tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715928217280766222024-03-13T03:37:32.199-07:00jacq and will went up the hillJacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-29780628332925881132015-12-28T03:42:00.000-08:002015-12-28T03:47:34.637-08:00Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ruT46gD2h-E/VbWsHkdlNaI/AAAAAAAACAQ/WrgM_-anH1M/s320/_MG_1776-Edit-2.jpg" width="237" /> </div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
To be honest, I've been a bit stuck on what to write about Europe, I mean, what can you say that hasn't been said more eloquently and artistically by someone with actual writing chops? This goes a thousand times over for Paris - a place which haunted blokes like Hemingway, who has been known to turn out a decent sentence or two.</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>So, Paris. We went to the Eiffel Tower, we went to the Arc d'Triomphe.<br />
<br />
We went to the Louvre where we marveled over the genius of Leonardo di Vinci, among others. Though it remains ridiculously difficult to get anywhere near the Mona Lisa, there is less trouble with his other works. One of my favourite parts of the Louvre is the classical sculptures area, which is in a huge, airy hall between several wings of the building. I just love how there's all these reaching, yearning Greek heroes, tragic figures in their own isolated story, but right next to one another. Plus it tends to be peaceful and quiet, which is not easy at a Parisian tourist attraction.<br />
<br />
We saw a fashion/ ad shoot happening on the banks of the Seine and stopped to sticky beak for a bit while a female and male model walked endlessly one step towards each other and she kept trying to keep her hair from going flat in the breeze. We went to Notre Dame and stood in a queue with hundreds of other tourists before finally making it inside, where there were hundreds of other tourists to the point that you could hardly move and certainly couldn't appreciate anything peaceful or sacred about the space.<br />
<br />
I found a walking tour online about Montmatre, so we headed up there and wandered around. Sacre Coeur is absolutely stunning inside but although I have been there before I never remember because you're not allowed to take photos. So devastating. The artworks inside are mostly mosaics of absolutely stunning colour and delicacy. Maybe Google Images can help you out on that one.<br />
<br />
We went to L'Orangerie, which I hadn't been to before, and which Monet specifically designed for exhibiting several rooms worth of his Water Lilies series. Despite the fact that it (like everywhere else in Paris in early April) was teeming with people, it also had a lovely sense of calm.<br />
<br />
We also ate many macaroons and chocolate croissants and other French-y deliciousness. So there you go. Paris.<br />
<br />
P.S. The first set of photos comes from the Catacombs, where Fiona and Will went but I did not, due to needs for sleeps and introvert time, plus I knew I'd get the idea from Will's photos. Which I did. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pKGYXFrSF8/VbWr6I4LHVI/AAAAAAAAB-4/Qx0wylHqQ_g/s1600/_MG_1566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pKGYXFrSF8/VbWr6I4LHVI/AAAAAAAAB-4/Qx0wylHqQ_g/s640/_MG_1566.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpY3aFtGu6g/VbWuCh4lIBI/AAAAAAAACBY/6-it504CEcw/s1600/_MG_1576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpY3aFtGu6g/VbWuCh4lIBI/AAAAAAAACBY/6-it504CEcw/s640/_MG_1576.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H-4nJ6kKGk/VbWuC96_XwI/AAAAAAAACBc/6QQhdPZ00qU/s1600/_MG_1581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H-4nJ6kKGk/VbWuC96_XwI/AAAAAAAACBc/6QQhdPZ00qU/s640/_MG_1581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7CvyhGiybY/VbWr9KYZCjI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/Z6r1h-GMe8A/s1600/_MG_1586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7CvyhGiybY/VbWr9KYZCjI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/Z6r1h-GMe8A/s640/_MG_1586.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kukSh3_OiwI/VbWr-g72_eI/AAAAAAAAB_g/0OjEfE3yyyI/s1600/_MG_1587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kukSh3_OiwI/VbWr-g72_eI/AAAAAAAAB_g/0OjEfE3yyyI/s640/_MG_1587.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WveW3s-OaqA/VbWsAPNcN5I/AAAAAAAAB_o/m9is5ETm9Xs/s1600/_MG_1592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WveW3s-OaqA/VbWsAPNcN5I/AAAAAAAAB_o/m9is5ETm9Xs/s640/_MG_1592.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPAhU2FE_Oc/VbWsBq2CWCI/AAAAAAAAB_w/9-DGbKqcl18/s1600/_MG_1597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPAhU2FE_Oc/VbWsBq2CWCI/AAAAAAAAB_w/9-DGbKqcl18/s640/_MG_1597.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WttMCIyV36I/VbWsC8A-FNI/AAAAAAAAB_4/8Yd4isUoRuA/s1600/_MG_1602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WttMCIyV36I/VbWsC8A-FNI/AAAAAAAAB_4/8Yd4isUoRuA/s640/_MG_1602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uICh1ggNZTs/VbWsEhvHlDI/AAAAAAAACAA/k51A233fHqM/s1600/_MG_1709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uICh1ggNZTs/VbWsEhvHlDI/AAAAAAAACAA/k51A233fHqM/s640/_MG_1709.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waSm95Zjz7s/VbWsF-vXAlI/AAAAAAAACAI/A0b0Yoxw6kQ/s1600/_MG_1754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waSm95Zjz7s/VbWsF-vXAlI/AAAAAAAACAI/A0b0Yoxw6kQ/s640/_MG_1754.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2jwmPH7EZs/VbWsJGzKHuI/AAAAAAAACAY/5ZAreSIRmn0/s1600/_MG_1799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2jwmPH7EZs/VbWsJGzKHuI/AAAAAAAACAY/5ZAreSIRmn0/s640/_MG_1799.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tjkjnhdosho/VbWsKdWoR9I/AAAAAAAACAg/rWLf06aBQeA/s1600/_MG_1808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tjkjnhdosho/VbWsKdWoR9I/AAAAAAAACAg/rWLf06aBQeA/s640/_MG_1808.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnNeYH8Drdg/VbWsLsnGj4I/AAAAAAAACAo/kXKkKatRoiI/s1600/_MG_1813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnNeYH8Drdg/VbWsLsnGj4I/AAAAAAAACAo/kXKkKatRoiI/s640/_MG_1813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZd-425pJH8/VbWsNu5rJBI/AAAAAAAACAw/cJLQ4idQA10/s1600/_MG_1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZd-425pJH8/VbWsNu5rJBI/AAAAAAAACAw/cJLQ4idQA10/s640/_MG_1820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqNM69_IbPY/VbWubxvqDEI/AAAAAAAACBo/kj4QCKzrAtw/s1600/_MG_1905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqNM69_IbPY/VbWubxvqDEI/AAAAAAAACBo/kj4QCKzrAtw/s640/_MG_1905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dakCy60Wo_E/VbWuch3RQ4I/AAAAAAAACB0/fo-bSTPazlc/s1600/_MG_1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dakCy60Wo_E/VbWuch3RQ4I/AAAAAAAACB0/fo-bSTPazlc/s640/_MG_1911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iCbtYOpgPew/VbWucS5u0pI/AAAAAAAACBs/mJW5S0pn5ZM/s1600/_MG_1933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iCbtYOpgPew/VbWucS5u0pI/AAAAAAAACBs/mJW5S0pn5ZM/s640/_MG_1933.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOMhaYjdaVs/VbWud6d3D7I/AAAAAAAACCA/s-rdkB7Xtuw/s1600/_MG_1940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOMhaYjdaVs/VbWud6d3D7I/AAAAAAAACCA/s-rdkB7Xtuw/s640/_MG_1940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9vrrap1--kI/VbWue8sNF-I/AAAAAAAACCI/AV3WG9osTMM/s1600/_MG_1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9vrrap1--kI/VbWue8sNF-I/AAAAAAAACCI/AV3WG9osTMM/s640/_MG_1941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--q3Mkva6wP8/VbWugOdUbJI/AAAAAAAACCQ/ULYFtz_vvZo/s1600/_MG_1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--q3Mkva6wP8/VbWugOdUbJI/AAAAAAAACCQ/ULYFtz_vvZo/s640/_MG_1971.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LUS3hw1Dek/VbWvbmDdJjI/AAAAAAAACDw/HFO8a5Xnlrg/s1600/_MG_1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LUS3hw1Dek/VbWvbmDdJjI/AAAAAAAACDw/HFO8a5Xnlrg/s640/_MG_1983.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbPCsmq2SZk/VbWukA4rxjI/AAAAAAAACCw/vl4jDkFL1aQ/s1600/_MG_2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbPCsmq2SZk/VbWukA4rxjI/AAAAAAAACCw/vl4jDkFL1aQ/s640/_MG_2002.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM1jRbw8D0g/VbWuk0_HxtI/AAAAAAAACC4/OHvl2nhUB4I/s1600/_MG_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM1jRbw8D0g/VbWuk0_HxtI/AAAAAAAACC4/OHvl2nhUB4I/s640/_MG_2011.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRmMyov44ik/VbWultxZxtI/AAAAAAAACC8/52koB-uD62Y/s1600/_MG_2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRmMyov44ik/VbWultxZxtI/AAAAAAAACC8/52koB-uD62Y/s640/_MG_2025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVbAArxqFPI/VbWumhxbpBI/AAAAAAAACDI/Y_TiZrLdfvs/s1600/_MG_2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVbAArxqFPI/VbWumhxbpBI/AAAAAAAACDI/Y_TiZrLdfvs/s640/_MG_2030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa_H_n4N01w/VbWuntSOGaI/AAAAAAAACDQ/Qpb6foS9ls4/s1600/_MG_2033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa_H_n4N01w/VbWuntSOGaI/AAAAAAAACDQ/Qpb6foS9ls4/s640/_MG_2033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMdVzlSUpFk/VbWuo8kmA2I/AAAAAAAACDY/J_iNqcNN7k0/s1600/_MG_2036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMdVzlSUpFk/VbWuo8kmA2I/AAAAAAAACDY/J_iNqcNN7k0/s640/_MG_2036.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1n7wIzYEoY/VbWvcjqSd1I/AAAAAAAACD8/Js4FnDyolow/s1600/_MG_2039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1n7wIzYEoY/VbWvcjqSd1I/AAAAAAAACD8/Js4FnDyolow/s640/_MG_2039.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VojhphZMQ4M/VbWuqFV-whI/AAAAAAAACDg/N6SDUG32Zqw/s1600/_MG_2044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VojhphZMQ4M/VbWuqFV-whI/AAAAAAAACDg/N6SDUG32Zqw/s640/_MG_2044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7-rA7kWCrE/VbWur7BNOjI/AAAAAAAACDo/IHecaR-laOo/s1600/_MG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7-rA7kWCrE/VbWur7BNOjI/AAAAAAAACDo/IHecaR-laOo/s640/_MG_2051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-32953754535565908662015-12-15T02:35:00.003-08:002015-12-28T03:29:39.700-08:00Travel Photography Calendars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqmu0LJXrag/Vm_sxESyCHI/AAAAAAAAFoI/DFuKG2oWaSQ/s1600/2016Calendar-Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqmu0LJXrag/Vm_sxESyCHI/AAAAAAAAFoI/DFuKG2oWaSQ/s320/2016Calendar-Front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well it's been a bit quiet around this blog of late and that probably because the last 6 months have been anything but quite in our offline worlds. We are hoping that we can inject a few more posts into the blog during some summer down time soon however I wanted to share with you a little product of my recent busyness and the trip...<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.willsphotography.com.au/art-photos/2016-calendars/" target="_blank">2016 Travel Photography Calendar</a>!<br />
<br />
For those that don't know I've been putting together calendars pretty much every year for a while now however with all the travel this year trying to narrow it down to 12 photos was quite a challenge but I think the result is pretty darn
good. It features a mix of landscape (mostly natural) and wildlife
photos from across three different continents so has a travel theme more
than anything else.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfno0khxC2g/Vm_s3yzvJ2I/AAAAAAAAFoQ/lWSBzN0UoUI/s1600/2016Calendar-Inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfno0khxC2g/Vm_s3yzvJ2I/AAAAAAAAFoQ/lWSBzN0UoUI/s200/2016Calendar-Inside.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
This year I have also gone with a different printer and ordered in advance. It was a bit of a scary process to go through for the first
time but I think the end result was worth it. The print quality is fantastic
and it means it means I can sell them at a substantially lower
cost. <br />
<br />
The date pages are set-up with Australian public
holidays and school term dates for all the states and territories,
however I can ship them anywhere in the world. Plus I'm pretty sure the
moon phases are the same everywhere...<br />
<br />
You can order them from my web site: <a href="http://www.willsphotography.com.au/art-photos/2016-calendars/">2016 Calendars</a><br />
Or if you are not in Australia from my <span class="last"><a class="last" href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/260087303/2016-calendar-travel-photography">Etsy store</a></span><span class="last">.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz531T0l38k/Vm_s-ZjjshI/AAAAAAAAFoY/F-QgiZjvDlw/s1600/2016Calendar-Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz531T0l38k/Vm_s-ZjjshI/AAAAAAAAFoY/F-QgiZjvDlw/s320/2016Calendar-Back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Will Hore-Lacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06010022331763407268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-76506561358637106612015-07-05T14:49:00.002-07:002015-07-05T14:54:16.090-07:00Reims - It's French for Champagne! (well, not actually)<img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gpinfRPiWU/VZmi75bv1OI/AAAAAAAAB9A/GMe1unulW5A/s640/P1240627.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Deep beneath the town of Reims in France, about 2000 years ago, before it was called Reims and before there was such a thing as France, Romans were digging chalk mines (actually probably they had other people do it for them). Someone was digging chalk mines for the Romans. I'm not sure why they needed chalk, they hadn't invented blackboards yet I'm pretty sure. Maybe teachers still liked to fling chalk at children, even when they didn't have blackboards? But I digress. The Roman chalk mines left big holes in the ground, holes that were cool in summer and big enough to store lots of stuff. So the French came up with something to put in the holes. Champagne! Lots and lots and lots of champagne. So we went there. And we drank some. It was nice. We went to the Taittinger Champagne House and they took us on the tour of the aforementioned cellars. Between the Romans being there and us being there, there had also been monks there who left carvings and such around the cellars, as well as random staircases that originally would have led up into their monastery but now lead nowhere. I love being in a place where you can (try to) imagine all the people who have been there before you. Then they gave us champagne, and that was also nice. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We visited two churches in Reims, the Basilique St-Remi, because it was next to Taittinger and we were early, but it was definitely worth a quick visit, and the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims, which is one of the biggies as far as French cathedrals go, mostly because it was where the monarchs of France were crowned from the 12th century onward. We only got a sneaky peak of its famous rose window, because like every other tourist attraction in Europe, they had to cover something up with scaffolding, otherwise we might not feel like we had to come back. It has these funny, cut off towers that just look like someone forgot to build the roofs on, but apparently it's meant to look like that. It also had some stained glass windows by Marc Chagall, one of my favourite artists, so I was pretty stoked to have stumbled across them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGGCmZYLixQ/VZkdiKVEpaI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/8deX47GD3Uc/s1600/IMG_20150330_103406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGGCmZYLixQ/VZkdiKVEpaI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/8deX47GD3Uc/s640/IMG_20150330_103406.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iP7d4NVAkyQ/VZkdiCvYCwI/AAAAAAAAB6g/-Ti7YVIHiZE/s1600/IMG_20150330_103417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iP7d4NVAkyQ/VZkdiCvYCwI/AAAAAAAAB6g/-Ti7YVIHiZE/s640/IMG_20150330_103417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1dcosgxAMs/VZkdjQ8FUkI/AAAAAAAAB6s/4zrI6ngCvzs/s1600/IMG_20150330_121034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1dcosgxAMs/VZkdjQ8FUkI/AAAAAAAAB6s/4zrI6ngCvzs/s640/IMG_20150330_121034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lKZOAbIgpo/VZkdk_lRIAI/AAAAAAAAB7E/9NHal87JhMY/s1600/IMG_20150330_121053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lKZOAbIgpo/VZkdk_lRIAI/AAAAAAAAB7E/9NHal87JhMY/s640/IMG_20150330_121053.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGANs34ksPM/VZkdkp7VGjI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/qMhYoQRYxDo/s1600/IMG_20150330_121553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGANs34ksPM/VZkdkp7VGjI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/qMhYoQRYxDo/s640/IMG_20150330_121553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpOt3D8kSqQ/VZkdlsSJR_I/AAAAAAAAB7U/NAw0keSNtnY/s1600/IMG_20150330_121921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpOt3D8kSqQ/VZkdlsSJR_I/AAAAAAAAB7U/NAw0keSNtnY/s640/IMG_20150330_121921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrX3KeZ4T_Y/VZkdmwmp7vI/AAAAAAAAB7g/erTf9zBNBsU/s1600/IMG_20150330_122059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrX3KeZ4T_Y/VZkdmwmp7vI/AAAAAAAAB7g/erTf9zBNBsU/s640/IMG_20150330_122059.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W78LkkyDFH0/VZmjGGCkVrI/AAAAAAAAB9I/AJ7qkv_oLJ0/s1600/P1240636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W78LkkyDFH0/VZmjGGCkVrI/AAAAAAAAB9I/AJ7qkv_oLJ0/s640/P1240636.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKAYuBmC5kc/VZkdnXusC1I/AAAAAAAAB7s/R66oyoOsivA/s1600/IMG_20150330_124641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKAYuBmC5kc/VZkdnXusC1I/AAAAAAAAB7s/R66oyoOsivA/s640/IMG_20150330_124641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUPUbsh9FTo/VZkdiB8jB9I/AAAAAAAAB6c/dRMhviJuM-o/s1600/IMG_20150330_104846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUPUbsh9FTo/VZkdiB8jB9I/AAAAAAAAB6c/dRMhviJuM-o/s640/IMG_20150330_104846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88alyemQ5LI/VZkdi-wa7VI/AAAAAAAAB6k/CdqGH6-yMKI/s1600/IMG_20150330_104900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88alyemQ5LI/VZkdi-wa7VI/AAAAAAAAB6k/CdqGH6-yMKI/s640/IMG_20150330_104900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4FPQ2Jqhyc/VZkdjPt-CTI/AAAAAAAAB6o/GNlDITfVJGI/s1600/IMG_20150330_105017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4FPQ2Jqhyc/VZkdjPt-CTI/AAAAAAAAB6o/GNlDITfVJGI/s640/IMG_20150330_105017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XKiV9cLqCw/VZmjOjNwOOI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/PETPQDF5CSs/s1600/P1240609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XKiV9cLqCw/VZmjOjNwOOI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/PETPQDF5CSs/s640/P1240609.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA6Gwoo9PeM/VZmjOtjQAeI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/qtC7QukmHSk/s1600/P1240610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA6Gwoo9PeM/VZmjOtjQAeI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/qtC7QukmHSk/s640/P1240610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QIO7CnWKt0/VZmjO9_LoMI/AAAAAAAAB9U/I1yY4A1feOk/s1600/P1240613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QIO7CnWKt0/VZmjO9_LoMI/AAAAAAAAB9U/I1yY4A1feOk/s640/P1240613.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM0Evb1Olf8/VZmjPvrjCLI/AAAAAAAAB9c/XPR9GHooO3I/s1600/P1240618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM0Evb1Olf8/VZmjPvrjCLI/AAAAAAAAB9c/XPR9GHooO3I/s640/P1240618.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADTiqaxy0tI/VZkdoL2IynI/AAAAAAAAB70/-3HU_7vyr-M/s1600/IMG_20150330_130821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADTiqaxy0tI/VZkdoL2IynI/AAAAAAAAB70/-3HU_7vyr-M/s640/IMG_20150330_130821.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpNctZPMCco/VZkdpHzhbPI/AAAAAAAAB8c/SK1PBtV4gQk/s1600/IMG_20150330_154436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpNctZPMCco/VZkdpHzhbPI/AAAAAAAAB8c/SK1PBtV4gQk/s640/IMG_20150330_154436.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xTrHSjkNOQ/VZkdpGVsVPI/AAAAAAAAB8E/e_ioYJaM9po/s1600/IMG_20150330_155223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xTrHSjkNOQ/VZkdpGVsVPI/AAAAAAAAB8E/e_ioYJaM9po/s640/IMG_20150330_155223.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7w0Wsy6CzY/VZmjeWJq1wI/AAAAAAAAB9w/4H1hi5UOLrc/s1600/P1240642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7w0Wsy6CzY/VZmjeWJq1wI/AAAAAAAAB9w/4H1hi5UOLrc/s640/P1240642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QF5aaVFUUEI/VZmjeYDn3-I/AAAAAAAAB90/6ijV_eDVXFA/s1600/P1240661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QF5aaVFUUEI/VZmjeYDn3-I/AAAAAAAAB90/6ijV_eDVXFA/s640/P1240661.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the front of Reims Cathedral looks like without scaffolding on it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SraBIXqy5YU/VZmjfAGsp5I/AAAAAAAAB-M/GX8RNK8JaaU/s1600/P1240662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SraBIXqy5YU/VZmjfAGsp5I/AAAAAAAAB-M/GX8RNK8JaaU/s640/P1240662.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chagall windows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--RRZZOGtmVs/VZmjfjjASkI/AAAAAAAAB-A/lsLAEY9Lldc/s1600/P1240671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--RRZZOGtmVs/VZmjfjjASkI/AAAAAAAAB-A/lsLAEY9Lldc/s640/P1240671.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-1419043039154039042015-06-30T13:51:00.000-07:002015-07-02T08:21:04.066-07:00Photo Tips: Wildlife Photography<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaWnXUO03_o/VWSuaZ7vZ2I/AAAAAAAABgw/dnVyfRtSmFY/s1600/_MG_8365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaWnXUO03_o/VWSuaZ7vZ2I/AAAAAAAABgw/dnVyfRtSmFY/s640/_MG_8365.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I'm not an expert photographer but I've had a bit of experience with wildlife photography in Australia, North America, Southern Africa and Europe now so I thought I'd go through my equipment for this trip, how I shoot & process and add as many tips along the way as I can. While I'll try and keep it fairly general I'll probably be focusing on our African Safaris.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h3>
Equipment</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spSOve0hhLI/VY6_KxeFTxI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/IZqavgzK5BI/s1600/_MG_8804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spSOve0hhLI/VY6_KxeFTxI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/IZqavgzK5BI/s320/_MG_8804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hippos fighting in the Chobe River: 329mm @ 1/1600</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did a blog post on my <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/01/packing-for-photography.html" target="_blank">photo gear for this trip</a> early on so I won't go into a lot of details here but this trip I'm shooting wildlife with a <a href="https://www.canon.com.au/en/Personal/Products/Cameras-and-Accessories/EOS-Digital-SLR-Cameras/EOS-7D-Mark-II" target="_blank">Canon 7D Mark II</a> and a <a href="http://www.tamron.com.au/di150-600_a011.html" target="_blank">Tamron 150-600</a>. It's not a perfect combo and it has its weaknesses but for the price, reach, flexibility and compactness it is a fantastic kit. The camera has an excellent focus system, reasonably good low light performances, a crop factor (as you always need a bit of extra reach), high frame rate, excellent buffer and good weather sealing. The lens has 600mm in a zoom that doesn't take up an entire photo back-pack, and also has reasonable focus speed and good stabilisation. I also us a tripod at times wrote a little on the usefulness of a tripod for wildlife photography in a <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/04/photo-tips-yosemite-national-park.html" target="_blank">Yosemite photography</a> post.<br />
<br />
In the past I have done a lot of wildlife photogarphy with the Canon 7D Mark I and a Canon 100-400 L which is also a great combination but I really wanted more reach (and a camera upgrade), plus the stabilisation is better in the Tamron.<br />
<br />
There were a few times this trip where 150mm on a crop sensor was too long to even get a portrait/head shot of an animal close to the car. Times like these having 100mm or even 70mm would have been handy but I think I gained more shots by having the extra length that what I missed. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Settings</h3>
I have a custom setting on my camera that I can quickly switch to and have a reasonable set-up for shooting a wide variety wildlife, leaning a little towards moving wildlife because if is it sitting still you can change the settings later.<br />
<ul>
<li>Mode: Manual (with auto ISO) </li>
<li>Shutter speed: 1/800</li>
<li>Aperture: f/8</li>
<li>ISO: Auto (100-6400)</li>
<li>Focus mode: Servo</li>
<li>Focus points: All (starting tracking on center point)</li>
<li>Drive: High speed continuous</li>
<li>AF on: With back of camera thumb button only</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su1U0kavPvk/VVplLpFLv8I/AAAAAAAABTU/HvBZu4_IcxU/s1600/_MG_6767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su1U0kavPvk/VVplLpFLv8I/AAAAAAAABTU/HvBZu4_IcxU/s320/_MG_6767.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Eagle (I think): 600mm @ 1/2000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For moving subjects I usually bump up the shutter speed a little and if I have time I switch the IS off because my Tamron will try and stabilise out the panning movement and will tend to make it more blurry. Some lenses have a stabilisation mode that will allow panning like the Canon 100-400 but not the Tamron 150-600.<br />
<br />
The significance of the last dot point is that I can use servo AF as you would normally use One Shot AF so I can focus and recompose without needing to keep the shutter half pressed, plus you are also always ready for it to move. In theory this is less accurate for stationary subjects than One Shot AF but I've found it to be good enough.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqKyWISq_ss/VSBQMAdgxjI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KhLYcuS9a-Y/s1600/_MG_2163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqKyWISq_ss/VSBQMAdgxjI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KhLYcuS9a-Y/s320/_MG_2163.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coyote in Yosemite: 273mm @ 1/500 on a tripod</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shutter speed it a tricky one as you will need to come up with the best shutter speed for your subject and your ability. I know I can't get consistently sharp images at 600mm when I'm standing at 1/800th but I can if I'm sitting down, even in a stationary vehicle. For birds in flight I will up the shutter to at least 1/1250 (if I remember) or preferably more depending on the bird and focal length. It must be said that all of these are based on the fact that I don't have great shutter technique, particularly when I'm excited about what I'm looking at.<br />
<br />
Aperture at f/8 is just because the lens is sharper there and you need a bit of extra DOF when using a long lens.<br />
<br />
The main downside of shooting in manual is that you can't use exposure compensation (on my camera at least) therefore I'll sometimes switch of aperture priority or shutter priority when I need it.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Technique</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Using long lenses requires a lot of technique and practice to do it well because they are heavy and bulky and get blown in the wind quite a lot.<br />
<br />
Shutter speed, needs to be where you need it for the particular situation you are in. I mentioned it above in the settings and your practice will help you figure out your technique and what settings are possible for you. Here's some info on improving your <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a6XaQ16aaE" target="_blank">handholding technique</a>. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NH3ZfrWdYzQ/VWSr1CEWJHI/AAAAAAAABaQ/Mk_qkippaqk/s1600/_MG_7743.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NH3ZfrWdYzQ/VWSr1CEWJHI/AAAAAAAABaQ/Mk_qkippaqk/s320/_MG_7743.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verreaux's Eagle-Owl + moon: Occasionally<br />
you get lucky 329mm @ 1/80 (braced <br />
against safari truck.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tripod/monopod/beanbag/rock/tree/fence post/railing/car/knee. Keeping the camera as stable as possible is key so you can keep your shutter speed as low as possible and therefore your ISO as low as possible. Use whatever you can to help brace your shot, I don't often use a tripod when shooting wildlife and have never used a proper gimble head but they do help significantly when you want/need to lower your shutter speed. On this trip I used the tripod on a barge and in a boat at one point because we were already moving I wanted to help cut out the movement I add when hand holding.<br />
<br />
Dust, it is the enemy of your camera equipment and my lens ended up with quite a bit of it inside and out after game drives. So what can you do? Firstly, bring an air blower so you don't have to use the lens cloth quite as much, obviously keep your lens cloth handy because you will need it quite a lot (and if you don't usually use a UV filter, this might be a good time to make an exception). Be quick when changing lenses to keep it off your sensor but it might also be worth investing in a sensor cleaning system. I survived without but I would have picked up a Sensor Gel cleaner if I'd had the chance. Most cameras have an ultrasonic or electrostatic type of system to help get the dust off (and I've seen it work wonders) but you don't want to rely on it in a dusty environment. One other thing I picked up reading Moose Peterson's safari blogs was to have a towel/cloth to cover you camera when not shooting.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Practice</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4HgEjb3ph0/VY64MNq-LVI/AAAAAAAAB3I/VS_QR6nhZVg/s1600/_MG_6018.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4HgEjb3ph0/VY64MNq-LVI/AAAAAAAAB3I/VS_QR6nhZVg/s320/_MG_6018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Fishing Eagle: 600mm @ 1/500 on a tripod on a drifting <br />
barge. Not extreme but slower than I can typically hand hold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do it. Get familiar with your gear and do a few practice trips before you got out for your actual shoot. To be perfectly honest I don't like reading the manual for my camera and having shot Canon gear for quite a few years, I don't often need to, but the first few shoots are usually when I need it the most.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Processing & Workflow</h3>
I use Adobe Lightroom to catalog and process all my photos, what I actually do varies greatly depending on the photograph but I use but the clarity slide along with the sharpness and noise reduction section are visited with almost every wildlife photo. These are very helpful in bringing out the details like hair and feathers.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vR80P-3CGk/VOao8S9jAJI/AAAAAAAAAZo/kbh-RaYaAFQ/s1600/_76A9790-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vR80P-3CGk/VOao8S9jAJI/AAAAAAAAAZo/kbh-RaYaAFQ/s320/_76A9790-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bison in Yellowstone: 213mm @1/800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sorting and keywording is also really important and when you are taking a lot of photos at least doing the basics ASAP helps a lot. My process for sorting is to flag everything with one star if it is something I want to look at again and occasionally more if I really like it, using a reject flag if it is really bad and using the colour labels to signify if an image is HDR or part of a panorama (not so much for wildlife). I'll then come back and increase star ratings where appropriate and give it a flag when I have finished processing it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Will Hore-Lacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06010022331763407268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-86116337454656453052015-06-30T13:23:00.000-07:002015-07-05T04:47:22.005-07:00Freiburg and Triberg<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKsvIrHEeEI/VY3DOQ94fyI/AAAAAAAAB2I/sqf0z36KtaU/s1600/_MG_1477-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKsvIrHEeEI/VY3DOQ94fyI/AAAAAAAAB2I/sqf0z36KtaU/s640/_MG_1477-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our accommodation...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If there’s one thing I love about the Germans (and to be
honest, there are lots of things I love about the Germans), it’s the way they
utterly embrace and celebrate whatever season they find themselves in. I think
it comes from living in a country where the seasons announce themselves to much
more definitely than Australia. When I’ve been there at Christmas time in the
past, every house is adorned with traditional Christmas decorations – not the
neon-lights-you-can-see-from-space kind (though those can be fun too) but
carved wooden candle-holders in the windows and evergreen wreathes and
beautiful old nativity scenes and gluhwein drunk in the snow at little stalls
at the Christmas markets. This time we were there for spring, and Freiburg was
going to be ready! Every window was decorated with traditional wooden eggs with
delicate painted designs and spring flowers were growing in profusion in every
garden. My prevailing memory of our visit to Freiburg, a university town in the Black
Forest, was the market that was on around the church at the centre of town,
where the locals (and tourists) had gathered to buy fresh, seasonal fruit and
vegetables, local meat, wooden toys and flowers – lots and lots of flowers. We
wandered there quite happily for quite some time, also popping into the church,
which had some pretty stunning wood carvings to see. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To satisfy Will’s need for nature, we headed to the little
town of Triberg, which boasts Germany’s highest waterfall. It’s not one
waterfall so much as a series of cascades that they add all together to get the
overall height, but Will is an absolute sucker for a waterfall of any kind – he
loves extending that shutter speed and getting that blurry water effect (I
mock, but it does make for some beautiful photographs). Fi optimistically bought
a bag of peanuts in the shell on the basis of a claim that you could feed them
to the local squirrels around the falls but we did not see a single squirrel so
I suspect that they are all actually allergic to peanuts and the tourists have
caused a mass anaphylaxis episode and wiped out the entire population. Shame
that. We also found some other pretty waterfalls off the side of the road when we went for a drive to find a cable car up the mountain that turned out to be closed. So we drove up the mountain instead. There were snowy trees, all very proper European. Not to forget that we are shameless tourists, we also went to see the
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock (which has some competition from the ‘First
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock’ located nearby). On reflection, probably would
have been better to be there for any other time than two o’clock as we waited
about 20 minutes for what turned out to be a pretty short show. (Doors open,
cuckoo says cuckoo twice, doors close - for the full experience, watch the video below). Hmm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should mention that our accommodation for this part of the
trip was a little outside Freiburg, staying in the attic of a most traditional
German cow farm. We had sweet little beds with folk-painted flowers and
delicious traditional German breakfast each morning with milk straight from the
cows. Yum! The farmer spoke no English but that didn’t stop him from having
enthusiastic conversations with us about soccer and his family and his cows (I
think).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjH26ujmZZQ/VY3DZdKBZ3I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/3r-PiuTIJPc/s1600/_MG_1181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjH26ujmZZQ/VY3DZdKBZ3I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/3r-PiuTIJPc/s640/_MG_1181.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindau - cool walled town on Lake Constance on the way to Freiburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fr9fIVJ6h5A/VY3CyBY8UAI/AAAAAAAAB0A/pw0GePegb_w/s1600/_MG_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fr9fIVJ6h5A/VY3CyBY8UAI/AAAAAAAAB0A/pw0GePegb_w/s640/_MG_1195.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSoZ8QdaioE/VY3C6lstEmI/AAAAAAAAB04/y2AG7t0hClQ/s1600/_MG_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSoZ8QdaioE/VY3C6lstEmI/AAAAAAAAB04/y2AG7t0hClQ/s640/_MG_1200.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPECkgsbgbI/VY3Cy42cx2I/AAAAAAAAB0E/FNKZfxRE8K4/s1600/_MG_1212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPECkgsbgbI/VY3Cy42cx2I/AAAAAAAAB0E/FNKZfxRE8K4/s640/_MG_1212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVsnrIF7l00/VZL4t8MMlSI/AAAAAAAAB5s/BYO4RB8p2wE/s640/P1240536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring flowers at Freiburg market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx6giHHZCH8/VZF0Zbn0GBI/AAAAAAAAB38/LrdIKVd5flk/s1600/_MG_1235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx6giHHZCH8/VZF0Zbn0GBI/AAAAAAAAB38/LrdIKVd5flk/s640/_MG_1235.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxJLO5ouULk/VZF0YtfvR8I/AAAAAAAAB34/p1ZIb0-B6Hg/s1600/_MG_1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxJLO5ouULk/VZF0YtfvR8I/AAAAAAAAB34/p1ZIb0-B6Hg/s640/_MG_1250.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fakc0OGD2IE/VZF0OU9QTxI/AAAAAAAAB3w/UE5kFEK7LMw/s1600/_MG_1262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fakc0OGD2IE/VZF0OU9QTxI/AAAAAAAAB3w/UE5kFEK7LMw/s640/_MG_1262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tzzCvXfHHU/VZGyauqpfKI/AAAAAAAAB4w/Lai1t08vZoQ/s1600/_MG_1296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tzzCvXfHHU/VZGyauqpfKI/AAAAAAAAB4w/Lai1t08vZoQ/s640/_MG_1296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zlos2xna3hE/VZF0jqI61qI/AAAAAAAAB4U/pR2WKDzIcSw/s1600/_MG_1302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zlos2xna3hE/VZF0jqI61qI/AAAAAAAAB4U/pR2WKDzIcSw/s640/_MG_1302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58FAuDm-Ur4/VZF0vamhQvI/AAAAAAAAB4c/vKr8v0UKdqc/s1600/_MG_1304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58FAuDm-Ur4/VZF0vamhQvI/AAAAAAAAB4c/vKr8v0UKdqc/s640/_MG_1304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUhfGbTdDeE/VZF03hMVsII/AAAAAAAAB4k/R2tubnDEGZ8/s1600/_MG_1313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUhfGbTdDeE/VZF03hMVsII/AAAAAAAAB4k/R2tubnDEGZ8/s640/_MG_1313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For whatever reason, there is a crocodile statue in a canal in Freiburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hghh_wpV7Z4/VY3C2WLVSzI/AAAAAAAAB0U/ML6qP7iCfwo/s1600/_MG_1378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hghh_wpV7Z4/VY3C2WLVSzI/AAAAAAAAB0U/ML6qP7iCfwo/s640/_MG_1378.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWm9JzeAM7g/VY3C51HWrDI/AAAAAAAAB0c/r2C2iZrMgM0/s1600/_MG_1382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWm9JzeAM7g/VY3C51HWrDI/AAAAAAAAB0c/r2C2iZrMgM0/s640/_MG_1382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQJ-YGm4TCs/VY3C7O32t5I/AAAAAAAAB0o/n082dbTmBDc/s1600/_MG_1389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQJ-YGm4TCs/VY3C7O32t5I/AAAAAAAAB0o/n082dbTmBDc/s640/_MG_1389.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5g-tJ8XCc4/VY3C70a2h9I/AAAAAAAAB0w/xurn-w8fuoY/s1600/_MG_1406-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5g-tJ8XCc4/VY3C70a2h9I/AAAAAAAAB0w/xurn-w8fuoY/s640/_MG_1406-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iHPX7jnbDY/VY3DIrdhnmI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/RSaHQ6ZLhp8/s1600/_MG_1410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iHPX7jnbDY/VY3DIrdhnmI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/RSaHQ6ZLhp8/s640/_MG_1410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PwiV2FsL9I/VY3DKxr0sHI/AAAAAAAAB2M/aLItpu4zEXI/s1600/_MG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PwiV2FsL9I/VY3DKxr0sHI/AAAAAAAAB2M/aLItpu4zEXI/s640/_MG_1435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJtbWsslBu8/VY3DNv6j3sI/AAAAAAAAB1w/6e2N0R3DzKU/s1600/_MG_1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJtbWsslBu8/VY3DNv6j3sI/AAAAAAAAB1w/6e2N0R3DzKU/s640/_MG_1464.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Todtnau Waterfalls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJOXAycink8/VY3Dcj4-89I/AAAAAAAAB2k/enRE68LdksI/s1600/_MG_1468_hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJOXAycink8/VY3Dcj4-89I/AAAAAAAAB2k/enRE68LdksI/s640/_MG_1468_hdr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NBH8WxQqIrQ/VY3DPTC3zJI/AAAAAAAAB2A/-plMxMDLZYE/s1600/_MG_1514_hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NBH8WxQqIrQ/VY3DPTC3zJI/AAAAAAAAB2A/-plMxMDLZYE/s640/_MG_1514_hdr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0PZbNZm_qk/VY3DRKS7IUI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/Yw5UGXb-Hhw/s1600/_MG_1552-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0PZbNZm_qk/VY3DRKS7IUI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/Yw5UGXb-Hhw/s640/_MG_1552-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akMnslyr-8k/VZLA8t8U7YI/AAAAAAAAB5c/EBruZhCgTiA/s1600/IMG_20150328_131252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akMnslyr-8k/VZLA8t8U7YI/AAAAAAAAB5c/EBruZhCgTiA/s640/IMG_20150328_131252.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The World's Largest Cuckoo Clock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxF7V0vsTxYkQaWeuzw52NWE8K_u23C6_s8j2lhVdi70FhmSGv4K2QqgrZMhABZBdOIICCdrFirVit1_lvklw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-44576112315032407912015-06-26T13:28:00.000-07:002015-07-05T04:38:34.434-07:00On to Europe we go - Munich and Neuschwanstein<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NvSyd7j_sM/VYQjc76F3II/AAAAAAAABvM/xx2IpgKlgcU/s1600/_MG_1026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NvSyd7j_sM/VYQjc76F3II/AAAAAAAABvM/xx2IpgKlgcU/s640/_MG_1026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Two continents down, one to go! We sadly bid farewell to Africa after some R&R in Johannesburg (seriously, we didn't do one touristy thing. We hung out with a friend, did some shopping and went for coffee). We were also meeting Will's sister Fi in Munich so, as I said to my friend Tara at the time, finally I had someone to tell my travel stories to without them saying, "Yes, I know, I was there. And you made that last part up." Hooray!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Now I love Germany. I love that I can almost understand what is going on (due to my small amount of German). I love the architecture. I love the history. I think the people are delightful. Here's some of what we did in Munich.<br />
<br />
When you're in Europe there are a couple of things you have to do. You have to go to the churches and you have to go to palaces. Munich comes down more on the palaces side of things so we did the Residenz, a mostly rococo-style palace in central Munich. If you're not sure what a rococo-style palace is, imagine this.... start with a very Scandinavian room - all white walls and minimal furniture and what not. Fill some large toothpaste tubes with gold paint and give them to some small children and let them run wild squeezing the gold onto everything in the room. Then put some paintings of naked allegorical women on the ceiling (it's okay for them to be naked because they're allegorical you see). Done! It's a little over the top for my taste.<br />
<br />
We also went to Schloss Nymphenburg (Nymphenburg Palace) where the most interesting room was the Gallery of Beauties created by King Ludwig I. The official line (straight from the Bavarian Palace Department) is that King Ludwig commissioned an artist to just generally paint beautiful women. The unofficial line is that the paintings were King Ludwig's old-school version of a skanky Facebook page where you post photos of people you've slept with. And that there are hundreds more hidden in a basement somewhere and only the 35 most beautiful on display. Charming.<br />
<br />
Munich's most famous sight is the Glockenspiel, a clock in the town hall. It goes off every hour and plays music and some figures dance and some knights on horses joust (and the Bavarian knight wins every single time!) and we were told that tourists have voted it the second most disappointing tourist attraction in Europe (we saw the first a little later in the trip). I say the key to enjoying the Glockenspiel is really, really low expectations. Then you can't go wrong!<br />
<br />
Will and Fi's cousin Christa also lives in Munich (although she has now moved to Switzerland) because she is a viola player and plays in really impressive European orchestras. So we caught up with her while she was still in Munich. We went with her to the Hofbrauhaus, a beer hall, which is an essential German experience. We all ordered food that involved some combination of meat and potatoes, because that's what they sell, and beer of course. There was a football (yes, soccer) match on that day that Bayern Munchen (the local team) was playing in so the mood was rowdy to say the least. Everyone sits at big communal tables and talks to everyone else. It's huge and there is an oom-pa-pa band that plays traditional music and some of the songs evidently have actions because all of a sudden in the middle of things everyone would stop talking, starting shouting/singing and swaying and swinging their beer steins around and then they would drink, and then they would go back to whatever they were saying before. Fun times.<br />
<br />
<b>Schloss Neuschwanstein</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3N3P7c-ZAA/VYmuefIWciI/AAAAAAAABxU/CxXFXc0QHbk/s1600/_MG_1120_hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3N3P7c-ZAA/VYmuefIWciI/AAAAAAAABxU/CxXFXc0QHbk/s640/_MG_1120_hdr.jpg" width="640" /></a>This is the castle that Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle is based on and I have wanted to go for a long time. I almost made it in 2010 but then my passport got stolen on the train and I had to make an emergency trip to Berlin to get a new one... but that's another story! So finally I was headed to Fussen (which, delightfully, means feet - ah the Germans and their quirky town names!) to see Neuschwanstein. When we first caught sight of it through the trees, I'll admit, I thought is seemed a little small - because doesn't every tourist thing we build up in our heads seem smaller when we actually get there? And it certainly is a compact little castle, but I'll tell you what, the interiors are probably some of the best I've seen. Unfortunately for you, one cannot take photos inside (copyright issues apparently *shakes fist at Disney*) so you won't get to see the interiors in this post, but I highly recommend a Google Image search when you have an idle moment. Let me break it down for you somewhat. Mad King Ludwig (who may or may not have actually been mad) was obsessed with a few things - the operas of Richard Wagner, the Crusader Knights and swans being some of them. So any room that doesn't have massive murals depicting scenes from a Wagner opera have stylised paintings of Knights Templar or somebody. And there are swans everywhere. In the carvings, the door handles are shaped like swans, there are giant ceramic swans, they're in the tapestries. It's like Where's Wally for bird lovers. The only problem is that in order to deal with the vast numbers of tourists they get, everyone has to go in on a timed ticket and stay with their tour group and you get rushed through at such a rate that you don't really get to pause and appreciate the general awesomeness. Still, better than not seeing it at all. Schloss Newschwanstein - life achievement unlocked!<b> </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LEggFtDQG80/VYmyZBsA8gI/AAAAAAAABzE/WYvtKC2M0qU/s1600/IMG_20150322_124126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LEggFtDQG80/VYmyZBsA8gI/AAAAAAAABzE/WYvtKC2M0qU/s640/IMG_20150322_124126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4tkJp_cgy8/VYmygPTfJRI/AAAAAAAABzU/Qk-xVtfwmVw/s1600/IMG_20150323_134734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4tkJp_cgy8/VYmygPTfJRI/AAAAAAAABzU/Qk-xVtfwmVw/s640/IMG_20150323_134734.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Science Museum - apparently Will was excited enough about this to include a picture...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYxKN_opO9M/VYmyejCaB8I/AAAAAAAABzM/_efEdW_L-2Q/s1600/IMG_20150323_154936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYxKN_opO9M/VYmyejCaB8I/AAAAAAAABzM/_efEdW_L-2Q/s640/IMG_20150323_154936.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Munich Residenz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toqV0hAhNVM/VYQfDdHl1KI/AAAAAAAABsY/lZ1xu9aXJAU/s1600/_MG_0939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toqV0hAhNVM/VYQfDdHl1KI/AAAAAAAABsY/lZ1xu9aXJAU/s1600/_MG_0939.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_czlWgSmtgI/VYQfHxhvz-I/AAAAAAAABss/5TFTMC57550/s1600/_MG_0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_czlWgSmtgI/VYQfHxhvz-I/AAAAAAAABss/5TFTMC57550/s1600/_MG_0964.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schloss Nymphenburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BsTco3b0lj0/VYQg8XewuFI/AAAAAAAABtY/fe4DIifaOFM/s1600/_MG_0974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BsTco3b0lj0/VYQg8XewuFI/AAAAAAAABtY/fe4DIifaOFM/s1600/_MG_0974.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LntTq-KmiZM/VYQhBZpbacI/AAAAAAAABtg/wok3Phf4v1U/s1600/_MG_0975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LntTq-KmiZM/VYQhBZpbacI/AAAAAAAABtg/wok3Phf4v1U/s1600/_MG_0975.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-jYDPcoN-Q/VYQjBnpb5PI/AAAAAAAABuM/JFV9DWEI0Iw/s1600/_MG_0990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-jYDPcoN-Q/VYQjBnpb5PI/AAAAAAAABuM/JFV9DWEI0Iw/s640/_MG_0990.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example from the Gallery of Beauties</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLxmldNKuyg/VYQjV1hpoPI/AAAAAAAABu8/ASAqI4RV3fQ/s1600/_MG_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLxmldNKuyg/VYQjV1hpoPI/AAAAAAAABu8/ASAqI4RV3fQ/s640/_MG_1013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3fFoDTEy58/VYQjaamjHFI/AAAAAAAABvE/WOGsU6FP7Qw/s1600/_MG_1020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3fFoDTEy58/VYQjaamjHFI/AAAAAAAABvE/WOGsU6FP7Qw/s640/_MG_1020.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_o6OHwpKRDU/VYQj3jtmBxI/AAAAAAAABv0/r2h_vPxlY2c/s1600/_MG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_o6OHwpKRDU/VYQj3jtmBxI/AAAAAAAABv0/r2h_vPxlY2c/s640/_MG_1062.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm7ZaJn8GeI/VYmNpg6KMjI/AAAAAAAABwg/8F82EoewLlg/s1600/_MG_1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm7ZaJn8GeI/VYmNpg6KMjI/AAAAAAAABwg/8F82EoewLlg/s640/_MG_1078.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd5Zniw8lKE/VYmNnvzThUI/AAAAAAAABwY/eSW0K7BW2wY/s1600/_MG_1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd5Zniw8lKE/VYmNnvzThUI/AAAAAAAABwY/eSW0K7BW2wY/s640/_MG_1079.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcVplz3FeDs/VYmNsxvxJpI/AAAAAAAABww/wa3y4YVukGA/s1600/_MG_1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcVplz3FeDs/VYmNsxvxJpI/AAAAAAAABww/wa3y4YVukGA/s640/_MG_1089.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quiet drink in the Ratskeller (Town Hall Cellar, nothing to do with actual rats)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IxfWDFg0RZ4/VYmugjLh1oI/AAAAAAAABxc/Si8vdZVaq6c/s1600/_MG_1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IxfWDFg0RZ4/VYmugjLh1oI/AAAAAAAABxc/Si8vdZVaq6c/s640/_MG_1130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoIWUUprK0g/VYmug9ufyaI/AAAAAAAABxg/3nTrgs5yt8I/s1600/_MG_1132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoIWUUprK0g/VYmug9ufyaI/AAAAAAAABxg/3nTrgs5yt8I/s640/_MG_1132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2GRuMkU_6w/VYmxZOvZU3I/AAAAAAAAByw/a9SXliAv5MA/s1600/_MG_1139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2GRuMkU_6w/VYmxZOvZU3I/AAAAAAAAByw/a9SXliAv5MA/s640/_MG_1139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOzxuAXcTrI/VYmxU7BkY2I/AAAAAAAAByg/9TfyVSqOxDs/s1600/_MG_1152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOzxuAXcTrI/VYmxU7BkY2I/AAAAAAAAByg/9TfyVSqOxDs/s640/_MG_1152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OmtNcqkhGM/VYmxZkJYh1I/AAAAAAAABy0/-RjIQA3ic6s/s1600/_MG_1162-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OmtNcqkhGM/VYmxZkJYh1I/AAAAAAAABy0/-RjIQA3ic6s/s640/_MG_1162-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Neuschwanstein</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1346758529"></span><span id="goog_1346758530"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b> </b> Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-75272221280954211252015-06-13T14:54:00.000-07:002015-07-02T08:22:00.200-07:00Okavango Delta and Morami, Botswana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb0RsJiRMp4/VXydbmwILtI/AAAAAAAAEfk/QHl7lUNosWI/s1600/_MG_0593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb0RsJiRMp4/VXydbmwILtI/AAAAAAAAEfk/QHl7lUNosWI/s640/_MG_0593.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Okavango Delta is somewhere Jackie and I had been looking forward to for a long time and was actually the primary goal of time in Africa. However things didn't quite turn out the way we had planned...<br />
<br />
Our African safaris were one of the first parts of this trip that we found and booked in so that we could time our flights properly, which was great, till our Botswana safari fell through. This resulting in much scrambling and searching while we were away in North America till we found another group safari on dates that fitted with our flights and was within our budget (which was, admittedly, not very high). As it turned out, we were the only ones on the trip which was a little weird but also had some perks. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXnwVmsgODg/VXycmSrftiI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/R7oStRy0TFo/s1600/_MG_9923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXnwVmsgODg/VXycmSrftiI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/R7oStRy0TFo/s400/_MG_9923.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The safari actually started in Kasane and with the (second) <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/06/chobe-national-park-botswana.html" target="_blank">game drive and the boat cruise in Chobe</a> we mentioned in the <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/06/chobe-national-park-botswana.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. We then traveled for pretty much a full (hot, sweaty, crammed into a car) day to a camp "on the edge of the Okavango Delta", however due to drought we had to drive even further because the water level was too low for the mokoro canoes to pick us up. Once at the camp there actually wasn't a lot to do, we weren't in the delta far enough for the really good wildlife (there was still cattle being grazed near by and wandering through the camp to get to the water) and the water level was too low to travel very far by canoe.<br />
<br />
We went on two game walks and saw a number of birds however the only mammals were elephants that were trumpeting and rushing us, causing our guide to usher us into some cover (before we could even seen them) and then call out to scare them away when they got too close. Quite an experience though we don't have photos. In the end we mostly used the camp for down time and photographing birds around them camp.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iR1Sx3jjGCw/VXydqqQZlOI/AAAAAAAAEhU/X3PNuRc5Mmg/s1600/_MG_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iR1Sx3jjGCw/VXydqqQZlOI/AAAAAAAAEhU/X3PNuRc5Mmg/s320/_MG_0721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The next part of the trip was to head to Moremi for two nights of bush camping at a remote camp site, it really was the middle of nowhere. While the trip to (and around) Moremi was pretty rough, as was the camping set-up (if you are not used to camping with no facilities), the wildlife was fantastic. Some was hard to find like the lions whose tracks were everywhere and we would hear calling at night but never sighted, and the leopard we went around in circles looking for based on the tracks before our guide saw it through a gap in the leaves. And some were easy like the remarkable rare African Wild Dogs dozing in the middle of the track!<br />
<br />
The other interesting experience of note was sleeping in a tent on the ground while animals move through your camp site. Particularly when you hear hyenas sniffing around your tent (close enough to bump up against the tent wall) and you remember you have some food (muesli bars) with you when all food was supposed to be stored in the car. That and hearing a thump and screech of birds a few hundred metres away that was apparently a leopard hunting. <br />
<br />
So it was an eventful trip in a great many way. I still feel like we haven't really been to the Delta so I think I still have an excuse to come back!<br />
<br />
<i>Note: Don't forget you can click on any of the photos to open full screen photo browsing.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSN-8dgGzR8/VXycJvSQxlI/AAAAAAAAEao/X769jXMDpyI/s1600/_MG_9664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSN-8dgGzR8/VXycJvSQxlI/AAAAAAAAEao/X769jXMDpyI/s640/_MG_9664.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2sHmFzGvYU/VXycYDj77-I/AAAAAAAAEbs/14cNYnTZFCg/s1600/_MG_9670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2sHmFzGvYU/VXycYDj77-I/AAAAAAAAEbs/14cNYnTZFCg/s640/_MG_9670.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ciCpKupmYaY/VXycJugA4II/AAAAAAAAEbo/_yY-IYmQyoI/s1600/_MG_9701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ciCpKupmYaY/VXycJugA4II/AAAAAAAAEbo/_yY-IYmQyoI/s640/_MG_9701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc4nzy0EVww/VXycKD2gTUI/AAAAAAAAEaw/fdQoXcdgqTw/s1600/_MG_9710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc4nzy0EVww/VXycKD2gTUI/AAAAAAAAEaw/fdQoXcdgqTw/s640/_MG_9710.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TrSknqdk4No/VXycKen8iiI/AAAAAAAAEbk/p5mhrv9NhBg/s1600/_MG_9745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TrSknqdk4No/VXycKen8iiI/AAAAAAAAEbk/p5mhrv9NhBg/s640/_MG_9745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GT7KJxH1COE/VXycKsGG2eI/AAAAAAAAEbA/cW5PzpEUXBc/s1600/_MG_9768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GT7KJxH1COE/VXycKsGG2eI/AAAAAAAAEbA/cW5PzpEUXBc/s640/_MG_9768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHq2e83qC0w/VXycLHKqMbI/AAAAAAAAEbg/P2aUiGUXj2I/s1600/_MG_9781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHq2e83qC0w/VXycLHKqMbI/AAAAAAAAEbg/P2aUiGUXj2I/s640/_MG_9781.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13oYXhBwzz0/VXycLaCgKSI/AAAAAAAAEbc/Tt6UNPYibyA/s1600/_MG_9789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13oYXhBwzz0/VXycLaCgKSI/AAAAAAAAEbc/Tt6UNPYibyA/s640/_MG_9789.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hy7RqA9AfPo/VXycLh9hDRI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/VVh3y9_0xps/s1600/_MG_9809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hy7RqA9AfPo/VXycLh9hDRI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/VVh3y9_0xps/s640/_MG_9809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYKHBAFIYlw/VXycMeFL4UI/AAAAAAAAEbY/q_NGsZ1PB1g/s1600/_MG_9832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYKHBAFIYlw/VXycMeFL4UI/AAAAAAAAEbY/q_NGsZ1PB1g/s640/_MG_9832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGFWWrBv9iI/VXycljnQlzI/AAAAAAAAEb0/1guACQr20Jg/s1600/_MG_9867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGFWWrBv9iI/VXycljnQlzI/AAAAAAAAEb0/1guACQr20Jg/s640/_MG_9867.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8VECMdu6aM/VXyclp3VzoI/AAAAAAAAEb4/LHwf47waar8/s1600/_MG_9892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8VECMdu6aM/VXyclp3VzoI/AAAAAAAAEb4/LHwf47waar8/s640/_MG_9892.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64AfWVPK9jY/VXycmCksuMI/AAAAAAAAEcI/GOzb4m8BtoU/s1600/_MG_9903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64AfWVPK9jY/VXycmCksuMI/AAAAAAAAEcI/GOzb4m8BtoU/s640/_MG_9903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnGBH-sC8EM/VXyboWxhlFI/AAAAAAAAEX0/0myaTuhwCos/s1600/_MG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnGBH-sC8EM/VXyboWxhlFI/AAAAAAAAEX0/0myaTuhwCos/s640/_MG_0009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GaRXH7HYjVA/VXyboaDIesI/AAAAAAAAEX4/d0jtYoxDs5Q/s1600/_MG_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GaRXH7HYjVA/VXyboaDIesI/AAAAAAAAEX4/d0jtYoxDs5Q/s640/_MG_0034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHR8Hy6BpEM/VXybo4FuTSI/AAAAAAAAEYA/ZVcuBdqAefk/s1600/_MG_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHR8Hy6BpEM/VXybo4FuTSI/AAAAAAAAEYA/ZVcuBdqAefk/s640/_MG_0057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBTXXA_jhXQ/VXybpNqnXEI/AAAAAAAAEYE/w4lCQnDKOq0/s1600/_MG_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBTXXA_jhXQ/VXybpNqnXEI/AAAAAAAAEYE/w4lCQnDKOq0/s640/_MG_0065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb8PP5tJhYc/VXybpqWrXAI/AAAAAAAAEYw/lniF3ZcA4qU/s1600/_MG_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb8PP5tJhYc/VXybpqWrXAI/AAAAAAAAEYw/lniF3ZcA4qU/s640/_MG_0077.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVa6-ZajVLA/VXybpxY5O1I/AAAAAAAAEYM/j65US9Vm7tA/s1600/_MG_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVa6-ZajVLA/VXybpxY5O1I/AAAAAAAAEYM/j65US9Vm7tA/s640/_MG_0093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNnHa4YH2uI/VXybqRcVlxI/AAAAAAAAEYY/ZAP-pEoPytE/s1600/_MG_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNnHa4YH2uI/VXybqRcVlxI/AAAAAAAAEYY/ZAP-pEoPytE/s640/_MG_0107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-czMtr_43HmI/VXyb3U7MamI/AAAAAAAAEZE/8jOZtpik4XQ/s1600/_MG_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-czMtr_43HmI/VXyb3U7MamI/AAAAAAAAEZE/8jOZtpik4XQ/s640/_MG_0117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dARCbjT2Xfk/VXyb3ft92VI/AAAAAAAAEZM/bs0S43Zcbbk/s1600/_MG_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dARCbjT2Xfk/VXyb3ft92VI/AAAAAAAAEZM/bs0S43Zcbbk/s640/_MG_0133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oge37PbO3gE/VXyb38iZWnI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/NhacGWc9gBM/s1600/_MG_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oge37PbO3gE/VXyb38iZWnI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/NhacGWc9gBM/s640/_MG_0153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4dv6PE1x6I/VXyb4BnGPfI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/o9QkFm2KCOA/s1600/_MG_0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4dv6PE1x6I/VXyb4BnGPfI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/o9QkFm2KCOA/s640/_MG_0176.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouylX4ffuMI/VXyb4cNG87I/AAAAAAAAEZU/7f_mKRqWDus/s1600/_MG_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouylX4ffuMI/VXyb4cNG87I/AAAAAAAAEZU/7f_mKRqWDus/s640/_MG_0178.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJM_jpWIIzY/VXyb409Mf0I/AAAAAAAAEZg/4YjC_ilkA58/s1600/_MG_0197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJM_jpWIIzY/VXyb409Mf0I/AAAAAAAAEZg/4YjC_ilkA58/s640/_MG_0197.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOJkuGY0Gfw/VXyb5ijGgKI/AAAAAAAAEZs/EfpxoPZWHKY/s1600/_MG_0218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOJkuGY0Gfw/VXyb5ijGgKI/AAAAAAAAEZs/EfpxoPZWHKY/s640/_MG_0218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxGETnm5egw/VXyc0-Pud9I/AAAAAAAAEcc/sgeIgTqgf-U/s1600/_MG_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxGETnm5egw/VXyc0-Pud9I/AAAAAAAAEcc/sgeIgTqgf-U/s640/_MG_0230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-066dc_SZez8/VXyc0yY6ZrI/AAAAAAAAEck/x5NCU7ahiEA/s1600/_MG_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-066dc_SZez8/VXyc0yY6ZrI/AAAAAAAAEck/x5NCU7ahiEA/s640/_MG_0235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ku-2BziFUFA/VXyc02TmYuI/AAAAAAAAEcg/dpZObu6E67c/s1600/_MG_0240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ku-2BziFUFA/VXyc02TmYuI/AAAAAAAAEcg/dpZObu6E67c/s640/_MG_0240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kbh1qW32IY/VXyc1QZ3kdI/AAAAAAAAEco/uqNNIclE6YY/s1600/_MG_0254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kbh1qW32IY/VXyc1QZ3kdI/AAAAAAAAEco/uqNNIclE6YY/s640/_MG_0254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOfzOZn9zPE/VXyc1lEnGBI/AAAAAAAAEcs/aJ_9fWRFDP8/s1600/_MG_0262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOfzOZn9zPE/VXyc1lEnGBI/AAAAAAAAEcs/aJ_9fWRFDP8/s640/_MG_0262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjGYvobQ4G4/VXyc19X6pCI/AAAAAAAAEdY/9u9aduJx3KA/s1600/_MG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjGYvobQ4G4/VXyc19X6pCI/AAAAAAAAEdY/9u9aduJx3KA/s640/_MG_0266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDKFPKjZM4s/VXyc2MB1CvI/AAAAAAAAEcw/qYmJk9_eiIM/s1600/_MG_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDKFPKjZM4s/VXyc2MB1CvI/AAAAAAAAEcw/qYmJk9_eiIM/s640/_MG_0271.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLVLeeSI5LY/VXyc2WjREBI/AAAAAAAAEc4/5GiRoRH_Bi4/s1600/_MG_0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLVLeeSI5LY/VXyc2WjREBI/AAAAAAAAEc4/5GiRoRH_Bi4/s640/_MG_0292.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HnoOm_j7so/VXyc2oBjxEI/AAAAAAAAEc8/dsFkG6LaPBk/s1600/_MG_0314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HnoOm_j7so/VXyc2oBjxEI/AAAAAAAAEc8/dsFkG6LaPBk/s640/_MG_0314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CCBSwTVDm0/VXyc3JXojvI/AAAAAAAAEdE/1qob-K-dCRE/s1600/_MG_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CCBSwTVDm0/VXyc3JXojvI/AAAAAAAAEdE/1qob-K-dCRE/s640/_MG_0339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTZUMLpXvPw/VXydGaDa1vI/AAAAAAAAEdw/YxxixQAKvIo/s1600/_MG_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTZUMLpXvPw/VXydGaDa1vI/AAAAAAAAEdw/YxxixQAKvIo/s640/_MG_0348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJA50lvx_jQ/VXydGOa5RnI/AAAAAAAAEds/MOzp6L9_q8k/s1600/_MG_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJA50lvx_jQ/VXydGOa5RnI/AAAAAAAAEds/MOzp6L9_q8k/s640/_MG_0358.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvuoVZIV2HQ/VXydGBr8pGI/AAAAAAAAEd0/0Syo1BpsZrE/s1600/_MG_0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvuoVZIV2HQ/VXydGBr8pGI/AAAAAAAAEd0/0Syo1BpsZrE/s640/_MG_0370.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usUesFKeYmk/VXydGqjZHfI/AAAAAAAAEd4/tVVLHuxXVIg/s1600/_MG_0392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usUesFKeYmk/VXydGqjZHfI/AAAAAAAAEd4/tVVLHuxXVIg/s640/_MG_0392.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMcse9Hm9cg/VXydG7IpoWI/AAAAAAAAEd8/_lMxUsrxsvI/s1600/_MG_0397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMcse9Hm9cg/VXydG7IpoWI/AAAAAAAAEd8/_lMxUsrxsvI/s640/_MG_0397.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATTwrk3K3zE/VXydHHYhjMI/AAAAAAAAEeA/Tx4wpQiMUtQ/s1600/_MG_0425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATTwrk3K3zE/VXydHHYhjMI/AAAAAAAAEeA/Tx4wpQiMUtQ/s640/_MG_0425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxCr_kMNprY/VXydHYD-ktI/AAAAAAAAEeE/GyEBv4zeCrA/s1600/_MG_0433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxCr_kMNprY/VXydHYD-ktI/AAAAAAAAEeE/GyEBv4zeCrA/s640/_MG_0433.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2pTUnTyPz4/VXydHnV3dvI/AAAAAAAAEe0/Xfnb0udpLZw/s1600/_MG_0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2pTUnTyPz4/VXydHnV3dvI/AAAAAAAAEe0/Xfnb0udpLZw/s640/_MG_0446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKgkggi-HRk/VXydHtd9RWI/AAAAAAAAEeY/wCpfHgdN3vU/s1600/_MG_0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKgkggi-HRk/VXydHtd9RWI/AAAAAAAAEeY/wCpfHgdN3vU/s640/_MG_0467.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53vDqpiUpoY/VXydIK9ZwBI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/2S7HH-T8KJs/s1600/_MG_0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53vDqpiUpoY/VXydIK9ZwBI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/2S7HH-T8KJs/s640/_MG_0474.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO3iQsqlmTA/VXydJEG25kI/AAAAAAAAEek/vi4auYX-2s4/s1600/_MG_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO3iQsqlmTA/VXydJEG25kI/AAAAAAAAEek/vi4auYX-2s4/s640/_MG_0489.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DzfCi91GNxY/VXydbbSSIbI/AAAAAAAAEgM/we6X2phObvw/s1600/_MG_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DzfCi91GNxY/VXydbbSSIbI/AAAAAAAAEgM/we6X2phObvw/s640/_MG_0515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FzhrRHpIQo/VXydbTOHpNI/AAAAAAAAEfM/QBEfC33rf6A/s1600/_MG_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FzhrRHpIQo/VXydbTOHpNI/AAAAAAAAEfM/QBEfC33rf6A/s640/_MG_0526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pi0oqdAO5c/VXydcPYX-nI/AAAAAAAAEfc/_c6qB5qCEpA/s1600/_MG_0612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pi0oqdAO5c/VXydcPYX-nI/AAAAAAAAEfc/_c6qB5qCEpA/s640/_MG_0612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-to_in1FPQMU/VXydcQ0_yQI/AAAAAAAAEfg/_r2ydeY9hq8/s1600/_MG_0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-to_in1FPQMU/VXydcQ0_yQI/AAAAAAAAEfg/_r2ydeY9hq8/s640/_MG_0651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCzTw6orEK8/VXydcu6tJWI/AAAAAAAAEf0/um9yuO5MOII/s1600/_MG_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCzTw6orEK8/VXydcu6tJWI/AAAAAAAAEf0/um9yuO5MOII/s640/_MG_0678.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SsFrPWN2juk/VXydc-u_gMI/AAAAAAAAEfs/lU2a6oI5JSs/s1600/_MG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SsFrPWN2juk/VXydc-u_gMI/AAAAAAAAEfs/lU2a6oI5JSs/s640/_MG_0701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ijy8YS8GOH4/VXydde908fI/AAAAAAAAEf4/5fP-SnEZOk8/s1600/_MG_0718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ijy8YS8GOH4/VXydde908fI/AAAAAAAAEf4/5fP-SnEZOk8/s640/_MG_0718.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHDZd1jfesA/VXydqTrJ02I/AAAAAAAAEgc/eEGEpmfi4NY/s1600/_MG_0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHDZd1jfesA/VXydqTrJ02I/AAAAAAAAEgc/eEGEpmfi4NY/s640/_MG_0745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqEYZiTweMk/VXydq1GnJSI/AAAAAAAAEgg/iNMAgAZf0LI/s1600/_MG_0756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqEYZiTweMk/VXydq1GnJSI/AAAAAAAAEgg/iNMAgAZf0LI/s640/_MG_0756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JV75cR6l2Q/VXydrUaM_zI/AAAAAAAAEgo/Dv2LBV0KOKQ/s1600/_MG_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JV75cR6l2Q/VXydrUaM_zI/AAAAAAAAEgo/Dv2LBV0KOKQ/s640/_MG_0820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtiMqR3hnVg/VXydrmwkAPI/AAAAAAAAEgw/Trp5BDquGzY/s1600/_MG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtiMqR3hnVg/VXydrmwkAPI/AAAAAAAAEgw/Trp5BDquGzY/s640/_MG_0856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O5omxjjKwk0/VXydsSvoogI/AAAAAAAAEhA/OoJIcclGV9s/s1600/_MG_0872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O5omxjjKwk0/VXydsSvoogI/AAAAAAAAEhA/OoJIcclGV9s/s640/_MG_0872.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Will Hore-Lacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06010022331763407268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-16461416655454523672015-06-07T14:06:00.001-07:002015-07-02T08:23:09.391-07:00Chobe National Park, Botswana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBaBrbJVhCE/VXDFtSgDN2I/AAAAAAAABiw/7-MldmSUp48/s1600/_MG_8802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBaBrbJVhCE/VXDFtSgDN2I/AAAAAAAABiw/7-MldmSUp48/s640/_MG_8802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Chobe is a national park in <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@-18.5616622,24.2061007,9z/data=!4m2!6m1!1sz4KLlCLQ_Mj0.kPLiVWk1r7A4" target="_blank">North East Botswana</a> (and the name of a river on its border) that is world famous for amazing wildlife. We stayed a couple of nights in Kasane and were lucky enough to have three trips into Chobe, two as game drives and one as a boat trip. We saw heaps of amazing wildlife but here are a few highlights.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Firstly, Chobe is most famous for having lots and lots of elephants, and these elephants swim across to an island in the river where apparently the grass is greener (isn't it always?). They put their trunks out of the water like a snorkel, which is quite cute. We had one mucking around in the water in front of us, he suddenly launched right out of the water, did a big twist and then splashed back down! I didn't have my camera ready to my eternal disappointment. It was also baby elephant season. Lots and lots of tiny, curious, hilarious baby elephants. <br />
<br />
Secondly, we saw two big, male hippos having a go at each other while a female floated around in the background (presumably fluttering her eyelashes and saying something like 'Oh boys, don't fight over little ol' me, no really...' like in a 1940s movie). There was lots of chomping jaws and lots of flashing of (very big) teeth and lots of splashing around. Apparently they fight to the death, there's just no way to back down as a hippo, the other hippo will just keep chasing you. Glad we were in the safari van, not the boat for that one.<br />
<br />
Thirdly, there was amazing bird life around - including everyone's (okay, my) favourite, the kingfisher. We saw several varieties, including some we hadn't seen elsewhere, including the malachite kingfisher, which is a tiny, jewel-like little bird, absolutely stunning.<br />
<br />
Finally, we had our first sighting (for either of us, ever) of African Wild Dog (otherwise known as Painted Dog). These guys are really rare - the packs are all being monitored by research projects (hence the radio collars you can see in some of the photos). They are strange looking animals - I think they're rather beautiful but I am aware that they are also kind of mangy and creepy looking. We saw a reasonably large pack, all male, as the older males were teaching the younger males to hunt. We didn't see them hunting, just chilling out in the morning before getting down to business.<br />
<br />
All in all, a great start to our time in Botswana.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR0bOlJ6DQM/VXDFgzas05I/AAAAAAAABiA/rgw_qVA7oxs/s1600/_MG_8585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR0bOlJ6DQM/VXDFgzas05I/AAAAAAAABiA/rgw_qVA7oxs/s640/_MG_8585.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pM0mm0PzXQc/VXDFgksba_I/AAAAAAAABhc/Cplp6fPnzaI/s1600/_MG_8588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pM0mm0PzXQc/VXDFgksba_I/AAAAAAAABhc/Cplp6fPnzaI/s640/_MG_8588.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnOHY8FvaP4/VXDFgvr4JFI/AAAAAAAABhY/VEHe-OdNYMA/s1600/_MG_8624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnOHY8FvaP4/VXDFgvr4JFI/AAAAAAAABhY/VEHe-OdNYMA/s640/_MG_8624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlTBhJ9vWd4/VXDFhdd2LKI/AAAAAAAABhg/T4KErIGdGGo/s1600/_MG_8658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlTBhJ9vWd4/VXDFhdd2LKI/AAAAAAAABhg/T4KErIGdGGo/s640/_MG_8658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zeXTnoQfiqA/VXDFhsVWMgI/AAAAAAAABhk/gEjhF1sFBxY/s1600/_MG_8663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zeXTnoQfiqA/VXDFhsVWMgI/AAAAAAAABhk/gEjhF1sFBxY/s640/_MG_8663.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gz2nG-CxNb8/VXDFiIEKuCI/AAAAAAAABhs/7vilbfbNGZg/s1600/_MG_8667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gz2nG-CxNb8/VXDFiIEKuCI/AAAAAAAABhs/7vilbfbNGZg/s640/_MG_8667.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEKrHUWeX8Y/VXDFsQfV-YI/AAAAAAAABiI/Ph2gfei4hdQ/s1600/_MG_8696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEKrHUWeX8Y/VXDFsQfV-YI/AAAAAAAABiI/Ph2gfei4hdQ/s640/_MG_8696.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClKp1mNjjNY/VXDFsQLGhxI/AAAAAAAABiM/3LtM10o80Ys/s1600/_MG_8766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClKp1mNjjNY/VXDFsQLGhxI/AAAAAAAABiM/3LtM10o80Ys/s640/_MG_8766.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6dD2pPaQhQ/VXDFsBMyhnI/AAAAAAAABiQ/1zNuAU5zuZw/s1600/_MG_8768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6dD2pPaQhQ/VXDFsBMyhnI/AAAAAAAABiQ/1zNuAU5zuZw/s640/_MG_8768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2s6HTpUR5Y/VXDFs7lHefI/AAAAAAAABiU/eEk3WkNZRnc/s1600/_MG_8771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2s6HTpUR5Y/VXDFs7lHefI/AAAAAAAABiU/eEk3WkNZRnc/s640/_MG_8771.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9UPVIB839U/VXDFtGbPiRI/AAAAAAAABiY/L0sBJEETlC0/s1600/_MG_8794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9UPVIB839U/VXDFtGbPiRI/AAAAAAAABiY/L0sBJEETlC0/s640/_MG_8794.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-plYr9_H37mQ/VXDFtp6UpuI/AAAAAAAABic/ThmYl9EYujY/s1600/_MG_8820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-plYr9_H37mQ/VXDFtp6UpuI/AAAAAAAABic/ThmYl9EYujY/s640/_MG_8820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzXXYSXwY1I/VXDF4RoOngI/AAAAAAAABj0/sBfgUo2nV2k/s1600/_MG_8876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzXXYSXwY1I/VXDF4RoOngI/AAAAAAAABj0/sBfgUo2nV2k/s640/_MG_8876.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5ne0cphFR8/VXDF4SCh2KI/AAAAAAAABj4/NmVwwwjcYsU/s1600/_MG_8915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5ne0cphFR8/VXDF4SCh2KI/AAAAAAAABj4/NmVwwwjcYsU/s640/_MG_8915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBIAWMMQdq8/VXDF4TVN7pI/AAAAAAAABj8/6UhE21l9gsg/s1600/_MG_8925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBIAWMMQdq8/VXDF4TVN7pI/AAAAAAAABj8/6UhE21l9gsg/s640/_MG_8925.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBD0Y6nvA0U/VXDF442JvpI/AAAAAAAABjs/4-HCovLtpII/s1600/_MG_8941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBD0Y6nvA0U/VXDF442JvpI/AAAAAAAABjs/4-HCovLtpII/s640/_MG_8941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1d0U_n5RVJE/VXDF5M81QwI/AAAAAAAABjc/Nc_3O7vRCX0/s1600/_MG_8986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1d0U_n5RVJE/VXDF5M81QwI/AAAAAAAABjc/Nc_3O7vRCX0/s640/_MG_8986.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMSYBG1Mc3Q/VXDGM40iYMI/AAAAAAAABkA/J4r7yF7_270/s1600/_MG_9055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMSYBG1Mc3Q/VXDGM40iYMI/AAAAAAAABkA/J4r7yF7_270/s640/_MG_9055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-bmQhSpa9I/VXDGkhYgE9I/AAAAAAAABkQ/oZfKyFrw6nQ/s1600/_MG_9083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-bmQhSpa9I/VXDGkhYgE9I/AAAAAAAABkQ/oZfKyFrw6nQ/s640/_MG_9083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSSvKDsTUAU/VXDGkhoGTyI/AAAAAAAABkM/mr13GXOemjE/s1600/_MG_9103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSSvKDsTUAU/VXDGkhoGTyI/AAAAAAAABkM/mr13GXOemjE/s640/_MG_9103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ffMPvujRk/VXDGlVZuwkI/AAAAAAAABk8/gZo1-fvGEcg/s1600/_MG_9146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ffMPvujRk/VXDGlVZuwkI/AAAAAAAABk8/gZo1-fvGEcg/s640/_MG_9146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv8tIgTS_Io/VXDGl4WEx4I/AAAAAAAABkY/B2wnrsD68hA/s1600/_MG_9174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv8tIgTS_Io/VXDGl4WEx4I/AAAAAAAABkY/B2wnrsD68hA/s640/_MG_9174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wjh7nOq6WXA/VXDGmMLRbWI/AAAAAAAABkc/hFMwA1IHn7M/s1600/_MG_9181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wjh7nOq6WXA/VXDGmMLRbWI/AAAAAAAABkc/hFMwA1IHn7M/s640/_MG_9181.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwgQR9mPotY/VXDGmc9HIRI/AAAAAAAABkk/bMQh1up3wEI/s1600/_MG_9195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwgQR9mPotY/VXDGmc9HIRI/AAAAAAAABkk/bMQh1up3wEI/s640/_MG_9195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKooeWT4eYg/VXDHFS6LLjI/AAAAAAAABlI/GpVaeUH4LvY/s1600/_MG_9211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKooeWT4eYg/VXDHFS6LLjI/AAAAAAAABlI/GpVaeUH4LvY/s640/_MG_9211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ccuc3IXW3vI/VXDHFWH2DuI/AAAAAAAABlM/O0SXS3e8ZXY/s1600/_MG_9223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ccuc3IXW3vI/VXDHFWH2DuI/AAAAAAAABlM/O0SXS3e8ZXY/s640/_MG_9223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuT6_YGOE6A/VXDHF2B_KAI/AAAAAAAABlU/4yNG0exAGck/s1600/_MG_9227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuT6_YGOE6A/VXDHF2B_KAI/AAAAAAAABlU/4yNG0exAGck/s640/_MG_9227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ah60Kt0kHU8/VXDHGK3fLBI/AAAAAAAABlY/ydBPYDc9Bv8/s1600/_MG_9264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ah60Kt0kHU8/VXDHGK3fLBI/AAAAAAAABlY/ydBPYDc9Bv8/s640/_MG_9264.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLaskAg16YA/VXDHGoA4pXI/AAAAAAAABlg/X03IM0xBoxs/s1600/_MG_9277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLaskAg16YA/VXDHGoA4pXI/AAAAAAAABlg/X03IM0xBoxs/s640/_MG_9277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krk-BUV9Z14/VXDHHQQ-svI/AAAAAAAABl0/l3w-mldires/s1600/_MG_9288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krk-BUV9Z14/VXDHHQQ-svI/AAAAAAAABl0/l3w-mldires/s640/_MG_9288.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J3pZofO04i8/VXDHHYqoYiI/AAAAAAAABls/8-tiA-KoZ2s/s1600/_MG_9336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J3pZofO04i8/VXDHHYqoYiI/AAAAAAAABls/8-tiA-KoZ2s/s640/_MG_9336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2uCMOxNGIdg/VXDHIfk5e1I/AAAAAAAABl4/PFa2bYeFpXM/s1600/_MG_9362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2uCMOxNGIdg/VXDHIfk5e1I/AAAAAAAABl4/PFa2bYeFpXM/s640/_MG_9362.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VSPZowCcZs/VXDHJPiBpzI/AAAAAAAABmE/URJcD6geL_E/s1600/_MG_9395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VSPZowCcZs/VXDHJPiBpzI/AAAAAAAABmE/URJcD6geL_E/s640/_MG_9395.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqx_4TiIlZ4/VXSxDek_fuI/AAAAAAAABrs/n6UA3p8VTQA/s1600/_MG_9399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqx_4TiIlZ4/VXSxDek_fuI/AAAAAAAABrs/n6UA3p8VTQA/s320/_MG_9399.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOdX-gNJF0c/VXDHjaTDg2I/AAAAAAAABmw/m00PBaZ283A/s1600/_MG_9414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOdX-gNJF0c/VXDHjaTDg2I/AAAAAAAABmw/m00PBaZ283A/s640/_MG_9414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8gCG7lLGYs/VXDHjpQryUI/AAAAAAAABm4/wTZgGojNL4s/s1600/_MG_9426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8gCG7lLGYs/VXDHjpQryUI/AAAAAAAABm4/wTZgGojNL4s/s640/_MG_9426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gN-dTzDfbQk/VXDHjj3ZYbI/AAAAAAAABm0/-8G2Y39t5hM/s1600/_MG_9448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gN-dTzDfbQk/VXDHjj3ZYbI/AAAAAAAABm0/-8G2Y39t5hM/s640/_MG_9448.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0aISPxjJF8/VXDHkyhRk_I/AAAAAAAABnI/Jv7cF__fMN4/s1600/_MG_9487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0aISPxjJF8/VXDHkyhRk_I/AAAAAAAABnI/Jv7cF__fMN4/s640/_MG_9487.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B3eJESh_w8w/VXDHks3P_8I/AAAAAAAABnM/52NN1cAeWD0/s1600/_MG_9502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B3eJESh_w8w/VXDHks3P_8I/AAAAAAAABnM/52NN1cAeWD0/s640/_MG_9502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wV4q86z6mA/VXDHkzWug0I/AAAAAAAABnE/aJx5IYkm9Kw/s1600/_MG_9506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wV4q86z6mA/VXDHkzWug0I/AAAAAAAABnE/aJx5IYkm9Kw/s640/_MG_9506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFrhjkAlr2c/VXDHmTWpTNI/AAAAAAAABnY/6bwCKFsGTzw/s1600/_MG_9525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFrhjkAlr2c/VXDHmTWpTNI/AAAAAAAABnY/6bwCKFsGTzw/s640/_MG_9525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHpldZkSRN0/VXDHmzcJyyI/AAAAAAAABno/yZIM8PU6-II/s1600/_MG_9550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHpldZkSRN0/VXDHmzcJyyI/AAAAAAAABno/yZIM8PU6-II/s640/_MG_9550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8fOY6uWmB8/VXDI0qGSe-I/AAAAAAAABok/xosSGT8PELs/s1600/_MG_9557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8fOY6uWmB8/VXDI0qGSe-I/AAAAAAAABok/xosSGT8PELs/s640/_MG_9557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2yKrHO3WPg/VXDINX9tSKI/AAAAAAAABoE/TWJIansl1MY/s1600/_MG_9583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2yKrHO3WPg/VXDINX9tSKI/AAAAAAAABoE/TWJIansl1MY/s640/_MG_9583.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ1HKCYJM5U" target="_blank">"What're you doing?" "I'm playing a game of nighttime daytime" </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmbjPHTXCoc/VXDJLAz-d4I/AAAAAAAABpE/r0iUHcEHSUk/s1600/_MG_9601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmbjPHTXCoc/VXDJLAz-d4I/AAAAAAAABpE/r0iUHcEHSUk/s640/_MG_9601.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YwrCxBrGuZM/VXDIe7KTEAI/AAAAAAAABoQ/tv1_vPUY7P0/s1600/_MG_9626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YwrCxBrGuZM/VXDIe7KTEAI/AAAAAAAABoQ/tv1_vPUY7P0/s640/_MG_9626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xJOEvHc_sE/VXDIy69HMFI/AAAAAAAABoY/R4CDKcxFbOY/s1600/_MG_9640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xJOEvHc_sE/VXDIy69HMFI/AAAAAAAABoY/R4CDKcxFbOY/s640/_MG_9640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKfzEsg1zsc/VXDI1C16jwI/AAAAAAAABpA/2UNYjUePWVM/s1600/_MG_9653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKfzEsg1zsc/VXDI1C16jwI/AAAAAAAABpA/2UNYjUePWVM/s640/_MG_9653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-24522358262207488192015-06-06T14:02:00.000-07:002015-07-02T08:24:16.692-07:00Victoria Falls the SecondImportant things first. This is where I was finally reunited with my bag 10 days after arriving in Africa. There was a hairy moment when the place I was picking my bag up from said 'Bags, no, we haven't received any bags...' but it turned out that bags always get sent to their other office in town (they couldn't have said that first???) Ah, that sweet reunion! Imagine me spreading all of my belongings out on the bed and wallowing in the glorious variety of it all. I didn't actually do that, but you can imagine it if you want.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCBT7BF4ZgM/VXMxZHoxx_I/AAAAAAAABrY/BbI5tXPHJgA/s1600/_MG_8536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCBT7BF4ZgM/VXMxZHoxx_I/AAAAAAAABrY/BbI5tXPHJgA/s320/_MG_8536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So our amazing time in the national parks of Zimbabwe was at an end and we were back where we started, Victoria Falls, albeit on the Zimbabwean side now. We went back to the falls to see them from this side and I personally think the view from Zimbabwe is better than the view from Zambia. Feel free to contradict me - you'll have to travel to Zambia and Zimbabwe to be able to so I reckon that would be worth it. And while we had other <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/05/victoria-falls-first.html" target="_blank">close encounters with baboons</a>, these ones at least kept their hands to themselves. Also, we didn't get quite so wet. That's not because we actually stayed dry, just because it would be scientifically impossible to be any wetter than we were on the Zambian side.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We also had a taste of how the other half lives, visiting the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for a drink (we snuck in the back employee entrance from our backpackers). They have an incredible bar/ restaurant set up that looks down onto a waterhole where we had dinner (although they reserve the really good tables for people whose jewellery rattles expensively when they walk).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wo9CzjaLqIw/VXMw5ORnfrI/AAAAAAAABpo/XqQc4kf0wEk/s1600/_MG_8452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wo9CzjaLqIw/VXMw5ORnfrI/AAAAAAAABpo/XqQc4kf0wEk/s640/_MG_8452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kS1AyQegNs/VXMw5PDt5MI/AAAAAAAABpk/h-bAgm2EjYo/s1600/_MG_8467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kS1AyQegNs/VXMw5PDt5MI/AAAAAAAABpk/h-bAgm2EjYo/s640/_MG_8467.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKx8t9DErIs/VXMw6EOF8tI/AAAAAAAABps/vsqglf4JN-E/s1600/_MG_8478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKx8t9DErIs/VXMw6EOF8tI/AAAAAAAABps/vsqglf4JN-E/s640/_MG_8478.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWVS_JHU1q8/VXMw7bq-5DI/AAAAAAAABqM/Acpu7pjDTS4/s1600/_MG_8489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWVS_JHU1q8/VXMw7bq-5DI/AAAAAAAABqM/Acpu7pjDTS4/s640/_MG_8489.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jczmotDNh_w/VXMw7sR3mlI/AAAAAAAABqI/1nXuflrDBeo/s1600/_MG_8497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jczmotDNh_w/VXMw7sR3mlI/AAAAAAAABqI/1nXuflrDBeo/s640/_MG_8497.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9gDMe9D9HY/VXMw8EqtAcI/AAAAAAAABqY/i__rBjpdylk/s1600/_MG_8502-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9gDMe9D9HY/VXMw8EqtAcI/AAAAAAAABqY/i__rBjpdylk/s640/_MG_8502-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MdSAoJSGKYY/VXMxXpG9ELI/AAAAAAAABqw/Pfm1nPfm0sE/s1600/_MG_8518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MdSAoJSGKYY/VXMxXpG9ELI/AAAAAAAABqw/Pfm1nPfm0sE/s640/_MG_8518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXMsHy_OmxY/VXMxYddanJI/AAAAAAAABq8/TxTQ2u7dNbA/s1600/_MG_8527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXMsHy_OmxY/VXMxYddanJI/AAAAAAAABq8/TxTQ2u7dNbA/s640/_MG_8527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5P6ax-nMqI/VXMxaK4XyOI/AAAAAAAABrU/rYXpt4I1Ako/s1600/_MG_8556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5P6ax-nMqI/VXMxaK4XyOI/AAAAAAAABrU/rYXpt4I1Ako/s640/_MG_8556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQpvvg7IRy0/VXMxW5KV7AI/AAAAAAAABqo/rhKDJ22Vleo/s1600/DSC00568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQpvvg7IRy0/VXMxW5KV7AI/AAAAAAAABqo/rhKDJ22Vleo/s640/DSC00568.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-60684334051636456122015-05-26T10:52:00.000-07:002015-07-02T08:25:06.391-07:00Bomani Tented Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgwdCyAZuXg/VWSuaKR6v7I/AAAAAAAABgA/7LF_0VFwGHA/s1600/_MG_8310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgwdCyAZuXg/VWSuaKR6v7I/AAAAAAAABgA/7LF_0VFwGHA/s640/_MG_8310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KN2kCRUPZC4/VWSpa0g8C8I/AAAAAAAABXw/lefGiN4SRSk/s1600/_MG_7558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KN2kCRUPZC4/VWSpa0g8C8I/AAAAAAAABXw/lefGiN4SRSk/s320/_MG_7558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Bomani Tented Camp is in the south of Hwange National Park, and it is <i>remote</i>. To get there, we had to take a their tram, which they run on the colonial-era rail tracks built by some bloke with a great vision of trains running from South Africa to Egypt but who didn't count on the post-colonial administration taking the particular turn that it has done so the tracks are not in great shape now. Useful for us though!<br />
<br />
More early mornings, more safari drives, more <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Wondering%20what%20else%20Will%20Hore-Lacy%E2%80%8B%20and%20I%20got%20up%20to%20in%20Zimbabwe?%20http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/05/the-hide-hwange-national-park-zimbabwe.html" target="_blank">lists with lots of commas </a>or again I could just tell a couple of stories.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Early one game drive we saw a herd of wildebeest and the guide stopped, because they were too close together apparently, then just as my brain got to 'hang on, is that a....' the guide shouted 'Cheetah, cheetah!' and the cheetah gave chase. There were two of them and, to state the obvious, they are bloody quick! Those wildebeest took off too and they're pretty quick as well. Plus they had the advantage that we had spooked them by approaching in the car, so they were hyper-alert already. So the cheetah didn't catch any of them but we came across them after the chase, collapsed in the shade, heaving and panting while they recovered and three full safari vans jockeyed for position and lots of photos were taken. They are so beautiful, long-limbed and very sleek. My very first cheetah sighting, so I was really excited.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O031ic7TyFs/VWStoX_TP-I/AAAAAAAABdw/ZETY4-kM8rM/s1600/_MG_8158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O031ic7TyFs/VWStoX_TP-I/AAAAAAAABdw/ZETY4-kM8rM/s400/_MG_8158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Secondly, we somehow lucked out and got another guide who was keen on birds (mind you, once you've seen African birds I defy you to not be a bird nerd). His name was Vusa and he had this app on his iPad which played the bird's calls. This tended to make the birds behave in interesting ways, for example, we saw a pair of crowned cranes (my new favourite bird - though that's a big call) and they had some chicks with them who they were trying to hide in the long grass. When Vusa played the crowned crane call, they spread their wings and started to 'dance' to frighten off the supposed rival crowned crane who might threaten their chicks. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5Xwlxj_7AE/VWSuAPBwj3I/AAAAAAAABfE/hjPPkjEEJtE/s1600/_MG_8230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5Xwlxj_7AE/VWSuAPBwj3I/AAAAAAAABfE/hjPPkjEEJtE/s320/_MG_8230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally - we did a dinner out in the middle of the bush one night under millions of stars. We rolled up after a safari drive to a long white-clothed table in the middle of the savannah and chefs in white hats preparing delicious food. There was a group of Scandinavian tourists staying at the lodge so we chatted to them a bit and got some cache from being able to point out the Southern Cross and the guides told traditional African stories. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o938JZ0EIMM/VWSqlaAaXiI/AAAAAAAABYw/CU2_qZzSZ-U/s1600/_MG_7708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o938JZ0EIMM/VWSqlaAaXiI/AAAAAAAABYw/CU2_qZzSZ-U/s320/_MG_7708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So we didn't know anything about Zimbabwe locations, we didn't even know
we wanted to go to Zimbabwe. All the Zimbabwe lodges and transfers were booked by a guy in the UK who runs a company called <a href="http://www.wildlifephotographyafrica.com/" target="_blank">Wildlife Photography Africa</a> that I found online looking for photography safaris. What that meant for us in practice was optimising the amount of time spent game-viewing rather than other activities, because game viewing was what we were most interested in doing. (They're not paying me to promote them by the way - I wish! - but he was very flexible and responsive and great to deal with).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2-Ps39qS0E/VWSqK5KtWrI/AAAAAAAABYI/U3T4IeH73Fg/s1600/_MG_7584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2-Ps39qS0E/VWSqK5KtWrI/AAAAAAAABYI/U3T4IeH73Fg/s640/_MG_7584.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7IbrK9pr-o/VWSqGPPMxXI/AAAAAAAABX8/_jRMOQhI1K8/s1600/_MG_7626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7IbrK9pr-o/VWSqGPPMxXI/AAAAAAAABX8/_jRMOQhI1K8/s640/_MG_7626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-czStH-gsi3U/VWSqGCQCjtI/AAAAAAAABX4/jMOX5f8HHUo/s1600/_MG_7652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-czStH-gsi3U/VWSqGCQCjtI/AAAAAAAABX4/jMOX5f8HHUo/s640/_MG_7652.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rT_D4pKpWF0/VWSqWQsp9WI/AAAAAAAABYU/WbWxVKnIuBc/s1600/_MG_7667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rT_D4pKpWF0/VWSqWQsp9WI/AAAAAAAABYU/WbWxVKnIuBc/s640/_MG_7667.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dT6LgF-bOmc/VWSqWerGreI/AAAAAAAABYQ/407oQnRJKhE/s1600/_MG_7679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dT6LgF-bOmc/VWSqWerGreI/AAAAAAAABYQ/407oQnRJKhE/s640/_MG_7679.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAJPJXXXW3Q/VWSqW7Fj2fI/AAAAAAAABYc/WmBecl-4hoo/s1600/_MG_7689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAJPJXXXW3Q/VWSqW7Fj2fI/AAAAAAAABYc/WmBecl-4hoo/s640/_MG_7689.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_s_cdE97a0/VWSqh6SYcYI/AAAAAAAABYo/TdmHE3x5Pyg/s1600/_MG_7698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_s_cdE97a0/VWSqh6SYcYI/AAAAAAAABYo/TdmHE3x5Pyg/s640/_MG_7698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzKceZdbZ0A/VWSr00Sn09I/AAAAAAAABZ8/D12o2WO56jg/s1600/_MG_7768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzKceZdbZ0A/VWSr00Sn09I/AAAAAAAABZ8/D12o2WO56jg/s640/_MG_7768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IC2reOqB9w/VWSrk7CmpHI/AAAAAAAABZ0/2i_5b6Gx3FE/s1600/_MG_7788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IC2reOqB9w/VWSrk7CmpHI/AAAAAAAABZ0/2i_5b6Gx3FE/s640/_MG_7788.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8335KWqkLY/VWSr1DbOdhI/AAAAAAAABaA/QB1cIYFf2nE/s1600/_MG_7710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8335KWqkLY/VWSr1DbOdhI/AAAAAAAABaA/QB1cIYFf2nE/s640/_MG_7710.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NH3ZfrWdYzQ/VWSr1CEWJHI/AAAAAAAABaE/LYwZmmodekw/s1600/_MG_7743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NH3ZfrWdYzQ/VWSr1CEWJHI/AAAAAAAABaE/LYwZmmodekw/s640/_MG_7743.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joTttN2QO2U/VWSsJ5SYXNI/AAAAAAAABaY/kxX4aEvBJLk/s1600/_MG_7804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joTttN2QO2U/VWSsJ5SYXNI/AAAAAAAABaY/kxX4aEvBJLk/s640/_MG_7804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v54wHmzkFAE/VWSsJ2mIIcI/AAAAAAAABac/_qYeT0f0ZgY/s1600/_MG_7808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v54wHmzkFAE/VWSsJ2mIIcI/AAAAAAAABac/_qYeT0f0ZgY/s640/_MG_7808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0eLvhZq3oGA/VWSsJCnhvUI/AAAAAAAABaU/vSDZdRQZmTQ/s1600/_MG_7828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0eLvhZq3oGA/VWSsJCnhvUI/AAAAAAAABaU/vSDZdRQZmTQ/s640/_MG_7828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1bVV3fb-ZM/VWSsK3W38_I/AAAAAAAABao/HTkPNf1stwI/s1600/_MG_7834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1bVV3fb-ZM/VWSsK3W38_I/AAAAAAAABao/HTkPNf1stwI/s640/_MG_7834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EhUrYCCCCM/VWSsLvncYdI/AAAAAAAABaw/-bx7WIvAd5A/s1600/_MG_7843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EhUrYCCCCM/VWSsLvncYdI/AAAAAAAABaw/-bx7WIvAd5A/s640/_MG_7843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIzIQ7P7Xcw/VWSsMRIlKdI/AAAAAAAABa8/x1RALPk-wX8/s1600/_MG_7849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIzIQ7P7Xcw/VWSsMRIlKdI/AAAAAAAABa8/x1RALPk-wX8/s640/_MG_7849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qEJ4ZwHpcg/VWSsYUU6aRI/AAAAAAAABbE/LhvLrsSuoPI/s1600/_MG_7867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qEJ4ZwHpcg/VWSsYUU6aRI/AAAAAAAABbE/LhvLrsSuoPI/s640/_MG_7867.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EshpRbMKvYo/VWSsZXWO43I/AAAAAAAABbM/doqOWcvkct4/s1600/_MG_7886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EshpRbMKvYo/VWSsZXWO43I/AAAAAAAABbM/doqOWcvkct4/s640/_MG_7886.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2hc0v4Qv60/VWSsZaO6ilI/AAAAAAAABbQ/fbxL4rqquw4/s1600/_MG_7892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2hc0v4Qv60/VWSsZaO6ilI/AAAAAAAABbQ/fbxL4rqquw4/s640/_MG_7892.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4XKRx-Xvdg/VWSsoJdaRSI/AAAAAAAABb0/fxaU8c62bG4/s1600/_MG_7894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4XKRx-Xvdg/VWSsoJdaRSI/AAAAAAAABb0/fxaU8c62bG4/s640/_MG_7894.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COr4ewO6C-U/VWSsa1wMMCI/AAAAAAAABbc/tJu7e4PugIY/s1600/_MG_7902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COr4ewO6C-U/VWSsa1wMMCI/AAAAAAAABbc/tJu7e4PugIY/s640/_MG_7902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRceFUj-VKE/VWSsbvrCa-I/AAAAAAAABbg/SDFAx_VKxDo/s1600/_MG_7909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRceFUj-VKE/VWSsbvrCa-I/AAAAAAAABbg/SDFAx_VKxDo/s640/_MG_7909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yx-rJQ0tksk/VWSsbu-Iv-I/AAAAAAAABbk/jJCdANdHoR4/s1600/_MG_7941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yx-rJQ0tksk/VWSsbu-Iv-I/AAAAAAAABbk/jJCdANdHoR4/s640/_MG_7941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FS6CSrEvUwM/VWSs215YOeI/AAAAAAAABb8/rTqp_eWeEtQ/s1600/_MG_7946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FS6CSrEvUwM/VWSs215YOeI/AAAAAAAABb8/rTqp_eWeEtQ/s640/_MG_7946.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTuvVmXeM0k/VWSs3fY-pZI/AAAAAAAABcA/PNk3parfccw/s1600/_MG_7953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTuvVmXeM0k/VWSs3fY-pZI/AAAAAAAABcA/PNk3parfccw/s640/_MG_7953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItikQ_fT7jg/VWSs4Y6xB_I/AAAAAAAABcQ/6R4OPGTz5YQ/s1600/_MG_8000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItikQ_fT7jg/VWSs4Y6xB_I/AAAAAAAABcQ/6R4OPGTz5YQ/s640/_MG_8000.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHAItmmLH5M/VWSs-S63_GI/AAAAAAAABck/BT9E8tYsK2c/s1600/_MG_8002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHAItmmLH5M/VWSs-S63_GI/AAAAAAAABck/BT9E8tYsK2c/s640/_MG_8002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Cu5xbeAts/VWSs4sNdPzI/AAAAAAAABcU/s57byyxchtg/s1600/_MG_8006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Cu5xbeAts/VWSs4sNdPzI/AAAAAAAABcU/s57byyxchtg/s640/_MG_8006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BGZG6iSTS0/VWStHtte62I/AAAAAAAABcs/xEj_XVuA1aM/s1600/_MG_8015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BGZG6iSTS0/VWStHtte62I/AAAAAAAABcs/xEj_XVuA1aM/s640/_MG_8015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy7IiVbyLiE/VWStIshwSZI/AAAAAAAABc4/IyxGQ2xVHX0/s1600/_MG_8038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy7IiVbyLiE/VWStIshwSZI/AAAAAAAABc4/IyxGQ2xVHX0/s640/_MG_8038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAU0fdhX1YI/VWStIwaiNLI/AAAAAAAABc8/mXycQHCCJB8/s1600/_MG_8049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAU0fdhX1YI/VWStIwaiNLI/AAAAAAAABc8/mXycQHCCJB8/s640/_MG_8049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3f8GXXZKys/VWStJi2o9tI/AAAAAAAABdE/kobyeIezpBE/s1600/_MG_8055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3f8GXXZKys/VWStJi2o9tI/AAAAAAAABdE/kobyeIezpBE/s640/_MG_8055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khx7v6UHBm4/VWStnM-MJUI/AAAAAAAABdc/C4yx1fAqG_s/s1600/_MG_8103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khx7v6UHBm4/VWStnM-MJUI/AAAAAAAABdc/C4yx1fAqG_s/s640/_MG_8103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNIcLgCzUt0/VWStnbTSPPI/AAAAAAAABdg/9kBA1EICnXE/s1600/_MG_8108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNIcLgCzUt0/VWStnbTSPPI/AAAAAAAABdg/9kBA1EICnXE/s640/_MG_8108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MzJjPfhGNAk/VWStnhjapVI/AAAAAAAABdk/ZL6USB-POR4/s1600/_MG_8117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MzJjPfhGNAk/VWStnhjapVI/AAAAAAAABdk/ZL6USB-POR4/s640/_MG_8117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVfV4sFCwVE/VWStoP0nBfI/AAAAAAAABd8/N1vzV14rniE/s1600/_MG_8126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVfV4sFCwVE/VWStoP0nBfI/AAAAAAAABd8/N1vzV14rniE/s640/_MG_8126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OW8LVzuj08/VWSt1MPXRoI/AAAAAAAABeQ/e6q_Qx2_W98/s1600/_MG_8176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OW8LVzuj08/VWSt1MPXRoI/AAAAAAAABeQ/e6q_Qx2_W98/s640/_MG_8176.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ_ALO6go3A/VWSt1XzinTI/AAAAAAAABeU/csyms3wWSZ8/s1600/_MG_8182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ_ALO6go3A/VWSt1XzinTI/AAAAAAAABeU/csyms3wWSZ8/s640/_MG_8182.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1l172nDeWz8/VWSt05xMQ4I/AAAAAAAABeM/neXDb7wzuCc/s1600/_MG_8189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1l172nDeWz8/VWSt05xMQ4I/AAAAAAAABeM/neXDb7wzuCc/s640/_MG_8189.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6jDenLneos/VWSt1138R1I/AAAAAAAABeY/KHPXVHH7HG8/s1600/_MG_8191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6jDenLneos/VWSt1138R1I/AAAAAAAABeY/KHPXVHH7HG8/s640/_MG_8191.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xIEof7E1vo/VWSt2Bka9JI/AAAAAAAABew/6NFJKDAr_LA/s1600/_MG_8194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xIEof7E1vo/VWSt2Bka9JI/AAAAAAAABew/6NFJKDAr_LA/s640/_MG_8194.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_OPxW0vTg8/VWSt2mhTCiI/AAAAAAAABeg/JCEd0THfUVI/s1600/_MG_8202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_OPxW0vTg8/VWSt2mhTCiI/AAAAAAAABeg/JCEd0THfUVI/s640/_MG_8202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5xEPGYEQQ8/VWSt29me3eI/AAAAAAAABek/lO7EgZlf9ac/s1600/_MG_8206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5xEPGYEQQ8/VWSt29me3eI/AAAAAAAABek/lO7EgZlf9ac/s640/_MG_8206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fPiaQt4_WM/VWSuASVBLDI/AAAAAAAABfI/hKW3n5g5S88/s1600/_MG_8222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fPiaQt4_WM/VWSuASVBLDI/AAAAAAAABfI/hKW3n5g5S88/s640/_MG_8222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--c-ezs-kmFs/VWSuAbgq7aI/AAAAAAAABfM/fjahwkm8QDc/s1600/_MG_8259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--c-ezs-kmFs/VWSuAbgq7aI/AAAAAAAABfM/fjahwkm8QDc/s640/_MG_8259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymJ6cl8e0fg/VWSuAyH9VFI/AAAAAAAABfQ/XWaJuVPYuCM/s1600/_MG_8263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymJ6cl8e0fg/VWSuAyH9VFI/AAAAAAAABfQ/XWaJuVPYuCM/s640/_MG_8263.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOZ3XIX7VzQ/VWSuBQjxv4I/AAAAAAAABfY/PTFCRrnHMGw/s1600/_MG_8270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOZ3XIX7VzQ/VWSuBQjxv4I/AAAAAAAABfY/PTFCRrnHMGw/s640/_MG_8270.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHmtGxLwV5s/VWSuIldiZnI/AAAAAAAABf0/BL5yl4yBMCc/s1600/_MG_8280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHmtGxLwV5s/VWSuIldiZnI/AAAAAAAABf0/BL5yl4yBMCc/s640/_MG_8280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3ODKopEyXc/VWSuB6JM4HI/AAAAAAAABfc/HlhNhq3JkiM/s1600/_MG_8285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3ODKopEyXc/VWSuB6JM4HI/AAAAAAAABfc/HlhNhq3JkiM/s640/_MG_8285.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOVevnM8TSs/VWSuZTc_KVI/AAAAAAAABf8/4INoHOyybQE/s1600/_MG_8336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOVevnM8TSs/VWSuZTc_KVI/AAAAAAAABf8/4INoHOyybQE/s640/_MG_8336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RniRPhyMnzs/VWSuaTztL4I/AAAAAAAABgE/fIU9A3TZs2s/s1600/_MG_8348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RniRPhyMnzs/VWSuaTztL4I/AAAAAAAABgE/fIU9A3TZs2s/s640/_MG_8348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaWnXUO03_o/VWSuaZ7vZ2I/AAAAAAAABgI/79nqQRDw_XQ/s1600/_MG_8365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaWnXUO03_o/VWSuaZ7vZ2I/AAAAAAAABgI/79nqQRDw_XQ/s640/_MG_8365.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55DfesGLtPo/VWSuazAGSJI/AAAAAAAABgM/RwmKKdnx8xw/s1600/_MG_8374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55DfesGLtPo/VWSuazAGSJI/AAAAAAAABgM/RwmKKdnx8xw/s640/_MG_8374.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l22kn9qIUBA/VWSubeOFETI/AAAAAAAABgQ/WUT699Z8vTY/s1600/_MG_8376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l22kn9qIUBA/VWSubeOFETI/AAAAAAAABgQ/WUT699Z8vTY/s640/_MG_8376.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0QN5phRhd94/VWSubpPglpI/AAAAAAAABgU/LqWVQhUVqy8/s1600/_MG_8426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0QN5phRhd94/VWSubpPglpI/AAAAAAAABgU/LqWVQhUVqy8/s640/_MG_8426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxBghqhw_8I/VWSub4sZE3I/AAAAAAAABgo/HTst4nAOXCc/s1600/_MG_8439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxBghqhw_8I/VWSub4sZE3I/AAAAAAAABgo/HTst4nAOXCc/s640/_MG_8439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL4doUXzMUk/VWSucYjm9JI/AAAAAAAABgY/s80QjeSg4LA/s1600/_MG_8442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL4doUXzMUk/VWSucYjm9JI/AAAAAAAABgY/s80QjeSg4LA/s640/_MG_8442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-5188424139326468082015-05-24T10:12:00.000-07:002015-07-05T15:29:16.590-07:00The Hide, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYHavJtVZxY/VVpiYTUuNgI/AAAAAAAABQs/AU9Y4wgGdN8/s1600/_MG_6237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYHavJtVZxY/VVpiYTUuNgI/AAAAAAAABQs/AU9Y4wgGdN8/s640/_MG_6237.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant: "Hello!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Okay, so this is where the blog posts have the potential to get really boring. You see, I could tell you about how we got up really early and went for a drive, had a siesta, then went for another drive. I could write a really long list with lots and lots of commas (and I do like commas) with all the animals that we saw. But really, you just want to scroll down and see the photos (in fact you might already have done that).<br />
<br />
Before you do though, let me tell you just a couple of stories from our stay at The Hide in Hwange National Park.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
As the name suggests, 'The Hide' has a hide (actually two) that looks out
over water pan that elephants love to visit and we managed to score a most
amazing visit. We came down to the main building for dinner one night when a herd of elephant was drinking at the pan so we headed down into the hide to watch. They were pretty far off at this point, but there was also a smaller pan where a particular group of elephants apparently like to come. We were sitting there watching this group of elephants mucking around on the pan - a bull elephant, females and babies. The bull elephant was <i>huge</i>. And he knew we were there. He came right over to the hide, which has an open window at the front, and started sniffing around for us. His trunk came right in the window and I could have reached out and touched his knee. There were about ten of us in the hide and none of us were even breathing. I was trying to calculate how much damage a bull elephant would do if it climbed on top of the hide (which is a half-buried shipping container) but finally he just decided he'd rather we didn't watch, so he grabbed a vine that was growing on top of the hide with his trunk and pulled it down to block the viewing window, then he shuffled off back to the water and we all started breathing again.<br />
<br />
They also have a hide/treehouse called the Dove's Nest where you can spend the night. They drive you out there, it's in the middle of the park, no other buildings in sight. You climb three stories and they leave you there with no electricity and a walkie talkie in case you freak out and need to call them to come pick you up in the middle of the night, which people do. And the toilet is on the ground floor. I wasn't too clear on whether going to use the toilet during the night was strictly safe since they were pretty clear on the 'if you go out of this door you will die' so I just crossed my legs and poisoned my kidneys. Sounds delightful doesn't it? But when you wake up in the morning, and you watch jackals brushing through the long grass tinged with early morning golden light, it all seems kind of worthwhile.<br />
<br />
Two shout outs for The Hide - firstly, manager Leanne who loaned me clothing so I didn't have to wear the same two outfits over and over (and let me take them on to the next camp as well) as well as trying to follow up with the airline and find out where my bag was. Secondly, we had an amazing guide Daffy who understood, and shared, Will's <strike>obsession</strike> interest in birds and photography so would stop for every little bee-eater, knew what they all were and would drive around to get the best shot in the best light. Many thanks if you're reading this!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jemfZiIAGs/VVpiZLhTdoI/AAAAAAAABQk/9pwP1ll-Xw0/s1600/_MG_6274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jemfZiIAGs/VVpiZLhTdoI/AAAAAAAABQk/9pwP1ll-Xw0/s640/_MG_6274.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildebeest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gKPdhlzd5Z0/VVpiZQCrqpI/AAAAAAAABQo/1jYT0uWpcbg/s1600/_MG_6298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gKPdhlzd5Z0/VVpiZQCrqpI/AAAAAAAABQo/1jYT0uWpcbg/s640/_MG_6298.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D1N8W8e-9Xs/VVpibZAy5wI/AAAAAAAABQ4/IVz1XBvw9UY/s1600/_MG_6307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D1N8W8e-9Xs/VVpibZAy5wI/AAAAAAAABQ4/IVz1XBvw9UY/s640/_MG_6307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Kudu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPF8UIS-fnM/VVpideqHqTI/AAAAAAAABRA/ZM-tB3ifttw/s1600/_MG_6365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPF8UIS-fnM/VVpideqHqTI/AAAAAAAABRA/ZM-tB3ifttw/s640/_MG_6365.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Crowned Crane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpLfOPJS6xE/VVpjaOgl82I/AAAAAAAABSM/HrbTTIdd_so/s1600/_MG_6437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpLfOPJS6xE/VVpjaOgl82I/AAAAAAAABSM/HrbTTIdd_so/s640/_MG_6437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Go-away-bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_ej3l9JJWk/VVpihzhst3I/AAAAAAAABRQ/IUpM9r5ps_Y/s1600/_MG_6448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_ej3l9JJWk/VVpihzhst3I/AAAAAAAABRQ/IUpM9r5ps_Y/s640/_MG_6448.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giraffe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O-AhF-dS1c/VVpij_UXQ1I/AAAAAAAABRY/WY_b4nk2yRs/s1600/_MG_6451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O-AhF-dS1c/VVpij_UXQ1I/AAAAAAAABRY/WY_b4nk2yRs/s640/_MG_6451.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giraffe with Oxpeckers in flight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kv1QvhgFst8/VVpik70YEPI/AAAAAAAABRg/NEEU-2DJC3Y/s1600/_MG_6489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kv1QvhgFst8/VVpik70YEPI/AAAAAAAABRg/NEEU-2DJC3Y/s640/_MG_6489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impala stands his ground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvMmYXymw_M/VVpimLN3FqI/AAAAAAAABRo/8YO6fv3H83o/s1600/_MG_6494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvMmYXymw_M/VVpimLN3FqI/AAAAAAAABRo/8YO6fv3H83o/s640/_MG_6494.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the concession</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKzMFmXoKcA/VVpk18rGD0I/AAAAAAAABSY/l0YXmlnI3s0/s1600/_MG_6516-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKzMFmXoKcA/VVpk18rGD0I/AAAAAAAABSY/l0YXmlnI3s0/s640/_MG_6516-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoQgn1LM29g/VVpipUYlDuI/AAAAAAAABRw/tsMTw40-_Rc/s1600/_MG_6564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoQgn1LM29g/VVpipUYlDuI/AAAAAAAABRw/tsMTw40-_Rc/s640/_MG_6564.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Buffalo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDsHUdoDeVs/VVpir6McmqI/AAAAAAAABR4/8HYxkp98JwY/s1600/_MG_6594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDsHUdoDeVs/VVpir6McmqI/AAAAAAAABR4/8HYxkp98JwY/s640/_MG_6594.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Zebra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50m0re21iYA/VVpiukqsGfI/AAAAAAAABSA/T6etTRv0ekA/s1600/_MG_6609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50m0re21iYA/VVpiukqsGfI/AAAAAAAABSA/T6etTRv0ekA/s640/_MG_6609.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Crowned Crane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3npN07atjq0/VVplHmYQTMI/AAAAAAAABS4/cyCGQDfci6k/s1600/_MG_6707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3npN07atjq0/VVplHmYQTMI/AAAAAAAABS4/cyCGQDfci6k/s640/_MG_6707.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilac-breasted Roller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlZzVxZsewI/VVplIUaNXQI/AAAAAAAABS8/RREd6m03aWY/s1600/_MG_6720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlZzVxZsewI/VVplIUaNXQI/AAAAAAAABS8/RREd6m03aWY/s640/_MG_6720.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilac-breasted Roller in flight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-su1U0kavPvk/VVplLpFLv8I/AAAAAAAABTQ/9H8uMtqe6Fc/s1600/_MG_6767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-su1U0kavPvk/VVplLpFLv8I/AAAAAAAABTQ/9H8uMtqe6Fc/s640/_MG_6767.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible a Tawny Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXOuB-YoaXI/VVplNZgWgZI/AAAAAAAABTY/wWlnPsQiQvw/s1600/_MG_6824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXOuB-YoaXI/VVplNZgWgZI/AAAAAAAABTY/wWlnPsQiQvw/s640/_MG_6824.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Carmine Bee-eater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVR-2IfNRUg/VVplOfmEpYI/AAAAAAAABTg/baOjY9NOSUc/s1600/_MG_6841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVR-2IfNRUg/VVplOfmEpYI/AAAAAAAABTg/baOjY9NOSUc/s640/_MG_6841.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Roller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzK0HkmyjEY/VVpmJqT-BzI/AAAAAAAABT8/5d2x290SVdc/s1600/_MG_6857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzK0HkmyjEY/VVpmJqT-BzI/AAAAAAAABT8/5d2x290SVdc/s640/_MG_6857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvarsU9oBQU/VVplSNEskzI/AAAAAAAABTo/K90RdTeTgXQ/s1600/_MG_6886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvarsU9oBQU/VVplSNEskzI/AAAAAAAABTo/K90RdTeTgXQ/s640/_MG_6886.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vQBTvBK_jM/VVrsfLl8Z_I/AAAAAAAABWs/gqudwj2GDdo/s1600/_MG_6875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vQBTvBK_jM/VVrsfLl8Z_I/AAAAAAAABWs/gqudwj2GDdo/s640/_MG_6875.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9w5bUJCRNxI/VVpmZcESuhI/AAAAAAAABUU/hKQf6EF3Soo/s1600/_MG_6908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9w5bUJCRNxI/VVpmZcESuhI/AAAAAAAABUU/hKQf6EF3Soo/s640/_MG_6908.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OAh_AhVi7Y/VVpmW5aA2iI/AAAAAAAABUE/raJA19lNK9U/s1600/_MG_6932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OAh_AhVi7Y/VVpmW5aA2iI/AAAAAAAABUE/raJA19lNK9U/s640/_MG_6932.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JShLxCT1d-4/VVpmX5HoFbI/AAAAAAAABUM/rP4eWHLKaUk/s1600/_MG_6968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JShLxCT1d-4/VVpmX5HoFbI/AAAAAAAABUM/rP4eWHLKaUk/s640/_MG_6968.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Kite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--R7gcwHlVB4/VVpmdNkRbOI/AAAAAAAABUc/4QBSUDx_OTA/s1600/_MG_7000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--R7gcwHlVB4/VVpmdNkRbOI/AAAAAAAABUc/4QBSUDx_OTA/s640/_MG_7000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Kudu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXDG3XJgjgc/VVpmdgXFahI/AAAAAAAABUg/vi9JJh36R-U/s1600/_MG_7014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXDG3XJgjgc/VVpmdgXFahI/AAAAAAAABUg/vi9JJh36R-U/s640/_MG_7014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Kudu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vju8aSVzho8/VWDO8jCPG4I/AAAAAAAABXQ/j7pqdsu1LrQ/s1600/_MG_7015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vju8aSVzho8/VWDO8jCPG4I/AAAAAAAABXQ/j7pqdsu1LrQ/s640/_MG_7015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Kudu being rude</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rovxXZPazA/VVpmg-bDWII/AAAAAAAABUs/vgy_i8dQdrM/s1600/_MG_7093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rovxXZPazA/VVpmg-bDWII/AAAAAAAABUs/vgy_i8dQdrM/s640/_MG_7093.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big Lion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sT-ZGz10lY4/VVpmhpEfw3I/AAAAAAAABU0/ubs9lHS7qUE/s1600/_MG_7176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sT-ZGz10lY4/VVpmhpEfw3I/AAAAAAAABU0/ubs9lHS7qUE/s640/_MG_7176.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kori Bustard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9u2BV1bbThQ/VVpmkZAHIAI/AAAAAAAABU8/UDer6NZGWbY/s1600/_MG_7241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9u2BV1bbThQ/VVpmkZAHIAI/AAAAAAAABU8/UDer6NZGWbY/s640/_MG_7241.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSW25vq6nL8/VVpmmFpbOoI/AAAAAAAABVE/wFJyafQbt7A/s1600/_MG_7259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSW25vq6nL8/VVpmmFpbOoI/AAAAAAAABVE/wFJyafQbt7A/s640/_MG_7259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oX6eNWTTUfQ/VVpn3ydoJwI/AAAAAAAABWE/od1NrdDXNPs/s1600/_MG_7547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oX6eNWTTUfQ/VVpn3ydoJwI/AAAAAAAABWE/od1NrdDXNPs/s640/_MG_7547.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nNSnDV4HwM/VVpnHAsbxNI/AAAAAAAABVM/5gNd8h2K_V8/s1600/_MG_7383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nNSnDV4HwM/VVpnHAsbxNI/AAAAAAAABVM/5gNd8h2K_V8/s640/_MG_7383.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JWzrorf8cfY/VVpnIJETT5I/AAAAAAAABVU/xdUoLXbSoMI/s1600/_MG_7414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JWzrorf8cfY/VVpnIJETT5I/AAAAAAAABVU/xdUoLXbSoMI/s640/_MG_7414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJJsOwPXpHY/VVpnKcf-UsI/AAAAAAAABVc/RbooDRLCnKw/s1600/_MG_7423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJJsOwPXpHY/VVpnKcf-UsI/AAAAAAAABVc/RbooDRLCnKw/s640/_MG_7423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TuJFxBl8fvc/VVpnO73Ec8I/AAAAAAAABVk/OhnWCF0rWuo/s1600/_MG_7427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TuJFxBl8fvc/VVpnO73Ec8I/AAAAAAAABVk/OhnWCF0rWuo/s640/_MG_7427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEXHG_YR-BU/VVpnP-hAFxI/AAAAAAAABVs/T336_07c_Y0/s1600/_MG_7458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEXHG_YR-BU/VVpnP-hAFxI/AAAAAAAABVs/T336_07c_Y0/s640/_MG_7458.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterbuck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jBa6r11Iv00/VVpnTRQoPVI/AAAAAAAABV8/bnF5-X_YnxQ/s1600/_MG_7499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jBa6r11Iv00/VVpnTRQoPVI/AAAAAAAABV8/bnF5-X_YnxQ/s640/_MG_7499.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-naped Lark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBFkPNQf63M/VVrsh__bFPI/AAAAAAAABW0/6CC9eBDbAnA/s1600/_MG_7491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBFkPNQf63M/VVrsh__bFPI/AAAAAAAABW0/6CC9eBDbAnA/s640/_MG_7491.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-26994491520062801842015-05-17T13:15:00.004-07:002015-07-02T08:28:25.229-07:00Chundu Island, Zimbabwe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XePTnEduj7s/VVjvPU0HvvI/AAAAAAAABMA/LcDqgBu3zm4/s1600/_MG_5353.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XePTnEduj7s/VVjvPU0HvvI/AAAAAAAABMA/LcDqgBu3zm4/s640/_MG_5353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Chundu Island is a little (very little) island in the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. They run on solar power and tank water. They have no internet. There is apparently one spot where you can sometimes get phone reception if you hold your phone up in the air. And somehow, from this island, a lovely couple, one Zimbabwean, one originally British, run a lovely safari camp.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsrtYvbGZDQ/VVj0Y7lIp_I/AAAAAAAABP8/X7yu0knrS5Y/s1600/_MG_5224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsrtYvbGZDQ/VVj0Y7lIp_I/AAAAAAAABP8/X7yu0knrS5Y/s320/_MG_5224.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungry hungry (rogue) hippo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To get to the camp you drive for about 40 minutes to an hour from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, then you have to take a boat across the river. In the river, just where they cross over, there lives an irate bull hippopotamus who apparently habitually tries to attack the boat (which is really less a boat and more a raft I realise at this point). Welcome to safari!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ck-lo5wGI/VVjxGy_Si5I/AAAAAAAABPk/Km-ATMlVqDA/s1600/DSC00513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ck-lo5wGI/VVjxGy_Si5I/AAAAAAAABPk/Km-ATMlVqDA/s320/DSC00513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We stayed on the island for a couple of days, doing game drives on the mainland in the morning and game cruises on the river in the afternoons. There was one other couple staying on the island, some lovely South Africans on their honeymoon who we got along very well with. Turns out we had quite a bit in common with them, they were Christians too, which was really encouraging, especially hearing about their work at <a href="http://www.liv-village.com/" target="_blank">LIV Village</a>, but mostly Will and Rod bonded over being fellow bird-nerds and Ros and I indulged them. After a heavy day of safari, they would pull out the bird books and the photographs and start identifying the different species. You might think there's not much to this, but by thinking that you would just be exposing your ignorance! Sometimes, when it got particularly heated, Ros and I would get involved too. There was one kingfisher that I'm pretty sure we debated for at least 45 minutes. Did the brown on its belly extend all the way down? Did the grey on its head stop above the eye? Was there a band of white above the eye? (I don't know, is a band just like a stripe only fancy?) These are the questions that one must answer my friends! Must admit, I loved every minute. It was a bird lover's paradise. Kingfishers galore, African Fishing Eagles, ducks, heron, bee-eaters, cormorants and many more (I could name them all, I totally know what they all were now). Also hippos, crocodiles, some land mammals (including more baboons) and sunsets over the Zambezi River. Beautiful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKI2NYoXB5Y/VVjvMym5zaI/AAAAAAAABLo/giHH0p8-eXA/s1600/_MG_5237-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKI2NYoXB5Y/VVjvMym5zaI/AAAAAAAABLo/giHH0p8-eXA/s640/_MG_5237-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm clouds brewing over Zimbabwe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lcn-SZ-j2As/VVjzOjw2muI/AAAAAAAABPs/XKW5QZQpUmg/s1600/Chundu1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lcn-SZ-j2As/VVjzOjw2muI/AAAAAAAABPs/XKW5QZQpUmg/s640/Chundu1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret flock over the Zambezi (Jackie's photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8x8bUbo6uBo/VVjvQYR5TeI/AAAAAAAABMM/zNBv6eaNGF8/s1600/_MG_5360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8x8bUbo6uBo/VVjvQYR5TeI/AAAAAAAABMM/zNBv6eaNGF8/s640/_MG_5360.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uaRAxIq8lhc/VVjwYJ9_8II/AAAAAAAABPc/U0e9RuGJoXc/s1600/_MG_5375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uaRAxIq8lhc/VVjwYJ9_8II/AAAAAAAABPc/U0e9RuGJoXc/s640/_MG_5375.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giraffe first thing in the morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTrR7N3sIOM/VVjwXHCYb1I/AAAAAAAABPU/vRdT4nmKUyc/s1600/_MG_5418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTrR7N3sIOM/VVjwXHCYb1I/AAAAAAAABPU/vRdT4nmKUyc/s640/_MG_5418.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Woodland Kingfisher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6yhiRU4_sA/VVjvWQKn4wI/AAAAAAAABMk/hKf_2oWZtso/s1600/_MG_5429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6yhiRU4_sA/VVjvWQKn4wI/AAAAAAAABMk/hKf_2oWZtso/s640/_MG_5429.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQtsN-bjLoA/VVj0XsVjfHI/AAAAAAAABP0/i-q40p0R5v0/s1600/_MG_5499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQtsN-bjLoA/VVj0XsVjfHI/AAAAAAAABP0/i-q40p0R5v0/s640/_MG_5499.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawk Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-cOS7Ydc6M/VVjvcwLkNVI/AAAAAAAABM0/oJZN2J8v13o/s1600/_MG_5520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-cOS7Ydc6M/VVjvcwLkNVI/AAAAAAAABM0/oJZN2J8v13o/s640/_MG_5520.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steenbok</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7j-B49Tjw8/VVjvfkq9FEI/AAAAAAAABM8/ifHfCJbeqq0/s1600/_MG_5525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7j-B49Tjw8/VVjvfkq9FEI/AAAAAAAABM8/ifHfCJbeqq0/s640/_MG_5525.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baboons, mother and bub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGAeLqWqyWM/VVjvgkzQBZI/AAAAAAAABNE/1Xo0bpC-8Cw/s1600/_MG_5555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGAeLqWqyWM/VVjvgkzQBZI/AAAAAAAABNE/1Xo0bpC-8Cw/s640/_MG_5555.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard Buzzard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArOZI3g-WgQ/VVjvh6iZZiI/AAAAAAAABNM/klKEdCftp0k/s1600/_MG_5638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArOZI3g-WgQ/VVjvh6iZZiI/AAAAAAAABNM/klKEdCftp0k/s640/_MG_5638.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-fronted Bee-eater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p35n7TV8f-A/VVjvizjqxXI/AAAAAAAABNU/KC6WTAtIH0g/s1600/_MG_5682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p35n7TV8f-A/VVjvizjqxXI/AAAAAAAABNU/KC6WTAtIH0g/s640/_MG_5682.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VbZM46nqjk/VVjvj7CXx0I/AAAAAAAABNc/lXe4FCOkW80/s1600/_MG_5700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VbZM46nqjk/VVjvj7CXx0I/AAAAAAAABNc/lXe4FCOkW80/s640/_MG_5700.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0NgEQ3_N08/VVjvljKU8xI/AAAAAAAABNk/YJXlLCKh6iE/s1600/_MG_5759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0NgEQ3_N08/VVjvljKU8xI/AAAAAAAABNk/YJXlLCKh6iE/s640/_MG_5759.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glossy Ibis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gnn26_1grA/VVjvoOrB7GI/AAAAAAAABNs/1-h_ClKikUo/s1600/_MG_5785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gnn26_1grA/VVjvoOrB7GI/AAAAAAAABNs/1-h_ClKikUo/s640/_MG_5785.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knob-billed duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haqs__SeZu4/VVjvrbpU9AI/AAAAAAAABN0/FYCcAlWoTz0/s1600/_MG_5843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haqs__SeZu4/VVjvrbpU9AI/AAAAAAAABN0/FYCcAlWoTz0/s640/_MG_5843.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FchR-a1TWD4/VVjvt37jnuI/AAAAAAAABOE/eUoGeOlmHL4/s1600/_MG_5905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FchR-a1TWD4/VVjvt37jnuI/AAAAAAAABOE/eUoGeOlmHL4/s640/_MG_5905.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkbGNnDzxb0/VVjvx1POTzI/AAAAAAAABOU/YfUD5jApsFQ/s1600/_MG_6018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkbGNnDzxb0/VVjvx1POTzI/AAAAAAAABOU/YfUD5jApsFQ/s640/_MG_6018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Fish-Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryDa9W8KwlQ/VVjv0evHLmI/AAAAAAAABOc/I5hTs6kc1Po/s1600/_MG_6038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryDa9W8KwlQ/VVjv0evHLmI/AAAAAAAABOc/I5hTs6kc1Po/s640/_MG_6038.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Kingfisher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hx9MmqmdvAo/VVjv5wFw1XI/AAAAAAAABOs/l5QIybWkI_Q/s1600/_MG_6053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hx9MmqmdvAo/VVjv5wFw1XI/AAAAAAAABOs/l5QIybWkI_Q/s640/_MG_6053.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nile crocodile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cut8VU6puN4/VVjv8KpLE6I/AAAAAAAABO0/huiFu7etg0A/s1600/_MG_6121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cut8VU6puN4/VVjv8KpLE6I/AAAAAAAABO0/huiFu7etg0A/s640/_MG_6121.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey-headed Kingfisher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BuBG4QmenOc/VVjwAZT5ypI/AAAAAAAABPE/jATUBI1URF0/s1600/_MG_6166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BuBG4QmenOc/VVjwAZT5ypI/AAAAAAAABPE/jATUBI1URF0/s640/_MG_6166.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterbuck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzMIFRZ6y-8/VVjwC5bZ3sI/AAAAAAAABPM/K0sV8Y40Qmk/s1600/_MG_6195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzMIFRZ6y-8/VVjwC5bZ3sI/AAAAAAAABPM/K0sV8Y40Qmk/s640/_MG_6195.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Waterbuck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtIP90hqf-0/VVjv-Eu9jxI/AAAAAAAABO8/4JG1D2HFFsY/s1600/_MG_6153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtIP90hqf-0/VVjv-Eu9jxI/AAAAAAAABO8/4JG1D2HFFsY/s640/_MG_6153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-57454872830158659712015-05-16T14:03:00.001-07:002015-07-02T08:28:42.431-07:00Victoria Falls the First<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9d85sWVucpU/VVet6Ennc4I/AAAAAAAABLE/v2Xy6oGXVRs/s1600/DSC00478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9d85sWVucpU/VVet6Ennc4I/AAAAAAAABLE/v2Xy6oGXVRs/s640/DSC00478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUNg-dY7QoM/VVesbHcerZI/AAAAAAAABKQ/SdJG462jKRA/s1600/_MG_5066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUNg-dY7QoM/VVesbHcerZI/AAAAAAAABKQ/SdJG462jKRA/s320/_MG_5066.jpg" width="320" /></a>If you ever find yourself at Victoria Falls in Zambia in late February on a beautiful sunny day, and you see the men renting out raincoats and you think, 'That's silly, why would I need a raincoat? It's so sunny!' then you are a fool who deserves everything that you get. I rented a raincoat from them - I did pack a raincoat but then my bag didn't make it to Zambia so that was totally worthwhile - and it's a massive, made-of-some-kind-of-reinforced-canvas monstrosity poncho of a thing. Plus, you wear a plastic bag raincoat underneath. And you still get soaking, hair dripping down your back kind of wet, should have worn a shower cap and swimsuit kind of wet, glad I'm wearing Will's thongs (flip flops for the Australian-challenged) kind of wet (which meant Will didn't have thongs, which meant that he wore his hiking shoes which he tells me 'filled up with water'). There's a lot of water going over them there falls!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
One of the things I don't think people realise until they go to Victoria Falls is that while it is technically one set of falls, you don't just stand in one place and look at them, like you would at, say, Niagra Falls. It's 1,708m (5,604 ft) of falls, and you can walk the length of them. It's apparently also 108m tall, but when you have that much spray coming off the falls, you actually can't usually see down into the waterfall. We walked the length of it, taking photos as we went, until it was just too wet and we had to put cameras away. So keep in mind when you see the photos, it got even wetter than that! We also saw many people who thought that they could tough it out without a raincoat. Fools! So the falls are quite spectacular. We even saw places where the water from the waterfalls created its own rainbows. Very pretty. There is also a reasonable population of baboons that live in the fenced off area around the falls. Most of the baboons we saw in other places weren't too keen on humans and would skedaddle whenever one appeared. These ones, not so much. And some of them are big! At one point, Will foolishly put down his backpack and moved about two steps away to go and take a photo and a baboon came and stole his water bottle out of the pocket on the side! It withdrew about a metre or two and proceeded to try and chew the top off the bottle. Unsuccessfully I might add, because when we came back that way the bottle was lying there, still sealed. We did not reclaim it. Poor thirsty Will.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IpA6t5hgzI/VVeqd_poQPI/AAAAAAAABJU/iOqCznQ3B2g/s1600/Livingstone1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IpA6t5hgzI/VVeqd_poQPI/AAAAAAAABJU/iOqCznQ3B2g/s640/Livingstone1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thieving bastard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rest of our time in Livingstone was spent hanging out at the hostel, mostly making fruitless phone calls to try and find my luggage. Or out shopping at the one store in town that didn't just sell tourist clothes - a delightful establishment called Pep! Kind of an African Best and Less - so that I had some clean underwear, socks, shoes that weren't winter boots and a change of clothes. Since my baggage didn't turn up for another 10 days (spoiler alert!) I'm very glad we did. Can say that the staff at the Livingstone Backpackers were kind of amazing and did as much as they could to track down my bags. Then we were off on safari!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VjnmoQES7I/VVeq2zYmDZI/AAAAAAAABJc/pABT8y9CSO0/s1600/Livingstone2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VjnmoQES7I/VVeq2zYmDZI/AAAAAAAABJc/pABT8y9CSO0/s640/Livingstone2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RjXRbAxhgqg/VVesXlWeX-I/AAAAAAAABJ4/9vpR_SEfS7U/s1600/_MG_5049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RjXRbAxhgqg/VVesXlWeX-I/AAAAAAAABJ4/9vpR_SEfS7U/s640/_MG_5049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LxHJVDs88bw/VVesaV8XuXI/AAAAAAAABKI/ZfXP_05j3O0/s1600/_MG_5062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LxHJVDs88bw/VVesaV8XuXI/AAAAAAAABKI/ZfXP_05j3O0/s640/_MG_5062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vkcG_XB1LaY/VVesce7KcUI/AAAAAAAABKY/N9de95du2kc/s1600/_MG_5087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vkcG_XB1LaY/VVesce7KcUI/AAAAAAAABKY/N9de95du2kc/s640/_MG_5087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-u10vY_oZ4/VVesW4Z5nII/AAAAAAAABJw/Ax-AtnlTL3g/s1600/DSC00496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: lem; margin-right: lem;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-u10vY_oZ4/VVesW4Z5nII/AAAAAAAABJw/Ax-AtnlTL3g/s640/DSC00496.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3dRdGdix2s/VVeseBnHJ_I/AAAAAAAABKg/EeZCa7xcNPM/s1600/_MG_5139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3dRdGdix2s/VVeseBnHJ_I/AAAAAAAABKg/EeZCa7xcNPM/s640/_MG_5139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1dUiOG6eA8/VVesiF0ApSI/AAAAAAAABKo/yhPJOZ3zx8Y/s1600/_MG_5145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1dUiOG6eA8/VVesiF0ApSI/AAAAAAAABKo/yhPJOZ3zx8Y/s640/_MG_5145.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDgT5EhYTlw/VVesjXXe9xI/AAAAAAAABK0/Qhkiytx36M0/s1600/_MG_5175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDgT5EhYTlw/VVesjXXe9xI/AAAAAAAABK0/Qhkiytx36M0/s640/_MG_5175.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khdifeHQ8lw/VVesjLeXd9I/AAAAAAAABKw/-uZpR995x2E/s1600/_MG_5195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khdifeHQ8lw/VVesjLeXd9I/AAAAAAAABKw/-uZpR995x2E/s640/_MG_5195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-47038575006151828652015-05-15T14:25:00.000-07:002015-07-05T04:50:04.184-07:00New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIkKwGiVbo0/VU-Z7XEWHxI/AAAAAAAABGo/GFEV-owmqAU/s1600/_MG_4938_9_7_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIkKwGiVbo0/VU-Z7XEWHxI/AAAAAAAABGo/GFEV-owmqAU/s640/_MG_4938_9_7_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you're reading this, then you have almost made it to the end of the North American portion of our travels, as New York was our last stop before Africa. We had two days in the city and spent one of them sightseeing, then spent the other running general errands like posting home extra winter gear, getting haircuts and repacking for flying (had to find all those pesky gels and liquids that make their way into your handbag). I don't think you particularly need to hear about the errands day, but here's what we did with our sightseeing day (and the night before).<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbylB-rFCUw/VU-Zrg40wPI/AAAAAAAABFE/PNVjLuCmlzo/s1600/DSC00429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbylB-rFCUw/VU-Zrg40wPI/AAAAAAAABFE/PNVjLuCmlzo/s320/DSC00429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As we discovered when researching what to do in New York, the Guggenheim museum is 'pay-as-you-feel' on one evening a week, which happened to be the evening we arrived in town. So we rugged up and walked from our accommodation, which was just across Central Park (give or take a block or two) to the Guggenheim. It was all snowy and magical in Central Park - everything an evening in New York in winter should be. Then we got to the museum. Apparently some other people knew about this cheap evening thing as well. So we waited in the queue and were finally admitted. I don't want to whinge, but it was rubbish. Let me say, I love the Guggenheim and they have an amazing collection, almost none of which was on show when we were there. They had an exhibition by an artist whose name I have suppressed in a part of my brain where I keep things that I loathe. His idea of 'art' was to paint big date pictures. So, a big canvas with that day's date painted on it. Like Jan.4.1966. When he wasn't painting date pictures he was sending telegrams to random people with the message 'I am still alive' (oh but I wish he wasn't...) or postcards telling people what time he woke up that morning. These telegrams and postcards had all been collected and were on display. Alongside the date paintings of course. As art. In the Guggenheim. As a start to a career of dragging Will to art galleries, it was not promising. I had to do some pretty quick talking to stop him from pulling out of every plan we had for seeing art anywhere in the world. Thank goodness the Guggenheim is an interesting building so there was still something worth looking at.<br />
<br />
After that inauspicious start, we set out the next morning for the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met). Ahhh. Now that's what I call an art museum. An entire reconstructed Egyptian temple, some Tiffany's stained glass windows, a weapons and armour collection for Will, lots of lovely paintings and sculptures. Much better. A quick side trip to Times Square and the M&M shop then on to the New York Library where they have the original toys that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, looking a little worse for wear but I'm a total fan-girl so I don't care (they're hidden in the kid's section if you are looking for them), and they also have an absolutely kicking book shop with many books I now have to buy. We went to Grand Central Station which was indeed grand, central and a station - I am being flippant but it is a beautiful building with many photographic possibilities. And Will explored all of them. We went up the Empire State Building where Will again took many, many photos while I had a minor panic attack about heights, told myself to suck it up and go outside, did go outside, took some photos, then went inside and indulged my panic attack some more until we were on solid ground again. We went and saw the Flatiron Building and wandered down Fifth Avenue, saw Rockefeller Centre and generally meandered. That was our sightseeing day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZtxPVghLXc/VVZji6F6rCI/AAAAAAAABJA/55TvEuU6tkE/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZtxPVghLXc/VVZji6F6rCI/AAAAAAAABJA/55TvEuU6tkE/s320/IMG_1135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Two other very cool things that we did while we were there - those of you who know Will, also know that he is a swing dancer. I am not. We are totally star-crossed lovers but somehow we make it work. New York seemed like the kind of city which would have a reasonable swing dancing scene so Will did some research and found a club with a live swing band and a group dance lesson on a Tuesday night so off we went. There was quite a group of dancers there, and some keen amateurs like myself, and it was a generally fun-filled night. We ran into one of Will's old dance teachers from Melbourne (small world, the swing community) and met another dancer from Melbourne we didn't know but the swing community is very friendly. Will danced with some very good dancers from New York, including one lady who I would estimate was around the first time swing dancing became popular, and she could still cut a rug, and all while dressed to the vintage nines. I even danced a little bit too. The second cool thing that we did (which won't make much sense to the non-Christians in our readership) was go to Redeemer Church, which is headed up by Tim Keller, one of the leading theologians of our age. They have three congregations, and they never say which one Keller will be speaking at beforehand, so we chose on the basis of music style and we happened to hit the one where he was preaching. He's really good to listen to, and I know that in this day and age I could just podcast his sermons but I find it much easier to listen when I'm there in the moment. So that was cool too.<br />
<br />
And then we flew to Africa. The End (of North America)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FYcoo8rw8E/VU-ZrisbJNI/AAAAAAAABFI/5YFIhl3PLbU/s1600/DSC00431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FYcoo8rw8E/VU-ZrisbJNI/AAAAAAAABFI/5YFIhl3PLbU/s640/DSC00431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf7E6afkFyc/VU-ZzAwHBeI/AAAAAAAABGM/A_FT4xXH27Y/s1600/DSC00436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf7E6afkFyc/VU-ZzAwHBeI/AAAAAAAABGM/A_FT4xXH27Y/s640/DSC00436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pY16VROdYPM/VU-Zjf8dRMI/AAAAAAAABE0/_31s012dvBI/s1600/IMG_20150221_182812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pY16VROdYPM/VU-Zjf8dRMI/AAAAAAAABE0/_31s012dvBI/s640/IMG_20150221_182812.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN55zIkMppI/VU-ZsnvYXcI/AAAAAAAABFM/7rt_6JXYmoQ/s1600/DSC00439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN55zIkMppI/VU-ZsnvYXcI/AAAAAAAABFM/7rt_6JXYmoQ/s640/DSC00439.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMtzjfiNXVI/VU-ZtK3pyYI/AAAAAAAABFU/SuaxDCskQLg/s1600/DSC00440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMtzjfiNXVI/VU-ZtK3pyYI/AAAAAAAABFU/SuaxDCskQLg/s640/DSC00440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zusbLAgkEc/VU-ZtdMh1II/AAAAAAAABFY/WCsaFkVuj24/s1600/DSC00456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zusbLAgkEc/VU-ZtdMh1II/AAAAAAAABFY/WCsaFkVuj24/s640/DSC00456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-je22uVT8qSo/VU-ZjB_7u5I/AAAAAAAABE4/NgDolYUJVkc/s1600/IMG_20150222_112231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-je22uVT8qSo/VU-ZjB_7u5I/AAAAAAAABE4/NgDolYUJVkc/s640/IMG_20150222_112231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJLnCV3k6fc/VU-ZuHA7_1I/AAAAAAAABFg/7twx-qQZisU/s1600/DSC00458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJLnCV3k6fc/VU-ZuHA7_1I/AAAAAAAABFg/7twx-qQZisU/s640/DSC00458.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sXm7AOrykU/VU-ZujZ2MVI/AAAAAAAABFk/5DWBzsSFsms/s1600/DSC00463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sXm7AOrykU/VU-ZujZ2MVI/AAAAAAAABFk/5DWBzsSFsms/s640/DSC00463.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fn_RDK22Z08/VU-Zvp6cApI/AAAAAAAABFw/eNyLfZ0aAMg/s1600/DSC00466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fn_RDK22Z08/VU-Zvp6cApI/AAAAAAAABFw/eNyLfZ0aAMg/s640/DSC00466.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGr3PybaBzM/VU-ZvgN5t4I/AAAAAAAABFs/BlDT_J5XyXM/s1600/DSC00469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGr3PybaBzM/VU-ZvgN5t4I/AAAAAAAABFs/BlDT_J5XyXM/s640/DSC00469.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3WYQaDB6l4/VU-Z3ATlKoI/AAAAAAAABGU/OClMUkGnPY8/s1600/IMG_20150223_112423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3WYQaDB6l4/VU-Z3ATlKoI/AAAAAAAABGU/OClMUkGnPY8/s640/IMG_20150223_112423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYhFqjwPhzE/VU-Z6SNourI/AAAAAAAABGc/hj9AXmbIP0s/s1600/_MG_4901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYhFqjwPhzE/VU-Z6SNourI/AAAAAAAABGc/hj9AXmbIP0s/s640/_MG_4901.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isf8Hm_djH4/VU-Z6cC0OII/AAAAAAAABHU/PKYzmzHt9YU/s1600/_MG_4905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isf8Hm_djH4/VU-Z6cC0OII/AAAAAAAABHU/PKYzmzHt9YU/s640/_MG_4905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCQu7g-c0mg/VU-Z6WbE2FI/AAAAAAAABGg/n1BIk7E6EZw/s1600/_MG_4918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCQu7g-c0mg/VU-Z6WbE2FI/AAAAAAAABGg/n1BIk7E6EZw/s640/_MG_4918.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzmQHvrLyoQ/VU-Z71tVXkI/AAAAAAAABGw/uGLa7y4Habk/s1600/_MG_4984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzmQHvrLyoQ/VU-Z71tVXkI/AAAAAAAABGw/uGLa7y4Habk/s640/_MG_4984.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ibJmmEJeI/VU-Z8MNXXkI/AAAAAAAABG0/4z8WuOKLJ2c/s1600/_MG_5002_3_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ibJmmEJeI/VU-Z8MNXXkI/AAAAAAAABG0/4z8WuOKLJ2c/s640/_MG_5002_3_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oc8Dvp2aCxo/VU-Z8658goI/AAAAAAAABG8/aiWq3VXInhU/s1600/_MG_5014_HDRPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oc8Dvp2aCxo/VU-Z8658goI/AAAAAAAABG8/aiWq3VXInhU/s640/_MG_5014_HDRPM.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-66658534568816465982015-05-10T12:42:00.000-07:002015-07-05T04:51:02.649-07:00Boston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bItEoFT02U/VU-QCrkrKBI/AAAAAAAABDQ/q-h4lQkKl8E/s1600/DSC00405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bItEoFT02U/VU-QCrkrKBI/AAAAAAAABDQ/q-h4lQkKl8E/s640/DSC00405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Boston is <i>very</i> proud of its history, particularly its history as regards the American Revolution, so not surprisingly most of what we did while we were there related to that. The rest of what we did involved snowbanks taller than me, but that was the less fun part of the visit so we won't talk about that (just a lot of frustration involving traffic, no carparks and general difficulty getting around). Here's the highlights of what we did in Boston.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzMk2lNXWHg/VU-P_mjnHjI/AAAAAAAABC4/Fqj2x_IrUOE/s1600/IMG_20150219_111425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzMk2lNXWHg/VU-P_mjnHjI/AAAAAAAABC4/Fqj2x_IrUOE/s320/IMG_20150219_111425.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
We went to Salem on our first day, since we were returning the car that evening. I've been a little obsessed with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials" target="_blank">Salem Witch Trials </a>since I studied them for a whole semester at university during my arts degree (plus, <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/05/nova-scotia-halifax-peggys-cove-and.html">as we've established</a>, I've a reasonably high level of interest in the depressing and macarbe). To be honest, the museum (which is in an old church, the Puritans must be turning in their graves) was a little disappointing - they had an impressive-for-what-it-was-I-suppose overview of the history of the trials, involving a lot of papier mache people (and the devil!) and dramatic music, and another room explaining the history of people's perceptions of witchcraft up to the current practice of Wicca. There wasn't much in terms of analysing the possible causes of the accusations, which is what I always find interesting - what was it that made these people say things that they knew would get their neighbours killed? - and what there was was superficial at best. Plus, I thought they (as in Americans) let themselves off pretty lightly in terms of culpability. My impression was that they were saying 'Yes, during the Salem Witch Trials we did some terrible things for terrible reasons, but look over there! - the Europeans were much, much worse' which may be true, but by the time America was being colonised, witch hunts were in decline in Europe and besides, blame shifting is never pretty. Still, the town of Salem retains many old buildings, which I found interesting, a fascination with witches that results in a lot of New Age stores selling crystals and herbs, which I found less interesting, and a nice harbour. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ-q4tBZRQ4/VU-QGzvmHXI/AAAAAAAABEU/IOrcQmGPLAE/s1600/DSC00427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ-q4tBZRQ4/VU-QGzvmHXI/AAAAAAAABEU/IOrcQmGPLAE/s320/DSC00427.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Revere's House - with snowbanks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, in Boston proper, Boston's pride in its history makes deciding what to do in the city remarkably easy. They have a self-guided walking tour called the Freedom Trail (which I at first confused with the Underground Railroad, which is a totally different thing, but related to the concept of freedom and with America so I think my confusion was justified). The Boston Freedom Trail takes you to all the important buildings related to the American Revolution, be they the Massachusetts State House with its shiny golden dome, beautiful murals and impressively large portrait of Abraham Lincoln, churches where revolutionaries congregated and spoke, Paul Revere's house various important peoples' graves and the site of the Boston Massacre (which I only learned about on the tour). But the best thing about the Freedom Trail, and I don't understand why more cities don't do this, it that the entire course of the walk is picked out in red on the pavements with bronze plaques when you're supposed to stop. Trying to navigate in an unknown city with instructions like 'Turn left at Such-and-such Street' can be really hard, depending on how well sign posted the city is. While the snow meant we couldn't always see the path, it definitely kept us on track more than once and helped us know when to stop. A good way to spend a few days. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NexNlf17QJc/VU-P_uILj4I/AAAAAAAABC0/xXQRpRnu3AE/s1600/IMG_20150219_131935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NexNlf17QJc/VU-P_uILj4I/AAAAAAAABC0/xXQRpRnu3AE/s640/IMG_20150219_131935.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwu2L00tAY4/VU-uCyay9xI/AAAAAAAABH8/WQqNAsXsGtU/s1600/Boston3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwu2L00tAY4/VU-uCyay9xI/AAAAAAAABH8/WQqNAsXsGtU/s640/Boston3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uv1ONusvJ18/VU-uDQn_XqI/AAAAAAAABIE/QV7MxZlrc-M/s1600/Boston4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uv1ONusvJ18/VU-uDQn_XqI/AAAAAAAABIE/QV7MxZlrc-M/s640/Boston4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5ydEEI4BGI/VU-uCibqQXI/AAAAAAAABH4/xUeS7TdIwIs/s1600/Boston5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5ydEEI4BGI/VU-uCibqQXI/AAAAAAAABH4/xUeS7TdIwIs/s640/Boston5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tmwR4pZVm4/VU-QDW5g8dI/AAAAAAAABEc/oYwaFRaVM_I/s1600/DSC00413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tmwR4pZVm4/VU-QDW5g8dI/AAAAAAAABEc/oYwaFRaVM_I/s640/DSC00413.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmasJ9S0H7E/VU-QFFJEI4I/AAAAAAAABDs/hjmm_r_Gb0o/s1600/DSC00417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmasJ9S0H7E/VU-QFFJEI4I/AAAAAAAABDs/hjmm_r_Gb0o/s640/DSC00417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKch1FT8GEY/VU-QGMB1VRI/AAAAAAAABD4/WcxQUEvk5is/s1600/DSC00422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKch1FT8GEY/VU-QGMB1VRI/AAAAAAAABD4/WcxQUEvk5is/s640/DSC00422.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEpsVmdePIU/VU-QGQgJaDI/AAAAAAAABD8/uLMSGEu1j-Y/s1600/DSC00424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEpsVmdePIU/VU-QGQgJaDI/AAAAAAAABD8/uLMSGEu1j-Y/s640/DSC00424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBcsQDQ-wPU/VU-bMXWuGmI/AAAAAAAABHg/qOcsE3WmwsE/s1600/Boston1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBcsQDQ-wPU/VU-bMXWuGmI/AAAAAAAABHg/qOcsE3WmwsE/s640/Boston1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSGDYAWEHtg/VU-bMTzJe8I/AAAAAAAABHk/P2Fq5XbX0dQ/s1600/Boston2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSGDYAWEHtg/VU-bMTzJe8I/AAAAAAAABHk/P2Fq5XbX0dQ/s640/Boston2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-16847284984581627842015-05-10T09:16:00.000-07:002015-07-05T04:51:44.298-07:00Where in the world: Blog Map!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XD0KK_T32Lc/VU-LNHrJ5bI/AAAAAAAABCg/RwZDQicHtEg/s1600/_MG_6985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XD0KK_T32Lc/VU-LNHrJ5bI/AAAAAAAABCg/RwZDQicHtEg/s320/_MG_6985.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Ok, so we are actually in Trondheim in Norway staying with friends when we started trying to figure out just how far we had driven in North America which is apparently pretty close to the distance from Melbourne to Trondheim! That's a long way.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="customImage">
Anyway, that conversation got us thinking that we should have a map on the blog showing where we've been that is located in the side bar on the right (and in larger form below). There are also links to the blogs for locations we have written so far if you want to browse geographically rather than chronologically. To get to the blog just click on the red location pin and then on the link in the description. The little map in the side bar is not the most usable size but you can always open it in another window using the full screen button (that looks like this - <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Zk6M-tCqNA/VU-L9_PaBdI/AAAAAAAABCo/fx4FxjU99rE/s1600/FullScreen1.gif" />) or use the map in this post.</div>
<br />
<iframe height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=z4KLlCLQ_Mj0.kPLiVWk1r7A4" width="640"></iframe>
Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-9529793479613576572015-05-09T10:51:00.000-07:002015-07-02T08:32:22.818-07:00Nova Scotia - Halifax, Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAhg3b-phYk/VUt7NOBSAGI/AAAAAAAABAU/KGwJCGc-awg/s1600/_MG_4858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAhg3b-phYk/VUt7NOBSAGI/AAAAAAAABAU/KGwJCGc-awg/s640/_MG_4858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you read the last post, you know that we had to skedaddle from Prince Edward Island because there was a storm coming in. This meant that we spent a day in hibernation in Halifax, Nova Scotia while some kind of horrible rain/snow hybrid fell. However, we did have to eat, so we ordered Chinese food from a local takeaway and then went walking to collect it (they normally deliver but couldn't because their driver hadn't made it back from one of his deliveries...). It's only a couple of blocks away, we thought, how bad can it be (and what choice do we have)? Turns out, not so easy. Let me tell you about what happens when it rains on snowbanks (Canadians and other people used to snowy winters, you can probably skip to the next paragraph). So it snows. Unless the weather clears enough for someone to come out and clean it up, you now have a layer of snow on the roads and the pavements - plus gargantuan snow banks everywhere they don't need to clear. Then it warms up enough for it to rain. The rain and the melty snow make puddles in the still frozen snow. The snow gets churned up all day by people walking by and the rain falling on it, so when night comes and it is cold enough to freeze again, it tends to freeze in horrible tyre-rut type formations, rather than a smooth walking surface. Put enough pressure on the surface (say, a human being walking on it) and the surface breaks and you find your feet in freezing cold puddles of water. So we ever so gingerly made our way (uphill of course, in the dark and walking in the middle of the road because it was the clearest) to get our Chinese. Bit of an adventure to say the least!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The following day, having survived the getting Chinese takeaway challenge, the roads were clear enough for a bit of a drive. We headed off to Peggy's Cove, a little fishing village and also home of the '<a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/04/quebec-city.html">world's most photographed lighthouse</a>'. There was lots of snow, of course, but also a glaze of ice over everything, like icing. You can't really see it in the photos, it being clear and all, but it was spectacular. We visited Peggy's Cove which was completely closed for the winter, but we did see the lighthouse at least and took some 'quaint fishing village in the snow' photos. We also went to Lunenburg which is UNESCO listed as a surviving example of British colonial settlement. It was a pretty town, but again, pretty much closed for the winter.<br />
<br />
The next day we actually had to spend in Halifax itself. We wandered the harbourside until we were almost frozen, found a <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/02/quick-tips-coffee-and-tea.html">good coffee shop</a> (another one! We were on a roll!) called Two If By Sea (very hipster name, pretty sure the barista had facial hair and piercings, hence the good coffee) then went to the Halifax Maritime Museum. I am my father's daughter, so I've spent some time in maritime museums, usually not of my own free will. This one was actually really interesting! They had displays about the Arctic conveys during World War II, which Will particularly found interesting. I was more into two specific sections they had - one on Titanic and one on the Halifax disaster. Halifax was the closest port city to where the Titanic sank, so a lot of artifacts washed ashore there, and the rescue missions launched from there too. The Halifax disaster happened during World War I, when a munitions ship exploded in Halifax Harbour - the worst man-made explosion before Hiroshima. There's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tU1CrXY-E&index=40&list=PL1848FF9428CA9A4A" target="_blank">Canadian Heritage ad </a>about it that makes me choke up every. single. time. (click the link, I defy you to watch it dry-eyed). There was a large section with personal stories and belongings from victims of the disaster. I find all that stuff probably a little too interesting to be honest, but I think that's on a very human spectrum of interest we have in depressing events - otherwise why would this be the largest section in the museum?<br />
<br />
All in all, I think I would have preferred Nova Scotia when the weather was a little better. Oh well, add to the list of places I need to come back to!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtfKUKPV-J0/VU5I43ocDTI/AAAAAAAABB0/zRZQ-_O7eoI/s1600/_MG_4824-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtfKUKPV-J0/VU5I43ocDTI/AAAAAAAABB0/zRZQ-_O7eoI/s640/_MG_4824-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2OdRXI4uuo/VUt7L1a8Y4I/AAAAAAAAA_4/rzeoANhVPTE/s1600/_MG_4844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2OdRXI4uuo/VUt7L1a8Y4I/AAAAAAAAA_4/rzeoANhVPTE/s640/_MG_4844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lo0mj05aV3o/VUt7NtDoOsI/AAAAAAAABAQ/rvurGfMbM80/s1600/_MG_4868-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lo0mj05aV3o/VUt7NtDoOsI/AAAAAAAABAQ/rvurGfMbM80/s640/_MG_4868-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JwIs6r-Fvc0/VUt7wyeNI-I/AAAAAAAABA4/8AU3nPeLfpc/s1600/_MG_4873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JwIs6r-Fvc0/VUt7wyeNI-I/AAAAAAAABA4/8AU3nPeLfpc/s640/_MG_4873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlSueeDmz5Y/VUt7Po66m2I/AAAAAAAABAs/VHiql2u9hC0/s1600/_MG_4881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlSueeDmz5Y/VUt7Po66m2I/AAAAAAAABAs/VHiql2u9hC0/s640/_MG_4881.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3z2OkTZPbOI/VU5GnhTTmvI/AAAAAAAABBg/ocJMnC2ynbg/s1600/P1190953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3z2OkTZPbOI/VU5GnhTTmvI/AAAAAAAABBg/ocJMnC2ynbg/s640/P1190953.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSVU7JT8t6w/VU5Gm0GZQ1I/AAAAAAAABBU/xDBbB4ZoUiU/s1600/P1190954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSVU7JT8t6w/VU5Gm0GZQ1I/AAAAAAAABBU/xDBbB4ZoUiU/s640/P1190954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHF41dh4IHU/VUt7xV4c1EI/AAAAAAAABA8/9nzhlM0zcvc/s1600/_MG_4895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHF41dh4IHU/VUt7xV4c1EI/AAAAAAAABA8/9nzhlM0zcvc/s640/_MG_4895.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Jacqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17554153511552205767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-39149866031632765932015-04-29T12:25:00.000-07:002015-07-02T08:33:16.182-07:00Prince Edward Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GbRh7Jeq_A/VT3f5LJHtdI/AAAAAAAAA9E/COqDrAZWbE8/s1600/_MG_4654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GbRh7Jeq_A/VT3f5LJHtdI/AAAAAAAAA9E/COqDrAZWbE8/s1600/_MG_4654.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Oh how do I love thee Prince Edward Island! I have dreamed of your gilded shores since first reading Anne of Green Gables as a girl and despite your potential busloads of Anne-obsessed tourists I have longed to see you. Turns out, winter keeps the busloads away but does not diminish the joys of Prince Edward Island at all. Green Gables itself is closed, but you can go in guerrilla style (if the PEI Tourist Board calls, it wasn't me...) Unfortunately, the storm to end all storms was descending on Prince Edward Island when we were supposed to be there. After some anxious discussion about whether to cancel and go to Nova Scotia earlier, we decided instead to cut PEI short (so sad) so we had one night, then one day to cram every single PEI thing into before we fled the island in the afternoon. Good thing we did too, they were apparently digging themselves out for a week and we would have been completely stuck. Okay, so maybe that wouldn't have been such a bad thing except we had a schedule to stick to!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
But first, the place I know you've all been longing to hear about, which we visited on the way to PEI, HARTLAND, NEW BRUNSWICK! I know, I know, it's on all of your bucket lists. I mean, who doesn't long in the depths of their hearts to see the longest covered bridge in the world??? It must give Vermont the pip to know that it's in Canada. We dutifully stopped, took a few photos, drove through it and then drove on. Cross that one off the list.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4u46sGryu90/VUDxwG4LRvI/AAAAAAAAA-8/9rEQ1qBbC1U/s1600/_MG_4517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4u46sGryu90/VUDxwG4LRvI/AAAAAAAAA-8/9rEQ1qBbC1U/s1600/_MG_4517.jpg" height="262" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The world's longest covered bridge! So exciting!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UhpaG2AyXEM/VT3XtsXBOYI/AAAAAAAAA6k/LmTWNDO7I-8/s1600/_MG_4526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UhpaG2AyXEM/VT3XtsXBOYI/AAAAAAAAA6k/LmTWNDO7I-8/s1600/_MG_4526.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elwood Heritage Inn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On to Prince Edward Island. We stayed in Charlottetown in <i>the</i> most delightful bed and breakfast (the Elmwood Heritage Inn, shameless plug, but not for my benefit) run by a lovely couple and filled to the brim with antiques. I don't know what Jay puts in his scrambled eggs but they were the most delicious thing I've ever tasted (okay, exaggeration, but certainly the most delicious scrambled eggs). They also suggested great restaurants in the area, and we went to a place called Claddagh Oyster House which had an oyster menu that actually listed exactly which bay on PEI the oyster was from and tasting notes for each type, rather like wine. Delicious. <br />
<br />
Okay, so as I said, we then had to do everything on PEI in one day before driving off the island at a reasonable hour to (a) avoid the apocalyptic storm that was coming and (b) find somewhere else to sleep that night. The PEI Tourism website had a number of circuit drives of the island, so we mostly followed those. They are very well signposted on the roads, as long as the signs weren't covered by snow. There were lighthouses and beaches (or so the signs said, all we saw was ice and snow as far as the eye could see and some fantastically ironic signs) and birds and rivers and bridges and farms and fishing villages (we even found some where the oysters came from). There was Green Gables! It's closed in the winter and they must take the sign down or something (to stop rogue tourists who want to go in the wrong season perhaps) because we drove past it about four times. We were on our last, 'we give up after this' pass when we finally found it. The gate was open and the driveway was ploughed, so they must really want people to still visit, right? We parked the car outside the visitor centre (pretty sure you can't do that in summer) and trekked off through the snow. The house was smaller than I expected, as so many things are, but lovely nonetheless. We snapped a few furtive photos, made our way to the barn, I had some Anne reminiscing moments and we moved on. Totally worth it.Then we sadly had to leave the island behind, and headed off in the direction of Nova Scotia.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8DWQayMAkI/VT3XypeV6eI/AAAAAAAAA7M/zI2EoUIFSvk/s1600/_MG_4559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8DWQayMAkI/VT3XypeV6eI/AAAAAAAAA7M/zI2EoUIFSvk/s1600/_MG_4559.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSojNaK0HEM/VUEtXbUaomI/AAAAAAAAA_g/M69V3p5TLF8/s1600/PEI1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSojNaK0HEM/VUEtXbUaomI/AAAAAAAAA_g/M69V3p5TLF8/s1600/PEI1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqzvmTPRkZw/VT3Xyma670I/AAAAAAAAA7U/_KdlS82OuXg/s1600/_MG_4584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqzvmTPRkZw/VT3Xyma670I/AAAAAAAAA7U/_KdlS82OuXg/s1600/_MG_4584.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs2E-_3M0Wo/VT3Xzzv6PQI/AAAAAAAAA7g/0shXhA78QDo/s1600/_MG_4592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs2E-_3M0Wo/VT3Xzzv6PQI/AAAAAAAAA7g/0shXhA78QDo/s1600/_MG_4592.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCHsbbkp0pM/VT3X0EdoB8I/AAAAAAAAA7c/Zk_oU0F80ks/s1600/_MG_4596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCHsbbkp0pM/VT3X0EdoB8I/AAAAAAAAA7c/Zk_oU0F80ks/s1600/_MG_4596.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_VXhuPjnyV8/VT3f1j86KbI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/-QnY1rkkBz0/s1600/_MG_4627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_VXhuPjnyV8/VT3f1j86KbI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/-QnY1rkkBz0/s1600/_MG_4627.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PEI's amazing ocean beaches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSy4v_Yzafo/VT3f18O82bI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/rPQYi6cZqJ8/s1600/_MG_4628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSy4v_Yzafo/VT3f18O82bI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/rPQYi6cZqJ8/s1600/_MG_4628.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5pGQdl_5BZo/VT3f1XhF0KI/AAAAAAAAA8M/tShrGaMQMmY/s1600/_MG_4630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5pGQdl_5BZo/VT3f1XhF0KI/AAAAAAAAA8M/tShrGaMQMmY/s1600/_MG_4630.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf conditions?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_eY18R-ErCE/VT3f2D9rNRI/AAAAAAAAA9o/Dhh1LpfRLgw/s1600/_MG_4633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_eY18R-ErCE/VT3f2D9rNRI/AAAAAAAAA9o/Dhh1LpfRLgw/s1600/_MG_4633.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijfrE6qfsf8/VT3f3N08taI/AAAAAAAAA8s/PmICbVTAcdg/s1600/_MG_4643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijfrE6qfsf8/VT3f3N08taI/AAAAAAAAA8s/PmICbVTAcdg/s1600/_MG_4643.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46FXkGoKdYU/VT3f3md04JI/AAAAAAAAA8o/gTuyqeRgEIk/s1600/_MG_4646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46FXkGoKdYU/VT3f3md04JI/AAAAAAAAA8o/gTuyqeRgEIk/s1600/_MG_4646.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0uxV0yEiDU/VT3f4u-Y1EI/AAAAAAAAA80/U-VLl6ESgzg/s1600/_MG_4649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0uxV0yEiDU/VT3f4u-Y1EI/AAAAAAAAA80/U-VLl6ESgzg/s1600/_MG_4649.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mjJLTySo98/VT3f5r_Zj8I/AAAAAAAAA9A/bxjvjOx9N3E/s1600/_MG_4656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mjJLTySo98/VT3f5r_Zj8I/AAAAAAAAA9A/bxjvjOx9N3E/s1600/_MG_4656.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Gables!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR5J7O-xCEQ/VT3f6np0u0I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/vU6WP2nVmPU/s1600/_MG_4712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR5J7O-xCEQ/VT3f6np0u0I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/vU6WP2nVmPU/s1600/_MG_4712.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa_De6ZOfEY/VUDzcifby5I/AAAAAAAAA_I/wvLQsKkxrKk/s1600/_MG_4680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa_De6ZOfEY/VUDzcifby5I/AAAAAAAAA_I/wvLQsKkxrKk/s1600/_MG_4680.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjHqCzt4djk/VT3f9AmcZrI/AAAAAAAAA90/onE36VR0kRY/s1600/_MG_4741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjHqCzt4djk/VT3f9AmcZrI/AAAAAAAAA90/onE36VR0kRY/s1600/_MG_4741.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2knYoObaAnk/VT3f9mfLxyI/AAAAAAAAA94/vSdzQvIuC9Q/s1600/_MG_4747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2knYoObaAnk/VT3f9mfLxyI/AAAAAAAAA94/vSdzQvIuC9Q/s1600/_MG_4747.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUVpuooIp0U/VUEtO4OeLqI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/2gAb9oKLalg/s1600/PEI2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUVpuooIp0U/VUEtO4OeLqI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/2gAb9oKLalg/s1600/PEI2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell Anne, we'll visit again some time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586748923423310440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-50146487272920270622015-04-26T11:02:00.001-07:002015-07-02T08:33:59.909-07:00Quebec City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1O8lDjuuVE/VT0iQemG03I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/rmgb0eAlfqQ/s1600/_MG_4357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1O8lDjuuVE/VT0iQemG03I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/rmgb0eAlfqQ/s1600/_MG_4357.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
After the terrors of a very cold and snowy Montreal, we came up with a cunning plan. The only plan that tourists in a cold city can come up with. When walking around town, one must stop constantly for food. It's expensive, and hard on the waistline, but it's pretty much the only way you can linger indoors in warm places (art galleries and museums excepted - though they're not always warm). So I came up with a walking tour of Quebec City which included multiple coffee/ hot chocolate/ snack stops. Luckily, though it was still cold as a frozen-over version of hell, it was sunny in Quebec City when we were there too. I always think everything is easier to cope with when the sun is out, even the cold. Another advantage Quebec City has over Montreal is that Quebec Old Town is quite compact and easy to walk around, and most of what we wanted to see was in Quebec Old Town. Easy.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr7LzOyHa6g/VT0iSseNnjI/AAAAAAAAA3s/_v_T-54_cYw/s1600/_MG_4385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr7LzOyHa6g/VT0iSseNnjI/AAAAAAAAA3s/_v_T-54_cYw/s1600/_MG_4385.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
We wandered around Quebec Old Town just generally admiring the old-towny-ness of it all. We saw a house where Queen Victoria's father (Prince Edward, Duke of Kent) shacked up with his mistress before he married Queen Victoria's mother. Charming. It's now named Maison Kent. I won't point out the double standard of what might have happened should Queen Victoria's mother behaved the same way. Oh hang on, I just did. Let's just say I don't think we'd be fondly naming any houses after her. Mostly because she wouldn't have become Queen Victoria's mother... anyway... We saw Chateau Frontenac - the most photographed hotel in the world (on a side note, how does anyone ever know what the 'world's most
photographed -insert random noun here-' is? Does someone stand at all
the likely prospects and count the number of photographs that are being
taken and then they all compare notes?) where they were setting up a huge wooden toboggan ride in preparation for Quebec Carnivale which looked like heaps of fun - I believe the world's first roller coaster was actually a huge wooden toboggan ride (the things you learn from your student's grade 4 curiosity projects). You also have to take an elevator (or stairs if you're a traditionalist.
In winter, I am not) up to the old town, so we had a lovely view from the Chateau out over
the river.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GUEsZpsjXZE/VT0iSamavwI/AAAAAAAAA3o/cfVCac9-E7Q/s1600/_MG_4375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GUEsZpsjXZE/VT0iSamavwI/AAAAAAAAA3o/cfVCac9-E7Q/s1600/_MG_4375.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens. Yummy and historical!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had lunch (food stop when we got cold, see?) at a restaurant called Restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens which is in a house built in 1675. That sort of thing just blows my mind. It serves traditional Quebec food. Traditional Quebec food does not consist of <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/04/off-to-east-coast-kingston-and-montreal.html">salads and vegetables</a>. Yummy though. We went to some pretty churches and the old town hall. Look, we just generally wandered okay? I can't be expected to remember the names of every church! Wandering around also means we found all the random public sculpture around the place, which was very cool. We found a harlequin squeezed between two buildings, some kind of ode to industrial-working-man between two other buildings, a woman's face and an angel's wing outside the town hall and a cupped hand outside a church. If nothing else, this trip has revealed to me the true depths of my obsession with good sculpture. I just love it. There were also lots of ice sculptures around as part of Carnivale and so they were fun to spot too, it was very cool (geddit?)<br />
<br />
<h3>
Montmorency Falls</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YdyIffU_PTs/VT0lVomp4XI/AAAAAAAAA5w/9EpwqnfZcBw/s1600/_MG_4470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YdyIffU_PTs/VT0lVomp4XI/AAAAAAAAA5w/9EpwqnfZcBw/s1600/_MG_4470.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the bridge over Montmorency Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4xn4-ScWg8/VT0iKG-TriI/AAAAAAAAA3I/Vef6SRVVzUI/s1600/IMG_20150212_091857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4xn4-ScWg8/VT0iKG-TriI/AAAAAAAAA3I/Vef6SRVVzUI/s1600/IMG_20150212_091857.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>The following day we took our car and got out of there (for the day anyway). Well, first we had breakfast at the cafe downstairs from our flat, Brulerie St-Roch, which I'd better mention since it <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/02/quick-tips-coffee-and-tea.html">actually had good coffee,</a> which Will wildly appreciated. I appreciated the French-style pastries. We went to Montmorency Falls, a short drive from Quebec City. I think mostly we were both just curious as to what waterfalls would look like when frozen. The answer - pretty bloody odd actually, as you'll see from the photos. They build up this 'sugar-loaf mountain' type pile of snow at the bottom. It is however extremely cool to be able to walk right up to the base of a waterfall on the frozen river beneath it. We also walked as far as we could around the top, across the bridge which had a spectacular view out over the falls but also down into the ice-floes that were formed on top of the waterfall with the water spitting out of the front. We struggled through some thigh-deep snow for a while on the other side of the bridge only to discover that the staircase down on that side was closed for the winter and so we went back the way we came. I never know how to end these blog posts except to say ... photos!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_ZLRLcXvQQ/VT0iQ7z2RmI/AAAAAAAAA3U/_faqaykjr1I/s1600/_MG_4356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_ZLRLcXvQQ/VT0iQ7z2RmI/AAAAAAAAA3U/_faqaykjr1I/s1600/_MG_4356.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omsQrKgxY0w/VT0iQ7cJ1NI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/z50C-L7Lv_U/s1600/_MG_4365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omsQrKgxY0w/VT0iQ7cJ1NI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/z50C-L7Lv_U/s1600/_MG_4365.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9ExiNjnuL8/VT0iR8eAEzI/AAAAAAAAA3g/l0TA2jALd5Y/s1600/_MG_4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9ExiNjnuL8/VT0iR8eAEzI/AAAAAAAAA3g/l0TA2jALd5Y/s1600/_MG_4371.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y5dRLqGcb0/VT0iS6zH4DI/AAAAAAAAA3w/yh6fMFHVYlM/s1600/_MG_4392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y5dRLqGcb0/VT0iS6zH4DI/AAAAAAAAA3w/yh6fMFHVYlM/s1600/_MG_4392.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL3m6TSs288/VT0iTHzVWrI/AAAAAAAAA30/H1NhhBCPtro/s1600/_MG_4396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL3m6TSs288/VT0iTHzVWrI/AAAAAAAAA30/H1NhhBCPtro/s1600/_MG_4396.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQxbdFKpQvA/VT0iTvyKIiI/AAAAAAAAA38/Y71ecIQEpOw/s1600/_MG_4397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQxbdFKpQvA/VT0iTvyKIiI/AAAAAAAAA38/Y71ecIQEpOw/s1600/_MG_4397.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rckq81sCjmg/VT0iUJIc3AI/AAAAAAAAA4E/8VsheSzkg1Q/s1600/_MG_4407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rckq81sCjmg/VT0iUJIc3AI/AAAAAAAAA4E/8VsheSzkg1Q/s1600/_MG_4407.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lecd6q-e3E/VT0iVSN1SnI/AAAAAAAAA4c/cXvnyEYLcBs/s1600/_MG_4416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lecd6q-e3E/VT0iVSN1SnI/AAAAAAAAA4c/cXvnyEYLcBs/s1600/_MG_4416.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3KmV8kyc5k/VT0iV5FFTAI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ru-_sLoIdxs/s1600/_MG_4424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3KmV8kyc5k/VT0iV5FFTAI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ru-_sLoIdxs/s1600/_MG_4424.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OFJElAfag0/VT0jDbsRN7I/AAAAAAAAA5k/lF23DKa0yEA/s1600/_MG_4457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OFJElAfag0/VT0jDbsRN7I/AAAAAAAAA5k/lF23DKa0yEA/s1600/_MG_4457.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was cold. I was wearing all my clothes. And some of Will's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnDDm3PKvQc/VT0iWa11hBI/AAAAAAAAA4o/a-TT1eYBzBI/s1600/_MG_4460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnDDm3PKvQc/VT0iWa11hBI/AAAAAAAAA4o/a-TT1eYBzBI/s1600/_MG_4460.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylG7r3j0Y6I/VT0iWhLI4PI/AAAAAAAAA4s/_opntbBwnaY/s1600/_MG_4493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylG7r3j0Y6I/VT0iWhLI4PI/AAAAAAAAA4s/_opntbBwnaY/s1600/_MG_4493.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-ktcXcugGc/VT0iXTTsLYI/AAAAAAAAA44/dTO0qW7C7Yo/s1600/_MG_4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-ktcXcugGc/VT0iXTTsLYI/AAAAAAAAA44/dTO0qW7C7Yo/s1600/_MG_4497.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KRgKw6XAnw/VT0iXSW-FdI/AAAAAAAAA48/YvhTr9aNmHc/s1600/_MG_4500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KRgKw6XAnw/VT0iXSW-FdI/AAAAAAAAA48/YvhTr9aNmHc/s1600/_MG_4500.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUDwLk-E9r4/VT0iYe1v8mI/AAAAAAAAA5M/k_d6jCx_k10/s1600/_MG_4513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUDwLk-E9r4/VT0iYe1v8mI/AAAAAAAAA5M/k_d6jCx_k10/s1600/_MG_4513.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586748923423310440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-82862001981718304832015-04-23T08:36:00.001-07:002015-07-02T08:35:19.622-07:00Photo Tips: Yosemite National ParkI'm by no means an expert on Yosemite, we spent a grand total of two days in Yosemite Valley but here are a few tips I can offer you. If you want to read about what we actually did when we were there you can check out the <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/04/yosemite-national-park.html" target="_blank">blog here with lots more photos</a>.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Early mornings and late evenings</h3>
Plan to get there (your photo location) at least 30 min before sunrise and to leave at least 30 min after as the light begins long before sunrise and finishes long after sunset. It is also the time when the contrast between the sky and the land is lower so it fits within the cameras dynamic range better and when you get the best light on the clouds. It is also worth noting that the gate western entrance gate is a long way from the Yosemite Valley and the road is quite slow and windy which adds to your drive time (probably in the dark).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tnw7ljQGISI/VTkCYLFEwHI/AAAAAAAAA1E/K4bTz09211o/s1600/_MG_2484_hdr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tnw7ljQGISI/VTkCYLFEwHI/AAAAAAAAA1E/K4bTz09211o/s1600/_MG_2484_hdr2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View Lookout well after the sun had set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h3>
Scope your sunrise and sunset locations</h3>
If you get the chance it is worth keeping sunrise and sunset locations in the back of your head as you explore the park. There are some famous spots that tend to attract lots of people but some common sense and a compass (or a fancy sun tracking phone app) can help you find some quieter and (potentially) more unique locations.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14m1oB3MelY/VTkCdPnExEI/AAAAAAAAA1M/KV2TgrLPgv0/s1600/_MG_2953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14m1oB3MelY/VTkCdPnExEI/AAAAAAAAA1M/KV2TgrLPgv0/s1600/_MG_2953.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our own private sunset location, sorry it doesn't have <br />
a particular name or anything.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Take a tripod</h3>
Obviously for when things get dark but also because there is lots of water and wildlife and contrasting shadows and a tripod can help all of these things.<br />
<br />
Water, because long exposure on water looks cool, but also because you are often aiming to get reflections off the water and a longer exposure can smooth the surface a little. You still won't get a perfect reflection but it will smooth the ripples. This is why it can often be helpful to have an ND filter in the bag.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WOXxkd2QZho/VTkEng7OcWI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/otJBErkT5JQ/s1600/_MG_2389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WOXxkd2QZho/VTkEng7OcWI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/otJBErkT5JQ/s1600/_MG_2389.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love moving water!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Wildlife, because the shaded areas in the valley can be quite dark and you can buy some precious shutter speed by using a tripod (or monopod) when shooting wildlife. I've found that I would usually need the shutter speed up around 1/600 for the shot below at 273 mm however I was able to bring it down to 1/320th (and lower in some shots). Even at that speed I'm at ISO 5000 (plus lightening 1/2 a stop in lightroom) so without the tripod I wouldn't have been able to get the shot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAPRUnQ93p0/VTkGK7rQ8ZI/AAAAAAAAA1o/ePekPxiri3Q/s1600/_MG_2162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAPRUnQ93p0/VTkGK7rQ8ZI/AAAAAAAAA1o/ePekPxiri3Q/s1600/_MG_2162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coyote with camera on a tripod</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Contrast, because HDR works better with a tripod. Sure software is pretty good at aligning photos these days but it's still better to get them aligned when you capture them whenever possible. But this is important because the valley can be very well shaded at times and the rocks in the sun are a very light colour. This was a +/-2 stops HDR and even then the foreground is pretty dark.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VK9E6AjNeJ0/VTkPP9P-6EI/AAAAAAAAA2g/lWZYLl-YjTI/s1600/_MG_2717_8_9_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VK9E6AjNeJ0/VTkPP9P-6EI/AAAAAAAAA2g/lWZYLl-YjTI/s1600/_MG_2717_8_9_HDR.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HDR to bring out the peak in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h3>
Rainbows </h3>
I have to thank my wife for the rainbow photos at Yosemite Falls. I had wandered off to find a place where there was a gap in the trees that allowed you to see the lower falls from a distance so I could shoot both at once. So I was doing those photos as the sun came up and getting some ok shots when Jackie came over and asked if I was getting good rainbow photos. As it turns out there was no rainbow where I was due to the angle of the sun and that the Sentinel Bridge carpark was the best location for those shots. It is also worth noting that you can more or less cut out a rainbow with a polarising filter so make sure it is rotated to the position that allow you to see it the best (or remove it).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-weVbzHfAFdo/VTkKro1LQtI/AAAAAAAAA2A/foxjIS5wgkY/s1600/_MG_2559_hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-weVbzHfAFdo/VTkKro1LQtI/AAAAAAAAA2A/foxjIS5wgkY/s1600/_MG_2559_hdr.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqUc9wt13AY/VTkKsix6a2I/AAAAAAAAA2I/CyQRcQORxEc/s1600/_MG_2651_hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqUc9wt13AY/VTkKsix6a2I/AAAAAAAAA2I/CyQRcQORxEc/s1600/_MG_2651_hdr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3d0JBimZpVc/VSBRclLxRSI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/XoAWS3AGlqo/s1600/_MG_2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3d0JBimZpVc/VSBRclLxRSI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/XoAWS3AGlqo/s1600/_MG_2702.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yosemite falls with rainbow vs without above. The different 100 m can make</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Explore</h3>
Go for a walk and get away from the crowds (if possible). There are lots of walking trails to explore and it might help you find some wildlife or just get some photos without people in them!<br />
<br />
Also don't feel constrained to just shooting landscapes, there are plenty of detail or macro shots around if you have your eyes open.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YV7zENAAXVM/VTkMGIXjMxI/AAAAAAAAA2U/H3fIbpH4AJ8/s1600/_MG_2409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YV7zENAAXVM/VTkMGIXjMxI/AAAAAAAAA2U/H3fIbpH4AJ8/s1600/_MG_2409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Inspiration</h3>
Check out the Ansell Adams Gallery while you are there for some inspiration and see if you can pick up some tips from looking at his amazing work.Will Hore-Lacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06010022331763407268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-92100399015727598162015-04-23T06:17:00.000-07:002015-07-02T08:35:45.364-07:00Off to the East Coast: Kingston and Montreal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And so, since there was no way to top Disneyland, we got on a plane and left the West Coast behind, headed for the second leg of the trip - the East Coast.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMI9EOUOYgo/VTjuEPNXkwI/AAAAAAAAA00/nDzF-4H2UT0/s1600/IMG_20150209_105313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMI9EOUOYgo/VTjuEPNXkwI/AAAAAAAAA00/nDzF-4H2UT0/s1600/IMG_20150209_105313.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing a whole lot of powder from the car in Montreal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay tuned for - cold weather in Montreal and Quebec City, wintery chaos on Prince Edward Island and in Halifax, snow banks as tall as me in Boston and slush in New York. Yes, all the snow that they didn't have in California, they were apparently storing for us out East. When we picked up our rental car at Toronto Airport, there was a snow scraper included. We soon appreciated that little piece of thoughtfulness!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We started our East Coast adventure with a short and peaceful interlude in a little town called Kingston. Why Kingston? I hear you ask. Well, one fantastic reason. My friend, Meghan. She moved to Australia for 5 all-too-short years and taught at my school so when we knew we were headed over I knew we had to spend some time with her. I got to visit her school and spend a morning with her class. We had dinner with her mum and and her brother, who I'd heard about but obviously never met. Another old friend of mine, this one from my exchange year in Ontario who now lives in Ottawa, drove down to Kingston with his wife and we had dinner together which was fabulous.<br />
<br />
Kingston had a winter festival happening while we were there, so we rugged up and headed downtown. We did some outdoor ice-skating and waited for a while for some maple candy which never eventuated (made by pouring hot maple syrup onto snow - they had special clean snow in buckets, they didn't just use the random stuff from the ground - but they didn't get the temperatures right or something). We went in a snow maze which Will beat me through (not that I'm competitive, I'm really blowing my mild-mannered cover here.... it wasn't a very good cover anyway).<br />
<br />
After that much needed break from running around madly from place to place, we embarked on our next stage of the trip. Off to Montreal!<br />
<br />
I really like Montreal. My dad lived there for a while and my family visited and I thought it was a lovely city. I discovered on this trip that I could never never never live there. I wouldn't make it through one winter! But, we only had a certain amount of time there, and we weren't going to spend that time indoors, so I put on all my clothes, all of them, and we headed out into the cold. I had the bright idea that we should do a city walking tour I'd found online. Walking. Outside. In the cold. Silly idea. We did find some cool things though.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Poutine</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oko0fQPHOww/VTjrmB97uqI/AAAAAAAAAHA/3CVBtT0ybF4/s1600/poutine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oko0fQPHOww/VTjrmB97uqI/AAAAAAAAAHA/3CVBtT0ybF4/s1600/poutine.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not just regular poutine, <br />fancy poutine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is something like Canada's national food. When you go to McDonald's in Canada, you can have your fries 'poutined'. It's fries, with gravy and cheese curds. I've never been a huge fan but when in Rome... so we found a restaurant called La Banquise that only serves different types of poutine. It's something of a Montreal institution apparently, open 24 hours so you can go and stave off your hangover with lots of fries and cheese and gravy. I had poutine with guacamole, tomatoes and sour cream, Will had some other dish designed to induce a heart attack, I think it had cut up hot dog on it. Where's the cultural experience where you eat a lot of salad and vegetables? I think I need to go there next.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal</h3>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6HAMt-oWNbk/VTjso136LrI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/0InqB4VQ2JU/s1600/_MG_4340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6HAMt-oWNbk/VTjso136LrI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/0InqB4VQ2JU/s1600/_MG_4340.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>Montreal is in the French part of Canada, which means the Catholic part of Canada, which means pretty, pretty churches. The Notre Dame Basilica is absolutely knock-out. Neo-Gothic so all very dramatic. Plus, I don't think there's a surface in there that isn't decorated. Walls, windows, columns, floor, ceiling, it's all covered. And the decorators were of the 'I'm not sure it's finished, whack a bit more gold on it' school of design. We were there when a guided tour in <br />
English was starting so we hung around for that which was a good idea because the tour guide was an impossibly cheerful, well-informed women with a very cute French accent who was simply delightful to listen to. Apparently the architect was Protestant (quel horreur!) but converted to Catholicism on his death bed just so he could be buried in 'his' church. I personally am planning on painting all my ceilings blue with little gold stars when I get home. I'm sure it will work just as well in my house as in the vaulted ceilings of a basilica.<br />
<br />
<br />
After that we wandered the streets for a bit freezing various bits off (I had to sew my own fingers back on at least three times) taking photos of random attractive buildings until it seemed like we had legitimately touristed for long enough, at which point we went home and huddled in front of the heating vents until we thawed out. I still really like Montreal, but I think I'll stick to going in summer from now on. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vt2AHK-HQDA/VTjsJkupE2I/AAAAAAAAAyw/95vpVisGl3k/s1600/_MG_4238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vt2AHK-HQDA/VTjsJkupE2I/AAAAAAAAAyw/95vpVisGl3k/s1600/_MG_4238.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qm_VFIozqM0/VTjsIV9JkjI/AAAAAAAAAyo/8BH0RjKhhkA/s1600/_MG_4241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qm_VFIozqM0/VTjsIV9JkjI/AAAAAAAAAyo/8BH0RjKhhkA/s1600/_MG_4241.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEFXyGVbWeA/VTjsLuwOluI/AAAAAAAAAy4/jl_J7afCgKU/s1600/_MG_4244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEFXyGVbWeA/VTjsLuwOluI/AAAAAAAAAy4/jl_J7afCgKU/s1600/_MG_4244.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LFxKK-tyDb4/VTjsM4FbZ8I/AAAAAAAAAzA/fH4N-ITvhrY/s1600/_MG_4252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LFxKK-tyDb4/VTjsM4FbZ8I/AAAAAAAAAzA/fH4N-ITvhrY/s1600/_MG_4252.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoEsvGpWKqs/VTjsQO88FPI/AAAAAAAAAzI/gILY2x_3gy8/s1600/_MG_4256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoEsvGpWKqs/VTjsQO88FPI/AAAAAAAAAzI/gILY2x_3gy8/s1600/_MG_4256.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6ZCaZcm4DI/VTjsRvhE9cI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/RuCttfzVzJM/s1600/_MG_4270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6ZCaZcm4DI/VTjsRvhE9cI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/RuCttfzVzJM/s1600/_MG_4270.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4w2bAG3h2Js/VTjsUE6MYpI/AAAAAAAAAzY/3uNOUI7EXRk/s1600/_MG_4272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4w2bAG3h2Js/VTjsUE6MYpI/AAAAAAAAAzY/3uNOUI7EXRk/s1600/_MG_4272.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWQWaEKjxfk/VTjsWDNzSqI/AAAAAAAAAzg/qdRl0gfzels/s1600/_MG_4277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWQWaEKjxfk/VTjsWDNzSqI/AAAAAAAAAzg/qdRl0gfzels/s1600/_MG_4277.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvJ_k8Lfmr4/VTjsY4rZ01I/AAAAAAAAAzo/3mgGzpy3Feg/s1600/_MG_4285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvJ_k8Lfmr4/VTjsY4rZ01I/AAAAAAAAAzo/3mgGzpy3Feg/s1600/_MG_4285.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsN9jdTFnKU/VTjsac46EBI/AAAAAAAAAzw/_PFuJwxY2W8/s1600/_MG_4293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsN9jdTFnKU/VTjsac46EBI/AAAAAAAAAzw/_PFuJwxY2W8/s1600/_MG_4293.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2P4l7Wv1x9U/VTjscMovn8I/AAAAAAAAAz4/98bBGcCD8NY/s1600/_MG_4295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2P4l7Wv1x9U/VTjscMovn8I/AAAAAAAAAz4/98bBGcCD8NY/s1600/_MG_4295.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_H9CY3x998/VTjseacwr7I/AAAAAAAAA0A/FCVbuDrVYYg/s1600/_MG_4303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_H9CY3x998/VTjseacwr7I/AAAAAAAAA0A/FCVbuDrVYYg/s1600/_MG_4303.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsEEC4q7kvE/VTjslEq1leI/AAAAAAAAA0I/fNAFRt0qoz8/s1600/_MG_4315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsEEC4q7kvE/VTjslEq1leI/AAAAAAAAA0I/fNAFRt0qoz8/s1600/_MG_4315.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dru3LzcWHio/VTjsp6OmEpI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/nMre0DrgrmY/s1600/_MG_4344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dru3LzcWHio/VTjsp6OmEpI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/nMre0DrgrmY/s1600/_MG_4344.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HakDBqwZFl8/VTjssLPaUuI/AAAAAAAAA0g/CpEex-vQEUw/s1600/_MG_4352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HakDBqwZFl8/VTjssLPaUuI/AAAAAAAAA0g/CpEex-vQEUw/s1600/_MG_4352.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586748923423310440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-27846264359500500832015-04-16T12:27:00.001-07:002015-07-02T08:36:44.349-07:00DISNEYLAND!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VTBSRyWGR8/VTALSjW0bmI/AAAAAAAAAyE/7NwM4hNUeIo/s1600/IMG_20150202_124237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VTBSRyWGR8/VTALSjW0bmI/AAAAAAAAAyE/7NwM4hNUeIo/s1600/IMG_20150202_124237.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I love Disneyland. Seriously. Huge, heart palpitating, pupils dilating love (no, I'm not on any illegal drugs, why do you ask?). Just for the record, this does not mean that I forgive Disney for their gender politics or their physical representations of women. But Disneyland!<br />
<br />
Will was not by any means convinced that Disneyland was a good idea. However, it was close enough to my birthday to make going my gift from him so away we went. As it was winter, there was a lot of maintenance going on, so a number of the big name rides were closed - no It's a Small World, no Splash Mountain, no Matterhorn Bobsleds. Other rides were out of the question because I get ridiculously motion sick (which would make you question my desire to go to amusement parks...) so no Mad Hatter's Tea Party (I can't even watch that one) though I unwisely went on the Star Wars Tour and Space Mountain and needed a good, long, quiet sit down after each of those.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We loved the Indiana Jones ride and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The Haunted Mansion is so dated and not at all creepy but can be enjoyed for its tacky fun. Going on the Roger Rabbit ride made me realise that that movie is a total 80s classic that I should re-watch as soon as physically possible. <br />
<br />
I totally have a new favourite Disneyland ride - it's called the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and I think we went on it three or four times. It's nothing really, you sit in your little car and go along the track, but you have these laser guns and you shoot things as you drive along. Will was much better at it than I was but it didn't matter because I'm not competitive at all (damn lies, as anyone who knows me knows, I was devastated every time). <br />
<br />
There were things I was looking forward to that were a little disappointing though. I thought that the redeveloped Pirates of the Caribbean went on a little long and, while it hadn't lost the cheesy ridiculousness that made it great, so much effort had been put into making it better that the cheesy ridiculousness just came across as lame. However, if you are interested in seeing an animatronic Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush then don't miss it! Also, on previous visits to Disneyland the people dressed up as the various characters just wandered around and you could go and have a photo with them or whatever. That obviously was not working all that well (you can imagine the parents getting up in arms when Mickey needed a lunch break or whatever) so now there are appointed times and you have to queue up to see them - and those queues were looooong. I felt like that was a bit sad. I always liked the wandering around a corner and - look! there's Jasmine and Aladdin! - aspect of Disneyland. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvvSAtlZ1aQ/VTALR9VQYCI/AAAAAAAAAx8/cT74qeuJHiM/s1600/DSC00399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvvSAtlZ1aQ/VTALR9VQYCI/AAAAAAAAAx8/cT74qeuJHiM/s1600/DSC00399.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sccdIU7IJAI/VTAJunrNJlI/AAAAAAAAAGo/uUbIRE_miUY/s1600/Disneyland2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sccdIU7IJAI/VTAJunrNJlI/AAAAAAAAAGo/uUbIRE_miUY/s1600/Disneyland2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>So, we wandered Main Street and Tomorrow Land and Frontier Land and generally soaked up the atmosphere. We watched the afternoon parade and I threw up a little in my mouth at the depictions of the princesses (did you know that Disney princesses are not allowed to look at each other on any of the merchandising (or apparently on a parade float) - because maybe if they did they would realise that they could actually have female friends and not rely on (male) animals and princes to brighten their lives. I wonder if anyone at Disney has figured out that Frozen might have been popular because it had more than one female character - ever if those characters don't interact. Imagine if they had two female characters who actually spent the movie together???) Did I mention I don't forgive Disney for their gender politics? Anyway.<br />
<br />
In the evening we went to the Lego store where they had a giant Lego dragon from Sleeping Beauty being slain by a Lego Prince Phillip, Lego Jasmine and Aladdin, Lego Buzz and Woody, Lego Belle and the Beast and Lego Hulk (not Disney but we'll forgive them). Oh, and they had Lego, which I think is quite good too. <br />
<br />
Fun day, beautiful weather, merriment. Good times. Will even conceded that he could be convinced to go again, in ten years time. Happy birthday to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CopbcI7SzHs/VTAJSk9Cj0I/AAAAAAAAAGY/1rVhBjc7jd8/s1600/Disneyland3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CopbcI7SzHs/VTAJSk9Cj0I/AAAAAAAAAGY/1rVhBjc7jd8/s1600/Disneyland3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lD2paxiPMKI/VTAJPlgcRWI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/1OobIe8fyck/s1600/Disneyland4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lD2paxiPMKI/VTAJPlgcRWI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/1OobIe8fyck/s1600/Disneyland4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFnTwW02MLM/VTAJsSJ_T_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/9a9Ak8K0MOE/s1600/Disneyland5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFnTwW02MLM/VTAJsSJ_T_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/9a9Ak8K0MOE/s1600/Disneyland5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ1rv4GK53c/VTALSMxfNWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/M5ogYXuxAvk/s1600/DSC00393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ1rv4GK53c/VTALSMxfNWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/M5ogYXuxAvk/s1600/DSC00393.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586748923423310440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-3521124364556346382015-04-14T13:12:00.002-07:002015-07-02T08:38:27.690-07:00Death Valley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0hjKr80t_w/VSvmsaRKGgI/AAAAAAAAAwo/eNe797q8P4I/s1600/_MG_3968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0hjKr80t_w/VSvmsaRKGgI/AAAAAAAAAwo/eNe797q8P4I/s1600/_MG_3968.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
So death valley wasn't really on our radar until I got talking to a guy while stuck in traffic in an <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/01/the-grand-traffic-jam.html">Arizona snow storm</a>. He said it was the highlight of his trip so we did a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=death+valley&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=42YtVcbLGuj_ywPbsoGYDg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAw&biw=1122&bih=747">google image</a> search and it quickly made our list.<br />
<br />
Aside from the dramatic scenery Death Valley is known for being a hot (like very hot), dry, stark place that people seem to like going running in. By the time we were there in late Jan or early Feb it was not too hot, not too dry and in places there was even snow on the mountain peaks (even although we weren't far from the <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/04/yosemite-national-park.html">uncommonly snow free Yosemite</a>). The valleys and mountains that make up the area are spectacular, particularly in when the weather is doing cool things like busting out some rainbows.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbRKbi0Y0GA/VSvmlmvlm9I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/Olmdr0gO8TY/s1600/_MG_4046-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbRKbi0Y0GA/VSvmlmvlm9I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/Olmdr0gO8TY/s1600/_MG_4046-Edit.jpg" height="138" width="640" /></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
One of the big things we were interested in seeing are the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_stones">sailing stones</a> however there was one big problem. Apparently the only way to get is there is in a 'high clearance' 4wd with several hours of rough driving. Now while we did manage to make sure our <a href="http://www.jacqandwillwentupthehill.com/2015/01/quick-tips-hire-cars.html">rental vehicle was an AWD</a>, it definitely wasn't high clearance and I didn't particularly feel like voiding the rental agreement quite so blatantly. So we gave them a miss, I guess we'll just have to come back... <br />
<br />
Some of our highlights of Death Valley included:<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<h3>
The waterfall!</h3>
Yes there is a waterfall in Death Valley, on the edge just near our accommodation. It is quite lovely and well worth the short walk to get there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RcJZVcJ9V7M/VSvmk_MromI/AAAAAAAAAvI/KN-Y9ZFl7eM/s1600/_MG_4030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RcJZVcJ9V7M/VSvmk_MromI/AAAAAAAAAvI/KN-Y9ZFl7eM/s1600/_MG_4030.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Rainbows</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMbRGBXktbE/VSvmlbwkmwI/AAAAAAAAAvM/8lrLaX5t5eY/s1600/_MG_4036-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMbRGBXktbE/VSvmlbwkmwI/AAAAAAAAAvM/8lrLaX5t5eY/s1600/_MG_4036-Edit.jpg" height="162" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixyMtBiTPZQ/VSvmnfYZ_PI/AAAAAAAAAvo/cXbvXeYxhSk/s1600/_MG_4074-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixyMtBiTPZQ/VSvmnfYZ_PI/AAAAAAAAAvo/cXbvXeYxhSk/s1600/_MG_4074-Edit.jpg" height="136" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Badwater Basin</h3>
The lowest point in North America, 86 m below sea level. It is really just a heavily (foot) trafficked salt pan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ju6JB-XG08/VSvmpyZph4I/AAAAAAAAAw8/bnc_YHddSU0/s1600/_MG_4151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ju6JB-XG08/VSvmpyZph4I/AAAAAAAAAw8/bnc_YHddSU0/s1600/_MG_4151.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzUy1pjTEjs/VSvmqSwu0kI/AAAAAAAAAwY/z1Ng_ACU2zA/s1600/_MG_4157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzUy1pjTEjs/VSvmqSwu0kI/AAAAAAAAAwY/z1Ng_ACU2zA/s1600/_MG_4157.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yStd_K_sDLQ/VS1yjtCZLHI/AAAAAAAAAxk/RW6VllUI4dk/s1600/DeathValley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yStd_K_sDLQ/VS1yjtCZLHI/AAAAAAAAAxk/RW6VllUI4dk/s1600/DeathValley.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's one by Jackie (loooook, it sparkles.... pretty - J)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Canyons</h3>
There are quite a lot of canyons around, we just visited one or two. Typically we found it hard to find good photographs for them but here are a few ok shots. The scale and contrast of the canyons is really hard to reproduce in a photos although it probably didn't help that the sun was overhead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoy3okQcBvE/VSvmnuMHfPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/zVI8Ds6SEL8/s1600/_MG_4127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoy3okQcBvE/VSvmnuMHfPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/zVI8Ds6SEL8/s1600/_MG_4127.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rw5njPWOFI/VSvmoS0izXI/AAAAAAAAAxA/BUeQHyYJL_8/s1600/_MG_4143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rw5njPWOFI/VSvmoS0izXI/AAAAAAAAAxA/BUeQHyYJL_8/s1600/_MG_4143.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07iLcqmq544/VSvmouOXxPI/AAAAAAAAAwI/m_x7q3qHSt8/s1600/_MG_4147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07iLcqmq544/VSvmouOXxPI/AAAAAAAAAwI/m_x7q3qHSt8/s1600/_MG_4147.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h3>
Artist's Drive and Artist's Palette</h3>
A particular section of road and a particular site on that road. The drive is a couple of kilometers long off to the side of the main road and is really lovely. There is a site along the drive called the Artist's Palette which has sections of rock in a variety of different colours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXc3ij59uuU/VSvmqgjYLRI/AAAAAAAAAw4/9zyWWHI4TYY/s1600/_MG_4184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXc3ij59uuU/VSvmqgjYLRI/AAAAAAAAAw4/9zyWWHI4TYY/s1600/_MG_4184.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqug2Jgbckw/VSvmrC-ZIFI/AAAAAAAAAw0/5lpfYlc7D8s/s1600/_MG_4210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqug2Jgbckw/VSvmrC-ZIFI/AAAAAAAAAw0/5lpfYlc7D8s/s1600/_MG_4210.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3f-RixKMUw/VSvmrtzh2eI/AAAAAAAAAwk/LD8QFJIa6wo/s1600/_MG_4217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3f-RixKMUw/VSvmrtzh2eI/AAAAAAAAAwk/LD8QFJIa6wo/s1600/_MG_4217.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h3>
Ghost Towns</h3>
There were quite a few ghost towns listed on our map but with limited time we just picked one of them to visit on the way out of the valley, however, I'm pretty sure we picked the wrong one. It was creepy but not in an abandoned town way because it wasn't actually abandoned, or at least not all of it. Anyway I got one shot that kinda works as a ghost town image...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4x2NrrOenC8/VSvmsJ24GoI/AAAAAAAAAwg/7H-xbvz1QhY/s1600/_MG_4226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4x2NrrOenC8/VSvmsJ24GoI/AAAAAAAAAwg/7H-xbvz1QhY/s1600/_MG_4226.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Marathon</h3>
There was actually a marathon (or some sort of distance run) happening when we were there. While we didn't take part and don't really have any photos of it but we did witness it with our very own eyes, they do exist.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Other random photos</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9U8Ai07J3I/VSvmk_4V8LI/AAAAAAAAAvE/i8moGxNRQAs/s1600/_MG_3945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9U8Ai07J3I/VSvmk_4V8LI/AAAAAAAAAvE/i8moGxNRQAs/s1600/_MG_3945.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6PeTdUb2do/VSvmmBddT2I/AAAAAAAAAvU/Rx1aPZEWkJ8/s1600/_MG_4053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6PeTdUb2do/VSvmmBddT2I/AAAAAAAAAvU/Rx1aPZEWkJ8/s1600/_MG_4053.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GE_HTW4MYS0/VSvmmnSVWeI/AAAAAAAAAvc/5nvlRp4T-Kw/s1600/_MG_4055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GE_HTW4MYS0/VSvmmnSVWeI/AAAAAAAAAvc/5nvlRp4T-Kw/s1600/_MG_4055.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-RcJZVcJ9V7M%2FVSvmk_MromI%2FAAAAAAAAAvI%2FKN-Y9ZFl7eM%2Fs1600%2F_MG_4030.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RcJZVcJ9V7M/VSvmk_MromI/AAAAAAAAAvI/KN-Y9ZFl7eM/s1600/_MG_4030.jpg" -->Will Hore-Lacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06010022331763407268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-81440064555458948712015-04-13T02:16:00.001-07:002015-07-02T08:38:59.673-07:00Big Sur<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSIKtl-u0XA/VSrXa7nOFxI/AAAAAAAAAqA/NjrRyGY8qZA/s1600/_MG_3406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSIKtl-u0XA/VSrXa7nOFxI/AAAAAAAAAqA/NjrRyGY8qZA/s1600/_MG_3406.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real live otter in the wild!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like 99.95% of the world's population, I think otters are awesome (the other 0.05% have problems bigger than I can help them with). So one of my big aims when we drove the Big Sur was to see real, live, wild otters. <br />
<br />
In service of this aim, we started our Big Sur trip with a drive to a small marine reserve called Point Lobos. It, like the rest of the Big Sur, is gorgeous. Dramatic cliffs and rocks rising out of an azure sea and all that. You will be able to see that in the photos. What you can't see in the photos is that Point Lobos smelled freaking amazing. I have no idea what it was. I tried to make my fervent sniffing as subtle as possible. A lovely place to linger. There were lots of sea birds including some truly ugly brown pelicans (Will objects to my calling them ugly. They look much prettier in his photos) and egrets that stood on the top of the kelp out at sea, so they looked like they were walking on water. As we were watching the sky turn all sorts of spectacular colours, we saw an otter! He was just chilling in the ocean, fluffing his fur, twisting and turning in the ocean, generally looking like he was having a good time.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSnhglr0joo/VSrXawJXeWI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/jinFxOXz5xc/s1600/_MG_3436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSnhglr0joo/VSrXawJXeWI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/jinFxOXz5xc/s1600/_MG_3436.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Pelican</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBZ1uriwGQY/VSrYe3DeAhI/AAAAAAAAAtc/jROLUiwBQSI/s1600/_MG_3505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBZ1uriwGQY/VSrYe3DeAhI/AAAAAAAAAtc/jROLUiwBQSI/s1600/_MG_3505.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Point Lobos looking towards Carmel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We stayed in a town called Carmel, which I remembered from a trip with my mum when I was 11 as being the town where Clint Eastwood was mayor for a while (the things that stick in your brain when you could be remembering something important). It is a really nice little town that has a bit of a personality crisis between being a cute little seaside village and a tourist trap for rich Californians. We found a really nice organic cafe to have dinner in and I enjoyed window shopping the art galleries and jewellery shops that I can't afford.<br />
<br />
The next morning we went to Monterey Aquarium, another place I had visited with my mum back in the day, which also has otters - both in the aquarium but also swimming wild off the pier out the back. I had remembered the otters, and the amazing, huge kelp forest tank, but my new discovery this trip was their spectacular jelly fish collection, of which I took far too many photos (two are below).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_I1eDB5LK4/VSlvCheH_EI/AAAAAAAAAFg/BNNXM0BGAjM/s1600/MontereyAquarium1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_I1eDB5LK4/VSlvCheH_EI/AAAAAAAAAFg/BNNXM0BGAjM/s1600/MontereyAquarium1.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqmk0t4HALM/VSlvFsVqnQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/FF1W-1lBQ30/s1600/MontereyAquarium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqmk0t4HALM/VSlvFsVqnQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/FF1W-1lBQ30/s1600/MontereyAquarium2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZYzOzNOUbI/VSrXitcdaNI/AAAAAAAAAss/9QCgjrucRnc/s1600/_MG_3851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZYzOzNOUbI/VSrXitcdaNI/AAAAAAAAAss/9QCgjrucRnc/s1600/_MG_3851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After the aquarium, we went for a drive down the Big Sur. Will's calling it the Great Ocean Road of California but, and my apologies to the Great Ocean Road, I think the Big Sur is far superior. Just look at it! Our coffee stop was a little disappointing though - we stopped at a cafe that is in a house that used to be owned by Orson Wells and Rita Hayworth. They didn't seat us in the dining area but at a bench so we had no table to put our drinks on, they charged me extra to have milk and sugar with my tea, and Will's latte was an insult to coffee everywhere. Never mind. There were cool woodpeckers in the trees nearby. The drive was beautiful, we saw lots of birds of prey and clambered over scrub and rocks to beautiful isolated beaches. Another place I could have stayed longer.<br />
<br />
<i>[Click on any photo to view as a slideshow]</i> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFRS2lkin_4/VSrYdiItv4I/AAAAAAAAAtg/960blBOMLq4/s1600/_MG_3457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFRS2lkin_4/VSrYdiItv4I/AAAAAAAAAtg/960blBOMLq4/s1600/_MG_3457.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNNwej8G8cI/VSrYdqH0DqI/AAAAAAAAAtM/hfO0HwMIzAo/s1600/_MG_3469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNNwej8G8cI/VSrYdqH0DqI/AAAAAAAAAtM/hfO0HwMIzAo/s1600/_MG_3469.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBMEtF118Gw/VSrYetA5fdI/AAAAAAAAAtY/RKo4VuPeftg/s1600/_MG_3497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBMEtF118Gw/VSrYetA5fdI/AAAAAAAAAtY/RKo4VuPeftg/s1600/_MG_3497.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Point Lobos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wE-CmRjM9nE/VSrYfTLBsGI/AAAAAAAAAtk/1_si3COuocc/s1600/_MG_3506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wE-CmRjM9nE/VSrYfTLBsGI/AAAAAAAAAtk/1_si3COuocc/s1600/_MG_3506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBOd5PQdLeo/VSrXeUxfjII/AAAAAAAAAqw/j-ZTQN_hO7I/s1600/_MG_3536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBOd5PQdLeo/VSrXeUxfjII/AAAAAAAAAqw/j-ZTQN_hO7I/s1600/_MG_3536.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otter at the Monterey Aquarium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-8w6yeDa1M/VSrXejsfVoI/AAAAAAAAAq0/yUd91Qfw3iE/s1600/_MG_3605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-8w6yeDa1M/VSrXejsfVoI/AAAAAAAAAq0/yUd91Qfw3iE/s1600/_MG_3605.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at how cool they are! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXzk37I-xXU/VSrXfKhhjsI/AAAAAAAAAq4/W9uO2aUO2PQ/s1600/_MG_3642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXzk37I-xXU/VSrXfKhhjsI/AAAAAAAAAq4/W9uO2aUO2PQ/s1600/_MG_3642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Vulture </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLAD6rtK9LY/VSrYgIwI9JI/AAAAAAAAAtw/JxGDPLiQHWY/s1600/_MG_3728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLAD6rtK9LY/VSrYgIwI9JI/AAAAAAAAAtw/JxGDPLiQHWY/s1600/_MG_3728.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-tailed Hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hDDgu2u0NtY/VSrXf9_ZOXI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Sw8HRQp0iB4/s1600/_MG_3744.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hDDgu2u0NtY/VSrXf9_ZOXI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Sw8HRQp0iB4/s1600/_MG_3744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-psJP1AJXkqg/VSrXgTz2CEI/AAAAAAAAArM/QqUP1xYprFI/s1600/_MG_3777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-psJP1AJXkqg/VSrXgTz2CEI/AAAAAAAAArM/QqUP1xYprFI/s1600/_MG_3777.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acorn Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeZrR8Puggc/VSrXhOIlWwI/AAAAAAAAArY/ZuA00u0yt8Y/s1600/_MG_3816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeZrR8Puggc/VSrXhOIlWwI/AAAAAAAAArY/ZuA00u0yt8Y/s1600/_MG_3816.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acorn Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKnHxF9xX3M/VSrXiJ95izI/AAAAAAAAArk/24uOx-hl5Rg/s1600/_MG_3840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKnHxF9xX3M/VSrXiJ95izI/AAAAAAAAArk/24uOx-hl5Rg/s1600/_MG_3840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqOmJZQglFw/VSrXi4D9XbI/AAAAAAAAArw/fSGih-zS6mI/s1600/_MG_3863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqOmJZQglFw/VSrXi4D9XbI/AAAAAAAAArw/fSGih-zS6mI/s1600/_MG_3863.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening light on the Bixby Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjHy3UiLh-o/VSrXjj6pr_I/AAAAAAAAAr8/-cci0U925xo/s1600/_MG_3868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjHy3UiLh-o/VSrXjj6pr_I/AAAAAAAAAr8/-cci0U925xo/s1600/_MG_3868.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Sur coastline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lA1HJ7x12-o/VSrXj5pWd3I/AAAAAAAAAsA/kZOFJ7XuMD0/s1600/_MG_3882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lA1HJ7x12-o/VSrXj5pWd3I/AAAAAAAAAsA/kZOFJ7XuMD0/s1600/_MG_3882.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTWGUMGUdFY/VSrXk6iNrmI/AAAAAAAAAsM/wyjlPbnUrNg/s1600/_MG_3915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTWGUMGUdFY/VSrXk6iNrmI/AAAAAAAAAsM/wyjlPbnUrNg/s1600/_MG_3915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkyNIZgpPo4/VSt3NSd-toI/AAAAAAAAAus/PB3KjUI_ydY/s1600/_MG_3926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkyNIZgpPo4/VSt3NSd-toI/AAAAAAAAAus/PB3KjUI_ydY/s1600/_MG_3926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-5ZYzOzNOUbI%2FVSrXitcdaNI%2FAAAAAAAAAss%2F9QCgjrucRnc%2Fs1600%2F_MG_3851.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZYzOzNOUbI/VSrXitcdaNI/AAAAAAAAAss/9QCgjrucRnc/s1600/_MG_3851.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586748923423310440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271592821728076622.post-66242264452825663332015-04-10T15:15:00.003-07:002015-07-02T08:56:56.194-07:00San Francisco in a Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_0Qr1vdsqA/VSaWkzrVDZI/AAAAAAAAApY/KcBC9So13r0/s1600/_MG_3222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_0Qr1vdsqA/VSaWkzrVDZI/AAAAAAAAApY/KcBC9So13r0/s1600/_MG_3222.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
We had a flying visit to San Fran as we realised that we had way too much to pack into our last week out west. A visit to Death Valley (post to arrive soon) came highly recommended so we decided to make time.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
San Francisco is a nice city of steep hills with cool houses and the need for mad parking skills but we didn't really know what to do with our one day as tourists. A bit of research showed up Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard St and the Golden Gate, so we formulated a plan.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Alcatraz was actually pretty cool. I was a little skeptical but the stories were interesting and I think I got some cool industrial detail photos that I wouldn't normally go looking for. Jackie obviously loves the whole morbid history of the place. </div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q06Jhnx1KeM/VSaUVzcSrCI/AAAAAAAAAkM/0IYFzOiGY5E/s1600/_MG_2990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q06Jhnx1KeM/VSaUVzcSrCI/AAAAAAAAAkM/0IYFzOiGY5E/s1600/_MG_2990.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
After Alcatraz we arrived back at Fisherman's Wharf so we explored a bit. Pier 39 is the famous part that was turned into a shopping mall sort of thing, we found it a little tacky but I did get to try my first clam chowder though and watch the seals play king of the castle.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NV4BxK1-pzY/VSaWjiRH_pI/AAAAAAAAApQ/xk9Bguw-8Mc/s1600/_MG_3139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NV4BxK1-pzY/VSaWjiRH_pI/AAAAAAAAApQ/xk9Bguw-8Mc/s1600/_MG_3139.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
On we ploughed to Lombard Steer through the burbs admiring houses along the way and climbing some steep hills. I have to say I really like the 'medium density' option they went for. Almost no high rise but most building seemed to be 3 stories high with small frontages, attached to the buildings either side containing 1-3 separate dwellings. They usually fronted onto the street and I'm assuming some (or many) had back gardens. Just seems like a good option to fit a lot if people in without towering apartment blocks everywhere. The best part was they are pretty much all different in design and unique but I didn't take any photos, oops.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Eventually we made it to Lombard street with the rest of the tourists and set about tying to find a good photo. Didn't really achieve it but here it is all the same...</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmyySqaYMj4/VSaU-MIQmxI/AAAAAAAAAns/vF25_Rg8sQ8/s1600/_MG_3196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmyySqaYMj4/VSaU-MIQmxI/AAAAAAAAAns/vF25_Rg8sQ8/s1600/_MG_3196.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Back to the water front, a coffee shop, the Ghirardelli chocolate factory/shop (their salted caramel was divine - J), cable cars and more walking, we ended up at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre with a little lake and lots of birds. We stayed a little too long before having to make a dash for the beach before the sun set on the bridge.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRxzFFJfFlU/VSaVVtErL8I/AAAAAAAAAo8/nwl29vSwUCU/s1600/_MG_3361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRxzFFJfFlU/VSaVVtErL8I/AAAAAAAAAo8/nwl29vSwUCU/s1600/_MG_3361.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
And that was San Fran in a day!</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5IBRrr0IOc/VSaUW9v711I/AAAAAAAAAkU/fogyzdzgy7o/s1600/_MG_3006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5IBRrr0IOc/VSaUW9v711I/AAAAAAAAAkU/fogyzdzgy7o/s1600/_MG_3006.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ex-inmate welcomes us to the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNFFnJNon6A/VSaUXwRCjwI/AAAAAAAAAkc/q5DeApb22HY/s1600/_MG_3017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNFFnJNon6A/VSaUXwRCjwI/AAAAAAAAAkc/q5DeApb22HY/s1600/_MG_3017.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, so the row boat wasn't trying to escape but it put the distance to shore into perspective!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwqB09z93hc/VSaUas_Jp3I/AAAAAAAAAkk/3x44EQE1qDw/s1600/_MG_3020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwqB09z93hc/VSaUas_Jp3I/AAAAAAAAAkk/3x44EQE1qDw/s1600/_MG_3020.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOgfDaaUk_M/VSaUck26z3I/AAAAAAAAAkw/Qtunak14OZ0/s1600/_MG_3027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOgfDaaUk_M/VSaUck26z3I/AAAAAAAAAkw/Qtunak14OZ0/s1600/_MG_3027.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old toiletry supplies at Alcatraz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1DMkX86ui4/VSaUchyY-aI/AAAAAAAAAks/gJCc19L6rmk/s1600/_MG_3030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1DMkX86ui4/VSaUchyY-aI/AAAAAAAAAks/gJCc19L6rmk/s1600/_MG_3030.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shower block, very welcoming and private</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YW7YB09Oqoc/VSaUdgVIo2I/AAAAAAAAAk8/FtaFiE8RKug/s1600/_MG_3032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YW7YB09Oqoc/VSaUdgVIo2I/AAAAAAAAAk8/FtaFiE8RKug/s1600/_MG_3032.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRV4CigSq4/VSaUf4qRQ-I/AAAAAAAAAlE/-Vm4lMcOvAY/s1600/_MG_3035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRV4CigSq4/VSaUf4qRQ-I/AAAAAAAAAlE/-Vm4lMcOvAY/s1600/_MG_3035.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qieojup36Bk/VSaUiPSPwDI/AAAAAAAAAlM/io58unGAqHE/s1600/_MG_3040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qieojup36Bk/VSaUiPSPwDI/AAAAAAAAAlM/io58unGAqHE/s1600/_MG_3040.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prison rules</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7lNwhwlEYEk/VSaUktO1NiI/AAAAAAAAAlU/zROvF8cC4gs/s1600/_MG_3042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7lNwhwlEYEk/VSaUktO1NiI/AAAAAAAAAlU/zROvF8cC4gs/s1600/_MG_3042.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-LNPZihNkQ/VSaUmfOFzNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/1olnXX-P3OI/s1600/_MG_3044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-LNPZihNkQ/VSaUmfOFzNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/1olnXX-P3OI/s1600/_MG_3044.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solitary cell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x6DolOTqO94/VSaUpLxQ_-I/AAAAAAAAAlk/ciRTadVgSQY/s1600/_MG_3046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x6DolOTqO94/VSaUpLxQ_-I/AAAAAAAAAlk/ciRTadVgSQY/s1600/_MG_3046.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0I0DKXsK6E/VSaUqITnS4I/AAAAAAAAAls/ROzT2ZHZ8F0/s1600/_MG_3047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0I0DKXsK6E/VSaUqITnS4I/AAAAAAAAAls/ROzT2ZHZ8F0/s1600/_MG_3047.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0LAjNzcsOEA/VSaUrWeFH9I/AAAAAAAAAl0/H1XwdO7bBNs/s1600/_MG_3048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0LAjNzcsOEA/VSaUrWeFH9I/AAAAAAAAAl0/H1XwdO7bBNs/s1600/_MG_3048.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Board games to pass the time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3zeaU6gukY/VSaUsARjYOI/AAAAAAAAAl8/L-0ljc5C9EE/s1600/_MG_3051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3zeaU6gukY/VSaUsARjYOI/AAAAAAAAAl8/L-0ljc5C9EE/s1600/_MG_3051.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocheting was a form of rehabilitation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNri3aPIu_w/VSaUtFSzZMI/AAAAAAAAAmE/9_1Ra6QpzWU/s1600/_MG_3052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNri3aPIu_w/VSaUtFSzZMI/AAAAAAAAAmE/9_1Ra6QpzWU/s1600/_MG_3052.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some inmate bands too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv1hGCHhY9c/VSaUt4gtBhI/AAAAAAAAAmM/CqKOY5o8jKM/s1600/_MG_3053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv1hGCHhY9c/VSaUt4gtBhI/AAAAAAAAAmM/CqKOY5o8jKM/s1600/_MG_3053.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUmxfl2is-M/VSaUvDt7cEI/AAAAAAAAAmU/akwmAhQaGdc/s1600/_MG_3056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUmxfl2is-M/VSaUvDt7cEI/AAAAAAAAAmU/akwmAhQaGdc/s1600/_MG_3056.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmKRQqeDs3g/VSaUv3DjVEI/AAAAAAAAAmc/a9iomYT5RN8/s1600/_MG_3058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmKRQqeDs3g/VSaUv3DjVEI/AAAAAAAAAmc/a9iomYT5RN8/s1600/_MG_3058.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUadgdVwf80/VSaUwuex3RI/AAAAAAAAAmg/khwLddMqt0w/s1600/_MG_3061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUadgdVwf80/VSaUwuex3RI/AAAAAAAAAmg/khwLddMqt0w/s1600/_MG_3061.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was even a vintage car on the island!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3t_wy18siA/VSaUx81xfiI/AAAAAAAAAms/nX9lJxtvIMg/s1600/_MG_3066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3t_wy18siA/VSaUx81xfiI/AAAAAAAAAms/nX9lJxtvIMg/s1600/_MG_3066.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXJmIZCAn3M/VSaUzs1PVvI/AAAAAAAAAm0/GeVB-t0mJEk/s1600/_MG_3070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXJmIZCAn3M/VSaUzs1PVvI/AAAAAAAAAm0/GeVB-t0mJEk/s1600/_MG_3070.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjNiDnLD7rk/VSaU0Ax-urI/AAAAAAAAAm4/QyiBj4Oc_dE/s1600/_MG_3071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjNiDnLD7rk/VSaU0Ax-urI/AAAAAAAAAm4/QyiBj4Oc_dE/s1600/_MG_3071.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y_X8vJMvdJM/VSaU14lebKI/AAAAAAAAAnE/Q0KT9HBv2JA/s1600/_MG_3075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y_X8vJMvdJM/VSaU14lebKI/AAAAAAAAAnE/Q0KT9HBv2JA/s1600/_MG_3075.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lINN90Fs1-o/VSaU3yU4dyI/AAAAAAAAAnM/uqxgMPN-SDQ/s1600/_MG_3119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lINN90Fs1-o/VSaU3yU4dyI/AAAAAAAAAnM/uqxgMPN-SDQ/s1600/_MG_3119.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seals of Pier 39</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Cw1S9_4PvQ/VSaU5BS0a-I/AAAAAAAAAnY/KZIsqWTt-Hs/s1600/_MG_3129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Cw1S9_4PvQ/VSaU5BS0a-I/AAAAAAAAAnY/KZIsqWTt-Hs/s1600/_MG_3129.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a few cormorants too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2b3-gSUeSA/VSaU7VbagMI/AAAAAAAAAnk/ZPICWMUJoVY/s1600/_MG_3153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2b3-gSUeSA/VSaU7VbagMI/AAAAAAAAAnk/ZPICWMUJoVY/s1600/_MG_3153.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francisco comes complete with retro trams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZG_fZJscG0/VSaVCiPDjwI/AAAAAAAAAn8/YPP_tSvK2mY/s1600/_MG_3228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZG_fZJscG0/VSaVCiPDjwI/AAAAAAAAAn8/YPP_tSvK2mY/s1600/_MG_3228.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable cars running on the really steep streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Kz_gkBLOQ/VSaVEE3Mr7I/AAAAAAAAAoE/ZbHJfC0aZcQ/s1600/_MG_3239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Kz_gkBLOQ/VSaVEE3Mr7I/AAAAAAAAAoE/ZbHJfC0aZcQ/s1600/_MG_3239.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcatraz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhXvrMdziVc/VSaVHXcVROI/AAAAAAAAAoM/MuiBjD5cVJ4/s1600/_MG_3260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhXvrMdziVc/VSaVHXcVROI/AAAAAAAAAoM/MuiBjD5cVJ4/s1600/_MG_3260.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Black-crowned Night Heron</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43K0VUzsbg0/VSaVKZ4VdXI/AAAAAAAAAoU/hnNKJbmcoC8/s1600/_MG_3281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43K0VUzsbg0/VSaVKZ4VdXI/AAAAAAAAAoU/hnNKJbmcoC8/s1600/_MG_3281.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj5bd20X2uE/VSaVMscjnXI/AAAAAAAAAoc/YWnrq-pFH24/s1600/_MG_3287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj5bd20X2uE/VSaVMscjnXI/AAAAAAAAAoc/YWnrq-pFH24/s1600/_MG_3287.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Muc1aicpXy8/VSaVOmDJ3RI/AAAAAAAAAok/2LreT-N7YnA/s1600/_MG_3307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Muc1aicpXy8/VSaVOmDJ3RI/AAAAAAAAAok/2LreT-N7YnA/s1600/_MG_3307.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daRfN-Ckz8g/VSaVQLKi6VI/AAAAAAAAAos/Zu96124gT8w/s1600/_MG_3347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daRfN-Ckz8g/VSaVQLKi6VI/AAAAAAAAAos/Zu96124gT8w/s1600/_MG_3347.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4nN1bBSoFGE/VSaVTkdWFmI/AAAAAAAAAo0/Nv9FfIQx7ug/s1600/_MG_3354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4nN1bBSoFGE/VSaVTkdWFmI/AAAAAAAAAo0/Nv9FfIQx7ug/s1600/_MG_3354.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYLXizgPAcU/VSaVXb6kB-I/AAAAAAAAApE/yA162kR5WJ4/s1600/_MG_3376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYLXizgPAcU/VSaVXb6kB-I/AAAAAAAAApE/yA162kR5WJ4/s1600/_MG_3376.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Will Hore-Lacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06010022331763407268noreply@blogger.com0