What an adventure – exciting and it reminds me of being on Safari in Africa only in cold weather. We had a group of 4 friends traveling up to see these magnificent animals and the trip did not disappoint. First you fly into Winnepeg, Canada and than proceed onto a private charter to Churchill, a very northern town of approximately 700 residents.
Physical characteristics: Male polar bears can grow up to 9 ft long and weigh 800-1300 lbs, while females are much smaller and are approx. 300-700 lbs. They have white or yellowish hollow fur for camouflage, black skin to absorb heat and thick fat for insulation.
Watching these massive bears, also known as the “sea bear,” is awe inspiring. They are the largest bear and land carnivore. They are typically solitary, however in Churchill before the Hudson Bay freezes, they come to hang out and rest, play and size up each other before proceeding on the ice to fish.
Discover a world of possibilities
Polar bears are classified as marine mammals. They can swim constantly for days at a time. Less than 2% of polar bears hunts are successful. They also face more threats than climate change. Grizzly-Polar Bear hybrids do exist. They can smell their prey up to 20 miles away – yikes!
Polar Bears importance
They hold a strong cultural significance for Arctic people, and beyond. They are top predators in their eco system, which means they play a vital role in the balance of their environment.
By helping to protect these animals, we are helping to make sure the Arctic food chain stays healthy, for the benefit of wildlife and people in and beyond the Arctic.
Now I understand the color green when referring to Ireland. This was my first trip over the pond to go see the land of beauty. I am not a city person, so this blog focuses more on the countryside and the beauty of the southern part of Ireland. Once we arrived in Ireland, we jumped on the on/off bus and toured around to see the layout of Dublin. Good choice and that was plenty for me at the time. I do love old buildings, castles, churches & landscapes so I was pleasantly surprised. The trip was raining 90% of the time but as you will see it didn’t effect my trip one bit.To see any of these pictures better, hit the first one in the set and it will appear larger on your screen.
The next day we decided to catch a train to Delkey and explore the quaint little town.
And what is Dublin without going to Temple Bar and exploring the nightlife & entertainment surrounding you on all sides.
As you can see, the rain didn’t stop anyone – and it was cold! However we did come across the beautiful tulips in bloom.
Next I would highly recommend taking a stroll along the river – beautiful and you get to see quite a few shops and restaurants.
After 2 days in Dublin, I was ready to explore the countryside. We got back to the airport & rented a car – automatic – thank goodness on these roads it saved us many times. Recommend getting all the insurance you can on the car because you can get into some scary drives which are narrow & windy and I would rather be safe than sorry.
I drove and my good friend was navigator and we took off for Glendalough & we wanted to drive the Wicklow Gap. Driving to Glendalough from Dublin it rained heavily, and was very cold, however as we pulled into the parking lot it, subsided and we were able to see some incredible sights. While we drove the Wicklow Gap it hailed and was windy – so always carry warm clothes & hat & gloves. We traveled the middle of April, 2023.
I loved this area – probably one of my favorites, just gorgeous.
The drive out to Wicklow and the hiking was a highlight because the lake and the colors of the hills & bushes was fresh from the rain.
After driving the Wicklow Gap – we were headed to the Kilkea Castle, which is a 12th century castle and golf course which you can stay at and only about an hour & 1/2 out of Dublin. Well worth the stay.
Make sure to head to the fabulous bar & meet the locals, I think this is the best part of Ireland. The friendly locals & pub food makes Ireland a must see.
One night stay is about all you need, unless you choose to golf. I learned very early that the Irish love their golf, some of the most beautiful courses I have seen, you just have to be ok with playing in the rain. We did see many people playing in the pouring down rain.
Kilkenny was our next destination and pulling into town we were delighted to see how cute it was. Our first exploration was the Kilkenny Castle.
I would also recommend visiting St. Canice’s Catherdral.
On the way out of town we stopped at Kell’s Priory, which is darling and we stopped for lunch. Very small but worth a stop.
Some of my favorite days were driving from town to town and seeing ruins, graveyards and some incredible scenery. The following pictures are from the drive from Kilkenny to Kinsale.
Kinsale, voted the prettiest town in Ireland
Kinsale was darling, the disappointment was most pubs were closed and a large storm had moved in so we decided to drive all around and see the countryside. The wind was howling and the chill was definitely in the air, in fact we drove to Mizen Head where there is a private golf course, basically in the middle of nowhere with a huge gate and a guard. As we got out of the car to ask the attendant if we could enter, we almost gone blown over due to the extreme winds. He never let us in but did tell us Tiger Woods and several other professional golfers love to come here since it is a magnificent course and extremely private, also the most southernly point in Ireland.
The above is Charles Fort built in 1682.
I will post my itinerary at the end, it was an easy one and driving this was perfect because I never wanted to spend all day driving from one point to another. My longest was 2 hours from hotel to hotel, and all the hotels were wonderful.
Kenmare was the destination today, and this was the lead into the Killarney National Park, one of the highlights of the trip. Below is the journey to Kenmare & the park.
Definitely worth driving the Ring of Kerry, however, start early and go counterclockwise. This helps with traffic, because the buses go clockwise. Double check on that, but a local suggested this to us and worth it. Although when we were in Ireland, I never felt crowded anywhere.
Our next stop and my highlight – the Killarney National Park where the scenery is spectacular & there are waterfalls, hiking trails and so much more to explore so I decided to just put the pictures out and show you. Highly recommend spending the whole day here.
Torc Falls – hit to play to see the falls
There is so much to see and do in the park, I just picked out my favorites.
The town of Dingle was our next stop and our base for the next two days. Darling town and worth going there if you plan to do the Ring of Kerry or the Ring of Beara Peninsula. We chose the Ring of Kerry. You take the Wild Atlantic Way route to the town of Dingle. Here you will see gorgeous beaches, green hillsides and plenty of cute towns.
Next stop…the Cliffs of Moher. I was so excited and the day we woke up it was gorgeous weather so we decided to take our time getting there. First stop, the Beehive Huts built in 2,000 BC, pretty incredible and the local gentleman was overseeing his sheep.
If you are going to the Cliffs of Moher from the Dingle side, there is a short cut that cuts off about and hour and a half to two hour drive and so we caught the ferry. From Dingle, drive to the town of Tarbet about 1 1/2 hour drive, pick up the ferry – just drive your car onto the car ferry and the cost was between $5 – $21. You arrive in Kilmer and the rest of the drive is approx. 58 minutes by car to the Cliffs of Moher. Fantastic rock shop on the way and I recommend stopping for a snack & bathroom break.
As you are driving to the Cliffs, there are other stops in case you like to explore and go off the beaten path – something that I love because that is where you will come across many treasures to see. Below are two of them.
And of course we had to stop to have fish & chips along with cider or beer so we stopped at this place, but the service was horrible so, do not recommend.
After lunch we were headed to the Cliffs of Moher and that is one place everyone mentions when they talk about Ireland, so my expectations were high. In Kenmare, a local stopped us and asked if we planned to go the the Cliffs, we answered, yes, and he gave us some fantastic advice and I would like to pass it on to whoever decides to drive and go.
He said, when you are about a mile away from the parking lot where you see the big busses pulling in look for a small sign…
and you will turn left onto the dirt road, as you approach this sign Guerin’s Path, turn right into there. A darling man will be standing there to take your $5.00 to park in his field – well worth it. You don’t deal with any crowds coming off the bus. Besides, he is too cute!
After parking, we walked about 1/3 of a mile till we got to see what was suppose to be the Cliffs of Moher, but they were completely socked in with fog – NOOOOO!
I was so disappointed and got mad at myself for taking our time getting there thinking it would be clear blue skies, but it wasn’t. My friend said, let’s just hang out for an hour or so, we have no place we have to get to so we did. The trails along the cliffs are well maintained, although some people do not like to follow any signs and go over the rock blocks to get closer to the edge after an hour the fog began to life and here are some of the pictures I was able to take.
The Cliffs of Moher are well worth the drive and if it is foggy – be patient the fog will pass – hopefully!
The last two pictures are from a town called Ballyvaughan
What I liked most about Ireland were the people and the beauty. The roads are very narrow, so make sure to drive slowly and enjoy the scenery. You are on holiday and don’t need to rush. If you want to see sheep or lambs – there is always an abundance of them around.
Our last place we stayed which was amazing and if you are golfer – stop and play here – great spa too. The place is called Glassen Lake House in Athlone, only an hour to one and a half out of Dublin.
If you like this blog and have not had a chance to check out the other ones I have done – go to KLSafaris.org and read about amazing places around the world. My favorite is Africa, but I also have other fantastic places to see and explore.
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Itinerary
Stay: The Mont
Dublin all day – go to Temple Bar area
Trip to Delkey (train) Definitely – darling town,
April 10
Go to airport to pick up rental car
Drive to Glendalough. Take to Wicklow Gap to get there
Monasteries & castle
Hiking
Stay at the Kilkea Castle – built in the 12th century
1 hr 24 min.
April 11
Drive to Kilkenny
Stay: Pembroke Hotel
Left Bank Pub
Kilkenny Castle
St. Canice’s Cathedral (6th century)
Stop at Kell’s Priory – Gorgeous
2 hrs 7 min
April 12
Drive to Kinsale – Prettiest town in Ireland
Stay: Long Quay House
Charles Fort – Summer Cove in Kinsale harbor (1682)
Mizen Head – most southernly point
1 hr 34 min
April 13
Drive to Kenmare
Stay: Lansdowne Hote
Ring of Kerry – get up early & drive before the crowds.
Visit Killarney Castle & Killarney National Park (Muckross House & Garden), Torc Waterfall)
1 hr 37 min
April 14, 15
Dingle Peninsula
Stay: Dingle Benners Hotel
Wild Atlantic Way route to Dingle
Driving to Cliffs of Moher
Drive 1 hr 24 min
Tarbet – pick up Ferry (20 min by car ferry. $5-21)
Killmer – Kilrush
Drive 58 min by car (36.8 miles) to Cliffs of Moher
April 16
Cliffs of Moher
Stay: The Waters Country House in Newton, Ballyvaughan (near Doolin) (we stayed, nice place but would skip this place and drive on)
2 hours
April 17 Drive to Athlone
Stay: Glasson Lake House in Athlone
1 hr. 16 min to Dublin
April 18
Drive to Dublin
Stay in: Clayton Hotel, Dublin Airport
Return rental car
April 19
Home – arrive at least 3 hours prior to departure because you have to go through customs in Ireland prior to leaving the country.
Uganda is a country of unbelievable beauty and so many things to see & do, but ultimately, I came here to see the gorillas & the shoebill – and I was not disappointed at all!
“The Pearl of Africa” are some of the expressions used to describe Uganda because of all of natures gifts it has provided. There are various game reserves in Uganda that offer amazing experiences to those who visit. We enjoyed many of the parks but in 1952 the established park named Kazinga National Park was renamed to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth 11. This is the most visited park in Uganda, with over 400 animal species living in the park.
Flamingos are typically found in shallow saltwater or brackish waters. (where saltwater & freshwater mix). Some flamingo species breed and raise their young in extremely salty bodies of water called alkaline or “soda” lakes. The algae found in salt lagoons are pink in color and contain photosynthetic pigments. These are the carotenoids. Once the bird swallows this pigment, it will be transmitted and then retransmitted throughout the food chain.
That is why as flamingos age they will acquire their pink color. This however, is not uniform and varies between individuals. Carotenoids have antioxidant properties and strengthen the immune system. This means, the pinker the bird, the healthier it is and better at fighting infections.
Prior to entering Queen Elizabeth NP, Emma took me to the salt flats where local people have some area within the salt flats that they can manage & sell. It was incredibly fascinating and the following pictures are from that visit.
Moving into Queen Elizabeth NP, I wanted to show you some of the amazing animal sightings we came across along with the landscape.
African fish eagle taking a bath.
Heading towards Bwindi National Park was getting me excited. I was thinking, by tomorrow I will be amongst the gorillas and experience something I have always wanted to do. WOW – doesn’t even touch the surface of how you feel during the entire experience.
As we started heading up in altitude, you could see the vast difference in landscape. Field after field planted with black tea – gorgeous. And lakes everywhere, if you were a hiker – this would be a great place to explore.
Pork supplier
Bwindi from my room
We came upon this adorable baby hippo and his mom. Most likely he was a male baby, because when females give birth to males, they will separate from the group. The dominant male will most likely kill the young hippo so mom moves away and takes care of her little one.
He was brand new and mom was surprised when we pulled up on the opposite side of the bank. She immediately got up and woke the baby up so they could cross the river. It was moving quite fast, she was able to get across easily, but the baby struggled. Here is his journey to cross and join his mom. It is a slide so make sure to hit the arrows right.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
It is called the Impenetrable National Park for a reason. It is definitely not easy trekking, but the community is so involved in the success of these gorillas that they encourage the entire village to partake in the activities.
As we drove up the mountain, all the children came running down to us – what a sight! Next when we reached the location check in, the locals were performing for us and for the love & safety of the gorillas. Remember to leave a tip – this community works hard so we can enjoy this experience. You can also hire one of the locals to help carry your backpack, water or just help push you up the mountain at the end. Well worth doing – you are giving back.
It was tough trekking but so worth it. You are split into groups and led by a ranger along with rangers with guns for your safety. There is no walking trail, instead the man in the front has a machete and slices away the brush. You will be going straight down the mountain which is steep and difficult footage. Obviously, this is all part of the excitement. But when you hear them moving through the brush and maybe some branches braking your adrenaline kicks in and you can’t wait to see your first gorilla sighting in the wild.
The family we were tracking were in very deep brush and difficult to see at times, but I did my best to capture them. Additionally, the baby gorilla was in his glory – showing off for us.
I MADE IT! But it took the help of the man holding the gun – he pushed me up the mountain – I needed all the help I could.
Good bye to Bwindi, but I will be back!
On my last day, Emma asked me if I was still wanting to see the Shoebill Stork, Of Course – I couldnt ask for a better way of ending an epic trip to Uganda. But the journey there was all part of the fun. We drove down a very dusty road with lots of bumps and than rolled into an area where some of the locals were waiting on their boats to take us out.
Our shoebill guide
What a fabulous way to end an epic journey through Uganda
No one would believe I ate this fish.
Journey with me as we travel through the Panoramic Route & Kruger National Park with some amazing animal sightings & my guests from 2 safari tours we did in 2023.
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Uganda post #2, so much to cover from this trip and I want to share all I can with you. Hopefully you will find that Uganda is a great place to visit, but remember, when you travel, don’t have pre-existing expectations – go with an open mind, meet the locals and enjoy the scenery & the chimps, gorillas & all the birds and animals they have.
Expectations when you travel is something that inhibits you from enjoying surprises that come up. When you are on safari, the animals do not just pop up and you move on your way. Most of the fun is finding and searching for them. It is exhilarating, especially something you have never experienced before. Uganda is a 3rd world country with 3rd world differences which means you need to be adaptable and all the glorious things will present themselves.
After viewing these beautiful chimps, we continued our trek and as we came around the corner, we came upon a mother and her son grooming each other which is also known as allogrooming. It is a behavior in which social animals, including humans, clean or maintain one another’s body or appearance. Allogrooming is grooming between members of the same species.
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch
This is the only place in Uganda that has White Rhinos. It also hosts many birds, and offers nature hikes, birding tours and Rhino trekking. We chose Rhino trekking. It was midday so the big animals were in a cool location resting. There are rangers watching them 24/7 to protect these magnificent animals and keep them safe from poachers.
Saved me & took me to Ziwa
Our truck had some issues and had to be addressed before we moved on to Ziwa, it just so happened that this wonderful group pulled up and let me join them in their safari truck, so Emma, my guide, could go fix the truck and I never had to miss anything. Thank you for the great hospitality.
As we finished, Emma met us and he and I took off to our next adventure.
Bushbuck
Young Waterbucks practicing dominance
2 Lionesses
Uganda African Vulture
Ellies
An entire family by the river
Next stop, the swamp area to look for all kinds of monkeys, this area is definitely not for the faint of heart – but so fun. One thing I did realize is monkeys and chimps and gorillas are hard to photograph, due to the fact they are arboreal, living in trees) for the most part and catching a picture of them is tough without getting a branch or leaf or vines in the way. I tried my best, but actually it is so better than seeing them in a zoo.
Red-tailed monkeys are known by other names such as: black-cheeked white-nosed monkey, red-tailed guenon, or Schmidt’s guenon.
Black & White Colobus Monkey
Moving on to the next adventure – gorilla trek, come back and escape to Uganda with me.
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Until we ride on the trucks again… Gorillas are next!
Until we ride in the trucks again…
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Beautiful, adventure galore, gorillas, chimpanzees, lakes, wonderful, kind people and so much more.
I don’t know, I will probably do 2-3 posts for Uganda, I can’t say enough – I asked for adventure and I got it in spades! I first have to have a shout out to my fantastic guide, Emma, who works for Devine African Safaris. All I had to do was ask for something and he was not only a gentleman, great driver, but he delivered the sightings and when I could barely make it up the mountain during the Gorilla trek in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – he was at the top cheering me on. More on gorillas and chimps soon though.
Having a blast with Emma, I call him Colorado Cowboy
As we started driving from Entebbe, Uganda, and we got out of the city, the beauty of Uganda was all around us. I must say, traveling as a single woman I was a bit nervous hoping someone will be on the other end to pick me up and Devine African Safaris went above what I expected. They had a nice gentleman meet me as I got off the plane and walk me through customs and introduce me to Emma, and that is where the journey began.
As we went out to get in the truck, it was a day that all the local schools got to have a tour of the airport. I love that most of the schools have a uniform and it depends on the school.
The school children were especially engaging and happy to see a friendly face who loves to wave so I got so many hi fives and smiles – it began the trip perfectly.
I was blown away at how lush the National Parks were and throughout our trip. Starting from the beginning of this eight day adventure, we began in Murchison Falls, which to me is one of the most spectacular & powerful waterfalls I have ever seen. We went to the top to feel the power & experience the mist and after we went below and got on a boat to take us to the mouth of the falls.
And the journey begins…
Listen to the power of the water. Murchison Falls National Park, also known as Kabalega Falls, is a waterfall at the top of Lake Albert on the Victoria Nile in Uganda. It is known as the most powerful waterfall in the world. The pressure is so great that the ground trembles around it. It is also where the longest river in the world, the Nile, squeezes through a 7-meter gap and then drops down 45 meters. The park was first discovered and open for tourists in 1927 and today is the largest park in Uganda.
Besides the incredible falls, the park is home to more than 73 animal species and 451 bird species. (now that is an estimate). The park also boasts that it has 3/4 of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes. We explored it all and the scenery, the lush vegetation and the amount of wild animal sightings made for a spectacular safari.
The highlight for me was to see a lion in the tree. Usually on safari you see them either hunting, lying in the grass or loving on each other, but the next few pictures are some of my favorite sightings from this trip – a mother and her cub. Enjoy…
As mentioned, the amount of wildlife and very few tourists, makes this a great destination for any person looking for a wild adventure.
These are Cape buffalo, not Water buffalo. Cape buffalo you can not domesticate, and they are from Africa, Water buffalo you can use on farms, and can domesticate, from Asia. When traveling the cattle egret loves to follow because these animals kick up many insects for them to eat.
Cape buffalos are extremely dangerous if provoked. They can run up to 40 mph and jump up to 6 feet vertically and quickly pivot to combat predators.
One of the birds that I like to photograph is in the Hornbill family – actually I enjoy all the variety of Hornbills and below is one that is called an Abyssinian ground hornbill, and we came across 2 of them – what luck!
As you can see, Murchison Falls National Park is spectacular! I never expected this kind of beauty.
I always have a photo wish list and one of the sightings that I would love to see are Cape buffalos wallowing in the mud. They do this to cool down but most importantly to cover themselves with mud which will suffocate any ticks or other bugs
I hope that you will continue to follow my travel/photography blog and explore Uganda, South Africa and so much more in the coming weeks.
I am finally back after 3 surgeries & almost a year of recovery, I am so ready to travel and share the world with you. I have some amazing trips for 2023 and can’t wait to get out and take pictures, learn the culture and hopefully get you motivated enough to go out on your own.
Marseille, also known as Marseilles, is the second most populated city in France. It is the 7th largest port in Europe and the largest in France. Located on the Gulf de Lyon, this city is a blend of African and French culture.
The city was founded around 600 BC by Greek settlers, it is also the oldest and continuously inhabited settlements in France. This beautiful port has been a trading port since ancient times. It experienced a huge commercial boom during not only the colonial times, but also during the 19th century.
Today as we pulled into port, I counted 9 large cruise ships either pulling into port or already docked, so I knew I wanted to get away from the crowds as soon as possible.
Fortunately, I had booked an electric bike trip and it did not disappoint. Highly recommend this to see parts of the city and enjoy being away from the crowds.
The guide picked us up right at the dock as we disembarked. I purchased this excursion through Viator, which is what I always do when I am traveling. First of all it is half the price of an excursion on the ship. The bikes were electric and it saved me.
First stop was straight up to Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, know to the locals as Bonne-mere
The building of the basilica began in 1853 and lasted over 40 years. Stunning views of the city and well worth making your way up the steep hill. They do offer a tourist train is you do not want to walk or bike.
Another worthwhile stop is the Cathedral De La Major which is a monument on the waterfront which dates back to the 19th century.
This building blends both Romanesque and Byzantine styles together and it spans 462 feet.
From the city we made our way out to the Parc National Des Calanques. Lucky for us, one day a month the town closes the main street closest to the water, so no cars. The locals block off the roads and the police stay vigilant so only pedestrians, bikers, skaters, & families can enjoy the stroll from downtown along the water all the way to the Parc. Unbelievable beauty and it was fun to ride in and around the locals enjoying a day of sunshine.
We were lucky enough to have one of the most spectacular days that they had in a very long time. One of the fun things to do on this bike ride is to go through some of the small fishing villages such as Vallon des Auffes, a tranquil fishing haven.
Bright and colorful.
Moving on from here we stopped at a wonderful pizza place and ordered 3 pizzas to go. Now the question was how to carry them since we still had some miles to go but when you are hungry, you will figure out a way.
The bike ride was beautiful and as we got closer to Parc National Des Calanques which has incredible diversity and beauty, We all were struck by the hidden gem outside of Marseille.
Find a beach, have some lunch and feel free to cool off in the sparkling Mediterranean sea or take a hike. Another way to explore the park is by boat or Catamaran tours. One warning though, watch out for tiny jelly fish, one of the bikers with us got stung horribly so the rest of us stayed on shore.
Riding back on our bikes through the city along the water was so worth it. Best way to spend the day in Marseille, France
As we leave the port of Marseille, I hope you have a feeling of the beauty but also what it is so famous for… Marseille is famous all over the world for its Bouillabaisse, a famous fish soup.
Unit we ride again…
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Breathtaking and hard to believe that these monasteries are still working. It is a long trek to get to the six active monasteries set on giant sandstone rock pillars between the 14th and 16th centuries.
The byzantine monasteries are surrounded by spectacular landscapes and steep rock outcroppings. The word Meteora means “suspended in the air,” and this describes these unbelievable Greek Orthodox monasteries. Set just outside the small quaint town of Kalabaka, the rocks rise up to heights of 600 meters and represents one of the most important communities in Greece.
In 1988, the Meteora monasteries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
When you arrive, make sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water and dress appropriately. You should be in decent shape because the hike up is difficult but so worth the hike.
Which Monastery to visit?
Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, also known as the Holy Monastery of the Metamorfossis (Transfiguration of Christ), is a male monastery and the oldest and largest one to visit. This monastery was founded before mid-14th century (approx. 1340) by a scholar monk of Mount Athos, Saint Athanasios Meteorites.
The Monastery of Varlaam
This is the second largest monastery of Meteora. Located close to the Great Meteora Monastery, founded in mid 14th century by a monk named Varlaam.
In the 9th century, hermit monks settled into the nearby rock caves and began a life of solitude and prayer. Many centuries later, a monk called Athanasios Koinovitis from sacred Mount Athos, traveled to Thessaly in search of the hermit monks, and was the one to initiate the construction of the first monastery, Great Meteoron.
The monasteries provided great protection during the Turkish invasions through the years and especially in the 14th century. By this time there were over 20 monasteries in Meteora, but only 6 operate at this time.
THE MONASTERY OF ST. BARBARA OR ROUSSANOU
The Monastery of St. Barbara or Roussanou
A must see & hike. This monastery was named Roussanou probably for the first hermit monk who settled on the rock around the 14th century. It is one single building (very small inside), occupying the entire available surface of the cliff. It literally looks like the building is carved right out of the cliff and it is an extension of the rock itself.
As you enter this building you escape back in time. The small chapel is adorned with beautiful paintings on the walls and ceiling. A monk who lived there at the time and was very skilled did the majority of the artwork.
In 1988, this monastery became a convent and today more than 15 nuns live in the small & cozy space.
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One of the most beautiful areas of the Mediterranean. As you enter the Bay of Kotor, you immediately are mesmerized by the enormous mountains, the quaint villages and the colorful Our Lady of the Rocks in the middle of the bay which is the highlight. The Bay of Kotor, also known by locals as “Boka,” and is known not only for the beauty but the winding roads, the “cats” of Montenegro, the town of Perast, the walled medieval city of Kotor, and so much more.
Our Lady of the Rocks is this small church in the middle of the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. Now this is where I would definitely go to church if it meant going across the bay in a small boat, as long as all the tourists were not there. The key to seeing this small church is to catch one of the many small boats that will take you over for a small fee. Try to go as early as possible because the later you wait, the more crowded it is.
The Bay of Kotor is a submerged river valley made up of four connected bays making up a butterfly shape which stretches inland from the coast. As you enter the bay, especially on a boat…make sure you are up front when entering the bay so you can get the best pictures of the church. This has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Our Lady of Remedy, St. John’s Hill
View from the town of Perast
How did Our Lady of the Rocks (Gasp od Skrpjela), come to be in the middle of the bay along with another island known as Sveti Dorde? The legend is just as impressive as the church.
The legend is said that, in 1452, two brothers from Perast, both fishermen, found an icon of the Virgin with Christ on the sea-cliff. They brought it home but the next morning it was gone. It appeared at the same sea-cliff, so the two brothers took it home one more time. The same thing happened – the icon disappeared again and reappeared on the sea-cliff. They took this to mean, the Virgin wanted to stay there forever, so the two brothers decided to build a church for the Virgin in the center of the bay. It is believed that every time a successful voyage was made, the fisherman would lay a rock onto the island.
The people of Persat began throwing stones, rocks, and placing boulders out in the bay and eventually the island was created. To this day, there is a large procession of boats once a year known as the Fasinada in which people throw rocks from their boats onto the island in honor of the Virgin.
The church was built soon after. Once you have a chance to go inside of the church, there are numerous artifacts, paintings and a large marble alter.
Next to Our Lady of the Rocks sits another island known as, The Islet of the Dead, also known as Ostrvo Sveti Dorde (Island of St. George), and rises from a natural reef. No-one is allowed to visit the island.
The island contains Saint George Benedictine monastery from the 12th century and the old graveyard for the old nobility from Perast and further from the whole Bay of Kotor. This island is also the resting place of many famous captains of Persat.
Cats of Kotor
As one enters the old town of Kotor and you pass through the midevil walls that surround the town you quickly start to notice cats are prevalent. They seem homeless, but don’t think they are not taken care of by the locals and many of the tourists. In fact, they have an entire park where the moms come to have their offspring.
History of the Kotor cats goes back hundreds of years when there was a large number of mice and rats in the town. To stop the infestation in town, cats were introduced.
I love cats, so I was in heaven. You can find them in flower pots, on the staircases and even on chairs at some of the local eateries.
Like many of the European towns, it is fun to get lost into the maze of cobblestone streets or alleys once in the old town. I also would recommend walking along the top of the walls to get some wonderful views. You can find great food, souvenir shops, cats of course and strolling musicians.
If you have the chance to visit Kotor, make sure to go over to the town of Persat, in fact that is a great place to catch a boat across to Our Lady of the Rocks. When getting off the cruise ship, we hired a guide to take us around and see sites other than the normal Old Town and we were not disappointed at all.
We went to a very high point to take this picture and then we headed to the town of Persat which is small but worth a walk around.
All I can say is The Bay of Kotor, Montenegro is worth a visit, especially if you are in Croatia. It can be a day trip from Dubrovnik.
Travel with me as we go to Greece.
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Split is the second largest city of Croatia on the Adriatic Coast. Hard to believe it has been under Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French, Italian & Yugoslavian Rule.
This is a very pretty city and I decided I wanted to stay away from the crowds, so when we got off the ship, a young man asked us if we wanted a ride into town on his rickshaw, of course I said yes! Once we got to town, which by the way was a distance (no problem if you have good knees, which I do not),so we asked how much he would charge to take us all over the area and he gave us a great price and off we went.
Duje our adorable tour guide, extraodinare
Make sure to get away from the crowds, if you can by rickshaw – and look for Duje, tell him I sent you.
Sustipan
The southwest cape of the Split harbour is called Sustipan after a Middle Aged monastery of St. Stephen under the pine trees, which served as the resting ground to the Croatian Kings. At the beginning of the 19th century Sustipan became Split’s first cemetery, outside of the city at the time, only to be demolished and made into a glorious park.
Our rickshaw driver, Duje, rode us up to this location and the views were spectacular. The blue skies with big white clouds against the dramatic coastline is worth a stop while in Split.
As we walked around the park and took pictures, I saw a nun and decided to take some pictures of her…
Built in the second half of the 15th century, and dedicated to St. Jeronimus, or Jere , saint patron of Dalmatia. Andrija Alessi finishes and signs the altar in 1480. In the immediate vicinity are the hermit hermitages, walled in caves where hermit monks resided protecting the church.
Definitely suggest spending your time on the rickshaw because I felt like rather than spending the whole day walking around another busy city, we got away from the crowds and saw parts of Split I would never have imagined, and loved it.
One of the most picturesque beaches which is a local favorite and surrounded by lush vegetation is called, Jezinac Beach.
Jezinac Beach
As we headed back to town we asked to be dropped off at the old city walls and what better time to find gelato and walk the streets.
As we headed back to our ship, we were walking along the promenade and ran into Duje and all his friends. He said he would be happy to take us back to the ship at no extra cost and we jumped at the chance – saved the knees and time.
Burano & Murano are worth a trip over to see the amazing glass work & the beautiful colored houses & lace work the islands are known for in Venice.
On the way over to the two islands you might come across Lorenzo Quinn’s “Building Bridges” sculpture. Magnificent! This sculpture is an installation consisting of six pairs of hands arching 50 feet over a waterway at the Arsenale former shipyard in Venice’s eastern Castello District. It was done in white resin to mimic the white marble that is seen all over Venice.
The hands are to symbolize the need to build bridges and overcome differences. Each pair is clasped in different ways to highlight six values: Friendship, hope, love, help, faith and wisdom.
To avoid tourists & so much of the crowds in Venice, book a tour over to both islands and along the way you may come across this huge art installation. I love to book 95% of my tours through either Viator or Trip advisor, but I prefer Viator. One of my things to do prior to a trip is to do a tremendous amount of research and find the tour that fits my liking, usually away from the crowds.
I found a tour called Murano & Burano Islands fully guided small group, next I will read many of the reviews – extremely important. When most of the reviews are positive and I like what it says, I book and this and the tour did not disappoint. First of all, the guide was excellent and she shared much of her knowledge since she was born and raised in Venice.
Both these islands are only a half day excursion so you are back in time to explore more of Venice either on your own, or with another Viator excursion. Both these islands usually have less tourists & it is a more authentic feel.
Burano
Burano is an extremely colorful small island at the northern end of the Venetian lagoon, known as a historic fishing village. This town is actually hailed as one of the prettiest towns in Italy – and that is hard to do! For a photographer, it is a dream to come and see all the various colors & life in a small village.
With only 2,000 full-time residents, tourism is the main attraction & industry now. The picturesque canals filled with boats lining the edges, stroll through the town, buy a gelato & perhaps watch how the women make delicate lace items for purchase.
It is believed that the Romans first inhabited the island in the 6th century. Later people fleeing hostile invaders on the mainland soon became residents.
Why the colorful houses, besides looking incredible! It is said, that the practice of painting the houses in bright colors is mainly due to the island’s history as a fishing village. The bright colors helped fisherman locate their homes amidst the thick fog that engulfs the lagoon. It is also thought that is marked property lines. And my thought, when a fisherman came home and hit the pubs, it might be easier to find your house, but whatever the reason, I am so glad they did it.
Murano – the island of glass
Probably the most well known island in Venice, due to the glassmaking industry. We watched as the men made this horse within 10 minutes – amazing!
This island is just 1.5 km away from the old city of Venice, Murano is a collection of seven individual islands linked by bridges. The island was founded between the 5th & 7th centuries and the glass making became a central industry beginning in 1271, when glass furnaces from Venice were moved here. Besides walking the quaint town, the Museo del Metro is worth a stop. The museum is housed in a 17th Century Palace which was converted in 1861 to house and tell the history of varying glassmaking techniques.
A visit to the Mazzega Glass Factory is where we watched them make the colorful horse above and it is also a place to witness how the glass designs are made.
Murano’s Grand Canal is quieter, smaller & more enjoyabe to explore without the hassles of all the tourists. Plan your days in Venice wisely and you will enjoy every minute of your time.
My next blog will be Split, Croatia. Remember to tell your friends & family to travel with me around the world & experience some of the wonderful places this world has to offer. I also do this for cancer patients or anyone who is at home, struggling with treatments and just wants to escape if only for a few minutes and transport you to another place. I hope my blogs give everyone a smile.
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If you have never been – think about putting it on the bucket list. Venezia, in Italian, is a major seaport & is also the capital of the province & the region of Northern Italy.
Known as the greatest seaport in the late medieval Europe, and the continents commercial & cultural link to Asia. I highly recommend taking the water taxi to your hotel, but ask at your hotel ahead of time if they have a water taxi, I learned the hard way. I came off my plane & walked to the water taxi at 10:30 pm which got me into Venice by water and to San Marco Square just in time to walk across to the other end and then through the narrow streets with my luggage. Turns out – the hotel had a taxi that would have dropped me off on the back side of the hotel for the same price. Good to know now.
Coming in on the boat at night is spectacular and you are instantly transported to a world like no other that I have found in all my travels. I understand why it is so popular – the scenery, the food and being on the water is exciting.
Piazza San Marco with Campanile & St. Mark’s BasilicaInteresting art.
Venice is an enchanting city that captivates anyone who visits & casts an intoxicating spell over you. I have always been told “the best part of Venice is to get lost in the winding streets,” where you will find stylish cafes, gelateries, souvenir shops, famous glass shops (specialty in Venice), Renaissance palaces & gothic churches.
The Grand Canal
Venice surrounds you in old beautiful buildings, sparkling blue water with gondolas and men singing to their passengers as they pass by, and it is extremely romantic. Anytime of the day you can stroll the narrow walkways and find yourself dreaming. Here you can find the gondola rides & I suggest the sunset ride where the buildings are in the perfect light and the sky turns pink,
Gondolas have been a mode of transportation in Venice since the 11th century. It was the best way for commoners to get around the city on the water. Eventually, gondolas started to become ornately decorated, luxurious & expensive. It is suggested there are about 400 gondolas in Venice and all are used for tourism.
Venice has been known as “The Queen of the Adriatic”, “City of Masks”, “City of Bridges”, “City of Canals”, but one thing can be said it how unique this city of water is. The city is built on 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. The lagoon and parts of the city are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
As I mentioned earlier, strolling through the alleys & over the bridges you can discover life away from the crowds and see more of the livelihoods of the locals.
In my next blog, I plan to discover two of the islands in Venice and show you their specialty and the drastic differences of the two. Share with friends as we journey for the next few months through the Mediterranean and see Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, France & Spain.
Don’t forget, I have openings for 2023 Safaris to South Africa, so if you and some of your friends are interested, email me & we can discuss specifics and you can also find the details on this website.
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Beautiful! I had never thought of going through this part of the state, but things worked out and I took this route on my way to Sun Valley from Northern CA. I was by myself and enjoyed the trip immensely. I have just gotten a new car, I put on the music as loud as I could take it and rocked out while driving and enjoying the scenery.
I took this route for one reason and that was to head to the Alvord Desert, but luckily I found so much more to photograph before getting there and actually I never made it to the Desert or the Hot Springs.
The drive was nine hours but I never was tired since I had enough to see and appreciate along the drive.
Stunning Lake
As I mentioned before, I was never a birder, but now, I am and love it. Once you stop to look at the variety and colors it is endless. I wanted to share one of the highlights of photographing this lake – I got to see what I call the “The Bird Dance”.
The southeastern part of Oregon is high desert which has its own beauty. When I think of desert – I think of sand dunes, hot and arid but this was a pleasant surprise.
As I was driving along, I realized how fabulous the alfalfa hay is growing out here. I came across some huge fields of hay blowing in the wind and it brought me back to my ranching days. Seeing farmers out in the fields is so heartening – they work so hard no matter how hot, cold or raining or snowing – that is a tough job.
Some scenery on the drive to enjoy, I highly recommend it if you are heading to Boise or Sun Valley, Idaho
My next stop was Boise, Idaho. It was going to be 105 degrees that day and I don’t do well in the heat, so I changed my plans again and instead of driving for a few hours out of the way, I went to the World Center for Birds of Prey. Watching birds of prey is a fascination of mine, how they watch, soar, dive & hunt. I got up early and wanted to get there before it got too hot. The highlight for me was I knew they had a Harpy Eagle, a bird I have always wanted to see in real life and I was able to capture him on film.
Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered hawk, Harpy Eagle, American Kestrel, Harris Hawk, Barred owl, peregrine falcon
The World Center for Birds of Prey:
Our Mission:
To conserve birds of prey worldwide.
Our Vision:
Raptor populations and their ecosystems thrive.
Human communities are enriched by our work and raptors are valued by all humans.
We serve as the global expert on birds of prey and their conservation.
Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
What is a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl … An Owl or an Eagle? No, it does not mean an eagle mated with an owl and got the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl. It means, it is what the last part of the name is, an Owl. This is the largest of the owls in Africa and very hard to find when out on safari – they are nocturnal. The Verreaux’s Eagle Owl has short, tousled ear-tufts. It is also known as the Milky Eagle Owl or the Giant Eagle Owl.
What makes a bird a Raptor? There are three main characteristics that qualify it and that is keen eyesight, sharp talons & curved beaks. Raptors are the only bird that uses its talon’s to catch prey.
Harpy Eagles have long, curved beaks and talons the size of grizzly bear claws, Harpy Eagles are the largest and most powerful eagles in the world. These commanding birds swoop through the rain forests of Latin America, routinely picking up prey weighing more than 15 pounds—and sometimes equal to their own weight.
Harpy Eagle
I have so much more to share. I will be traveling in September 2022, and plan to do blogs on each of the ports we visit. If you know me, I will not always be doing the typical tourist stops so I look forward to sharing those adventures with all of you.
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I think this is a fabulous place to visit – especially if you are visiting California. I have been fortunate to visit several times and each time I am in awe of the beauty & variety that one can find. This trip, I stayed in Pacific Grove which to me is a hidden gem! First of all, it is a beautiful area & not known by many tourists, so you get the chance to walk on the sidewalk above the ocean for miles. Dog friendly, kid friendly & especially adult friendly.
One of the highlights is driving down Hwy 1 along the coast and to my surprise, I stopped at a Taco Bell that sits on prime property. This Taco Bell sits on the beach in Pacifica, and not only does it have the regular items on the menu, but it offers beer & wine . You can order & sit out on the deck or inside they have a fabulous fireplace. Now that is how I like to eat my TB!
Taco Bell in Pacifica, CABackside Taco BellDoesn’t get any better, especially with a glass of wine or beer.
After a quick bite, I continued down the coast, until I arrived at my destination in Pacific Grove. It was so beautiful, I immediately got out, dropped off my luggage and headed to the walkway. The sidewalk along the coast goes for miles and I wanted to share some of the sites before I talk about the Monterey Aquarium.
1855 Point Pinos
After a wonderful walk to see wildlife & scenery, it was time to head to the Monterey Aquarium. I realized if you stay in Pacific Grove you are within walking distance to the Aquarium.
I was given great advice by one of the workers at the Monterey Aquarium, they said do not get in line first thing in the morning because it is so busy, wait about an hour and half and then go – brilliant!!!! Waited in line maybe 5 minutes.
Since Covid, they limit the amount of people so make sure to buy your ticket in advance. As I entered, I immediately was blown away. The entire place is a must see! The colors and variety of marine life in the habitats are spectacular. I will share just a few of my favorites.
Purple striped Jelly
Jellies have no bones, brains, teeth, blood or fins which makes them nature’s strangest wonder. Jellies are called gelatinous zooplankton. Their body is 95% water. They can detect light, gravity, and hormones using rhopalia-small sensory structures on the edge of their balls.
African penguinJapanese porcupine crabs
African penguins live in cold currents along the coast of South Africa, which is very similar to the Monterey coastline.
Bloodybelly Comb jellyfish. Even though we can see this creature – in their real habitat, deep water, the animals that are red appear black and blend into the backgroundPacific Sea NettleBlack necked stilt
Take your time and really enjoy the Monterey Aquarium, it is a California gem. I stayed approximately 3 1/2 hours and was very leisure in walking around. Parking in the area is difficult so just beware. After coming out you can stroll down through Cannery Row. It is the site of the now-defunct sardine canning factories. The last cannery closed in 1973, it is replaced by shops.
After leaving the aquarium, I headed down to the docks to watch the fishing boats and was delighted to run into the animals below – which was very entertaining!
AFTERNOON LUNCH CROWD
AFTERNOON LUNCH CROWD
On your travels back, if you happen to go back up HWY 1, stop at Cameron’s Pub, just past Half Moon Bay. Fabulous pub – makes me feel like I am in London. The food is good & the beer is always flowing.
SAN GREGORIO STATE PARK
I hope you enjoyed this blog. Since my accident, I have not traveled back to Africa, but as I mentioned before – Safari can be in your backyard, town or out of the country. It means to explore – go out on a journey, so until I can get back to Africa I will be blogging on places that I think are worth visiting.
Until we ride again…
Let your friends know I am back & plan to begin blogging on a regular basis. All pictures you see on my website are for sale in all different sizes and can be put on anything. Just contact me at KLSafaris.org
Wow, seems like just yesterday I was following my dream and in an instant it was taken away. My accident made me stop & take stock for my future and where I am going from here. Needless to say, there were many days of tears and frustration, but as I mentioned in the last blog, I needed to “Cowboy up”. Pick myself up by the boot straps and begin the decision on where I am going from here.
After the initial “pity party”, I got out of bed and made my decision to head home to heal and have surgery. But before then, I needed to see more of South Africa.
During the first 3 weeks, I was not very mobile and stayed in my tent and went to the lodge on occasion. But, as luck has it, the Garden Route Safari Camp, which is AMAZING, was sold out for the next week, so they decided to have me move over the their friends B&B and that was a life saver.
The B&B is called 3Colours Blue House Guest House in Mossel Bay, South Africa and the owners/operators are Andre & Elmarie.
Not only the views, which were breathtaking, the house, the staff and location is perfect. The 3Colours Blue Guest House sits up on the top of a hill overlooking all of Mossel Bay, but within a short walking distance to trails, coffee shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.
So of course, my next stop was finding a fabulous local coffee shop to go every morning and have something to eat but have an incredible vibe and boy did I find it!! The coffee shop is called The Blue Shed, and not only the coffee & food, but the surroundings and hospitality were exactly what I was looking for.
The Blue Shed, Mossel Bay, South Africa
I love how they utilize space. this was a piece of land that people would leave their abandoned cars and other items and they built the coffee shop around it and made it interesting place to visit. They have different seating areas to escape both inside and out. One of the best coffee shops I have ever visited.
Blue Shed
This just shows that everything has a purpose in life, might not be yours, but that is ok, it is someones!
3Colours Blue as mentioned is in a perfect location for exploring Mossel Bay. I happened to find a magnificent walking trail called the St. Blaize Hiking Trail, just 5 minutes from the B&B and the following pictures are from that spot.
As you can see, very similar to the Northern California coastline, maybe that is why I love it so much. This trail will lead to the lighthouse and the beautiful point where there is great place to swim, restaurants and the longest zip line over the ocean.
Mossel Bay at the Point, Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, the Point of Human Organs and the Zipline over the ocean.
Next was renting an automatic car at the airport (which by the way, is very difficult, because most of the cars are stick shift on the left side and my shoulder and rotator cuff is damaged on the left side) and moved down to the town of Wilderness where I could do some photography and more exploring.
In another blog, I mentioned this area because they told me if you are a “birder” than this is the place to go, so I was in search of a specific bird blind where I could set my camera on something, because I could barely hold it up to take any pictures. I finally found one and luckily I was the only person in the blind, if you have never had an opportunity to sit in one and view animals on their own level – I suggest you find one because it gives you a view into thier lives at their level and it is one of the most peaceful things to do.
Fine, I will leave!
More from the blind
Love
There is such a fascinating life that if you sit still you will discover. After the blind I headed to the walkway that roams around the lake. I usually get up very early to take pictures for the lighting but also because there is much to see without people in your shots.
Water Thicknee
I was driving to my destination and saw this gorgeous bird laying in the dirt right next to the street. The way she was sitting at that time of day made me think she might be sitting on a chick, and sure enough she was. I am fascinated by camouflage, look closely to see the small baby in the dirt. Momma bird got up to move away a few birds that were coming in to bother her and most likely try to eat the baby, so she distracted the birds and I was able to take this picture from a distance.
Baby Water Thicknee
Discover your surroundings
Last stop…Saying goodbye to my amazing hosts at the Garden Route Safari Camp, who without them, my dream would not have come true.
The rain brings so much joy to everyone and I enjoy sitting and watching wildlife as they move around in the rain and the plants receive much needed water.
Helmeted Guinea Fowl Drying off after the rain
Golden Orb Weaver Spider
Known for their gorgeous golden webs. The webs are huge and often spanning a large area between bushes. The web is strong and sometimes might even catch a small bird in the web. Although this spider is large, it is non-aggressive and relatively harmless. The female golden orb spider dwarfs the male, however she also likes to eat the male after mating so the male has to come up with some tricky maneuvers. Usually, while the female is distracted, usually when she is already eating, he will either present her with some food, breed her and then retreat to a safe distance. I actually saw one of these spiders with 6 of her boyfriends wrapped up in her web so she could eat later!
These impressive webs can last up to many years, whereas most webs only last a short lifespan. The reason for the name is the color of the web this spider weaves. The color is for two reasons, one when the sunlight its the web it will attract bees and in the shadows, it becomes camouflaged into the foliage and will ensnare other insects.
The spider is able to adjust the amount of pigment in the silk, thus changing the intensity of the thread color.
Home it is – but not for good. As I wait for my surgery, I will be discovering fascinating places to visit and learn about and share with you. My next blog will be the Monterey Aquarium.
As mentioned at the end of my blogs, I always end with “until we ride again”. But, this time the term “Cowboy Up” which we used extensively on the Guest Ranch I owned and operated, it was the perfect term for my situation. We were always saying that if you were being lazy, got hurt – but not hurt badly and so many other times we would use that term.
Well, now it is my turn to say this to myself. The whole reason for going over to South Africa at this time was to do my “dream job,” which was riding horses to go on safari, train & condition them, work with staff, and while I was at it, I got to do my photography, 4 wheel drive to work and see amazing wildlife while engulfing myself in the guiding experience. Meaning, learning more and more about the area, the flora & fauna, the wildlife & the birds.
Stephan leading us on my first ride – learning the trails
The playground or office was amazing & challenging, fascinating & my true dream.
Riding with guests at Garden Route Safari CampAmeliaAmelia was not happy when Stephan told her she could not come ridingLove riding horses in water
Rhino Patrol – my favorite thing to do everyday
What happened next was…
I rode again, I got thrown off the horse (it spooked) and it went one way and I went the other. Unfortunately, I broke my shoulder, cracked some ribs and messed up my knee even worse than it was and realized very quickly that I was badly hurt. The pain was not the only sign!!!!
Getting ready for a ride
Kwando & Star
Silence, my riding partner
One of the many fantastic days of riding at Garden Route Safari Camp
So the question now is – what is my future at Garden Route Safari Camp? Going to the hospital and talking to the Drs., they told me that I cannot return to work for a minimum of 6-8 weeks – WHAT????????????????????????????
Needless to say I had to re-evaluate my situation. Working through the pain, all I could do was rest in my tent or the lodge and think about the beautiful scenery that I called my office…
Needless to say, my mood and attitude changed dramatically. I have always been a thrill seeker, adventurer & crave the outdoors but this really set me back. So I decided to start looking at the little things that I tend to walk by because I am usually looking for the big things to photograph.
I could not hold up my camera, go on safari or be with the horses so I learned to put my camera lens on something I could rest it on and started taking pictures again. I was able to explore the area more than if I had not had this accident. I told myself “COWBOY UP KAREN!” But disappointment seeped into my mind and it wasn’t until recently when the pain subsided a little more have I been able to do a blog. So that is why I have been silent.
Bird life became my focus along with more of the beauty of the area. As I sat on the deck of my tent I was able to sit the camera on the railing and begin taking pictures again.
I began to see the beautiful birds, butterflies and flowering plants.
Southern Double Collared Sunbird (male)Female & Male Double Collared Sunbirds
Amethyst Sunbird
My next blog will highlight one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa…Mossel Bay and the hospitality that I received while I was healing at the Bed & Breakfast. Great hiking trails and so much more. Keep following my blog as I delve into exciting places to visit and some of the little things we walk right by & why…
By entering your name here, each time I do a blog it will come straight to your email account. I do not sell your information – I just love to share my love of Africa and all that this world has to explore.
Why do I do what I do? Photography, Travel, Hospitality, Explore new places, Adventure seeker? I do it because I was fortunate enough to have Breast Cancer twice & a brush with Cervical cancer before it became full blown cancer. Each time, I went through extensive treatments & every time I reached for my camera & chose a place on the map to travel to. Africa was my love & passion, but any type of travel soothes the soul.
I was given more than enough chances to re-evaluate what is important in my life & I seized the opportunity to follow the dream. My continued goal is to take beautiful pictures of animals, people & places from around the world and put it together in a book & share with other cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy, radiation, reconstruction, or anything relating to their cancer diagnosis.
Male Eland in the middle, females on each side.
Since writing a book is difficult and expensive, I wanted to get this out to anyone who knows someone with cancer to follow my blog and allow them to escape into the pictures if only for a brief moment.
Getting your mind off the treatments and focusing on your future will help in the healing process. We all know someone who has dealt with an illness, it doesn’t have to be just cancer but something that the patient feels alone and isolated.
Not everyone understands that last statement, unless you have been through it. My blog is not just Africa, but so many other places to escape and make those treatments go just a little bit quicker. If you find that you have a question regarding a specific animal, email it to me and I am happy to answer.
Loving Lions
Wildebeests – Gnu
Funny looking, weird sounding, but so much fun to watch. I never imagined that I would see Golden Wildebeests – they obviously occur and they are beautiful.
Towing the line!
Black & Golden Wildebeests
Black Wildebeest & baby
Love is in the air
Blue Cranes flirting with each other. So spectacular & by the way…we found a chick!
Elands
“I am not what happened to me.
I am what I choose to become
Carl Jung
Hand your friend, loved one, family member who has cancer a computer & tell them to escape into the pictures and you will see a smile come across their face and they will hopefully find their purpose in life & begin to enjoy it.
Settled in & on the go! So much to see & do that the first chance I got – out the camp I went. I heard that Wilderness is a wonderful spot to see bird life so that was my destination.
Wilderness & Sedgefield
Common WaxbillCommon waxbillCommon waxbillEgretGreater Stripped SwallowAfrican Fish EagleOlive SunbirdOlive Sunbird
Although the Olive Sunbird, along with other Sunbirds look very similar to North American hummingbirds they are not related. The African Sunbird (in which there are many beautiful ones.) are the equivalent to the hummingbird, both are nectar eaters, however the hummingbird is found in the Americas and the Sunbird is exclusively in Africa & Asia. Another difference is the sunbird who is hyper-active like the hummingbird, the sunbirds can only hover briefly before flowers for feeding while hummingbirds are capable of moving between hovering, gliding and flying in all directions.
Common Fiscal or Fiscal Shrike
Birds have definitely caught my attention, in fact, now I go out looking for birds – big shift in attitude! I find them fascinating the more you learn about them, a great example is the bird above: The Common Fiscal or Fiscal Shrike. This bird has other nicknames such as: Jackie Hangman or the Butcher Bird. Now, you may ask why those nicknames? It is because they have a habit of impaling its prey on acacia thorns to store food for later consumption. See what I mean — interesting!
Besides the birds, my travels down the coast were breathtaking. Driving along the coastline in the Western Cape is like driving Highway 1. The views of the Indian Ocean and the landscapes are spectacular.
The rolling waves and small beach towns are very quaint. The people I met along the way were so friendly and willing to help me find the best birding spots, or best coffee shops and always wanted to know where I am from. I never thought I had an accent – especially since I love the South African accent, but I guess we do in California.
The South African people are outdoor enthusiasts, kayaking, surfing, fishing, and swimming. One thing I enjoy doing when I come to a new place is to explore. I get in a car and take exits and try to find new things – ie: Safari! So as I pulled off for Victoria Beach and went to the very bottom of the hill, this is what I discovered below.
Impala babies
Black Impala
In nature, most animals will be born looking similar to the herd, however it is not 100% fool proof. The black impala above is a great example and one that is extremely rare. The odds for survival in nature is against this rare impala. The black is caused by a recessive gene which causes this black coloration. The reason for a narrower life span is because animals such as lions, leopards and other animals of prey have black & white vison and will be able to spot the Black Impala much easier than his fellow mates.
Returning to Camp
Driving back from Wilderness and turning into the gates at Garden Route Safari Camp, I felt at home. Like the birds, there is so much to learn about wildlife – birds, insects, bugs, mammals, and the environment that I feel so small and encouraged to learn more. How we can all play our part in this life.
Impalas are usually the first animal you will see on a safari. They are prevalent and they make great snacks for predators. The picture on the left is a bachelor herd. Only the males have horns and they do have a very distinct “M” on the rear end. The “M” is a follow me mark (found on both males & females) so when the babies are born they know who to follow. We will get more in-depth about this latter.
The bachelor herd is obviously made up of all males. The males create this bachelor herd because they are only needed when they mate with the females. There is a “rut” season, which means the males will than challenge one another for the rights of approxiametly 15-20 females. When a young male impala is about 1 year old, he is kicked out by the father and he will have to either join or create his own bachelor herd until it is time for him to have his own challenges & finally his own harem.
Male & Female Nayala
Sexual Dimorphism
The Nayala is the perfect example of Sexual Dimorphism. This is the condition where the sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics. It can be seen in things such as color, shape, size and structure.
Birds are a wonderful example of sexual dimorphism when you see a male bird very colorful and the female is very plain looking
Such a beautiful antelope with striking colorations for both the male & the female.
My drive to and from my job with the horses is fantastic! I bring along my camera and I wanted to share some of the sights I have had this week alone.
LEGS
I hope this blog helps put a smile on your face & you are finding yourself more interested in the wildlife and all that surrounds us.
Although I have been to Garden Route Safari Camp as a guest, it is now little different in terms of not being on holiday, but rather being employed. Trying to figure out the time differences, what my job entails and working with a bum knee, I had to figure out my place.
curious giraffe
What better way to get started than go to the horses and begin the journey of working with the herd & getting to know the terrain. I found my niche! To give you all an idea of what it is like to get to my place of work, I first have to go 4-wheeling up and over several hills and down into some deep valleys. If you know me at all – you know this is my happy place! Going 4-wheeling is a blast and listening to my playlist while driving to the horses is heaven. I want to share some of the animals I passed along the way today before riding.
The scenery is spectacular and to be able to see the animals on horseback brings a whole new dimension. Unlike the states, right now it is summer in South Africa which means hot temperatures so we tend to ride in the morning and late afternoon.
Rhino Patrol
Definitely the highlight today on the ride was to see these beautiful creatures – Southern White Rhinos. As time goes on, I will share with you conservation and much more about both the Southern White & the Black Rhino.
It is baby season! So many different babies …zebras, impalas, giraffes, bushbucks, gnus, & even birds. Great time to visit Garden Route Safari Camp. They offer game drives & horseback rides. So much variety.
More than anything, I appreciate all that surrounds me and the opportunities to live this life. Every night we are delighted in the sunsets while we sit back and reminisce about the days work & play.
One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do.
Traveling across the world to a place that I love, doing what I love, can’t get any better. What am I talking about? I have accepted the challenge to relocate over to South Africa for a few months, to help my friends who own/operate the Garden Route Safari Camp. It felt like home when I arrived and was quickly embraced by my friends/family.
The travel to South Africa was long, but so worth the hassle! This is the beginning of my South Africa journey for 2022. I plan to blog about my job which is to work with their horses, train a guide to become a horseman (should be challenging, considering the language barrier), and to surround myself with learning more about the wildlife, nature, conservation and people.
Once arriving, I realized that I have so much to learn and immediately started with birds. So many birds. Coming to the conclusion from the start – I realized that I have to embrace the love of birds to really appreciate them. So many sneaky birds and behaviors, that now I am fully dedicated to being a “birder”! For example, the Jacobin Cuckoo, shown below, is one of the most clever birds since arriving.
This is a juvenile who actually is being raised by a Cape Bulbul. What happens is the adult Cuckoo will find the nest of a Cape Bulbul and lay her eggs next to the Cape Bulbul’s in her nest. The baby Cuckoo typically hatches first and will usually get fed first by the Bulbul. When the eggs of the Bulbul are hatched the Cuckoo will either smother them or kick out the eggs before being hatched. The entire time the Bulbul does not realize it is not her chick… pretty clever! In fact, the Adult Jacobin Cockoo never raises her own chicks. This young chick is close to leaving the nest and her adopted parents.
Next, my accommodations, currently the new wilderness camp is being developed and will soon be my new “home”. The site is close to the horses and is a magnificent location.
Along the way, as you drive to my location, you might have the chance to encounter various wildlife such as the two male waterbucks.
Nyala maleYoung Male Nyala
Or a giraffe or two.
This is the beginning of a series of blogs that I plan to write and share with photos, information and so much more. Please stay tuned and we will go on this adventure together. If you have any questions – please email me and I can answer those for you. I am hoping to do blogs on the various animals and birds with some useful information about each one and things that I find fascinating.
Adventures outside of Africa are amazing. I had the privilege of going to Los Cabos, Mexico and staying with 9 close girlfriends to Chileno Bay Resort & Residences which is owned and operated by Auberge Resorts. All I can say is “WOW”! What a place & to share it with 9 ladies who enjoy vacationing and having fun, this is the place to go.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Located along a protected cove with coral reefs filled with beautiful fish & sea life.
The cocktails are yummy & always available. The atmosphere is relaxing, inviting & not crowed. The food was wonderful, however I did eat guacamole & chips & barbacoa tacos the entire time along with my mango margarita – best!
Chileno Bay is an Auberge Resorts Collection and is considered a 5-star resort and I can see why – everything you could possibly need is at the resort. Not only is it beautiful, but it is also situated outside of Cabo – and is set in one of Cabo’s only swimmable beaches.
Pictures of the resort!
There is a H2O Cave which is the on-site activities center for all the water sports. Offered at the center are fantastic guides (below), who are ready to take you on an organized excursion of snorkeling, paddle boards, kayaks, or water bikes. All are complimentary to guests, but remember to tip your handsome guide because they are working hard to make sure you have a incredible vacation. They will also take drone pictures with the Go Pro of you out on the water or underneath the water. Our group chose to go on the Giant six-foot wide board where we paddled out and snorkeled.
Thursday evenings in San Jose del Cabo is a must! The local shops stay open longer and you can meander through the beautiful downtown with activities going on, shops open and make sure to pop into one of the many restaurants if only to have a cocktail.
Day of the Dead
Dia de los Muertos
The ceremonies for the Day of the Dead had just finished, but the figures were still up. I loved it because it just added to the mystic of the square. The holiday tradition is typically celebrated on November 1 & 2, however other dates they celebrate are October 31 & November 6.
The multi-day holiday usually involves family & friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died.
Additionally, out on the square are various vendors with paintings, art work, jewelry, and food. Plan on spending at least an hour & half meandering through the square and various stores.
Back streets provide excellent photo opportunities.
Flora Farms
Another must – but make sure you have a driver who will take you up to the farm for dinner & wait for you. It is not an easy place to find but definitely worth visiting for dinner or lunch.
Looking for fun & tired of sitting at the pool beach? Come visit:
Wild Canyon Adventures
While all the ladies were getting pampered at the Chileno Bay Spa, I decided to do one of my favorite things and that is to go ATV’ing. What a blast. We started up in the desert part of Cabo and ended up at the ocean. It was the guide and myself and one other employee who was training. I highly recommend this excursion. They also. have horseback riding, camel rides, zip line, bungee jumping off that enormous bridge we crossed and it is a beautiful area.
ATV’ing is so freeing to me, just like being of a jeep in Africa – it is my “happy place!”
The OFFICE – definitely take the time to go to this classic beach restaurant. I heard so much about this place that we went and it did not disappoint! We were celebrating 2 milestone birthdays and they were so kind to bring us a cake – although spelled incorrectly the thought was great.
As our week came to an end it was tough to leave this magnificent place, but we all keep our fingers crossed that we are invited back to paradise.
