LctzYCZ4/s640/blogger-image--922931573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B1jbEECJQMU/WONUo-anaDI/AAAAAAAAJ1Q/Od4LctzYCZ4/s640/blogger-image--922931573.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--OoQo8A9h5I/WONTblt4BDI/AAAAAAAAJ0c/ZmQbQ57IFjw/s640/blogger-image-1631342791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--OoQo8A9h5I/WONTblt4BDI/AAAAAAAAJ0c/ZmQbQ57IFjw/s640/blogger-image-1631342791.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YESJkq4KvPQ/WONQMCuUbBI/AAAAAAAAJyo/kQTHRwApmB8/s640/blogger-image-1728106388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YESJkq4KvPQ/WONQMCuUbBI/AAAAAAAAJyo/kQTHRwApmB8/s640/blogger-image-1728106388.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-liLueea3pTM/WONPc4UR3JI/AAAAAAAAJyE/Mnq5ZUzTmog/s640/blogger-image-1023937945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-liLueea3pTM/WONPc4UR3JI/AAAAAAAAJyE/Mnq5ZUzTmog/s640/blogger-image-1023937945.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v82D1_0snzw/WONQRWt_o8I/AAAAAAAAJys/vKj-7Z0WulI/s640/blogger-image--1411040129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v82D1_0snzw/WONQRWt_o8I/AAAAAAAAJys/vKj-7Z0WulI/s640/blogger-image--1411040129.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gtvge2A_lKU/WONUTckedmI/AAAAAAAAJ1A/ACzW_XjFL0k/s640/blogger-image--811781498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gtvge2A_lKU/WONUTckedmI/AAAAAAAAJ1A/ACzW_XjFL0k/s640/blogger-image--811781498.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then we had a free afternoon which was awesome. Tour ended at noon and the final shuttle back to the ship was at 4:30... blessed free exploring time! I answered the old town a bit, stopped in at some shops... pretty schwank affairs, clearly catering to a higher set that come to visit (but such amazing textures and patterns I wanted to take it all home... hard to choose so I took photos instead!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Jeb4Iu3fZA/WN5pX_JmDSI/AAAAAAAAJvo/W6KgoG7i3as/s640/blogger-image-1586841773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Jeb4Iu3fZA/WN5pX_JmDSI/AAAAAAAAJvo/W6KgoG7i3as/s640/blogger-image-1586841773.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7wso1vmr0CUprDhfGWZkilSbOn5u5muAsTBDhgeuuf_5ak1IicKkVN60Bwl14PFqDRjFJ1Elk6h-oM6NweTymHYh3NFXmL-84NL8O9ExzBNoAX3E01LcxvmThltbR4wLWKwdYnoAlCS8/s640/blogger-image--929216130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7wso1vmr0CUprDhfGWZkilSbOn5u5muAsTBDhgeuuf_5ak1IicKkVN60Bwl14PFqDRjFJ1Elk6h-oM6NweTymHYh3NFXmL-84NL8O9ExzBNoAX3E01LcxvmThltbR4wLWKwdYnoAlCS8/s640/blogger-image--929216130.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XiQosbKKchE/WONP3UfvZOI/AAAAAAAAJyY/G3UoxTC9gvM/s640/blogger-image--641801083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XiQosbKKchE/WONP3UfvZOI/AAAAAAAAJyY/G3UoxTC9gvM/s640/blogger-image--641801083.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H_4j_TvnpkzdfS1a0LnQDv0QHM7FSpdKWVhCc3St-TVpfGQuzO2-p2JnR67bhyphenhyphen5ZLC0G4rKva0gg-uFszqL2SSnBvLzdnSkJeEBINaJSiAkLnPE1YC0AfyjBH5VCLru2NO3DkwQAANBD/s640/blogger-image-1731530827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H_4j_TvnpkzdfS1a0LnQDv0QHM7FSpdKWVhCc3St-TVpfGQuzO2-p2JnR67bhyphenhyphen5ZLC0G4rKva0gg-uFszqL2SSnBvLzdnSkJeEBINaJSiAkLnPE1YC0AfyjBH5VCLru2NO3DkwQAANBD/s640/blogger-image-1731530827.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aw1WlYADfkc/WONSMWAzLQI/AAAAAAAAJz0/BFyimpgLDGw/s640/blogger-image-1929436859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aw1WlYADfkc/WONSMWAzLQI/AAAAAAAAJz0/BFyimpgLDGw/s640/blogger-image-1929436859.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1_x4LFFD56Q/WONQw1ns56I/AAAAAAAAJyw/HRCn2dPJXuc/s640/blogger-image--1887499090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1_x4LFFD56Q/WONQw1ns56I/AAAAAAAAJyw/HRCn2dPJXuc/s640/blogger-image--1887499090.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Of course I did but a few things mostly at a women's coop... enough so that I've got two people nice enough to offer a bit of free space in their luggage to load up some purchased paraphernalia of mine and mail it to me once they're in the states, thanks Dave and Chris!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was content to have an afternoon of wandering but an enterprising tuktuk driver approached me at one point saying that all the shops in this particular location wee overpriced and for the tourists... but he could take me to the real market. I dickered a bit not totally ready to give up my unplanned time... but decided to hop in, for a tuktuk experience, and to take a trip to see what the green hills on the far side of the bay had to offer... so we were off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pguRdOim5U8/WONUOLb24zI/AAAAAAAAJ08/rm6JU3aJBq0/s640/blogger-image-499996733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pguRdOim5U8/WONUOLb24zI/AAAAAAAAJ08/rm6JU3aJBq0/s640/blogger-image-499996733.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MBiGKDruoiM/WONUIJ1c5MI/AAAAAAAAJ04/uoVF8GWm4BY/s640/blogger-image--768319414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MBiGKDruoiM/WONUIJ1c5MI/AAAAAAAAJ04/uoVF8GWm4BY/s640/blogger-image--768319414.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kLZwWzsyxAs/WONSBstDGvI/AAAAAAAAJzs/vU6HYuGoro0/s640/blogger-image-2070013468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kLZwWzsyxAs/WONSBstDGvI/AAAAAAAAJzs/vU6HYuGoro0/s640/blogger-image-2070013468.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Neat drive thru the market area... all sorts of spices fruits clothes electronics fish you name it. tempted to end there and wander but I was getting in the lets see what we can see mode so we kept on... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbZoaoOF-9o/WONT8z2aKRI/AAAAAAAAJ0w/CP5BNNlLiwQ/s640/blogger-image-1397458154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbZoaoOF-9o/WONT8z2aKRI/AAAAAAAAJ0w/CP5BNNlLiwQ/s640/blogger-image-1397458154.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am inspired to make a study of tuktuks, most of them are tricked out in some way with slogans on the back, sort of a DIY bumper sticker scene...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yNsyl3O66nY/WONQB7NDlSI/AAAAAAAAJyg/KkCzSkqf_Wc/s640/blogger-image--2101454980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yNsyl3O66nY/WONQB7NDlSI/AAAAAAAAJyg/KkCzSkqf_Wc/s640/blogger-image--2101454980.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was the only good pic I caught of one, not so easy shooting from out the side of a wee rattle mobile! Another one I saw said "politic is a mad dog, it will bite you"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then we headed cross the bay on a busy road, then took a quick turn and suddenly were on what seemed like a single lane tuktuk size road, starting to climb. The road wound around and ended at a Japanese donated shrine to Buddha</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PK8_EUIYFvo/WN5qETvzQpI/AAAAAAAAJwA/S1gCkOxPaGI/s640/blogger-image--1995283516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PK8_EUIYFvo/WN5qETvzQpI/AAAAAAAAJwA/S1gCkOxPaGI/s640/blogger-image--1995283516.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CsiOftMG6BQ/WONOpgir65I/AAAAAAAAJxg/jeL5hqPblBc/s640/blogger-image-1177551953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CsiOftMG6BQ/WONOpgir65I/AAAAAAAAJxg/jeL5hqPblBc/s640/blogger-image-1177551953.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Then we were back on the lane and heading further into the forest jungle, part paved part dirt, mostly bumps, winding through real people's lives and places...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6A8qkQF7aPY/WONUCRFRh3I/AAAAAAAAJ00/xL8TUod7PxE/s640/blogger-image-321102177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6A8qkQF7aPY/WONUCRFRh3I/AAAAAAAAJ00/xL8TUod7PxE/s640/blogger-image-321102177.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kZCWHx8w7mY/WONUvaU5ulI/AAAAAAAAJ1U/7BP-zbDJt7Q/s640/blogger-image-1738211572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kZCWHx8w7mY/WONUvaU5ulI/AAAAAAAAJ1U/7BP-zbDJt7Q/s640/blogger-image-1738211572.jpg"></a></div><br></div>It really felt like I was riding on a toy-sized beetle bug on an amusement park ride it was all so small scale and intimate. Then we started passing fancier homes and got on to a wider concrete paved road and were summarily dumped out into a full on upscale hippy touristy beach scene. Stopped for a moment to appreciate the beach, and then it was time to head back to the other side of the bay and the shuttle to the ship. But with a last stop along the bay at the side of the bust road to check out some fish stalls and yet more picturesque boats...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NkEMZj9z8I0/WONP8iPKFiI/AAAAAAAAJyc/kVP2B_SQMtw/s640/blogger-image--1244940969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NkEMZj9z8I0/WONP8iPKFiI/AAAAAAAAJyc/kVP2B_SQMtw/s640/blogger-image--1244940969.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEdTufMb6wUFLLj3O3yva_AlardQyp3rA5seCoGWUVD4LFWFgY_NQ28BwxDeY7hwPeQS63-K3CBL30yKWFvInKr6Vj_iQyMlINHYgPQDjZ4BYIYNxxozjsWSr9Z8CktRSiroMCn56tyhx/s640/blogger-image--323772661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEdTufMb6wUFLLj3O3yva_AlardQyp3rA5seCoGWUVD4LFWFgY_NQ28BwxDeY7hwPeQS63-K3CBL30yKWFvInKr6Vj_iQyMlINHYgPQDjZ4BYIYNxxozjsWSr9Z8CktRSiroMCn56tyhx/s640/blogger-image--323772661.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wMGBtX4IbBQ/WONVAV1C-JI/AAAAAAAAJ1g/4Yx7P9M1aP4/s640/blogger-image--722014558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wMGBtX4IbBQ/WONVAV1C-JI/AAAAAAAAJ1g/4Yx7P9M1aP4/s640/blogger-image--722014558.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDc45vgPC90/WONR2bP6pwI/AAAAAAAAJzk/RUeXBB2Pw24/s640/blogger-image-1387205013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDc45vgPC90/WONR2bP6pwI/AAAAAAAAJzk/RUeXBB2Pw24/s640/blogger-image-1387205013.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can see the white stupa shrine I visited in the background, on horozon at right of this photo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I7x7ryqZQas/WN5p_4j3oBI/AAAAAAAAJv8/SZV6bloPDXA/s640/blogger-image--1739403497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I7x7ryqZQas/WN5p_4j3oBI/AAAAAAAAJv8/SZV6bloPDXA/s640/blogger-image--1739403497.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aY3jHzqeLIk/WONOu3M_mJI/AAAAAAAAJxk/tdHXnrJwiFI/s640/blogger-image--139986609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aY3jHzqeLIk/WONOu3M_mJI/AAAAAAAAJxk/tdHXnrJwiFI/s640/blogger-image--139986609.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BX_Z-IpglQ8/WONOfbMeoBI/AAAAAAAAJxY/CeXa8Th9k7A/s640/blogger-image-164368766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BX_Z-IpglQ8/WONOfbMeoBI/AAAAAAAAJxY/CeXa8Th9k7A/s640/blogger-image-164368766.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next day I went with half the group inland to an orphan elephant care center to watch a feeding, and then go on safari in Udawalawe National Park. The baby elephants were pretty cute, and so were the other babies in attendance!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OMUdv9waKQk/WONR8ADKlwI/AAAAAAAAJzo/klF5_c9Pft8/s640/blogger-image-998487430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OMUdv9waKQk/WONR8ADKlwI/AAAAAAAAJzo/klF5_c9Pft8/s640/blogger-image-998487430.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0NEGXRMGkOQ/WONRq-NYdbI/AAAAAAAAJzc/DjraAJnoZHU/s640/blogger-image--1590595752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0NEGXRMGkOQ/WONRq-NYdbI/AAAAAAAAJzc/DjraAJnoZHU/s640/blogger-image--1590595752.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--4zxA7TJoQA/WONPyX743II/AAAAAAAAJyU/_GzZYHy54U0/s640/blogger-image-1895384703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--4zxA7TJoQA/WONPyX743II/AAAAAAAAJyU/_GzZYHy54U0/s640/blogger-image-1895384703.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM837sMTp3bzhdS8Xbo5qYoplDChwGbs57Yczfvn9WhW-T70rc9DKxf91h9fYT5L8mGluoHzbbcf_lSSwgzaD5nQbiSjJHLaG8nFi1X9OBEYpS9NP_iaGdI8oAss18FXpUCsNu4LikqXx9/s640/blogger-image-1562419808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM837sMTp3bzhdS8Xbo5qYoplDChwGbs57Yczfvn9WhW-T70rc9DKxf91h9fYT5L8mGluoHzbbcf_lSSwgzaD5nQbiSjJHLaG8nFi1X9OBEYpS9NP_iaGdI8oAss18FXpUCsNu4LikqXx9/s640/blogger-image-1562419808.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For lunches on these tours we stop at nice hotels for buffet style meal, and the food was excellent, the best things usually found under the lids of various clay bowls like these... local curries and such, there was one beer curry that was out of this world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cyE5NI6LRkA/WONOkZS_s9I/AAAAAAAAJxc/ptIEFoY-97c/s640/blogger-image--2105822456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cyE5NI6LRkA/WONOkZS_s9I/AAAAAAAAJxc/ptIEFoY-97c/s640/blogger-image--2105822456.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>The afternoon safari was great, elephants everywhere, they are a subspecies of Indian elephant, smaller in body and ears than the African version, but still commanding attention even as a juvenile, when bluff charging a landrover!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lhtx0exr59E/WN5phYYkJnI/AAAAAAAAJvw/X11btw05kMA/s640/blogger-image--1085593412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lhtx0exr59E/WN5phYYkJnI/AAAAAAAAJvw/X11btw05kMA/s640/blogger-image--1085593412.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then our last day on the island was out of Trincomalee, a dual temple event... one Hindu and one Tamil Buddhist. The approach to the Hindu temple with shops selling sweets and devotee/religious souvenirs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vgOdr1wE3uU/WONPng-b1jI/AAAAAAAAJyM/AfMWA9sMCwU/s640/blogger-image-1195588691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vgOdr1wE3uU/WONPng-b1jI/AAAAAAAAJyM/AfMWA9sMCwU/s640/blogger-image-1195588691.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y5z7Fte8uEU/WONSlCy3d1I/AAAAAAAAJ0A/JJxR-GNMocI/s640/blogger-image--630980985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y5z7Fte8uEU/WONSlCy3d1I/AAAAAAAAJ0A/JJxR-GNMocI/s640/blogger-image--630980985.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0QQTHlAaE4g/WONVM-YhHuI/AAAAAAAAJ1o/HWdqGMGet7Q/s640/blogger-image-2132540195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0QQTHlAaE4g/WONVM-YhHuI/AAAAAAAAJ1o/HWdqGMGet7Q/s640/blogger-image-2132540195.jpg"></a>Palm thatching over an awning spanning the arrival area to keep visitors and attendants alike more comfortable in the strong sun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gORpw1do__rMF4adgpDFeTKlH1idIISJUwrQA4KRizvMIU9Xr0031U0xKNCiOWPLUaoif2wx7Yqgs1Gsi4xv5MipFzQbaLeZZKdZ0S8hPW3KqhfBJXqZmkw4fq1iWp6fbevlSki1F1pv/s640/blogger-image--1877424130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gORpw1do__rMF4adgpDFeTKlH1idIISJUwrQA4KRizvMIU9Xr0031U0xKNCiOWPLUaoif2wx7Yqgs1Gsi4xv5MipFzQbaLeZZKdZ0S8hPW3KqhfBJXqZmkw4fq1iWp6fbevlSki1F1pv/s640/blogger-image--1877424130.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PyvbozEBuGA/WONO0GbT1EI/AAAAAAAAJxo/bfYS7jxl99c/s640/blogger-image--874286388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PyvbozEBuGA/WONO0GbT1EI/AAAAAAAAJxo/bfYS7jxl99c/s640/blogger-image--874286388.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JzitLyuX-o0/WONRBKE8qgI/AAAAAAAAJzA/9fXrlsXw1c8/s640/blogger-image--774178951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JzitLyuX-o0/WONRBKE8qgI/AAAAAAAAJzA/9fXrlsXw1c8/s640/blogger-image--774178951.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JcznV_6TpLE/WONQ7Q03A-I/AAAAAAAAJy8/ihcB9OmqS68/s640/blogger-image-1437799040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JcznV_6TpLE/WONQ7Q03A-I/AAAAAAAAJy8/ihcB9OmqS68/s640/blogger-image-1437799040.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YSPFSg7BuUA/WONRGQZ7CPI/AAAAAAAAJzE/_He3tzXkZro/s640/blogger-image-981082378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YSPFSg7BuUA/WONRGQZ7CPI/AAAAAAAAJzE/_He3tzXkZro/s640/blogger-image-981082378.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Statue of Ganesh</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k59D2E_77J0/WONO_4VFmsI/AAAAAAAAJxw/MyrTlvX5zHg/s640/blogger-image--1640250712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k59D2E_77J0/WONO_4VFmsI/AAAAAAAAJxw/MyrTlvX5zHg/s640/blogger-image--1640250712.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Various shrines all under one roof with trees and doves, very organic feeling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q9pUqK4SQO8/WN5qOCjaiRI/AAAAAAAAJwI/pfHHO4xNfS0/s640/blogger-image--1607251611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q9pUqK4SQO8/WN5qOCjaiRI/AAAAAAAAJwI/pfHHO4xNfS0/s640/blogger-image--1607251611.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cradle icons by women pilgrims praying to Krishna for help conceiving</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xu3gSW_PKRs/WONVF_NuYSI/AAAAAAAAJ1k/lFdEWa9kxzM/s640/blogger-image-946356303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xu3gSW_PKRs/WONVF_NuYSI/AAAAAAAAJ1k/lFdEWa9kxzM/s640/blogger-image-946356303.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HFP_natUY6A/WONSSOElV-I/AAAAAAAAJz4/wz7u0s8MQD4/s640/blogger-image--1731711148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HFP_natUY6A/WONSSOElV-I/AAAAAAAAJz4/wz7u0s8MQD4/s640/blogger-image--1731711148.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c_JT-L2nIT8/WONSfZ3S17I/AAAAAAAAJz8/az3LDuH8o6k/s640/blogger-image--1536759370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c_JT-L2nIT8/WONSfZ3S17I/AAAAAAAAJz8/az3LDuH8o6k/s640/blogger-image--1536759370.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And of course the holy cow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_mZ4pcpYqVA/WONU6-H7t4I/AAAAAAAAJ1c/vte96VKonWc/s640/blogger-image-1244239106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_mZ4pcpYqVA/WONU6-H7t4I/AAAAAAAAJ1c/vte96VKonWc/s640/blogger-image-1244239106.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JZPe2SbTHAI/WONS5396LgI/AAAAAAAAJ0I/a2cTlTq4x2g/s640/blogger-image-1200813632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JZPe2SbTHAI/WONS5396LgI/AAAAAAAAJ0I/a2cTlTq4x2g/s640/blogger-image-1200813632.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Tamil Buddhist site was interesting, the monks stayed during the unrest of the Tamil Tigers time despite the area being very affected by the violence. And the site is old old, ruins really but there are more modern buildings as well for the current residents. This site was so peaceful, had a special feel to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLRZk1HgEBM/WN5qoUK1LmI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/2cv4OrPg_iU/s640/blogger-image-1817069861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLRZk1HgEBM/WN5qoUK1LmI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/2cv4OrPg_iU/s640/blogger-image-1817069861.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mYSDMrEC8fc/WONPSftTKwI/AAAAAAAAJx8/Oki1WJSRpFk/s640/blogger-image-1083975784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mYSDMrEC8fc/WONPSftTKwI/AAAAAAAAJx8/Oki1WJSRpFk/s640/blogger-image-1083975784.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TnkGqDSm0K8/WONSrNyqovI/AAAAAAAAJ0E/B7YLocscUuc/s640/blogger-image--1896206946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TnkGqDSm0K8/WONSrNyqovI/AAAAAAAAJ0E/B7YLocscUuc/s640/blogger-image--1896206946.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zGkn9Oh_Mos/WONTPuJtyEI/AAAAAAAAJ0U/ZEY45X76PaQ/s640/blogger-image--249864089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zGkn9Oh_Mos/WONTPuJtyEI/AAAAAAAAJ0U/ZEY45X76PaQ/s640/blogger-image--249864089.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0-wTp_56l9Y/WONTIJ8qSnI/AAAAAAAAJ0Q/X04zUiQUENk/s640/blogger-image-1638414488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0-wTp_56l9Y/WONTIJ8qSnI/AAAAAAAAJ0Q/X04zUiQUENk/s640/blogger-image-1638414488.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1q8vz5WCqLI/WONPHX4R13I/AAAAAAAAJx0/I19Eb90tv3U/s640/blogger-image--429630260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1q8vz5WCqLI/WONPHX4R13I/AAAAAAAAJx0/I19Eb90tv3U/s640/blogger-image--429630260.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And like that, our time in SL was over. A lovely sunset exit of the Trincomalee port, one of the most important for the British empire in WW II, it is said the port could hold, hide, and protect from any weather 200 warships, undetected. Thankful our visit was under more peaceful auspices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ship arrived in Chennai after a day at sea and the passengers disembarked to the discordant energetic music of a welcoming troupe wielding drums and long squeaking horns... maybe not what everyone wants to trance out to at 8am, but I found I really enjoyed it the more it went on... and I discovered in it an excellent metaphor for life... just as I was getting into a groove and thinking I knew what the rhythm was and could really start to tap it out and sway with it... the rhythm changed, or I lost it, and had bounce around tentatively for awhile before recognizing something to grab hold of, picking it up again, and then getting the groove back, getting into it... and then losing it again... but then eventually instead of getting frustrated or embarrassed with repeatedly losing it, it turned into more of an exploration and discovery of what was being played, what I was hearing, how I was moving, the birds flying by, the movements of the musicians, the colors and textures of what was around us... a great note to end on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was the end of the contract for me, and disembarked later that afternoon, and spent the afternoon binge watching movies laid out on a super comfy bed after an excellent shower. Another day of recovery and napping at the hotel, eating amazing lamb biryani, and watching the sunset from the roof of my hotel, while what seemed to be a never ending exodus of fruit bats went by, paddling the air, heading off for a night of foraging </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">E, W, and N from the roof<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kk7i5x5lLQ/WONPMvFP3wI/AAAAAAAAJx4/EgX30EfNQMw/s640/blogger-image--24554505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kk7i5x5lLQ/WONPMvFP3wI/AAAAAAAAJx4/EgX30EfNQMw/s640/blogger-image--24554505.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-SfRzNvsx0/WN5qjUXRisI/AAAAAAAAJwM/7R4POnwwbO8/s640/blogger-image--1085465418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-SfRzNvsx0/WN5qjUXRisI/AAAAAAAAJwM/7R4POnwwbO8/s640/blogger-image--1085465418.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l76szrcDOpA/WONTBApZtNI/AAAAAAAAJ0M/95Brpb5naQc/s640/blogger-image-2135212985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l76szrcDOpA/WONTBApZtNI/AAAAAAAAJ0M/95Brpb5naQc/s640/blogger-image-2135212985.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then I was off for my holiday break... to the Philippines!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-13485828176354989112017-03-30T05:56:00.001-07:002017-03-30T05:56:40.651-07:00Incredible India!"The slogan to woo tourist" as the tour busses aver... I don't know that I'm<div>wooed by the words but the country is certainly captivating. What an amazing history of religions all humble jumble living together, of colonialism and independence... Frank Sinatra's "My Way" song seems an appropriate anthem.<div><br></div><div>We first landed at Cochin, a city on what's known as the Malabar Coast-- an important area throughout the history of sea- going trading. Strong Portuguese influences here, seen in architecture, </div><div>the Catholic churches, as well as the vegetation... Rain trees are an important feature of this cityscape and we were to come across them at almost every turn in future days as well, they are big beautiful and matriarchal, forming huge shade-giving canopies... initially brought over from Brazil by the Portuguese.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_nzOydhreBk/WNz_3UdeDSI/AAAAAAAAJuc/regTbnZTfEE/s640/blogger-image--1300846977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_nzOydhreBk/WNz_3UdeDSI/AAAAAAAAJuc/regTbnZTfEE/s640/blogger-image--1300846977.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wasn't so interested in the churches but this pepper vine sure caught my eye.. This is it, real pepper, it's a climbing vine and puts out little catkins of flowers that dry into what we know as peppercorns, and the white pink black is as I understand it just a matter of how ripe/dry the fruits are allowed to get before harvest... similar to the different kinds of tea are due to how long the leaves (from really only two species of plant) are allowed to wilt/dry/heat (differences in processing) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I did like the ceiling detail of one old church though</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TLyAvdaVnJk/WNz5P2nksJI/AAAAAAAAJq8/WIxPxj4DWJQ/s640/blogger-image-802657796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TLyAvdaVnJk/WNz5P2nksJI/AAAAAAAAJq8/WIxPxj4DWJQ/s640/blogger-image-802657796.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this church is where Vasco de Gama was initially buried before being repatriated home... but I didn't care about the grave (didn't even go look but turns out the bas relief engraved stone was pretty cool actually) so much as the old school air conditioning... human powered fans, running linearly down the interior, rocked back and forth by some lower caste locals of the time pulling on a system of ropes, circulating the air...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VF-fBp-WuvE/WNz6Y66IhuI/AAAAAAAAJrw/-4JBqsJ2o_Q/s640/blogger-image-604037590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VF-fBp-WuvE/WNz6Y66IhuI/AAAAAAAAJrw/-4JBqsJ2o_Q/s640/blogger-image-604037590.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZrLBTRfqM3A/WNz_cFh9eOI/AAAAAAAAJuI/Uck1hmilJSY/s640/blogger-image-405058632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZrLBTRfqM3A/WNz_cFh9eOI/AAAAAAAAJuI/Uck1hmilJSY/s640/blogger-image-405058632.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then it was off to the promenade to see the sights along the shore</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RdY7KeMlPGw/WNz79p3YHtI/AAAAAAAAJs8/sae3IwBU7NQ/s640/blogger-image-6765379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RdY7KeMlPGw/WNz79p3YHtI/AAAAAAAAJs8/sae3IwBU7NQ/s640/blogger-image-6765379.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ever present tuk tuk or auto-rickshaw, and pop up street art about the slums of North Indian cities</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf1SERNMs7vLlyI9YBGol9FJJhnhemy4_k2hygD3Ofkq0jIo0bMC0uOLNrO_gEh5mIPBL26tJTI6-yELG6R6ZLYql4zRBd-255sNdlu80gwAd4sDZGLVf00pNM3vyc1aYBCOA-YoBsvqS/s640/blogger-image-14335643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf1SERNMs7vLlyI9YBGol9FJJhnhemy4_k2hygD3Ofkq0jIo0bMC0uOLNrO_gEh5mIPBL26tJTI6-yELG6R6ZLYql4zRBd-255sNdlu80gwAd4sDZGLVf00pNM3vyc1aYBCOA-YoBsvqS/s640/blogger-image-14335643.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Am1RwYjGSbE/WNz5E0CcpZI/AAAAAAAAJq0/Xu1DJYGDjFk/s640/blogger-image--838958580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Am1RwYjGSbE/WNz5E0CcpZI/AAAAAAAAJq0/Xu1DJYGDjFk/s640/blogger-image--838958580.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Po24nDXIF2I/WNz5KWqzPuI/AAAAAAAAJq4/EEEeq6IPdMY/s640/blogger-image--1680467062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Po24nDXIF2I/WNz5KWqzPuI/AAAAAAAAJq4/EEEeq6IPdMY/s640/blogger-image--1680467062.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So many pretty things to buy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DwzjjevfHdU/WNz3JIFRGxI/AAAAAAAAJqg/BGSyHG3pKqM/s640/blogger-image--1858276720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DwzjjevfHdU/WNz3JIFRGxI/AAAAAAAAJqg/BGSyHG3pKqM/s640/blogger-image--1858276720.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this cool thing, unique to the area, the "Chinese nets" relict of Chinese occupation/influence in the area in early trading days... it's a passive fishing system where the relatively horizontal met is lowered into the water and then whenever desired the frame is hauled up by hand with the (gravity) aid of attached weights/boulders, and you see if you got lucky, if anything happened to be swimming past with the current of the river as the net was lifted. Pretty slick!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-NANERUrbinIdb9pYAYrtlcbpcwMi03VEGzepvAc29_rBVuXPAYTOfX4E6AHOEoqi2h152SNVCXTcwBTpSPDoWeS5ImwRGZsAwtQD5Myiq-xFpkfh32EqIcVDlcDfXTlECs47EzjSagI/s640/blogger-image-1767787348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-NANERUrbinIdb9pYAYrtlcbpcwMi03VEGzepvAc29_rBVuXPAYTOfX4E6AHOEoqi2h152SNVCXTcwBTpSPDoWeS5ImwRGZsAwtQD5Myiq-xFpkfh32EqIcVDlcDfXTlECs47EzjSagI/s640/blogger-image-1767787348.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Above the net is down in the water and the frame and weights are fully extended, below the weights and frame haven pulled back/down to pull up/elevate the net from the water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-srTTZs83Vt4/WNz_Fb883lI/AAAAAAAAJt4/vMoqf7pBjIQ/s640/blogger-image--1248686795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-srTTZs83Vt4/WNz_Fb883lI/AAAAAAAAJt4/vMoqf7pBjIQ/s640/blogger-image--1248686795.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Market scenes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRe9MrDhK_c/WNz8ItPLSUI/AAAAAAAAJtE/L-ZmH_6gBE8/s640/blogger-image-1233466612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRe9MrDhK_c/WNz8ItPLSUI/AAAAAAAAJtE/L-ZmH_6gBE8/s640/blogger-image-1233466612.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XArL88OBBsg/WNz6GoMOXBI/AAAAAAAAJrk/TC7tk0woTBI/s640/blogger-image-1536272589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XArL88OBBsg/WNz6GoMOXBI/AAAAAAAAJrk/TC7tk0woTBI/s640/blogger-image-1536272589.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CUwrufGV0no/WNz_KxbEUjI/AAAAAAAAJt8/NsGt_jtHAUE/s640/blogger-image-2086069914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CUwrufGV0no/WNz_KxbEUjI/AAAAAAAAJt8/NsGt_jtHAUE/s640/blogger-image-2086069914.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then we went for a tour of the nearby "Jew Town" they call it, or the Jewish quarter where there is the oldest, I think, synagogue in India (need to refer back to the daily program!) where a group was fleeing persecution and were granted safe shelter by the ruling family. Now most of the Jewish community has relocated to Israel but the area is still a focal point for current day trade goods, i.e. tourist shops</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oFTvEwDXZ5U/WNz81ALCVtI/AAAAAAAAJtk/qfDof3mAEpk/s640/blogger-image-1790307622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oFTvEwDXZ5U/WNz81ALCVtI/AAAAAAAAJtk/qfDof3mAEpk/s640/blogger-image-1790307622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zHnlvPesX54/WNz57qmVxsI/AAAAAAAAJrc/rlBDvlTGCkI/s640/blogger-image-734610893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zHnlvPesX54/WNz57qmVxsI/AAAAAAAAJrc/rlBDvlTGCkI/s640/blogger-image-734610893.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We visited a women's coop selling all manner of textiles complete with a demonstration of how the men's dhotis (cloth wrap like a sarong) are woven</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YnR4ZTadZw8/WNz6BOTwsNI/AAAAAAAAJrg/ZthxDPDDVJ8/s640/blogger-image-1084964310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YnR4ZTadZw8/WNz6BOTwsNI/AAAAAAAAJrg/ZthxDPDDVJ8/s640/blogger-image-1084964310.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As if it wasn't a big enough day, that night we were tested to a traditional dance performance in the ship's lounge! Kathlali dance is known only from this region and is a nonverbal art the through fine face and hand movements tells a story, usually religious in nature acting out portions of the Mahabharata . We were tipped of to show up early to watch the dancers get dressed, which was a show unto itself. Where US stage actors might don a costume that was many layers all put together in one "shell" so to speak, these dancers/actors went one by one layer by layer... fascinating. Forgive the poor quality pics but it was in low lighting...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here the male character is getting dressed, woven plastic sheets (likely old rice bags?) are getting folded over a cord and jammed up next to the previous one and laid like this in succession to create a sort of tutu like thing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UvwYwwnkPKA/WNz88wKeYTI/AAAAAAAAJto/7fGczj-obNY/s640/blogger-image-1166590602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UvwYwwnkPKA/WNz88wKeYTI/AAAAAAAAJto/7fGczj-obNY/s640/blogger-image-1166590602.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3_TbSnUiZBWKwywHoVle87oc4zchqkbIlGZ2XhaSBKKjJNlyxreFKFihYoYYS8XfjzvOvTC1_GR9z74CYxn3nag7wVNXi8jgIfVwGfi9VWTrXQY8QWHSZLYxtl-DJ6Lbe8mlbxXnhMMq/s640/blogger-image-1429650044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3_TbSnUiZBWKwywHoVle87oc4zchqkbIlGZ2XhaSBKKjJNlyxreFKFihYoYYS8XfjzvOvTC1_GR9z74CYxn3nag7wVNXi8jgIfVwGfi9VWTrXQY8QWHSZLYxtl-DJ6Lbe8mlbxXnhMMq/s640/blogger-image-1429650044.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zGhA4QTRN5Q/WNz6jle2_CI/AAAAAAAAJr4/Jrq1yb9pSsk/s640/blogger-image--698386459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zGhA4QTRN5Q/WNz6jle2_CI/AAAAAAAAJr4/Jrq1yb9pSsk/s640/blogger-image--698386459.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Makeup was done before arrival...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IPEqie-sVxo/WNz_nMHaZoI/AAAAAAAAJuQ/71Kh-JGCYvc/s640/blogger-image-1182099909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IPEqie-sVxo/WNz_nMHaZoI/AAAAAAAAJuQ/71Kh-JGCYvc/s640/blogger-image-1182099909.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xNDM-Z-ZxeA/WNz_sSKMnBI/AAAAAAAAJuU/Ze1jKAE8Yyk/s640/blogger-image--1282090912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xNDM-Z-ZxeA/WNz_sSKMnBI/AAAAAAAAJuU/Ze1jKAE8Yyk/s640/blogger-image--1282090912.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then it was just layer after layer of shirts and drapery and necklaces and breastplates and sashes... and then he sat down facing away from the crowd while the female character came in and began the performance, demonstrating all of the hand and facial moved and what they meant, all accompanied by the drummers, all directed by a pre recorded audio in British accented English so the target audience was sure to understand. Not their first rodeo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cloZymghLQo/WNz6o6RU2iI/AAAAAAAAJr8/sAwLlGwINzc/s640/blogger-image--1407515191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cloZymghLQo/WNz6o6RU2iI/AAAAAAAAJr8/sAwLlGwINzc/s640/blogger-image--1407515191.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKawvAcoeFE/WNz_yIzpaXI/AAAAAAAAJuY/hG_siEd_Zlc/s640/blogger-image--1004623741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKawvAcoeFE/WNz_yIzpaXI/AAAAAAAAJuY/hG_siEd_Zlc/s640/blogger-image--1004623741.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The male character is at the right facing away but continuing to add more to his get up... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PagX8hPTsjc/WNz6eYJLsGI/AAAAAAAAJr0/Ql0r4nF_BXg/s640/blogger-image-1390214440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PagX8hPTsjc/WNz6eYJLsGI/AAAAAAAAJr0/Ql0r4nF_BXg/s640/blogger-image-1390214440.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div></div>And here's the end result! I'm attempting one of the faces... wide eyes and pressed lips...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next day we headed south to experience the "backwaters of Kerala", according to the tourist literature I've seen one of the 'must do' things in the region. Basically it's a big estuary delta area with lots of canals, many of which were dug by the British to get the rice to the ports for export in a more efficient fashion. Elsewhere this digging of canals (as we learned later around Colombo, Sri Lanks) allowed seawater to encroach inland actually ruining previously fertile lands... but apparently not the case here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The popular thing is to rent a boat, either day lounger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbje5SaL3FI44hZINimZpgUSb1rlt9CcXWQPVmVLgoBa6KtzYG4ankQSw8vW4J5uKlvNni_hM6Y2ENgain9vU4zw9qvVPBXIxUPpKK_tzf4ehIAb9NHnjJzJRy50sXRh0QyQiKRl2po-L/s640/blogger-image--1948073490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbje5SaL3FI44hZINimZpgUSb1rlt9CcXWQPVmVLgoBa6KtzYG4ankQSw8vW4J5uKlvNni_hM6Y2ENgain9vU4zw9qvVPBXIxUPpKK_tzf4ehIAb9NHnjJzJRy50sXRh0QyQiKRl2po-L/s640/blogger-image--1948073490.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zWXjRbcZ9pM/WNz214B0zhI/AAAAAAAAJqU/lEVdAdN0zmk/s640/blogger-image--810914430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zWXjRbcZ9pM/WNz214B0zhI/AAAAAAAAJqU/lEVdAdN0zmk/s640/blogger-image--810914430.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">or houseboat (with attending staff of course) which you can toodle around in for a day or more, there were a wide variety of these based around a thatched exterior theme... it reminded me of the over abundant sloops perched and ready for tours around the world heritage site of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, where everyone and their brothers and cousins jumped on the bandwagon to exploit the money making opportunity around an increasingly popular tourist attraction... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">it wasn't that bad at Alleppy, where we began, but I could see that what was once probably very alluring and maybe more special has commercialized a bit into booze cruises for men's groups and all manner of "retreat to your special nook in the isolated lagoons" sort of pitch as you search for your vessel among what looked like a string of 50 lined out on the dock... and it's not going to get better, there's construction in the area, big hotel going in on one of the lakes with a huge "tie up and plug in" dock... sort of like a houseboat RV station. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In any case it was a nice cruise (just not as romantic as the advertising I'd seen about it, but a tightly-timed land excursion off a tourist ship would be hard pressed to fall into the "romantic and quaint" category anyway). Was interesting to check out the boats as we went along, noticing different styles of thatching/weaving, quality of construction, and guessing the level of wealth of the clientele based on kind of windows, presence of aircon units perched on exterior walls, height of structure, etc. unfortunately I don't think I got a shot of any really fancy ones :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uMGHUksq59M/WNz_QSo1_BI/AAAAAAAAJuA/ylw0WO-7Tik/s640/blogger-image--1307749620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uMGHUksq59M/WNz_QSo1_BI/AAAAAAAAJuA/ylw0WO-7Tik/s640/blogger-image--1307749620.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CFrMmmcL61U/WNz2fYXl5VI/AAAAAAAAJqI/QdGnjAKF650/s640/blogger-image--1765638557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CFrMmmcL61U/WNz2fYXl5VI/AAAAAAAAJqI/QdGnjAKF650/s640/blogger-image--1765638557.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was our ride, from the bow with another of our convoy just ahead</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ticuLWcU54/WNz6zo6yFXI/AAAAAAAAJsE/D81KdnVIkCY/s640/blogger-image--1190824563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ticuLWcU54/WNz6zo6yFXI/AAAAAAAAJsE/D81KdnVIkCY/s640/blogger-image--1190824563.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Loy5_Rb2krk/WNz_-k_z1RI/AAAAAAAAJug/IzrzpxNNhOw/s640/blogger-image-829265681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Loy5_Rb2krk/WNz_-k_z1RI/AAAAAAAAJug/IzrzpxNNhOw/s640/blogger-image-829265681.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Was thankful for the shade when the sun came out! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JsXjupANLks/WNz_WR0KCFI/AAAAAAAAJuE/Bl4d8_ab1fg/s640/blogger-image-1326299928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JsXjupANLks/WNz_WR0KCFI/AAAAAAAAJuE/Bl4d8_ab1fg/s640/blogger-image-1326299928.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mbCvtFoMG8A/WNz7YOnXziI/AAAAAAAAJsg/WBvVwEeVLdc/s640/blogger-image--2124740030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mbCvtFoMG8A/WNz7YOnXziI/AAAAAAAAJsg/WBvVwEeVLdc/s640/blogger-image--2124740030.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wSVa6wTfX5I/WNz6L9uBCpI/AAAAAAAAJro/LVZ3B5XgujY/s640/blogger-image-1579732567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wSVa6wTfX5I/WNz6L9uBCpI/AAAAAAAAJro/LVZ3B5XgujY/s640/blogger-image-1579732567.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Rice paddies, local fume-belching ferries, women smacking sudsed-up clothes against washing rocks at the waters edge, bee eaters and weaver birds, new concrete two story holiday homes and old style abandoned houses with tile roofs and deep porches becoming covered with vines and sinking, slowly, into the ground, and the waterways all lined with some kind of embankment whether lumps of dirt, dirt-packed rice bags, or in more and more places, concrete. All of the land on the other side of the banks was lower than the water... and not that many houses were built on pillars. Woe the flood waters...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another random reminder of time in Vietnam was at our hotel lunch spot... a strange phenomenon... penguins as garbage can icons</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s3ZbITsDzVY/WNz7S__YjuI/AAAAAAAAJsc/oNmwILQPjLM/s640/blogger-image--1977928996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s3ZbITsDzVY/WNz7S__YjuI/AAAAAAAAJsc/oNmwILQPjLM/s640/blogger-image--1977928996.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If anyone can shed light on why penguins (apparently this is an unknown, brightly-colored, marsupial species from the tropics...) and not pandas or polar bears or whathaveyou id love to hear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Riding in the busses back to the ship at Cochin where we'd stayed docked overnight, there were so many great sights I couldn't get photos of, including more Chinese nets along the waterways, and a small camp of what our guide called "gypsy fishermen", at the bank of the river/estuary to the side of the main bridge we had to cross. They use circular "boats" (looking like a saucer, frames of wood and some sort of water resistant bottom like plastic or hides or???) called coracles, overturn them for shelter and use as watercraft to get around (which baffles me because there is no keel or way to direct a forward push with oars... so do they just float with the current?). Someone else had heard of this, apparently there are similar craft in use in Europe? Have just googled it and came up with an article written by a Capn Fatty Goodlander: the bustling waters of Cochin, in Cruising World, July 2003. Go Google!</div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div>And a sight I did get a quick snap of, local Lottie's have a decoration contest going... how best to identify ones self and/or creative talents. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V5QIN9pBMSE/WN0AhCiAkNI/AAAAAAAAJu4/yw_uWGg8Kl4/s640/blogger-image-906414172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V5QIN9pBMSE/WN0AhCiAkNI/AAAAAAAAJu4/yw_uWGg8Kl4/s640/blogger-image-906414172.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Apparently you can tell the religion of the driver by the name of the truck... didn't see this one until I zoomed in on the photo but I'd give a guess towards Muslim. Which is a lovely segue...</div><div><br></div><div>Sailing out that night, with an orange glow overhead creating an appropriately ethereal backdrop for the overlapping calls to prayer wafting out across the water from the old town quarter... offering thanks and gratitude to the one, the everything</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jXGGYMDpsfQ/WNz8u9luqQI/AAAAAAAAJtg/MG94hApOI0Q/s640/blogger-image--587972115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jXGGYMDpsfQ/WNz8u9luqQI/AAAAAAAAJtg/MG94hApOI0Q/s640/blogger-image--587972115.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Still with me?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our last port in India was Vizhinjam, not many tour ships visit there... narrow channel and small dock... kind of like driving the 300' ship like a zodiac but captain had it well in hand, didn't even need to nudge any of the small fishing craft aside to sneak in! Our arrival at sunrise was awesome with all the boats, and birds flying, and the sunlight slowly revealing the temples and mosques and...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That's where we're going... the space between the boats and the concrete pier!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IbAyHyASgB4/WNz5fvtpy7I/AAAAAAAAJrI/clG_JHqdybs/s640/blogger-image--2133101404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IbAyHyASgB4/WNz5fvtpy7I/AAAAAAAAJrI/clG_JHqdybs/s640/blogger-image--2133101404.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b6LtqFAMecg/WNz7igd2ZBI/AAAAAAAAJso/QkPYo4r6hpw/s640/blogger-image-2039143975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b6LtqFAMecg/WNz7igd2ZBI/AAAAAAAAJso/QkPYo4r6hpw/s640/blogger-image-2039143975.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eTt8NH0yf2wJFP9x5qlqwELJVZBXRwyL8c53FtEw-f56j3qj5IXQ1Yzu8EVzM2i3VqbgbjWoUq3NEs7-uwI0-JhTqJctAmw1O_0imF5wIovawHHBtWeqet7bVYaR4BHj2RTGU0TRUg6A/s640/blogger-image-274303893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eTt8NH0yf2wJFP9x5qlqwELJVZBXRwyL8c53FtEw-f56j3qj5IXQ1Yzu8EVzM2i3VqbgbjWoUq3NEs7-uwI0-JhTqJctAmw1O_0imF5wIovawHHBtWeqet7bVYaR4BHj2RTGU0TRUg6A/s640/blogger-image-274303893.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BaYQBv0Y0VA/WNz5VENROjI/AAAAAAAAJrA/zBPrmeNZaiE/s640/blogger-image--1695367872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BaYQBv0Y0VA/WNz5VENROjI/AAAAAAAAJrA/zBPrmeNZaiE/s640/blogger-image--1695367872.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--4r6CB0686M/WNz2m5J761I/AAAAAAAAJqM/QEos6xXOycE/s640/blogger-image--1989448514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--4r6CB0686M/WNz2m5J761I/AAAAAAAAJqM/QEos6xXOycE/s640/blogger-image--1989448514.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">It was really hard to stop taking photos, everywhere you looked was something beautiful and interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">It was apparent the locals thought our arrival was just a big a spectacle as we thought their reality was!</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LrYpyqog4Bc/WNz7n2cLtBI/AAAAAAAAJss/DYQNUVqNy0A/s640/blogger-image-541965880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LrYpyqog4Bc/WNz7n2cLtBI/AAAAAAAAJss/DYQNUVqNy0A/s640/blogger-image-541965880.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">Those are just the officials waiting to come on board, there were about 50 other people scattered about too including families with kids :)</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">So, off the ship and on to busses, our regular routine. Each bus would get a xpedition staff member and at least one local guide who was really the one leading the excursion and sharing information. We'd both have lollipop sticks with our group number to give a visual for our people to follow (funny I didn't get any photos with me playing the quintessential tour guide!) and we also used quietboxes, an audio thing that the guide would speak into and we all had receivers with earpieces that would pick it up, handy for museums and wandering places like gardens. </div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">Our tour today, to Trivandrum--about an hours drive inland from Vizhinjam, was to see all of that, a temple where recently a treasure worth apps 3 billion (not a typo) was discovered, belonging to one of many royal families from olden days, the temple was under their protection/patronage, and the family accumulated the wealth mostly , as I understood it, from taxes and tributes... again go for Google, there was an article about it recently, the temple has the highest security second only to the Louvre or something crazy like that. Anyhow, we went to see the exterior of that (only Hindus allowed inside, and no electronic devices or photos close to it...), plus the associated Horse Palace of that royal family, and then a garden and museum area.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fVUTLzDdeOk/WNz7IoWUvQI/AAAAAAAAJsU/qVkwnXULf5I/s640/blogger-image--1142298768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fVUTLzDdeOk/WNz7IoWUvQI/AAAAAAAAJsU/qVkwnXULf5I/s640/blogger-image--1142298768.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">Fish market/beach scene with Island Sky in background</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">And temple scene sights... on arrival</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RePbd6fQYjs/WN0AEMl4zVI/AAAAAAAAJuk/1SXwda1xmmQ/s640/blogger-image-605716453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RePbd6fQYjs/WN0AEMl4zVI/AAAAAAAAJuk/1SXwda1xmmQ/s640/blogger-image-605716453.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_LOL_1Hoyas/WNz7NydJXBI/AAAAAAAAJsY/DlmpLRKjvbg/s640/blogger-image--1909526514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_LOL_1Hoyas/WNz7NydJXBI/AAAAAAAAJsY/DlmpLRKjvbg/s640/blogger-image--1909526514.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">The men going inside the temple (Hindu) were in appropriate dress, men have to bear their chests to open their hearts and receive the energy more honestly</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WpQJd9eLCBY/WN0AJjxmgUI/AAAAAAAAJuo/WN0Kl8Wlj7E/s640/blogger-image-584742765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WpQJd9eLCBY/WN0AJjxmgUI/AAAAAAAAJuo/WN0Kl8Wlj7E/s640/blogger-image-584742765.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In case you need to ditch some gear before going inside...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jw40w3TgJ9w/WNz51s5nqmI/AAAAAAAAJrY/aOPu_YoLy_w/s640/blogger-image-665286645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jw40w3TgJ9w/WNz51s5nqmI/AAAAAAAAJrY/aOPu_YoLy_w/s640/blogger-image-665286645.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The "more local than the British" souvenir shops...</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1ryjKQ7WH3o/WN0AbVVR66I/AAAAAAAAJu0/0niI8sUyd_k/s640/blogger-image-2042802576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1ryjKQ7WH3o/WN0AbVVR66I/AAAAAAAAJu0/0niI8sUyd_k/s640/blogger-image-2042802576.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuChwHr5ziJrC_v45NfLc9sJLd3SmKgMp08LOUakvf_mgsb3cN-RQkte1HB1ALv_fXkXGsBihj2dXHcvc-IbQT-xQtsaC1Yvk7r9VIQ-9GyqXBnkE7MJ7nR4ZYfnYtVX2krI7M4_GBqf22/s640/blogger-image-1476964426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuChwHr5ziJrC_v45NfLc9sJLd3SmKgMp08LOUakvf_mgsb3cN-RQkte1HB1ALv_fXkXGsBihj2dXHcvc-IbQT-xQtsaC1Yvk7r9VIQ-9GyqXBnkE7MJ7nR4ZYfnYtVX2krI7M4_GBqf22/s640/blogger-image-1476964426.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Closer look. The women's saris and men's dhotis were all works of art to this westerners eyes...</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UBP5KjvMwzQ/WNz7tTFwdNI/AAAAAAAAJsw/DUeDL6HK8wc/s640/blogger-image--1929763215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UBP5KjvMwzQ/WNz7tTFwdNI/AAAAAAAAJsw/DUeDL6HK8wc/s640/blogger-image--1929763215.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then the palace grounds (no photos allowed inside)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jRNOsSvTAh0/WN0APMjAnII/AAAAAAAAJus/JAVOZGrP7xM/s640/blogger-image-64751659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jRNOsSvTAh0/WN0APMjAnII/AAAAAAAAJus/JAVOZGrP7xM/s640/blogger-image-64751659.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Exquisite woodwork, ceiling detail of entryway </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KSsmleQEBfU/WNz6-KPA54I/AAAAAAAAJsM/YdXX_5n-WH4/s640/blogger-image-932158565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KSsmleQEBfU/WNz6-KPA54I/AAAAAAAAJsM/YdXX_5n-WH4/s640/blogger-image-932158565.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some street scenes... temples or shrines just about everywhere you look...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wDiEFTY2D44/WNz5lCIMRtI/AAAAAAAAJrM/9Q6-U1Mdzd0/s640/blogger-image-1935636995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wDiEFTY2D44/WNz5lCIMRtI/AAAAAAAAJrM/9Q6-U1Mdzd0/s640/blogger-image-1935636995.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhvLHjRQe9k/WNz642f1ozI/AAAAAAAAJsI/L_5i1-TxL4E/s640/blogger-image-1226494494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhvLHjRQe9k/WNz642f1ozI/AAAAAAAAJsI/L_5i1-TxL4E/s640/blogger-image-1226494494.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Architectural detail from the garden and museum area</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LpTzAFwyaA8/WNz74SzSpZI/AAAAAAAAJs4/7vcqXWaLabE/s640/blogger-image--412325629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LpTzAFwyaA8/WNz74SzSpZI/AAAAAAAAJs4/7vcqXWaLabE/s640/blogger-image--412325629.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_7quUFinvKg/WNz8e3XMm7I/AAAAAAAAJtU/dw5y_lSIc9A/s640/blogger-image-824388457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_7quUFinvKg/WNz8e3XMm7I/AAAAAAAAJtU/dw5y_lSIc9A/s640/blogger-image-824388457.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And a fun thing... guys can just take a waz in the corner but ladies... well Indis has for you the SheToilet! A cute little electronic box offering privacy on a busy street corner...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BdfmXBdCQP0/WNz8ZoEL1bI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/Ch1OJUHS9Oc/s640/blogger-image--1067309247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BdfmXBdCQP0/WNz8ZoEL1bI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/Ch1OJUHS9Oc/s640/blogger-image--1067309247.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then back home, for quite a bustling send off!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPE6TzOtKgM/WNz7DeCxoNI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/Gxjnrq3W8Is/s640/blogger-image--1343897345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPE6TzOtKgM/WNz7DeCxoNI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/Gxjnrq3W8Is/s640/blogger-image--1343897345.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0c26rT9IiQY/WNz8kNYBNGI/AAAAAAAAJtY/xg041LjMuXs/s640/blogger-image-792122433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0c26rT9IiQY/WNz8kNYBNGI/AAAAAAAAJtY/xg041LjMuXs/s640/blogger-image-792122433.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I caught the eye of the sweet boy being held by his mom wearing glasses at left of photo, we all played the wave and smile game, very sweet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dNelO_62EKY/WNz5qgjxNKI/AAAAAAAAJrQ/bxLgV2Zgtpk/s640/blogger-image-1894923950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dNelO_62EKY/WNz5qgjxNKI/AAAAAAAAJrQ/bxLgV2Zgtpk/s640/blogger-image-1894923950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VtJcm6BxVpo/WNz5vpFNl4I/AAAAAAAAJrU/mj1J7fG01jU/s640/blogger-image--1357934566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VtJcm6BxVpo/WNz5vpFNl4I/AAAAAAAAJrU/mj1J7fG01jU/s640/blogger-image--1357934566.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then we were onboard and on our way... such friendly and sweet people we had worked with, every face encountered would open with a smile and in return for mine freely given, what a place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KcYhAsIn83k/WNz8pqV5A0I/AAAAAAAAJtc/aVzaVBAxXjE/s640/blogger-image-520436923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KcYhAsIn83k/WNz8pqV5A0I/AAAAAAAAJtc/aVzaVBAxXjE/s640/blogger-image-520436923.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then... bound for that most mysterious of places, Ceylon in my dreams, Sri Lanka of today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aqpXgwKeJYQ/WNz5abvvXII/AAAAAAAAJrE/FauGm2rirOk/s640/blogger-image-1035973966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aqpXgwKeJYQ/WNz5abvvXII/AAAAAAAAJrE/FauGm2rirOk/s640/blogger-image-1035973966.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-49304874312632041972017-03-30T00:28:00.001-07:002017-03-30T00:28:28.937-07:00Passage to IndiaThis was the title of my second cruise and after our first day visiting the primeval palm forest of the Vallee de Mai, we set out across the Indian Ocean. Three days at sea to reach our destination, the Maldives. Some folks get a little stir crazy after a day or two at sea not to mention three... but I love sea days. Time to present/hear lectures which is fun and interesting, but really I just love sitting on deck, watching the water, the clouds, seabirds, flying fish... listening to the breeze, the waves... It hasn't gotten old yet!<div><br></div><div>Eventually the ship does arrive though, and our first few stops were along the lines of sun sand and snorkel... and we suffered through. The first "landing" was barely that... a wee uplift of sand and coral and a few shrubs, but totally sufficient for a beach snorkel base! The Maldives claims the lowest high spot of any nation... something like 2.5 meters is essentially the highest "peak" to climb in this island nation!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Al7FtrL0dXc/WNyzhNDrTUI/AAAAAAAAJpo/Rizu5ZBsyck/s640/blogger-image-1431284015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Al7FtrL0dXc/WNyzhNDrTUI/AAAAAAAAJpo/Rizu5ZBsyck/s640/blogger-image-1431284015.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CSschFqqFc/WNyy_qzo9LI/AAAAAAAAJpQ/ObIjGZ5pWzE/s640/blogger-image-242814597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CSschFqqFc/WNyy_qzo9LI/AAAAAAAAJpQ/ObIjGZ5pWzE/s640/blogger-image-242814597.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6prTpS-OgV8/WNyyp0aigzI/AAAAAAAAJpA/ZsY2QcbusnU/s640/blogger-image-1438690278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6prTpS-OgV8/WNyyp0aigzI/AAAAAAAAJpA/ZsY2QcbusnU/s640/blogger-image-1438690278.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-urvmYDMWJyY/WNyy6DcppPI/AAAAAAAAJpM/6GQCL4VyGKM/s640/blogger-image--201656218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-urvmYDMWJyY/WNyy6DcppPI/AAAAAAAAJpM/6GQCL4VyGKM/s640/blogger-image--201656218.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See how the ship is anchored off shore, then we launch the zodiacs and ferry folks in to shore, usually maybe a 10 minute affair, depending on depths and weather. I have to say weather over here was lovely... calm seas, no williwas or spontaneous fohn winds to deal with, just tides and currents and a brief rain shower was all we really had to contend with... and not even much of that after hearing stories from folks experienced in the area... pretty uneventful driving really. (surely I've just jinxed myself though for the UK season!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our next landing on the atoll of Fuldihoo was a true experience... I don't know about you but I've always heard of the Maldives as a posh beach getaway hideaway for fancy people... but lo and behold there are locals that live there too! Haha. The little I learned has piqued my interest even further regarding the long history of seafaring and trading in the Indian Ocean. Maldives was an important source of dried fish in the history of trading... boats would come up the coast from Sri Lanka and India, and trade goods for the fish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Being a nation made of 100s of specks of coral atolls, there's not much else of an export. These days the country is importing a lot, and looking to buy land in order to relocate its entire population as the threat of becoming slowly submerged with rising sea levels is turning into a reality. There was a tsunami a few years ago and not much warning so the people on Fuldihoo climbed up on a bandstand platform that was set up for a festival... that raised platform raised a couple meters off the sand was the HIGHEST SPOT ON THE ISLAND. Talk about different realities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> We had a really lovely visit at Fuldihoo, the people were gracious, happy to have us there and share a bit of their world, and put on quite a welcome with traditional dancing, town tour, and demonstration of how life works with traditional tools and making just about anything you might need from some part of a coconut tree/fruit. This was after passing through the village with its immaculate and well constructed school, pharmacy and health clinic... not at all any sort of primitive living. At the same time I was chatting with one of the local guides about the social scene and he was saying that there are just a few hundred folks on the small island, two families really but finding someone to marry isn't too hard because its ok for cousins to marry. But also now more people are meeting each other via Facebook so it's even better. I wasn't too surprised at this, seeing as all the local guides and other villagers taking pictures of the tourist spectacle that had come to town-- they all had nicer smartphones than we did!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fKzXGIDK008/WNyzKNFJorI/AAAAAAAAJpY/8CXEn01ocpE/s640/blogger-image--669387764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fKzXGIDK008/WNyzKNFJorI/AAAAAAAAJpY/8CXEn01ocpE/s640/blogger-image--669387764.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A stingray skim-by as we wait for the zodiacs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WSnYqxWlpQ8/WNyy1B3jBtI/AAAAAAAAJpI/5Q6GNM5CCOE/s640/blogger-image--1606589802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WSnYqxWlpQ8/WNyy1B3jBtI/AAAAAAAAJpI/5Q6GNM5CCOE/s640/blogger-image--1606589802.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Coming ashore</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CirD4owWb3U/WNyzE3VaOAI/AAAAAAAAJpU/5mNzFHbZ1Ug/s640/blogger-image-667709744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CirD4owWb3U/WNyzE3VaOAI/AAAAAAAAJpU/5mNzFHbZ1Ug/s640/blogger-image-667709744.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Local men watching the tourist spectacle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8AWkkC31dM0/WNyzb4-_CwI/AAAAAAAAJpk/bXDcMQqWybo/s640/blogger-image-838055982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8AWkkC31dM0/WNyzb4-_CwI/AAAAAAAAJpk/bXDcMQqWybo/s640/blogger-image-838055982.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My gorgeous guide, and her cousin (they're not married!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BE6hP4sxH0Y/WNyyvL92ajI/AAAAAAAAJpE/0j1K35QY200/s640/blogger-image-489116466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BE6hP4sxH0Y/WNyyvL92ajI/AAAAAAAAJpE/0j1K35QY200/s640/blogger-image-489116466.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kids watching the spectacle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--_MZZeOpMhU/WNyzWDTb0xI/AAAAAAAAJpg/3Jl3EJtNNrA/s640/blogger-image--1753752215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--_MZZeOpMhU/WNyzWDTb0xI/AAAAAAAAJpg/3Jl3EJtNNrA/s640/blogger-image--1753752215.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maldives pride at a local shop</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6L4U0Z3ez_M/WNyzPnLXJqI/AAAAAAAAJpc/e-qMip44l4Q/s640/blogger-image-1295135328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6L4U0Z3ez_M/WNyzPnLXJqI/AAAAAAAAJpc/e-qMip44l4Q/s640/blogger-image-1295135328.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Food demo, fish paste and tuna with chilies or some other amazingness slathered on a sort of wheat tortilla chapatti thing... I ate as many as they would give me and my fingers were dripping with goodness!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQwAK-m8cotUd1U3Y7OQ4Em8QMXuLzE5VFIHoX7tYrD2BiOh3NhSWjDaiWoYA-Rw9AmxTZ30o9MIhNEOTjQwJLmTaeWGuugYT_e_pmnh902FVjoMHWpbXsqElUydOIUkHW_w1UjpUzt9M/s640/blogger-image-1655075645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQwAK-m8cotUd1U3Y7OQ4Em8QMXuLzE5VFIHoX7tYrD2BiOh3NhSWjDaiWoYA-Rw9AmxTZ30o9MIhNEOTjQwJLmTaeWGuugYT_e_pmnh902FVjoMHWpbXsqElUydOIUkHW_w1UjpUzt9M/s640/blogger-image-1655075645.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few more days of sun and snorkel and then we were off to Incredible India!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-40297418197834895252017-03-19T08:59:00.001-07:002017-03-23T22:30:26.177-07:00Sun and snorkel and...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Well I think the pictures will mostly speak for themselves... More recently it's been a simple life, the Passage to India bit, driving zodiacs ashore for folks to swim/snorkel from the beach, and/or including an anchored zodiac in the mix as a snorkel platform, for folks to check out reef areas in deeper water.<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>E<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">arlier with the Durrell wildlife trust group we were more active on land but it's morphed into the island and atoll show. Here's a photo of our destinations for the first voyage</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sO8DviDXR6Y/WM6pJw2nICI/AAAAAAAAJk0/5esxdwulmak/s640/blogger-image--18850209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sO8DviDXR6Y/WM6pJw2nICI/AAAAAAAAJk0/5esxdwulmak/s640/blogger-image--18850209.jpg"></a></div><br><div>Here are some shots from the island of </div><div>Alphonse, in a southern group of Seychelles... a fishing vacation destination, </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7YQoWPxIPIo/WM6qVDzYOBI/AAAAAAAAJlI/Ho2kZDfCzNg/s640/blogger-image--1332849165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7YQoWPxIPIo/WM6qVDzYOBI/AAAAAAAAJlI/Ho2kZDfCzNg/s640/blogger-image--1332849165.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>but for us it was a nice island walk through an old coconut plantation, relaxing beach, and a spectacular frigatebird colony, hundreds soaring off the north end of the island.<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fzjoisY6kto/WM6qioeFjVI/AAAAAAAAJlM/GoTYgGWGCac/s640/blogger-image--1465279366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fzjoisY6kto/WM6qioeFjVI/AAAAAAAAJlM/GoTYgGWGCac/s640/blogger-image--1465279366.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tying up the boats so we can go ashore</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z2AX7kldsPE/WM6pzqrZUlI/AAAAAAAAJlA/Ys36guqkxAk/s640/blogger-image-13938881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z2AX7kldsPE/WM6pzqrZUlI/AAAAAAAAJlA/Ys36guqkxAk/s640/blogger-image-13938881.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rIi4jXya2BQ/WM6q3psty4I/AAAAAAAAJlQ/k8uJ_9Fa-w0/s640/blogger-image-514363197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rIi4jXya2BQ/WM6q3psty4I/AAAAAAAAJlQ/k8uJ_9Fa-w0/s640/blogger-image-514363197.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vg4t89alQTk/WM6pAlQiQ1I/AAAAAAAAJkw/MbSs0ZzWkjI/s640/blogger-image-954497070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vg4t89alQTk/WM6pAlQiQ1I/AAAAAAAAJkw/MbSs0ZzWkjI/s640/blogger-image-954497070.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r1gjetrJj4w/WM6pVBXlOXI/AAAAAAAAJk4/BeTP3N5lzAk/s640/blogger-image-1299898071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r1gjetrJj4w/WM6pVBXlOXI/AAAAAAAAJk4/BeTP3N5lzAk/s640/blogger-image-1299898071.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bZ-buyNK0Yk/WM6phJvB4II/AAAAAAAAJk8/8GbWp6py0Es/s640/blogger-image--448341312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bZ-buyNK0Yk/WM6phJvB4II/AAAAAAAAJk8/8GbWp6py0Es/s640/blogger-image--448341312.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFJ_geLWG2U/WM6qDU4c0RI/AAAAAAAAJlE/XgOsRIk8fc8/s640/blogger-image--1297279909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFJ_geLWG2U/WM6qDU4c0RI/AAAAAAAAJlE/XgOsRIk8fc8/s640/blogger-image--1297279909.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Then there was Aride and Gran Soeur... part of the "inner islands", up north and grantitic with proper forest/vegetation and really interesting geology.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hM__UmJAzR0/WNSl8AqmDCI/AAAAAAAAJm4/TfO4zB7iPsA/s640/blogger-image--652133673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hM__UmJAzR0/WNSl8AqmDCI/AAAAAAAAJm4/TfO4zB7iPsA/s640/blogger-image--652133673.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DFggETu3NVM/WNSmPpYOuYI/AAAAAAAAJnE/fq-ck_1GNh8/s640/blogger-image-975807817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DFggETu3NVM/WNSmPpYOuYI/AAAAAAAAJnE/fq-ck_1GNh8/s640/blogger-image-975807817.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Aride was amazing, tons of seabirds totally unconcerned with a herd of humans wandering around close to their nesting areas... just next to the trail and overhead!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idRV4PmjT0I/WNSn_HR6iGI/AAAAAAAAJnQ/qQN65fF4AGA/s640/blogger-image-1225896109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idRV4PmjT0I/WNSn_HR6iGI/AAAAAAAAJnQ/qQN65fF4AGA/s640/blogger-image-1225896109.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Look at the black blobs up above... Nesting noddies using wet leaves draped over the branches!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W69VkwfgbLM/WNSljwmNmfI/AAAAAAAAJms/hylYfZPMU1Q/s640/blogger-image-475069655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W69VkwfgbLM/WNSljwmNmfI/AAAAAAAAJms/hylYfZPMU1Q/s640/blogger-image-475069655.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And tropicbirds on the ground, and fairy terms on bare branches in the understory...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--dg_ZoaM38I/WNSlWsxlWpI/AAAAAAAAJmk/NATVHd6qAXs/s640/blogger-image-2123185753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--dg_ZoaM38I/WNSlWsxlWpI/AAAAAAAAJmk/NATVHd6qAXs/s640/blogger-image-2123185753.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qga5sfA7qoU/WNSmI4bGiyI/AAAAAAAAJnA/E0o87HPE9vQ/s640/blogger-image-1427553255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qga5sfA7qoU/WNSmI4bGiyI/AAAAAAAAJnA/E0o87HPE9vQ/s640/blogger-image-1427553255.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9emZIocjf9w/WNSlQBNfCHI/AAAAAAAAJmg/L0E51Sf8XZU/s640/blogger-image--807108202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9emZIocjf9w/WNSlQBNfCHI/AAAAAAAAJmg/L0E51Sf8XZU/s640/blogger-image--807108202.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uETY3Lmh8Zs/WNSlr5tWxWI/AAAAAAAAJmw/W7h_WQk73no/s640/blogger-image-591575957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uETY3Lmh8Zs/WNSlr5tWxWI/AAAAAAAAJmw/W7h_WQk73no/s640/blogger-image-591575957.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OBQG_kH5rrM/WNSldH5ZLKI/AAAAAAAAJmo/M815hNTGoyg/s640/blogger-image-1445547984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OBQG_kH5rrM/WNSldH5ZLKI/AAAAAAAAJmo/M815hNTGoyg/s640/blogger-image-1445547984.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Banyan fig</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZzKcV9ypYLA/WNSoVZtWk9I/AAAAAAAAJnc/Ygiy929Uwj4/s640/blogger-image--84080872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZzKcV9ypYLA/WNSoVZtWk9I/AAAAAAAAJnc/Ygiy929Uwj4/s640/blogger-image--84080872.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Home sweet home... Then there was the awesome geology on Gran Soeur... ancient granitic bedrock uplifted then eroded, it's rather large-crystalled and a bit crumbly... resulting in rounded and fluted shapes... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6XExc2eIFd0/WNSl1n7DB5I/AAAAAAAAJm0/ieHGPCw3Gvo/s640/blogger-image--1291019107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6XExc2eIFd0/WNSl1n7DB5I/AAAAAAAAJm0/ieHGPCw3Gvo/s640/blogger-image--1291019107.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vt6Pk3LDmPE/WNSmCVMD4SI/AAAAAAAAJm8/LEsaJPv7zcc/s640/blogger-image-1786339165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vt6Pk3LDmPE/WNSmCVMD4SI/AAAAAAAAJm8/LEsaJPv7zcc/s640/blogger-image-1786339165.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9JHGTP5Q5rA/WNSocFPTSQI/AAAAAAAAJng/PcrXNomgAnM/s640/blogger-image-152349246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9JHGTP5Q5rA/WNSocFPTSQI/AAAAAAAAJng/PcrXNomgAnM/s640/blogger-image-152349246.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ve6Vh5Y3ZWs/WNSoG0J3QxI/AAAAAAAAJnU/2lcEaYpGJp8/s640/blogger-image--1655267560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ve6Vh5Y3ZWs/WNSoG0J3QxI/AAAAAAAAJnU/2lcEaYpGJp8/s640/blogger-image--1655267560.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Paradise found? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My last <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">visit in Seychelles was the first day of my second cruise... to Praslin island to the Vallee de Mai world heritage reserve to see the infamous coco de mer... the "sea palm", once thought to grow out in the middle of the ocean and guarded by a mythical Garuda-like protector... the female-shaped nuts that washed ashore only in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the malabar coast of India inspired legends, assumptions of aphrodesiacal qualities, and royals-only edicts where if you were a peasant and found to be in possession of one you could have your hands chopped off!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vp_B1GYUy9g/WNSoONValrI/AAAAAAAAJnY/eIbB_-zGkfQ/s640/blogger-image-438993350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vp_B1GYUy9g/WNSoONValrI/AAAAAAAAJnY/eIbB_-zGkfQ/s640/blogger-image-438993350.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A young one growing just to the left of the group of folks, The trees produce the largest leaves, fruits, and seeds of any known plant on the planet. And the male "organ" is appropriately shaped to complement the female...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZffxb2q3H8/WNSujBtALWI/AAAAAAAAJn4/lNKIz4LTATE/s640/blogger-image-687710056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZffxb2q3H8/WNSujBtALWI/AAAAAAAAJn4/lNKIz4LTATE/s640/blogger-image-687710056.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Coco de mer nut (female)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bh-jioiEfb8/WNSut46hz_I/AAAAAAAAJn8/fcOTTbyh_NQ/s640/blogger-image-38622538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bh-jioiEfb8/WNSut46hz_I/AAAAAAAAJn8/fcOTTbyh_NQ/s640/blogger-image-38622538.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Male catkin... Google coco de mer images, you'll find some good ones!</div><br></div>Palm forest... primeval really </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hFhXW5f0V5w/WNSu77TUvJI/AAAAAAAAJoA/qPSW7P6gPVU/s640/blogger-image-1437595201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hFhXW5f0V5w/WNSu77TUvJI/AAAAAAAAJoA/qPSW7P6gPVU/s640/blogger-image-1437595201.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mzXAKevnlDs/WNSuTuMvBsI/AAAAAAAAJnw/0Z69lVA1VR4/s640/blogger-image-816100668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mzXAKevnlDs/WNSuTuMvBsI/AAAAAAAAJnw/0Z69lVA1VR4/s640/blogger-image-816100668.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then we were off, three days at sea towards the Maldives!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3rJE4ti4YFZluCAscKPib9ziMXaYyHorz1W8lGBwgKmDM4WDN63_R7VTBM8fz3S8ZuAimLZANZW_Tcvyuy7Dr5eZMVFj8_5-CQERSseqadx0Rj4-knHZFMp9OOlHJ7E23vhrowOFgyVV/s640/blogger-image-1519136799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3rJE4ti4YFZluCAscKPib9ziMXaYyHorz1W8lGBwgKmDM4WDN63_R7VTBM8fz3S8ZuAimLZANZW_Tcvyuy7Dr5eZMVFj8_5-CQERSseqadx0Rj4-knHZFMp9OOlHJ7E23vhrowOFgyVV/s640/blogger-image-1519136799.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-49914301706226292402017-03-19T08:34:00.001-07:002017-03-23T22:38:47.111-07:00AldabraAfter some time at sea heading north from Madagascar (breakfasting outside while watching red footed boobies soar-diving for flying fish...) we reached Aldabra. this world heritage site was a very interesting environment. Too quick a visit of course, lots of paying attention to group tours and driving boats so my photos aren't particularly fantastic I feel like.... but they do have a seasonal volunteer program to go and work on conservation projects... hmmmmmmm!<div><br></div><div><div>Aldabra is sometimes talked about as the Galspagos equivalent of the Indian Ocean... animals unafraid of people and distinctly evolved in this environment. The site itself is an elevated coral atoll made of several islands, with a huge interior lagoon... you can't really see across to the other side. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As I understand it, Aldabra is named after an Arabic word that means the green land or some such-- after the fact that the lagoon is so large that it reflects upon to the clouds above-- creating a green tinge to the clouds... thus the 'green' place. Maybe you can see that in this pic, a little aquamarine tinge in the lower middle here?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HLchTxlCvFo/WNSwyqJspxI/AAAAAAAAJoM/4NY8OAvzzXo/s640/blogger-image--1011982216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HLchTxlCvFo/WNSwyqJspxI/AAAAAAAAJoM/4NY8OAvzzXo/s640/blogger-image--1011982216.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Within the lagoon there are little blobs of islets, called 'champignon' because with tidal action the limestone has been undercut leaving mushroom shaped islands behind. The inner lagoon drains entirely at low tide so we had to time our activities correctly or get stuck inside or try to fight against the tide to enter via one of the few inlet channels... Which doesn't really work. We actually had great luck with our schedule and had a whole morning to access the lagoon, and had an afternoon in a drift snorkel again with the right ride direction. The lagoon is home to red footed boobies, lots of green and hawksbill turtles (saw some mating actually!), rays, and there is even a resident pod of dugong... We didn't see any but the thought that the island and its seagrass beds are healthy enough to have dugong reestablish themselves on their own.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WSz_qw8hfMY/WM6ktSqyJZI/AAAAAAAAJkc/8glYzjTjwiM/s640/blogger-image--1637417712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WSz_qw8hfMY/WM6ktSqyJZI/AAAAAAAAJkc/8glYzjTjwiM/s640/blogger-image--1637417712.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jG_V3ZPmG1k/WM6i_qpNNNI/AAAAAAAAJkE/JF8EDgqhSzc/s640/blogger-image-2033565466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jG_V3ZPmG1k/WM6i_qpNNNI/AAAAAAAAJkE/JF8EDgqhSzc/s640/blogger-image-2033565466.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-10c6vbo7VqY/WM6j_G_255I/AAAAAAAAJkQ/_LUjhjxIRyM/s640/blogger-image--58427617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-10c6vbo7VqY/WM6j_G_255I/AAAAAAAAJkQ/_LUjhjxIRyM/s640/blogger-image--58427617.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cruising the mangrove-lined channels past red footed boobie and frigatebird rookeries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-APk6LVKg-XY/WM6kg66_gMI/AAAAAAAAJkY/1E2l3IyNAK4/s640/blogger-image--6425240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-APk6LVKg-XY/WM6kg66_gMI/AAAAAAAAJkY/1E2l3IyNAK4/s640/blogger-image--6425240.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Navigating the shallow lagoon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Oh yea, and then there's the tortoises...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C8wcWfo_QAA/WM6i10BWxVI/AAAAAAAAJkA/FamCaRrH3Dg/s640/blogger-image--622486256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C8wcWfo_QAA/WM6i10BWxVI/AAAAAAAAJkA/FamCaRrH3Dg/s640/blogger-image--622486256.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And tortoise poo... They're herbivores ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kW6qnq1whJw/WM6j38fkF_I/AAAAAAAAJkM/7YVKOGIL2xk/s640/blogger-image--1206298450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kW6qnq1whJw/WM6j38fkF_I/AAAAAAAAJkM/7YVKOGIL2xk/s640/blogger-image--1206298450.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dugong had been hunted out in the 17-1800s for food by the seafaring traders that were so numerous in those times... they took tortoises too, turning them on their backs on deck to keep them alive for fresh meat for months... in this way the various species of giant tortoise throughout the islands of the Indian Ocean were exterminated, all but those specific to Aldabra because it was such a remote island ... there they persisted long enough until a conservation ethic developed strongly enough to protect the remaining individuals... now individuals from Aldabra have been exported to other Indian Ocean islands for tourism attraction but also to assist with ecological restoration... They are herbivores and crop the vegetation back to native plants evolved to persist rather than plants that are tall growing... so in one example on Round Island near Mauritius the tortoises help to control non native plants, allowing for other native species, lizards etc, to rise in number... pretty neat!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also of note, the giant coconut crabs, tree dwellers and ground scavengers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loVUtUkMNQY/WM6k6ObWYII/AAAAAAAAJkg/UvxKlJMXzPs/s640/blogger-image--1734769311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loVUtUkMNQY/WM6k6ObWYII/AAAAAAAAJkg/UvxKlJMXzPs/s640/blogger-image--1734769311.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another excellent end of day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECd5TinSBETBww9f-ZTFABexi96UlKgWPB5V9QFEFeR0wALps54FgSmRVSm24IO80NE9hdmADaltDIdeahDsLYEIKd-ND92kZxMoT7oFBqhvIrthO4ZAEbZevWQcWueEvZuN12_CfR1ab/s640/blogger-image-1713440258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECd5TinSBETBww9f-ZTFABexi96UlKgWPB5V9QFEFeR0wALps54FgSmRVSm24IO80NE9hdmADaltDIdeahDsLYEIKd-ND92kZxMoT7oFBqhvIrthO4ZAEbZevWQcWueEvZuN12_CfR1ab/s640/blogger-image-1713440258.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-62303616043291744602017-03-05T23:37:00.001-08:002017-03-23T21:29:21.996-07:00Indian Ocean peek... Updated!Ok! The pain of managing gadgets and sign ins and uploads perhaps is mostly over... Here is a quick view of some things experienced so far.<div><br></div><div>It's felt like a quick tour till now, even though we've done tons of things. Dar Es Salaam to Comoros Island to Madagascar to Seychelles. </div><div><br></div><div>We left Aldabra last eve to put some distance between us and the cyclone hitting southern Madagascar and Mauritius... we've got some swell today which is a first on this trip... it's been pretty much bath water up till now.<br><div><br></div><div>Ok, on to the sights:</div><div><br></div><div>The Comoros are an interesting piece of history, a mix of Indian/Arabian/African ethnicities and a legacy of French colonial rule until the mid 1950s I think when several islands voted to become autonomous and only one voted to remain French. Since then there have been many coups and power struggles in the autonomous new country and the standard of living is quite low while the French island of Mayotte remains stable and distinct. Our visit to Anjouan included a walk through a market and the medina area with winding alleyways, various mosques and merchant stalls, a neat up close look at one part of life there.</div><div><br></div><div>Inland Anjouan</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h68drsdInGM/WL0Q8bW485I/AAAAAAAAJiY/CUbQydDnCbU/s640/blogger-image-1390557968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h68drsdInGM/WL0Q8bW485I/AAAAAAAAJiY/CUbQydDnCbU/s640/blogger-image-1390557968.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iNCs7D6z72w/WNSfu-2B8qI/AAAAAAAAJl8/SAF9avkkzws/s640/blogger-image--1496943173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iNCs7D6z72w/WNSfu-2B8qI/AAAAAAAAJl8/SAF9avkkzws/s640/blogger-image--1496943173.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking for fruit bats</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zi94AdY8OKQ/WNSfaVIwFWI/AAAAAAAAJlw/qowmbiu45K8/s640/blogger-image-1035131515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zi94AdY8OKQ/WNSfaVIwFWI/AAAAAAAAJlw/qowmbiu45K8/s640/blogger-image-1035131515.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Overlooking the city and the port from a defensive fort built pre colonial to protect the island from slave ships if I remember correctly... our ship is the big white one on the pier just below my unintentionally but conveniently placed finger...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And entering the market area </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-imaNSQ5K1b4/WNSgkzFiu4I/AAAAAAAAJmU/_4PAtB2nol0/s640/blogger-image-173875327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-imaNSQ5K1b4/WNSgkzFiu4I/AAAAAAAAJmU/_4PAtB2nol0/s640/blogger-image-173875327.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s8KHXV5UScQ/WNSgRIHBlLI/AAAAAAAAJmM/py4xKThzM4c/s640/blogger-image-1203533575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s8KHXV5UScQ/WNSgRIHBlLI/AAAAAAAAJmM/py4xKThzM4c/s640/blogger-image-1203533575.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OkmPioSGQHU/WNSgBXLhy9I/AAAAAAAAJmE/0ebm1qgIusI/s640/blogger-image-977440722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OkmPioSGQHU/WNSgBXLhy9I/AAAAAAAAJmE/0ebm1qgIusI/s640/blogger-image-977440722.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnYh8IDS4rxUALkJSg-OVJYsLhyzZABBnMVzsCN1Dp046fBfvFZKDkfC9U9vxN8lUOxnpMXrKT9fPigA6piX2Jw5FtYGX7vMmTTZtk8wVvx_lrYoP3UBPiRyZZrsoCDjSHcmfGq0k5Dnk/s640/blogger-image--1791643519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnYh8IDS4rxUALkJSg-OVJYsLhyzZABBnMVzsCN1Dp046fBfvFZKDkfC9U9vxN8lUOxnpMXrKT9fPigA6piX2Jw5FtYGX7vMmTTZtk8wVvx_lrYoP3UBPiRyZZrsoCDjSHcmfGq0k5Dnk/s640/blogger-image--1791643519.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is nutmeg, alone on the right and with the original spidery red fleshy covering-- which is mace-- fresh from harvest!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tmXlVa-ms2E/WNSgI3i0-JI/AAAAAAAAJmI/wH4aB2BCr1c/s640/blogger-image--256436809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tmXlVa-ms2E/WNSgI3i0-JI/AAAAAAAAJmI/wH4aB2BCr1c/s640/blogger-image--256436809.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div></div><div>We were just there for a day visit, then headed out across the strait towards the "red island"...</div><div><br></div><div>On arrival at Mahajanga, Madagascar, welcomed with singing and dancing</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQi1qQ1WbWQ/WNSf26yQVWI/AAAAAAAAJmA/VemtkcGXDl8/s640/blogger-image--1493011982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQi1qQ1WbWQ/WNSf26yQVWI/AAAAAAAAJmA/VemtkcGXDl8/s640/blogger-image--1493011982.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDJRT6FNh8PDyvG6A7gAuF_MvzvHBK2PBFb5FJj8xrc6D5ZdA2VKIeegYpJKLfazCUD9_dVXcR9CgGrdJ_0tKU-t1VWgaFSxG9N-0SVg8YjfgtsnN4nQjHTpB2q7rgPGcGz2nhaz3FKpa/s640/blogger-image--1998468478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDJRT6FNh8PDyvG6A7gAuF_MvzvHBK2PBFb5FJj8xrc6D5ZdA2VKIeegYpJKLfazCUD9_dVXcR9CgGrdJ_0tKU-t1VWgaFSxG9N-0SVg8YjfgtsnN4nQjHTpB2q7rgPGcGz2nhaz3FKpa/s640/blogger-image--1998468478.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kDa3EmkZiHk/WL0RVhbRUgI/AAAAAAAAJig/astbhWxjyXw/s640/blogger-image--390243371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kDa3EmkZiHk/WL0RVhbRUgI/AAAAAAAAJig/astbhWxjyXw/s640/blogger-image--390243371.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YP4BYqabIpM/WL0RnM4wI-I/AAAAAAAAJio/88faDCyGDMM/s640/blogger-image-1527718283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YP4BYqabIpM/WL0RnM4wI-I/AAAAAAAAJio/88faDCyGDMM/s640/blogger-image-1527718283.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We visited the Ankarafantsika national park where the Durrell wildlife trust is involved with breeding endangered tortoises; it was amazing to drive for a few hours across open grasslands (that had once been great forests but have been cleared for grazing and farming) and then enter the park and suddenly we were in a tunnel of green, the road weaving through a High canopy of trees, the breeze was cool and moist... a drastic and lovely change. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gorgeous textiles that a women's group had on display at the park HQ</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tnrwj4tWZN8/WNSfnDbzBnI/AAAAAAAAJl4/PAj0KGhNu3Y/s640/blogger-image--949649499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tnrwj4tWZN8/WNSfnDbzBnI/AAAAAAAAJl4/PAj0KGhNu3Y/s640/blogger-image--949649499.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cwuyA_U6H_M/WNSgabDrRBI/AAAAAAAAJmQ/YLg-MhEs4ag/s640/blogger-image--480117307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cwuyA_U6H_M/WNSgabDrRBI/AAAAAAAAJmQ/YLg-MhEs4ag/s640/blogger-image--480117307.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anjajavy peninsula visit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTkVIEMaeHo/WL6CVEOWyCI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/4LNH2UDqoPM/s640/blogger-image-835851786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTkVIEMaeHo/WL6CVEOWyCI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/4LNH2UDqoPM/s640/blogger-image-835851786.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O07yESlaSUk/WL6CGmVI6zI/AAAAAAAAJjI/_KtJf9Lm6Co/s640/blogger-image-297585287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O07yESlaSUk/WL6CGmVI6zI/AAAAAAAAJjI/_KtJf9Lm6Co/s640/blogger-image-297585287.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCzd0gG6OBxwidMgbdHzgIh4moV-EbRWAdbRS34Ci-7aaHw6UlvR6-sEVKBL777MFCvtdJSe3ARg9LLX9TYHSahdzL7eIkAgxiQsbN5ZIsXPy3PPYfP0O-npsK2iEOWYltNM0MIcUbnUg/s640/blogger-image--706097943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCzd0gG6OBxwidMgbdHzgIh4moV-EbRWAdbRS34Ci-7aaHw6UlvR6-sEVKBL777MFCvtdJSe3ARg9LLX9TYHSahdzL7eIkAgxiQsbN5ZIsXPy3PPYfP0O-npsK2iEOWYltNM0MIcUbnUg/s640/blogger-image--706097943.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XLS4QiJODZ8/WL6CNAsWItI/AAAAAAAAJjM/QtfEv0SMqGU/s640/blogger-image--181516950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XLS4QiJODZ8/WL6CNAsWItI/AAAAAAAAJjM/QtfEv0SMqGU/s640/blogger-image--181516950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">End of an amazing day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bY6FRXBLjDY/WL6Cfsxkw1I/AAAAAAAAJjU/gLdQUg2zp5U/s640/blogger-image-1565269722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bY6FRXBLjDY/WL6Cfsxkw1I/AAAAAAAAJjU/gLdQUg2zp5U/s640/blogger-image-1565269722.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-36178091537956103402017-02-22T08:34:00.001-08:002017-02-22T08:46:40.339-08:00New horizons...<div dir="ltr">
I am so dang lucky! On my way out of the country for a spell... First stop Houston, to get a Norwegian Mariners health certificate... and enjoy some different food than typical Alpine or Terlingua <u>fare</u>...</div>
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It's so lovely and humid here!</div>
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More soon...</div>
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jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-85640690234028716102016-04-12T17:15:00.001-07:002016-05-31T11:28:37.039-07:00Wee vacation to tropical locales... well at least humid ones...<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well this has been a long time in the drafting but finally ready to post!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a great season on board the Sea Explorer I wanted to see a few sights (and unthaw a bit) before heading home. First the historic town of Colonia del Sacramento: in Uruguay but founded by Portuguese traders interested in getting illicit cargo in and out of Buenos Aires. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's been well preserved and is an easy ferry ride across from Buenos Aires so away I went. It's a gorgeous sweet town, the historic area anyway, and I enjoyed a few days of tranquility wandering the cobbled lanes, enjoying the arcades of huge plain trees lining the streets, and taking in the sunsets from the waterside esplanade with locals and tourists alike. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">alas, only one wine glass was used in the course of the evening...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And I had the most amazing meal of fresh caught grilled fish and real green salad... happiness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was also planning the rest of my trip, figuring out how to get to a remote/isolated beach area around the point if Uruguay called Cabo Polonio, and then up to Iguazu Falls. I'd wanted to go overland and see the environment change from the coast to the jungle but the time I had didn't allow it I. The end i decided during a rushed two hour layover in the Montevideo bus terminal (where I also did some great shopping for a silicone mate and found some amazing hazelnut dark chocolate!) to fly up to Iguazu from Buenos Aires, requiring booking a ferry back to BA as well as the flight. It all happened well in time, even including a nice conversation with the tourism information folks (and thanks to them actually as I connected to their WiFi for free) one of whom had a son living in Houston so we chatted about that for a bit. It's so nice to speak enough Spanish to have conversations with folks whether just casual and in passing or more meaningful ones. A real treat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So then it was on to Cabo Polonio, which is variously billed as having no services, being a hippy drop out enclave, being a wild and untouched place of freedom and unconnectedness. .. all of which of course peaked my interest. Perhaps even more so because the first I heard of it was from a fellow who looked like a small Harry Potter, complete with prep school attire including khaki trousers, white button down, and tie with little schnausers on it! He was helping me sort out some visa issues when we came into port at the end of last ship season. Sort of like a little Jewish minder stepping out for the first time on the ground among dirty-clothed people instead of in an air conditioned room on an upper floor of some civilized concrete office building... he schlepped me on foot around the port, and as we had a lot of walking between offices to do I wanted to have a bit of conversation... might as well pass the time amicably and see what this specimen of humanity had to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm not sure if it was before or after him telling me he preferred Argentine women as they are more refined, whereas Uruguayan women are cruder, they swear, and don't care as much about how they look-- and this coming from a guy who about made it up to my shoulder and looked 14!-- but I at some point I asked him what I should see if I had time. Not sure if I said in the area or Argentina as a whole... but his prime recommendation was a place called Cabo Polonio. I asked what is it and why and he said it was a beach, a wild place. His family had a house there. You had to travel in a 4wd vehicle over some dunes to get there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was intrigued.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And once i did a little looking for the place, i became even more intrigued. What did a rich prep school, entirely unsuited to the shipping industry at least the on the ground dealing with real people, kind of kid-- what business did he and "his kind" have at a wild remote place that didn't have electricity or running water?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ha! What judgements we make. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I finally made my way there after a five hour bus ride from Montevideo, arriving well past dark at an isolated building which served as the link between the connected world and the coast. At first impression, it felt empty and decidedly unready to offer any useful service to the few scruffy folks who had got off the bus at this its last stop-- other than perhaps a dark grassy mosquito choked corner where I could cower until life returned on the morrow with the sun. However, noticing the lights were on in the building and better yet a person behind the glass in the building I went to ask about whether it was possible at that hour to move anywhere beyond where we had gotten ourselves to, since it seemed the other travelers had even less idea than I about what was supposed to happen next to achieve this mysterious grail called Cabo Polonio. And apparently they didn't speak Spanish either. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Within moments all was right at the edge of the world, and things turned out to be a bit more infrastructurized than I'd first appreciated, as i proceeded to buy a ticket at a granite-countered office window for the transport service that would leave in 15 minutes to the coast. Obviously the local scene was well in tune with connecting with the regional bus schedule, and everything was proceeding to the regular plan, we just had to catch up or perhaps more rightly ratchet-down to the tranquilo pace of the world we were transitioning to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then it was time to go, climbing up a metal ladder into the back of a big rig cargo truck transporter with bench seats lined out behind the cab, for a half an hour trip over the dunes in the dark, listening to the motor grind its slow way through the two track 'road' in the loose sand, peeking thru the tarp awning at the terrain lit up by the headlights (tall trees, dark thick forest, patchy grass and shrubs covering dunes, stars glittering overhead, orion standing on his head )... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then a slightly better track, a few dim lights, a relative crush of silhouettes of structures, a fire with many people standing around it, hooting party-like in front of a house or hostel... and the truck stopped and we were "there". As I was looking for solitude I was hoping the place I had booked into wasn't the one we'd passed with the fire... sure enough when I asked the driver for Cabo Polonia Hostel he pointed down a dark lane and said yeah better to go down to the beach and it's down to the left. So I headed into the darkness saying my thanks, then starting to wonder as there seemed to be nothing in the way of human presence as I walked along... and then! A dim glimmer of light and I thought well at least I can find a porch to sleep on for the night... but lo and behold it was my hostel, tucked into the dunes, right on the beachfront, with exactly the right amount of beach rusticness and good folks to make for a perfect stay. And when I woke up...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was so good. Took </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">some wonderful walks along the wild beach, finding cool bones and all sorts of shells,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">exploring the dunes, encountering a trio of guardian burrowing owls which deterred me from walking further inland along a track which then lead to discovering some isolated stumpy pine trees which had some cool lichens growing on them... all was in serendipitous order there for sure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And had some great mind time, getting stuck into into Ursula K. LeGuin's EarthSea series and cogitating on what I want to get up to in the future... chatting with fellow travelers about the turns and travails of life... sun and cloud and rain and the sharp gutteral chortling of sea lions carried on the wind from the nearby colony, spotting a traveling orca offshore, gazing at four pairs of gliding hovering cruising frigate birds known as a portent of a storm, catching sight of the local endangered species the Darwin's sapito (little frog) both as a hostel porch resident as well as ambling along the sand in a more remote part of the dunes away from the human settlement--striking in its black color with thin orange streaks and red underbelly... Just a neat place. For this nature as well as the human presence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The bus "terminal"area was a little hippy chaos of rambling brightly painted ramshackle buildings tightly packed together sporting hammocks, artesanĂas for sale, and variously dreaded-out and baggy-panted- wearing souls. It was a bit too tight and archetypal for me so I was very thankful my temporary home was situated on the edge of this scene. It had actually been the first hostel in the area and the rest had built up over the past 10-15 years on the back of its success and the growing interest in the place. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">of course i didn't take a picture of the hippy village, but this is the front wall of the almacen (grocery store), the nicest part of the hippy vibe, aside from my hostel which was just "beach floatsum chill" vibe, not really hippy dippy :)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On a walk around the point and to see the sea lion colony, </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcrtekbD-HM/V0paYCO12oI/AAAAAAAAJIA/MjixgbrxQB0CBV087qKWxR65KZhi0QZCgCKgB/s1600/P4011545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcrtekbD-HM/V0paYCO12oI/AAAAAAAAJIA/MjixgbrxQB0CBV087qKWxR65KZhi0QZCgCKgB/s640/P4011545.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDhtlSWIbrM/V0paa3PFnZI/AAAAAAAAJIA/tNWC6APB2BUbOJVsYwpZI2TbEGY5Y12ugCKgB/s1600/P4011560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDhtlSWIbrM/V0paa3PFnZI/AAAAAAAAJIA/tNWC6APB2BUbOJVsYwpZI2TbEGY5Y12ugCKgB/s640/P4011560.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More than tide pools, with starfish, anemones, and various distinguishable macro-algae amongst the great squishy reams of rather pungently rotting algae, I discovered the other 'face' of the place... on the small hill that sports the historic and still functioning lighthouse there is what feels almost like a Greek village, a sprinkling of small whitewashed buildings and tidy green grass with footpaths through it all... no fences no cars or driveways... lots of character but with a more monochrome orderly foundation, contrasting with the riot of life and shape and color down in hippy town. Both intriguing and endearing in their own ways.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPzwmS-aF-I/V0paj3lSUhI/AAAAAAAAJIA/2_BS1yEJERsk2-mAZDlTe7ASaXGg2FHUACKgB/s1600/P4011562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPzwmS-aF-I/V0paj3lSUhI/AAAAAAAAJIA/2_BS1yEJERsk2-mAZDlTe7ASaXGg2FHUACKgB/s640/P4011562.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So then. The ricos on the hill and the get-what-they-cans down below. A normal social order. A really interesting place where everyone goes to enjoy the solitude and simplicity... though of course it all is becoming a bit adulterated now that the external world has really begun to encroach with electricity/generators, WiFi , better cell coverage, and an increase in Air B&B type rentals... but one still has to choose to avail oneself of those comforts so all is not lost. So many parallels to life in Terlingua/south Brewster county it was very interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xoTKewVtTQY/V0pqVDuPWkI/AAAAAAAAJJs/qt5fju0oQj0l5jKjtc_pn0xXADGHVrQ1ACKgB/s1600/P4011567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xoTKewVtTQY/V0pqVDuPWkI/AAAAAAAAJJs/qt5fju0oQj0l5jKjtc_pn0xXADGHVrQ1ACKgB/s640/P4011567.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMAjrpeRGzo/V0papaxVO2I/AAAAAAAAJIA/-WAGsnKIDHc9MwWReRY8-4qKmjKQ9cTqQCKgB/s1600/P4011573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMAjrpeRGzo/V0papaxVO2I/AAAAAAAAJIA/-WAGsnKIDHc9MwWReRY8-4qKmjKQ9cTqQCKgB/s640/P4011573.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Then it was time to leave. Relaxing at the beach, listening to the surf, watching the waves endlessly fall and crash, taking shelter during the rain and curling up even more cozily with a book... these are things I can do for many many days so it was hard to pull myself away. But I had reservations in place and some other moving water to go and experience. So off I went. Back to civilization.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bye bye quirky cabo polonia hostel...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-405G9xVRgx4/V0zLK21tOPI/AAAAAAAAJPE/fyDErGzxCeEOFcFzDe9DSy6yI_T797kLwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-405G9xVRgx4/V0zLK21tOPI/AAAAAAAAJPE/fyDErGzxCeEOFcFzDe9DSy6yI_T797kLwCKgB/s640/IMG_7960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A brief night in a horrible hostel bed, an uneventful ferry ride, and a plane flight later and I found myself transported to the steamy jungle of northeast Argentina/southern Brasil. I firmly put away the scarf, hat, and multiple layers I'd been wearing at the beach </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and desperately searched for my flip flops tank top and skirt once arriving at my hostel in Puerto Iguazu (which was called Nomads, a lovely little place, but again I failed to take the seemingly mundane pics of hostel/people... but here's a shot of an overlook of Brazil, in front, in Paraguay, off to the left... junction of three countries and two rivers!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My plan for this Iguassu Falls leg of the journey was to visit both sides of the falls (as the border between Brasil and Argentina is at the middle of the Rio Iguassu and thus in the middle of the falls and for the "full viewing experience" it is recommended that the visitor partake of both country's perspectives. Thus I had arrived with two days free to sort out the administrative details of getting a Brazilian visa... which include offering up the required multiple pieces of paperwork, proof of financial solvency (bank statement) and onward ticket out of the country, photos of the correct background color and size, oh yes and $150 for the privilege-- just as the USA requires from Brazilian citizens for their USA visa. Thanks, polĂticos for allowing us to play your games for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was all in order... except, as the nice gentleman at the Brazilian consulate informed me, in slow, repeated Portuguese, that I was lacking the appropriate page in my passport for a visa. Apparently the one blank page at the back of my passport which I had been actively saving for this purpose was not a visa page, it was only allowed for entry/exit stamps or whatever else one might get in their passport, but decidedly and emphatically not a visa. I could, however, he continued to inform me, go to the embassy in Buenos Aires and get extra pages put in my passport.... ah, but I have just *come* from Buenos Aires...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so, holding in tears of frustration (I had skipped a trip to Iguassu last year due to visa complications and so had ramped up my timings and preparation this year for the *real* visit... or so I had thought!), I walked down the steps of the consulate and went back to my hostel to commiserate with the friendly staffer behind the desk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year I had done a bit of reading about the potential to cross the border without a visa but it seemed a bit to unsure. But after having been, rather easily and unnoticed and at the time unplanned, an undocumented visitor to a touristy corner of Bolivia, I thought perhaps it might be worth asking a local about the chances in this corner of the southlands. And so in chatting with a super helpful young man found that yes indeed there was an easy way to avoid Brasil immigration by taking a local bus connection rather than a direct bus to the cataratas as they're known in the area. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And that was that! Besides such an easy work around (and saving a ton of cash!), I had myself an amazing day in Brasil, having started out unaware of what was in store other than the prospect of seeing a lot of water falling some distance downwards surrounded by lots of greenery and trees. I eventually ended up on a munucipal bus ending up at the entrance to the Brazilian park, where everyone boards a shuttle bus that takes visitors into the park and to the eventual trailhead that starts everyone on the one path to see the falls. The first amazingness was the butterflies.... even from the open air bus I could see them flitting everywhere through the forest!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">this guy had an almost irridescent purple back and bright lime green tounge in addition to orange highlights on the antennae tips!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8btGhFHpKg/V0pq-WABuyI/AAAAAAAAJKg/TnbeaiO2t6EKo08kLdxs5su-FCTZTu6GgCKgB/s1600/P4081710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8btGhFHpKg/V0pq-WABuyI/AAAAAAAAJKg/TnbeaiO2t6EKo08kLdxs5su-FCTZTu6GgCKgB/s640/P4081710.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CvN3fwC8xLY/V0pq8TAyv9I/AAAAAAAAJKQ/RFr1uZNGlkAmDEmqymYn_LSVI-_E96NhACKgB/s1600/P4081705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CvN3fwC8xLY/V0pq8TAyv9I/AAAAAAAAJKQ/RFr1uZNGlkAmDEmqymYn_LSVI-_E96NhACKgB/s640/P4081705.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So many! In the air, on the ground, even lighting on arms backs shoulders heads. So neat to see. These pictures don't hardly do them justice... hard to get them in focus let alone sitting still... And the thick jungle. As I came to appreciate in the days to come, it is so wet and humid, everything is in some state of rotting and decay... mold and fungi and stuff growing on all surfaces, even the leaves of living trees.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VOJ6pSWmLWo/V0zcHlZP3_I/AAAAAAAAJSI/7VDNqCWS8SodhhgNRIZqWUWbJdya5BKfACKgB/s1600/P4102038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VOJ6pSWmLWo/V0zcHlZP3_I/AAAAAAAAJSI/7VDNqCWS8SodhhgNRIZqWUWbJdya5BKfACKgB/s640/P4102038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once started on the one path leading visitors along the viewing trail there were a succession of overlooks where you could see more and more and more of the falls laid out in front of you.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfFTqVEfh70/V0zKgft9TeI/AAAAAAAAJM8/2DECqIxlpDEr4hQFWOmj1vvxcLnVJVWsgCLcB/s1600/20160408_121541_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfFTqVEfh70/V0zKgft9TeI/AAAAAAAAJM8/2DECqIxlpDEr4hQFWOmj1vvxcLnVJVWsgCLcB/s640/20160408_121541_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is near the start of the path, and looking back I could see the hotel on the Argentine side... where I would stay in a couple of days... read on!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn-1-WFyTIs/V0zKfM2dZVI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/Y7h86fcISjQeBAVTK7uyKo60MX6LK5DIgCKgB/s1600/20160408_122653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn-1-WFyTIs/V0zKfM2dZVI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/Y7h86fcISjQeBAVTK7uyKo60MX6LK5DIgCKgB/s640/20160408_122653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">proof that I was actually there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking up towards the 'garganta' or throat at the most upstream end of the falls...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's not just one waterfall it's chunks and spurts and huge and medium and small spillways. .. a chaos of water all along a kilometer or so of a flat, table -like fault/chasm/canyon that the river has eroded over time. Most of the falls are actually on the Argentine side of the divide so you get the best panoramic view of the whole situation from the Brasil side. And it just got better and better as I walked along the path, moving slowly to enjoy the lulls between tourist bus disgorgements. Spectacles like this don't involve much solitude but if one is mindful you can find some bits of peace amidst the tourist crush.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxl4KxPnNb8/V0pqlgky0lI/AAAAAAAAJJ8/2XyqYgMh4vodS-LSdh1Tgi_syFa4kxu7wCKgB/s1600/P4081699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxl4KxPnNb8/V0pqlgky0lI/AAAAAAAAJJ8/2XyqYgMh4vodS-LSdh1Tgi_syFa4kxu7wCKgB/s640/P4081699.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The best part was at the end where there was a boardwalk out on across a small, flat plateau between two tiers of waterfalls... </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t0c89NeGc1o/V0zKmMwtq_I/AAAAAAAAJOQ/UEmNfb6yMfUksjYY-zP2VfI_HTo-XJEcACKgB/s1600/20160408_132844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t0c89NeGc1o/V0zKmMwtq_I/AAAAAAAAJOQ/UEmNfb6yMfUksjYY-zP2VfI_HTo-XJEcACKgB/s640/20160408_132844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">where you had to walk through the water-wind-driven spray from the upper fall out to a platform that went just slightly beyond the tipping point of the lower fall so you could look over and down at the water changing from flowing, to falling, to gravity driven towards the maelstrom below... and on a beautiful sunny day complete with rainbow arcs and sparkling water droplets and fluttering flashing butterflies buoyed by the winds free of boardwalks and platforms to ride the currents of the aerial world we humans will never truly know.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AoFwhKRG0s/V0prYn3s6-I/AAAAAAAAJKw/pUZnc7ceXyQNmvLy_eU2_o0qZzMeMYkSACKgB/s1600/P4081738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AoFwhKRG0s/V0prYn3s6-I/AAAAAAAAJKw/pUZnc7ceXyQNmvLy_eU2_o0qZzMeMYkSACKgB/s640/P4081738.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhQU_Uh-Kiw/V0prRvdQWcI/AAAAAAAAJKE/A9wPsark0-cxzbY90DcZ98v4k5F4W8AjgCKgB/s1600/P4081731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhQU_Uh-Kiw/V0prRvdQWcI/AAAAAAAAJKE/A9wPsark0-cxzbY90DcZ98v4k5F4W8AjgCKgB/s640/P4081731.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even closer... looking up into the 'garganta del diablo', the devil's throat, which is the head of the falls, the most up-stream spot where the river breaks over the fault in a tight u-shaped spot so it's just a maelstrom of water and spray... stay tuned for photos of that up close and personal!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had heard that to "do" the Brasil side would take two hours tops... but I spent maybe that long just on that platform over the falls, watching the water, the shapes the forms the colors. .. and the people. Everyone was so happy! Big smiles, bright eyes... having to walk through the blustery mist and being at the precipice of something so alive, so inexorable... it really affected people in such a beautiful way... I actually didn't fully appreciate this until visiting the Argentine side, but at the time in the moment it was still obvious and engaging and very enjoyable.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fTqcMVn9X0/V0prEjB56eI/AAAAAAAAJKg/QYkWZmspsrggK8g5loVd_tuwJLPhc_jtwCKgB/s1600/P4081723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fTqcMVn9X0/V0prEjB56eI/AAAAAAAAJKg/QYkWZmspsrggK8g5loVd_tuwJLPhc_jtwCKgB/s640/P4081723.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm not a very good taker of pictures with people in them... and in retrospect I wish I had tried to capture the radiance of happy delightful energy from all the folks I saw this day... that and the amazing fashion choices that people had made!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To exit you had to go up an observation tower type thing </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aYE8pGFScU/V0zKmOKY_eI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/n7Fyp2thSFg3fI190vLv3UiQ1tcxZmfjwCKgB/s1600/20160408_144821_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aYE8pGFScU/V0zKmOKY_eI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/n7Fyp2thSFg3fI190vLv3UiQ1tcxZmfjwCKgB/s640/20160408_144821_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">which gave another fantastic view of the falls </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEDY3UZ6r5X1cr8nLJ_t2zbKAURZQQtRFsbo5QNm8WzYQIpmIQVSXn7zvlcdmp3W-jWDDKG2sT_pEGtIaTWiXXzJWHil8Dm94a_YHHzza0ZQXcnVUk8bh1YWA7gekTxLVJOpUkl_IiEcB/s1600/P4081752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEDY3UZ6r5X1cr8nLJ_t2zbKAURZQQtRFsbo5QNm8WzYQIpmIQVSXn7zvlcdmp3W-jWDDKG2sT_pEGtIaTWiXXzJWHil8Dm94a_YHHzza0ZQXcnVUk8bh1YWA7gekTxLVJOpUkl_IiEcB/s640/P4081752.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From the middle of the observation tower... so much spray!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaAs_TPVAe4/V0prkhf5YLI/AAAAAAAAJK4/295CDE5yAHAZG-RpqV9RweS3JiBWLLCkQCKgB/s1600/P4081753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaAs_TPVAe4/V0prkhf5YLI/AAAAAAAAJK4/295CDE5yAHAZG-RpqV9RweS3JiBWLLCkQCKgB/s640/P4081753.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and as i stood gazing st the sheets of water pouring over the edge I saw the craziest thing... there were birds flying down in a sort of dive bomb arc and flying right into the waterfall! I couldn't believe what I was seeing but it happened a few times... then I looked up and saw a group of birds swirling together, with sickle shaped wings, they reminded me of swifts or swallows, so beautiful in the late day sun riding the thermals, or perhaps they were feeding on a hatch of something... and then all as one, maybe a group of 20 or 30, they swooped down in a dive and shot straight into the falls... all together! An amazing sight.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the very top!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGZHPcME3xC0U0GGNgYHQJzJ4VallGoaJkOjt5-smE4ZIZ5Y50JaPprqWRctc2W28Jr82UALnaXOgKgoesfWQEnWdLbc1LD3YzW2aWDxpHfK0hNSdhiMx7P3NBgsph5Pi6bn42KXdh4TP/s1600/P4081782-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I learned later they are the vencejos, the emblem of Iguassu park, dusky headed swifts-- unique to the waterfalls of the area, and they do actually live behind the falls on little outcrops of rock. They apparently don't actually dive through the water but still somehow make their way between the drops so to speak to cling onto the rock behind. There must be some good YouTube videos that show this so check it out. It was amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then it was time to tear myself away to see if crossing back into Argentina would be as easy as coming across to Brasil... and it was. Back at the hostel I took a celebratory dip in the pool to refresh myself then cooked up another vat of rice and lentils that had become my subsistence food over the past two weeks and all was well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next up was my treat to myself, staying at the fancy hotel inside the Argentine park side of things. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4V6dtXiOLg/V0zawtk9kAI/AAAAAAAAJRA/KifoE8EmVwobaUFL6-r-9qDZKjJ7Wo9jQCKgB/s1600/20160411_173230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4V6dtXiOLg/V0zawtk9kAI/AAAAAAAAJRA/KifoE8EmVwobaUFL6-r-9qDZKjJ7Wo9jQCKgB/s640/20160411_173230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It was a splurge to be sure, but to be able to go up to the rooftop terrace for sunrise </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yIynL79jE0/V0zKwJKgUqI/AAAAAAAAJPE/gTuoPgd_tssYE2cOuEQPEb4PxeoZfCk1wCKgB/s1600/20160410_064719_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yIynL79jE0/V0zKwJKgUqI/AAAAAAAAJPE/gTuoPgd_tssYE2cOuEQPEb4PxeoZfCk1wCKgB/s640/20160410_064719_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and discover as the light rose that three toucans had roosted in a tree just in front of where I had been standing and I looked down on them as they flew off into the jungle to begin their day... pretty cool. And then to spend some moments inside the park watching the day fade, black vultures jockeying for roosting positions on palm trees and vencejos divebomb into the falls, all with no human company (since I was apparently the only one taking advantage of the fact that the hotel is situated away from the main entrance of the park so that once the park staff is gone the only thing between hotel guests and entering the park facility is a nice sign on the side of the path heading into the park stating that the national park requests that hotel guests not enter the park between 6pm and 8am)... that peace and quiet was well worth it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I even got a massage and spa treatment (promotional discount!) after which I took my hot tea and bathrobe outside to the garden, to the consternation of the attendant... it was hot and steamy outside and most sane folks stay inside in those conditions but dang it I'd gotten cold during the massage and the moist warmth of the out-of-doors enveloped me in its welcoming arms. How's that for a desert girl defrosting from Antarctica. Ha!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iH0rfm3qsqg/V0zbF9BXTlI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/6kQzmQJwU3cQue64uz2QiXHVOWdwPLl_ACKgB/s1600/IMG_8013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iH0rfm3qsqg/V0zbF9BXTlI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/6kQzmQJwU3cQue64uz2QiXHVOWdwPLl_ACKgB/s640/IMG_8013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cheers Iguassu!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A big part of visiting Iguassu is the thing that the falls can be viewed from two sides, and from within two different countries. Due to border crossing necessities and the accompanying logistical details, it sets up an oft asked question, whether it is "worth it" to see both sides. If you only see the falls from one side, you won't be disappointed by any stretch. But having visited both sides of the falls, they were certainly different experiences and I'm glad I was able to do both. But I think especially glad I went to the Brasil side. I felt more a part of the water, the falls, and the invigorating joy of everyone around me that came with the spray, the unreal nature of standing *over* such a huge (but quite a small portion of the whole, actually) amount of cascading, wild water... it was interesting but walking the upper boardwalks on the Argentine side, even the one that was at the edge of the main 'throat' of the falls... it felt quite tame, quite removed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0bt9Ab77k0/V0zKtDbdyLI/AAAAAAAAJPE/n4yQUT3G16AG1-7DTQra47egj52jqKwRACKgB/s1600/20160409_150254_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0bt9Ab77k0/V0zKtDbdyLI/AAAAAAAAJPE/n4yQUT3G16AG1-7DTQra47egj52jqKwRACKgB/s640/20160409_150254_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boardwalk to the Argentine 'garganta del diablo' overlook, the closest to the most falling water, period.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eMTk4nsUhTI/V0zKreizsrI/AAAAAAAAJPE/kgrDxBnCcds_aVbXqPAo8CSC03XXdk1LgCKgB/s1600/20160409_145717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eMTk4nsUhTI/V0zKreizsrI/AAAAAAAAJPE/kgrDxBnCcds_aVbXqPAo8CSC03XXdk1LgCKgB/s640/20160409_145717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mist rising from the spray of the falls being carried up by convective currents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zS1jejA4Tyk/V0zKo2DzhxI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/pvtr2LfRnEEbEHNDmwI3HE7QpIsYqTVEgCKgB/s1600/20160409_124644_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zS1jejA4Tyk/V0zKo2DzhxI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/pvtr2LfRnEEbEHNDmwI3HE7QpIsYqTVEgCKgB/s640/20160409_124644_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting closer...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-_FtYFi39o/V0zKqtxRDHI/AAAAAAAAJPE/PPUSVUfhWiA3E152SN9wTRWKxozx2gn3wCKgB/s1600/20160409_125628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-_FtYFi39o/V0zKqtxRDHI/AAAAAAAAJPE/PPUSVUfhWiA3E152SN9wTRWKxozx2gn3wCKgB/s640/20160409_125628.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bam!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I'm not sure exactly why this was-- perhaps the incredible vortex created by the plunge of the water drew all the air and wind out into the chasm of the river and so sucked the life, so to speak, out of that vantage point? Maybe it was because it was an overcast day in Argentina, while the sun was shining when I was in Brasil? Don't know why, just know how it felt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, the Argentine side was not at all a bust, the views and experience were just different. You can get quite close to a lot of the water, and have more of an appreciation for the jungle and native vegetation</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jNJDDoT2Rk/V0zbkpUPArI/AAAAAAAAJR4/L7-Camk682wba3MlfV3dTaAvOaKeOkYogCKgB/s1600/P4091805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jNJDDoT2Rk/V0zbkpUPArI/AAAAAAAAJR4/L7-Camk682wba3MlfV3dTaAvOaKeOkYogCKgB/s640/P4091805.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One overlook...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xNF0XLE1LQz8pTNlujkFvV1wi-05Qt0Z01h_91QpyXJyq4V562KXknWTGGBlCLVBeZk-j6D3JaYuFiabmWUqlfrz3V7TUeI5Pen9OTnXxjghgCxo0Aoz_x4QpHBzDzZufKwdLLM4Hyth/s1600/P4091815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xNF0XLE1LQz8pTNlujkFvV1wi-05Qt0Z01h_91QpyXJyq4V562KXknWTGGBlCLVBeZk-j6D3JaYuFiabmWUqlfrz3V7TUeI5Pen9OTnXxjghgCxo0Aoz_x4QpHBzDzZufKwdLLM4Hyth/s640/P4091815.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking down on the boardwalk below where one happy gentleman was saluting the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ-ozI6qVnc/V0zdJAhHLvI/AAAAAAAAJSY/XcEskIgsE482uQ7GP9ZDXOQHT29_Br95QCKgB/s1600/P4102251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ-ozI6qVnc/V0zdJAhHLvI/AAAAAAAAJSY/XcEskIgsE482uQ7GP9ZDXOQHT29_Br95QCKgB/s640/P4102251.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this is taken from where the aforementoned fellow was having his appreciatory moment with mother nature</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioaPO1yx_e9iKFBvGENuANNZbQp7gsswP0CHVBjWWGZjP6Tu7Ad-Ss-u2bt-K9muTjMfcutdvTQJc4joTIaLVs6bY1f7IOCxIlF6SQhOIprN8OKPXFr7JyjQMDdgv8BDMFjbPJa0S_sK_/s1600/P4102233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioaPO1yx_e9iKFBvGENuANNZbQp7gsswP0CHVBjWWGZjP6Tu7Ad-Ss-u2bt-K9muTjMfcutdvTQJc4joTIaLVs6bY1f7IOCxIlF6SQhOIprN8OKPXFr7JyjQMDdgv8BDMFjbPJa0S_sK_/s640/P4102233.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this... as I sat on a bench in front of huge boulder waiting for the platform to open up enough to go and see the falls up close (above picture), I happened to turn around and look at the rock just behind my head for lichens and such... and there happened to be clinging this mother spider, about as broad across with legs as my open hand, fingers extended... pretty impressive. She was chill and just hung out so I did too... and then later as I returned and sat a bit away I was amused by the proximity of this wonderful example of wild nature so close to various human heads, young and old, male and female. No one that I noticed started yelping and swiping and smacking... so I can only hope her chillins have grown up to inhabit other lovely rock niches overlooking human heads, all their own.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Went on a great jungle hike on the Arg. side which just added to my wet-forest-environment appreciation, as well as to my mosquito bite collection. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I came away with two visits to this Macundo trail, with sightings of innumerable butterflies, a couple of troops of monkeys, lots and lots of pictures of lichens...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the many kinds of bamboo in the area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyWyugMkW68/V0zb197F3tI/AAAAAAAAJR4/iicTsV4OIks0pUCQgd59EDo_Z8-VCKQrQCKgB/s1600/P4101850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyWyugMkW68/V0zb197F3tI/AAAAAAAAJR4/iicTsV4OIks0pUCQgd59EDo_Z8-VCKQrQCKgB/s640/P4101850.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love me my lichens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiClD_YeUC8/V0zb75EXkCI/AAAAAAAAJR4/lTWCawcKL2AXdw3X3L-Om2dRpteoArWrQCKgB/s1600/P4101883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiClD_YeUC8/V0zb75EXkCI/AAAAAAAAJR4/lTWCawcKL2AXdw3X3L-Om2dRpteoArWrQCKgB/s640/P4101883.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm familiar with this pink one already, having seen it in Savannah, GA! Or at least it's very close cousin... need to finally get my copy of Lichens of the World to suss it out... :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_k4BuxkrVZk/V0zb2ktdUvI/AAAAAAAAJR4/7s7pCrheC2U5zZ_whknODYZU86-zEGHAwCKgB/s1600/P4101919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_k4BuxkrVZk/V0zb2ktdUvI/AAAAAAAAJR4/7s7pCrheC2U5zZ_whknODYZU86-zEGHAwCKgB/s640/P4101919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the one successful macro shot of this very active and very cool fly on a metal catwalk bannister, nice peeling paint substrate for background interest!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh lichens how I adore thee...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and some big cat tracks that were made just a bit earlier in the morning than I was there... pretty cool to know we were utilizing the same route, at least for a time. And then it was time to return to Puerto Iguassu, for a final day to get reorganized and catch my flight back to Buenos Aires. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once back in BA, I visited with friends again, saw some great street art, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">checked out some cool cafes and antique shops in San Telmo... </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky pizza, not a KFC mistake, but named for perhaps a connection to a race track in the area... Kentucky Derby... why not?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYiIsb64sgw/V0zateNV4OI/AAAAAAAAJRA/te6AwEFY6t48rupP_5QzWz7izXBEsXvAQCKgB/s1600/20160325_174554_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYiIsb64sgw/V0zateNV4OI/AAAAAAAAJRA/te6AwEFY6t48rupP_5QzWz7izXBEsXvAQCKgB/s640/20160325_174554_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had to add this photo from a path through the rose garden... the city has such great parks!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkgU9M1Ozh8/V0zLytOE5SI/AAAAAAAAJPk/KtvXUVk5u4oKIhdjCa1W_cwl6ZasgIciQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkgU9M1Ozh8/V0zLytOE5SI/AAAAAAAAJPk/KtvXUVk5u4oKIhdjCa1W_cwl6ZasgIciQCKgB/s640/IMG_8054.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cB38VH6GOTc/V0zL1-9e-nI/AAAAAAAAJPk/ZwfNYw4Zr7EJchl9PV8h-sW3AAGLQeDkQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cB38VH6GOTc/V0zL1-9e-nI/AAAAAAAAJPk/ZwfNYw4Zr7EJchl9PV8h-sW3AAGLQeDkQCKgB/s640/IMG_8063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">antique and fiambres (coldcuts, bulk sales, etc) market architechture. love.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and then after thoroughly enjoying the city again... </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">apparently I needed just one more adventure as my passport went missing (likely was stolen) from my bag. No definitive story, but regardless of how it happened, it was gone, and I'd discovered this about 24 hours before I was supposed to fly out, a Saturday. And of course being the weekend, the embassy was closed. Which meant no new passport until at least Monday. Which meant I'd miss my flight. !!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But! I have to say the UK agents handling travel for Polar Latitudes have been rock stars on both ends of my trip. When I left the states, I headed to the airport in what became a freak west TX snowstorm that covered maybe 30 miles of highway between Alpine and Ft Stockton, normally taking 40 minutes to drive it took about 2 hours. So I missed my flight out, which was an issue since I had a ship to catch which wouldn't wait for one measly staff member. But the agent got right onto it (can't believe I had cell/data service there, but I did and it all happened via cell phone emailing by trusty copilot Daniel Chamberlin... amazing!) and rebooked me on the next flight the following day, hotel stay covered, no problem. And the same thing happened with this return flight fiasco-- they rebooked me on the next flight, next day, and said if I didn't get my passport in time no worries they'd just put me on the next flight, just kindly let them know. So wonderful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the quick rebooked flight, getting the passport was actually the easiest part! I ran around Buenos Aires on Sunday with a friend helping me navigate the Argentine police, getting a special report that the embassy required to issue an emergency passport (which issue I could ask for by showing up without an appointment... otherwise if it hadn't been stolen I would have needed to make an appointment on special days, of which there were none left for at least three weeks!)... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, I went straight away on Monday morning with the right paperwork, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">fee and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">photos (taken by a man in a van with a 1970s era polaroid... think he'd been taking passport photos for travelers in need like me since the 1970s too! "no, wait to pay me, we need to be sure the photo comes out ok and you're not a vampire..."!), and then went back collected it at 3pm!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then, the plan was to take a cab to the airport... but no one would pick me up since Amelia was waiting with me with her dog and they probably thought the dog wanted a ride too (which happens apparently, dogs in taxis!), so we went to a busier street and she stood back like we weren't together... and then it was raining, and the trip took a while, and finally there, and I was still in time for my flight... but then... I had to go to a different desk to get a special paper from Immigration services in order to check out, since I had a new passport with no entry stamp... so I did, still in time... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">but then... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">discovered TSA, our good old TSA, had actually blocked my flight reservation because there were two different passport numbers involved. Not enough time to dodge that bullet. So yes, missed *that* flight! But the Aerolineas agent was so amazing, she found me a series of flights that actually got me back to the states earlier than my original itinerary, even though there was an extra flight leg stuck in there! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And of course, I was sick during all of this... about an hour after I discovered my passport was missing my throat started hurting... which at the time I didn't pay too much attention to-- my host Amelia was throwing an asado (essentially an Argentine BBQ) and so with the wine and friends and pleas to join the fun and not stress too much about the passport since we'd take care of the stuff the next day... I did join the fun... but proceeded to feel fevery and progressively fade over the next two days (not so much sleep on the plane) so that when I got off the plane in Savannah, Georgia (to visit Mom Dad brother and his girlfriend) I was whisked straight to a doc to get meds for puss filled strep throat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With so much drama around this last bit of international travel, maybe I'll stay put for awhile in the states. (?!?!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Had a nice couple of recovery days there in Savannah, one highlight was the gift of an amazing piece of </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">art meant to commemorate my botanical achievements (thesis and cholla research)... wow, what a way to return to "this" reality in contrast to the polar one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then I was off again, flew to Austin, TX where I was picked up at the airport by a best friend and her family (three kids!) in their RV rental and hitched a ride back to west Texas, </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*LOVED* getting picked up in arrivals area by an RV. Got lots of "now, that's the way to go!" looks from fellow ride-waiters... :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonah and Olivia fresh and ready for adventure... and an 8 hour drive!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">saucy momma!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRZYsTmzZyU/V0za6f5PwtI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/qyI4_x36Nzsldct7VKEWIHvJvAV8aDfkgCKgB/s1600/20160422_182056_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRZYsTmzZyU/V0za6f5PwtI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/qyI4_x36Nzsldct7VKEWIHvJvAV8aDfkgCKgB/s640/20160422_182056_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first view of longhorns for the kids, James is a recovering Texan so they're in his blood whether he likes it or not.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There I got to show off my west Texas home and Big Bend National Park for a few days. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen and Jonah happy breakfast eaters in the wide open desert spaces (thank goodness for shade!)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Upon bidding them a sad farewell, I finally turned to all the bags I'd dropped just inside my front door a few days prior, to undertake the real and true unpacking and reentry back into home life. Still working on that, and planning the next escapes as well! To start, this summer I'll be working back down in Big Bend National Park as an interpretive ranger, which I'm very happy about-- essentially a paid vacation to go "home"... getting back to the desert and working and living with old friends, folks I really like and haven't spent much time with in quite awhile. It'll be a good summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Take care all and enjoy the ride! Until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">:) jos</span></div>
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jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-36937507790664898532016-02-18T07:52:00.001-08:002016-02-18T07:52:48.461-08:00Grytviken and Drygalski FijordAfter getting blown out of a few landings we were treated to some amazing weather, blue skies and flat calm!<div><br></div><div>Hiking above Grytviken and Shackleton's grave</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k84g9KTTgew/VsXoKMQHySI/AAAAAAAAI_4/w2X5762E2Fg/s640/blogger-image-2138462381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k84g9KTTgew/VsXoKMQHySI/AAAAAAAAI_4/w2X5762E2Fg/s640/blogger-image-2138462381.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Watching out for the elephant seals wallowing beside the pathways completely unconcerned with the human visitors...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f6LvkZhJ3_Q/VsXonja8faI/AAAAAAAAJAY/ymmg8NhXrfQ/s640/blogger-image-2030652581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f6LvkZhJ3_Q/VsXonja8faI/AAAAAAAAJAY/ymmg8NhXrfQ/s640/blogger-image-2030652581.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And in for a closer view, lichens and mosses growing on an aged whale vertebra</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eQGkJ1_-b00/VsXovfZzy0I/AAAAAAAAJAc/Wfpl1V3jr-M/s640/blogger-image-960718219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eQGkJ1_-b00/VsXovfZzy0I/AAAAAAAAJAc/Wfpl1V3jr-M/s640/blogger-image-960718219.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-in-GGVl_oU0/VsXoeUJoAvI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/77JvFvHSY_E/s640/blogger-image-800598872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-in-GGVl_oU0/VsXoeUJoAvI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/77JvFvHSY_E/s640/blogger-image-800598872.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then to Drygalski... staff who have been working these waters for 15-20 years have never seen this place so calm let alone put zodiacs in the water... incredible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxYQGlz7JuU7_1yyv2GDXE-K7cHpuDanqZVsMmjyPMNonbLArqwBvGaB1fucPoHIQQhcbPdk3r868urREZm8v6uZtG_h9AsOEBLgusdXdNYQKXPEfHZ-25p77qW33e_v9QfTI1IjdmW6a/s640/blogger-image-894911261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxYQGlz7JuU7_1yyv2GDXE-K7cHpuDanqZVsMmjyPMNonbLArqwBvGaB1fucPoHIQQhcbPdk3r868urREZm8v6uZtG_h9AsOEBLgusdXdNYQKXPEfHZ-25p77qW33e_v9QfTI1IjdmW6a/s640/blogger-image-894911261.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mf-gp8ixOMQ/VsXoV7EDlwI/AAAAAAAAJAE/M-49AzYdo64/s640/blogger-image-1900115341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mf-gp8ixOMQ/VsXoV7EDlwI/AAAAAAAAJAE/M-49AzYdo64/s640/blogger-image-1900115341.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yHK0d1Iqw0/VsXoSBU3wlI/AAAAAAAAJAA/DfLvkaK3Swg/s640/blogger-image-1465443283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yHK0d1Iqw0/VsXoSBU3wlI/AAAAAAAAJAA/DfLvkaK3Swg/s640/blogger-image-1465443283.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-orpO5YEj6Ls/VsXozmndBoI/AAAAAAAAJAg/zYh2eaj88a4/s640/blogger-image--2081652340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-orpO5YEj6Ls/VsXozmndBoI/AAAAAAAAJAg/zYh2eaj88a4/s640/blogger-image--2081652340.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Triumphant after a stunning afternoon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LY1b750SKLs/VsXoaHuHr5I/AAAAAAAAJAM/Nj8fPl8gQuM/s640/blogger-image--714377333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LY1b750SKLs/VsXoaHuHr5I/AAAAAAAAJAM/Nj8fPl8gQuM/s640/blogger-image--714377333.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ao8Z6B58QU/VsXoiJifaUI/AAAAAAAAJAU/5VgYGgRd7XM/s640/blogger-image--749180566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ao8Z6B58QU/VsXoiJifaUI/AAAAAAAAJAU/5VgYGgRd7XM/s640/blogger-image--749180566.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-58605825836166220582016-02-18T07:48:00.001-08:002016-02-18T07:48:46.542-08:00Back to the IceI love Antarctica. That's all there is to it. South Georgia is great with the abundance of wildlife and even lots of lichens and plants...but really, I love ice. And that means Antarctica.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0VhPFXXyJ5w/VsXn3AP8OmI/AAAAAAAAI_w/-m3M7RFNjNM/s640/blogger-image--935966474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0VhPFXXyJ5w/VsXn3AP8OmI/AAAAAAAAI_w/-m3M7RFNjNM/s640/blogger-image--935966474.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lt74ooZKMAg/VsXnmPq6s0I/AAAAAAAAI_g/WSJbBVi68vM/s640/blogger-image-1851941974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lt74ooZKMAg/VsXnmPq6s0I/AAAAAAAAI_g/WSJbBVi68vM/s640/blogger-image-1851941974.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FVL68WvYCfM/VsXnYnS5NVI/AAAAAAAAI_U/JzM46F90y_s/s640/blogger-image--1162022812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FVL68WvYCfM/VsXnYnS5NVI/AAAAAAAAI_U/JzM46F90y_s/s640/blogger-image--1162022812.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2t09LHR6Clo/VsXnzBnayyI/AAAAAAAAI_s/uSnjxffCL88/s640/blogger-image--1574728837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2t09LHR6Clo/VsXnzBnayyI/AAAAAAAAI_s/uSnjxffCL88/s640/blogger-image--1574728837.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a39X88eRTmc/VsXnqs5j1WI/AAAAAAAAI_k/8DbUi4YzoW8/s640/blogger-image-1689101006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a39X88eRTmc/VsXnqs5j1WI/AAAAAAAAI_k/8DbUi4YzoW8/s640/blogger-image-1689101006.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DAvRZaA7884/VsXnccl7fvI/AAAAAAAAI_Y/SX6Zgta0Fi0/s640/blogger-image-387166898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DAvRZaA7884/VsXnccl7fvI/AAAAAAAAI_Y/SX6Zgta0Fi0/s640/blogger-image-387166898.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6r6Gy8buLcQ/VsXngU67ONI/AAAAAAAAI_c/m5-7VbSARMQ/s640/blogger-image--15100764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6r6Gy8buLcQ/VsXngU67ONI/AAAAAAAAI_c/m5-7VbSARMQ/s640/blogger-image--15100764.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e1-KN4n941A/VsXnu0eiqyI/AAAAAAAAI_o/Be25rbERASM/s640/blogger-image-1772990257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e1-KN4n941A/VsXnu0eiqyI/AAAAAAAAI_o/Be25rbERASM/s640/blogger-image-1772990257.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-40524898511663313742016-02-18T07:46:00.001-08:002016-02-18T07:46:20.870-08:00On to South Georgia...Uneventful days at sea brought us to the shores of South Georgia... full of wildlife as usual. Getting from ship to shore involves the use of zodiacs (rubberized inflated boats with an outboard motor); here's a view from a drivers perspective just before pulling up to the stem of the ship to load passengers...<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6LgEWOHHb_k/VsXnS_ri_2I/AAAAAAAAI_M/vc8UOCRku40/s640/blogger-image-448002342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6LgEWOHHb_k/VsXnS_ri_2I/AAAAAAAAI_M/vc8UOCRku40/s640/blogger-image-448002342.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And here's one shore we headed to... St. Andrews Bay, king penguin colony 500,000 penguins strong...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w3fxvj4PdyU/VsXnDKuMgvI/AAAAAAAAI-8/c_e42z2_Jek/s640/blogger-image--934535870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w3fxvj4PdyU/VsXnDKuMgvI/AAAAAAAAI-8/c_e42z2_Jek/s640/blogger-image--934535870.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KioRL8hi8e8/VsXnG-Ci0eI/AAAAAAAAI_A/X8f3WG9_s2w/s640/blogger-image--277813058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KioRL8hi8e8/VsXnG-Ci0eI/AAAAAAAAI_A/X8f3WG9_s2w/s640/blogger-image--277813058.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujEgj21bGbM/VsXnKxWALkI/AAAAAAAAI_E/yHkqWpOC08g/s640/blogger-image-1835752539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujEgj21bGbM/VsXnKxWALkI/AAAAAAAAI_E/yHkqWpOC08g/s640/blogger-image-1835752539.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TUSfrEazGr8/VsXnOq769KI/AAAAAAAAI_I/1jidNpF0x64/s640/blogger-image-927476447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TUSfrEazGr8/VsXnOq769KI/AAAAAAAAI_I/1jidNpF0x64/s640/blogger-image-927476447.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kVg4qIWEFiI/VsXm_H95AAI/AAAAAAAAI-4/z3ABZH2M2oc/s640/blogger-image-1963107671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kVg4qIWEFiI/VsXm_H95AAI/AAAAAAAAI-4/z3ABZH2M2oc/s640/blogger-image-1963107671.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-23429797133972933192016-02-18T07:44:00.001-08:002016-02-18T07:44:44.051-08:00Falkland Islands!Here we are again on the Sea Explorer!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-izLdJ73ySn0/VsXmh9SNcVI/AAAAAAAAI-g/eRx8P__HCR4/s640/blogger-image--292970580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-izLdJ73ySn0/VsXmh9SNcVI/AAAAAAAAI-g/eRx8P__HCR4/s640/blogger-image--292970580.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A few pics from our first landings of this trip... Saunders Island with its white sand beaches and 'sea cabbage' eaten by sailors to stave off scurvy<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7otYSBX2jBw/VsXm1CBu0aI/AAAAAAAAI-w/7r-pijQRYV0/s640/blogger-image-1287710282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7otYSBX2jBw/VsXm1CBu0aI/AAAAAAAAI-w/7r-pijQRYV0/s640/blogger-image-1287710282.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our first King penguins!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hi4rkmC8zRk/VsXmXqNK3_I/AAAAAAAAI-Y/JbwPRl6nb-4/s640/blogger-image--972879287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hi4rkmC8zRk/VsXmXqNK3_I/AAAAAAAAI-Y/JbwPRl6nb-4/s640/blogger-image--972879287.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And some sort of sea algae/lichen growing above the tide zone but certainly getting sprayed... always more to investigate!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ibEcXjjID8I/VsXmdcFkHQI/AAAAAAAAI-c/-fyVTj7iNXA/s640/blogger-image-1573876470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ibEcXjjID8I/VsXmdcFkHQI/AAAAAAAAI-c/-fyVTj7iNXA/s640/blogger-image-1573876470.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On to West Point Island... And the black browed albatross and rockhopper penguin colony... all thru the gravelly slope in the foreground...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VoshMTkMsU8/VsXmm6STbYI/AAAAAAAAI-k/BRgh4_uwZLo/s640/blogger-image-608851879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VoshMTkMsU8/VsXmm6STbYI/AAAAAAAAI-k/BRgh4_uwZLo/s640/blogger-image-608851879.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZV9_q6zO9EM/VsXmrt3xgGI/AAAAAAAAI-o/ACCjosPJtac/s640/blogger-image--1502926189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZV9_q6zO9EM/VsXmrt3xgGI/AAAAAAAAI-o/ACCjosPJtac/s640/blogger-image--1502926189.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zR5ID3woXRA/VsXm6rTAQGI/AAAAAAAAI-0/cuFX9beL1bg/s640/blogger-image--1032066744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zR5ID3woXRA/VsXm6rTAQGI/AAAAAAAAI-0/cuFX9beL1bg/s640/blogger-image--1032066744.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7dygI2X1raA/VsXmxN3iNlI/AAAAAAAAI-s/i6BvEd0kfbk/s640/blogger-image--198132336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7dygI2X1raA/VsXmxN3iNlI/AAAAAAAAI-s/i6BvEd0kfbk/s640/blogger-image--198132336.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stunning weather, we lucked out. Stanley was next... a bit more grim it was there. Stay tuned!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-59613898764252403002016-02-11T13:55:00.001-08:002016-02-11T13:55:35.686-08:00Test post from the ship!Just trying to see if this will work from the ship... a teaser... more to come!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vqD4ZbDSZVw/Vr0DRTn9rDI/AAAAAAAAI9w/Ww1LMIQkytk/s640/blogger-image-1035689974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vqD4ZbDSZVw/Vr0DRTn9rDI/AAAAAAAAI9w/Ww1LMIQkytk/s640/blogger-image-1035689974.jpg"></a></div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-37226974270781483862016-02-04T03:26:00.001-08:002016-03-23T15:11:25.620-07:00It Begins Again! ...adventures down south.... <p dir="ltr">Haha, this was the first post i tried to make a few months ago but apparently it never went out. So here's a blast from the past! </p><p dir="ltr">------</p><p dir="ltr">Well, I'm off again. Headed out at the end of January to the uttermost part of the earth as its called, the port of Ushuaia, Argentina to ship out for a few trips as an expedition guide on board the Sea Explorer I... adventures in the southern ocean.</p>
<p dir="ltr">All is good just busy. Gmail is fine but what's app is quicker! Hope you are good, missing our time on board together. I am living in cabin 430. I still remember that night falling asleep holding each other tight then miko coming in late and waking us up then I went home.... good memories.<br>
:)<br>
All is good just busy. Gmail is fine but what's app is quicker! Hope you are good, missing our time on board together. I am living in cabin 430. I still remember that night falling asleep holding each other tight then miko coming in late and waking us up then I went home.... good memories.<br>
:)<br>
First stop is the Falkland Islands. Beautiful white sand beaches (funnily enough this land used to belong to South Africa instead of being punched up volcánically or other sea floor tectonic business) marred only by the fact that they're off limits due to unexploded ordinance left over from the Falklands War... and this time a rather dreary day.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But I thoroughly enjoyed a few walks around the town, an excursion with guests and along the harbor from town to ship, having some quiet time before getting back on board.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Will enjoy some gingerbeer tonight, bought at the Stanley provision company (everything comes in by ship from the UK... Argentina won't trade with them funnily enough...) and see what the sea has in store for us the next two days.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Would prefer a few days of toss and turn in exchange for clear and calm, or even cloudy and normal winds, for our landing days along the South Georgia coast.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Wish us luck!<br>
Cheers from the Patagonia shelf...<br>
:) jos </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IUlS0qGDsb8/VvMTgsEYFVI/AAAAAAAAJBE/GY4GnPIsfc8/s1600/20160203_101400_Richtone%252528HDR%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IUlS0qGDsb8/VvMTgsEYFVI/AAAAAAAAJBE/GY4GnPIsfc8/s640/20160203_101400_Richtone%252528HDR%252529.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Falkland islands and lichens!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nGSrX4races/VvMTjejEV6I/AAAAAAAAJBI/QmPINXzkrwU/s1600/20160128_195813_Richtone%252528HDR%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nGSrX4races/VvMTjejEV6I/AAAAAAAAJBI/QmPINXzkrwU/s640/20160128_195813_Richtone%252528HDR%252529.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mtns behind Ushuaia as we flew in</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fP5ZEkyb1dA/VvMTkoSirHI/AAAAAAAAJBM/cdvwSAUVjdM/s1600/IMG-20160201-WA0000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fP5ZEkyb1dA/VvMTkoSirHI/AAAAAAAAJBM/cdvwSAUVjdM/s640/IMG-20160201-WA0000.jpeg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me in my ship uniform!</div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-22950538103436153382015-09-26T14:39:00.002-07:002016-02-03T15:41:16.714-08:00Tarahumara / Raramuri / Amigos de Korima<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hey out there,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regarding my Tarahumara connection, check out the following link... one of our Amigos de Korima crew (Mary Lou Saxon aka Mari) put together a great video/slideshow about what we've been doing and what's up next for the project, spotlighting our leader in Korima-- Pilar Pedersen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocY4KQg81H0</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nice work Mari and Pilar! Looking to head back in early December if we can raise the money.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">:) jos</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://www.amigosdekorima.org/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNxkUv-E2c4/VgcP3JY29wI/AAAAAAAAI2U/SFHkpf3EiqE/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNxkUv-E2c4/VgcP3JY29wI/AAAAAAAAI2U/SFHkpf3EiqE/s640/IMG_6653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563717364737712132.post-68291348409272299652015-09-08T21:32:00.001-07:002015-09-08T21:32:05.357-07:00Situation West TexasBack home and enjoying a lengthy stay. Catching up on my research with club cholla aka dog cactus aka dog turd cactus... you know, the stuff that gets stuck to your shoes and you can't ever get rid of it before it gets everywhere?! That's my study subject. Ha!<div><br></div><div>More on that later, especially after I get the write up published... but for now, check out this wonderful video short shot by David Fenster (no relation but a super fun contact out here in the middle of 'nowhere'). It's the interior world of the herbarium at Sul Ross State University where I became a botanist working under the mentoring eyes of Dr Mike Powell, featured in the video. The other person in it is Chris Jackson, a grad student at Sul Ross doing some great work with a plant that hadn't been seen in maybe 50 or more years and he rediscovered it on an area ranch.</div><div><br></div><div>Really lovely treatment of a place very close to my heart. Thanks David!</div><div><br></div><div><div><a href="https://vimeo.com/132049381" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">https://vimeo.com/132049381</font></a></div></div><div><br></div>jos :)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08198575914774981502noreply@blogger.com0