This week, we will look beyond the life-changing events and share some other special moments and what they mean to us, Tina says. I think we all have so many of them…It will be hard to choose, but I will try to pick some unforgettable ones …
The Pothala palace is representing the Dream-Come-True moments in my life. I have been so lucky as to have a few of those. So, I finally arrived in Tibet, after some 40 years since I read about Shangri-La in Lost Horizon, the 1933 novel by James Hilton, and saw the movie Lost Horizon from 1937. They represented the enigmatic and enchanting world out there…far away from my home and far away from any landscape I had ever been. I was lost for words – and breath – in the thin air.
Kauristam
April 2017, and I met Michael Lindnord and Arthur. The Swedish multi sport team were in Ecuador 2014, trying to win the world championships. Instead the team leader, Mikael Lindnord, found that in the middle of the jungle, his team of four had got a fifth member…Arthur. Mikael had never had a dog of his own and never thought of getting one – he was a tough athlete and a determined leader for his team. But, all it took was one meatball…
King Arthur. He owned the place from the first second he entered the room. I loved every minute of being close to him, touching him and listening to their story. Seeing the very special bond between Mikael and Arthur.
Mikael himself says that Arthur stands for Hope. The Lindnord family have also started a fund for homeless dogs in Ecuador – There is hope for many ill treated and abused dogs with people like Mikael, who was prepared to even let go of his team’s victory to save this dog’s life. Mikael says he recognized himself in Arthur that very first day…they both stand tall, they never give up. So, how could he let Arthur down, when the dog put all his trust in him ?
December 9, 2020, Arthur passed away from an aggressive cancer, 13 years old. 2021 is the startup for shooting the Hollywood movie – ArthurThe King, with Mark Wahlberg starring together with a not yet chosen dog to play Arthur. I am looking forward to seeing it – hopefully cinemas will be open by then…
I can honestly say, that no other journey in my life gave me more special moments than the one to Arthur’s home country, Ecuador. Sailing along the Napo River in the Amazon and in the Galápagos Islands.
I could not stop watching them, all these little seabirds following our sailing boat in Ecuador. They could actually walk, run and stand still on the water! This is the smallest seabird in the world – an Elliot’s Storm-Petrel. Another enigmatic fact is that no nesting site for these birds has ever been found…
The stay at Sacha Lodge on a quiet lake – open to all the sounds of the jungle – still echoes in my mind today, 5 years later. Silent canoing through the tangled forest, watching swarms of monkeys foraging in the trees, jumping and playing. And the tiny Paradise Tanager – shooting veritable neon lightings in the trees – (I only managed to capture a couple of them in a photo) The first glimpse of the flock was very special – they moved faster than Chip ‘n’ Dale juggling around with the colourful Christmas baubles – and Pluto trying to handle the situation…
So, I will end with the late evening climb up in the Kapok tree, staying for the day’s last hours watching the sun set over the Amazon Basin. Imagine the sounds, the light, the soft warmth, the birds and the monkeys calling each other…I have never slept better in my entire life, than I did in the Amazon jungle.
Finally, a big Thank You for the inspirational set of Natural Lights, and hopefully you will join in for some special moments too! Please link to Tinas original post, and add the Lens-Artists tag.
Next week we’re excited to announce Beth of Wandering Dawgs as our Guest Host. Be sure to stop by and check out her always-interesting blog. Until then, stay safe and be kind.
Leya 
What a gorgeous photo documentation, Ann-Christine! The heartwarming story about Michael Lindnord and Arthur put a big smile on my face again and how well do I understand that The Pothala Palace was a dream come true, let alone your other wonderful memories. ❤
Thank you, Dina – precious memories. I was so sad to hear Arthur had passed away and how devastated Michael was. Arthur was his best friend. He says he will never have another dog, This was the only one for him.
That’s heartbreaking! Many dog owners feel this way. Especially the ones who never intended to have a dog. 🥲
True – they never knew how devastating it can be.
And a big thank you to you for such a delightful post .. full of wonderful memories and photos! I too was touched to see our beautiful kauri 🙂
♥ A beautiful experience for me!
What wonderful memories you have! Great photos and amazing stories – as a ranger nerd the bird that walks on water especially intrigues me, and your opening shot in the Azores is simply fabulous!
Glad you enjoyed them! Thank you!
I really love that first image.
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WELL! What amazing moments and amazing photos. Love the positioning of the woman and caldera. Pothala is beyond unique, as are little seabirds. The story of Arthur is absolutely amazing too. Have I mentioned this is all AMAZING?! And well done.
You make me happy with this, John – and my memories, our memories are very precious these days… Thank you!
it never fails to amaze, here and afar and in other places, how much, the human touched landscape looks like a patchwork quilt – once we get done ‘piecing it the way we want’ – :). I still find older hedgerow boundaries prettier than circles made by irrigation pivot machines – but. from an airplaine/in google earth view? same thing – patchwork quilt –
Yes, you are right. In the Azores though, everything is patchworked with hydrangea hedges or stone walls – I like both! Those hedges are about three meters high and lavender blue or pink – just lovely.
Photography is the glue that helps hold memories together. It helps bring sharp focus to those events in one’s past that remain in the brain cells in a less precise fashion. You have shared some truly special moments in your life. I’ve enjoyed reading yours and other responses to this most interesting of themes.
Thank you, John – it indeed is an interesting challenge.
Beautiful special moments Ann-Christine! The petrel tip-toeing across the water is just amazing!
Glad you like that one too – it really was one of the wonders in the natural world!
So amazing!
Very inspiring, Ann-Christine.
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Did you find me in the photo where Mikael walks in with Arthur?….
I don’t wish to embarrass myself by guessing wrong! 🙂 Which lady is you, AC?
Haha…well, look under Mikael’s arm to the left. A striped jumper and green trousers.😊
So it is. 🙂 I was looking for ladies with glasses and there were two in the front row!
Mmm – and I look at my neighbour too.
You do. 🙂
Wonderful shots of the jungle, Ann-Christine! I also liked the little petrel tip-toeing across the water. What a special dog King Arthur was.
Thank you so much! I am so happy to share these precious moments…especially these days I love to look back…not sure there is something to look forward to further on.
Such interesting places you have visited Ann-Christine, thank you for sharing these special moments with us. The Storm-Petrel walking on water is truly amazing.
I am happy to share, Jude. Those moments are so good to have right now.
Yes, memories of trips keep us going.
So beautiful😊❤️. Enjoyed this writing.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it, Olivia!
Oh I’d never would have left the crater. What a beautiful scene. I so loved Arthur’s story too. 😀
And I wish I could come back to that little island…
Cee, did you find me in the photo with Mikael walking in with Arthur?…
Amazing special moments Ann Christine! Beautifully documented.
Thank you, Anne. Our special moments are good to remember, even more these days.
Love the collection Ann Christine.
Love the Sunset click
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Your beautiful stories and photos have just made my day! Each moment came alive as I read about it. Thank you!
I am so happy, Beth, that you liked my memories! Thank you!
Some great memories and travel incentives…… but glad the dogs take centre stage. What would life be like without them, all the more so in these current strange times 🙂
I so agree, David – dogs are essential for the wellbeing . And Arthur – what a king he was.
That storm petrel photo is just amazing. Among others 🙂
Glad you liked them.
As for the picture, I love the first one of the crater the most. The Tane Mahuta is very impressive to see, I hope that he will live on for many years. I enjoyed your complete story and the treehouse is magnificant !
Thank you – happy to share!
Wow, some very special moments, Ann Christine… Tibet looks magical, I would loved to have been able to climb to where you were in the Azores, and that jungle hotel – very special indeed
Truly, you have had some special trips. And what wonderful photos to have as memories!
Memories are there forever even if places change. I have come to be afraid of returning to places…as I have been disappointed several times. Places change…or rather, we humans change places
You’re right, Ann-Christine. Not for nothing do many people say ‘Never go back’.
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Absolutely brilliant collection of moments. The little bird is amazing. I always wanted to go to the Açores, I hope I manage one day.
Not so far away from you – you would love it.
Amazing images …especially of the Patola Palace, Tibet
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Breathtaking images. I love that bird running on water.
Thank you, Teresa – that was a true wonder!
Wonderful collection of moments Ann-Christine.
Thank you, Sue. Precious to me.
I loved your post, Ann-Christine. Some wonderful corners that you have shown us. Maybe I would stick with that end of the day in the Amazon … Wonderful!
By the way, I did not know the story of Arthur, but I will be watching that movie
A fantastic story. And Mikael a man who never even had a dog before!
Glad to share incredible moments!
The little bird walking on the Napo River is amazing, Ann-Christine. All the photos in the jungle with the monkey, the pretty bird, the sunset are wonderful. They surely were special moments.
Thank you, Miriam – happy to share them with you!
Well Ann-Christine, you’ve given us some amazing moments, all incredible. The scene in the Azores, that teeny little bird with its brilliant coloring and that amazing bed looking into the forest beyond. But the story or Arthur and the team truly touched my heart. There won’t be a dry eye in the house once the movie is finished! Thanks so much for your beautiful post.
So happy you enjoyed my stories, Tina! I will watch the Arthur movie – crying I guess… Did you find me in the photo with Mikael and Arthur walking into the room?
I did not – even after reading your note I still don’t find you 😩
Is that you in the red striped shirt???
Striped I am…sitting just to the right of Mikael (seen under his arm) with green trousers.
These photos are wow!
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The opening photo captured my attention so much I didn’t want to move. Then I kept staring at the seabird before reading about it – and then I knew my eyes weren’t going crazy … and then the closing sun was like a delightful dessert after an outstanding meal. Love these, Ann-Christine!
So happy you liked them, Frank! Memories seem to be even more precious these days.
I wish I’d got to Tibet but it wasn’t to be. Your photograph of the Pothala Palace is breathtaking. What a sight that must have been. And as for the story about Arthur – and your photograph – well, words fail me.
Thank you, Mari – happy to share my special moments! Tibet was always a dream – but dreams can come true. They can. And it was a fantastic adventure where I cried much because of what the Chinese were doing to the country and its people. It is so sad, and hard to think about. Arthur – I followed his faith intertwined with Mikael’s, until the happy ending. A remarkable dog and a remarkable bond. I can still cry only thinking about the beauty of it all.
Well this is an amazing collection of moments. However the Potala In Lhasa is my favorite. I have always wanted to get there but I think your photo may be the nearest I will get now. I have been in Western China almost to the Tibetan border but not into Tibet. Have you read Alexandra David Neel’s book ”My Journey to Lhasa”. She disguised herself as a Tibetan pilgrim and walked from Western China to Lhasa. She did this when Tibet was forbidden to foreigners and as a woman she was risking her life. Her book was published in 1927. She made the trip in 1924.
Glad you enjoyed them, Anne! And thank you for the tip of the book by Neel – I must try to find it, it sounds very interesting. We went to China five times, four times without getting to Tibet. This last time they had opened again for foreigners. You might still get there!
Beautiful selection and life to witness all of this. Including Arthur! ❤ But my favourite is the last one, that jungle bedroom. How tempting.
Did you find me in that photo with Arthur and Mikael? And that jungle bedroom – an absolutely wonderful experience – you would have loved it!
Yesss, now I found you after you mentioned it! By the way, Facebook found you and suggested you to me as a friend. 😀 I loved seeing your friendly face zoom in. 😉 I sent the request.
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To each their own, as it should be – I so remember following the Arthur story . . . perchance a little different to your other beautiful photographic memories but unforgettable to one who loves the canine world . . .
Yes, different but a glorious moment…Arthur and Mikael walking into the room…can you find me in the photo? I found this photo on the Internet, didn’t know I was photographed!
Fabulous, and very touching to see you’ve included Tane Mahuta! Thank you Leya.
That was one of my greatest tree moments!
That photo in Tibet took my breath away, hon. Stuff of dreams is right! What fabulous experiences you’ve shared. 🙂 🙂
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