Those mountain lakes in Switzerland – they are my first thought when it comes to soft turquoise! Fresh and clear mountain water
Landscape
Wordless Wednesday
Thursday Thoughts
This country road passes an old homestead, long since abandoned. I pass here maybe once a month, and every time I think…I really should stop and walk up that old road…
Today I drove past again…but something told me – this time I really must stop –
– so I finally did. I turned the car and parked it on the meadow nearby.
Happy to have made this decision, I slowly started walking towards the stonefences marking the road up to the house.
To the right, the fine old cellar that used to store food for the winter.
Then the house itself, on the left side of the road. I wonder who once lived here and why they left? The house lies beautifully on a hill, close to the forest and surrounding meadows.
My love for these roads with grass in the middle has a long story…all those childhood years I walked forest roads, meadow roads…and always with grass in the middle. StilI it is in me…I just have to follow them, to see where they go and what I eventually will find.
This road was very well kept, and must be used fairly often…
…at least by hunters
Another reminder of childhood days was this old telephone pole
Some finds I made, even if the walk did not last for more than 15 minutes. I was happy.
I believe we should try to do those little things…follow those whims and ideas we sometimes have. What do you think? It may take some time…but, I try to. Often with a positive outcome – for both me and people around me.
Galápagos – Santa Cruz and Darwin
From the lushness of the Amazon we flew to Galápagos – now in the dry season. We visited 10 of the 19 islands, starting with Santa Cruz and the Charles Darwin Research Station.
I guess most people recognize this gentleman as a Giant Tortoise, but some maybe think of him as the Galápagos Tortoise or the Elephant Tortoise. Length 150 cm and weight up to 250kg, and they can get very old. Of originally 14 subspecies, 10 remains. This gentleman here, might have been alive when Darwin came to the islands 1835 – just reflect upon that…
Lonesome George was very well known over the world as the last existing of his kind. Despite many efforts to save his species – the scientists failed. He died alone in 2012.
In the highland area of Santa Cruz, these giants walk and live. Not very well seen by the local farmers though, as they easily break any fence and eat 40 kg a day…
…but on the other hand they spread the seeds again back onto earth again …
These giants are not very fast…and we saw several of them along – or on – the road. There were even roadsigns to warn drivers about them.
Our guide, Juan, was a tough guy – almost military discipline – but that is needed to protect the islands and its very special wildlife. We were requested to stay in the group, only walk on the signposted paths and not move closer to the animals than 2 metres.
Most species are endemic, that is also why Darwin got easily observed material for his theories. In fact he did not visit the islands for more than 35 days – and from this came…The Origin of Species. Something that was to change the world for ever.
The research institute is very successful in breeding and releasing tortoises, iguanas and finches – among other endemic species. There was this great story of Diego, a tortoise of the hoodensis species, who 1905 was brought from Espagñola island to San Diego Zoo. He never liked it there, but stayed until 1965, when he was brought back to Santa Cruz to save his species from extinction. And he did – almost he alone! Now there are about 2000 of his offspring ”running” around on the islands! He would not be photographed though…turning his back on us all…
There are two distinct carapace shapes: the dome – shaped and in this picture, the saddle – backed tortoise
The saddle – backed have got longer neck and legs…
…when mating, the higher you can raise your head…the better chances the female will accept you
Freedom!
Amazonas – Goodbye and Happy New Year!
The very last shimmering hours at Sacha Lodge, we spent canoeing again – and finally, for the sunset over the Amazon, in a high tree tower up in a giant kapok tree.
Let us start with the canoe ride – full up with fresh food and ready for the last adventure!
Into the forest again, on silent waterways
And the beauty of the dense rainforest
Finally we reached the last path, hiking to the old kapok tree.
Breathtaking views..
…in every direction
Do you hear a loud, cartoonish water-droplet noise? A Russet backed Oropendola! (The oriole family)
Tucans – this one as striped as a bumble bee
Orchids on the heavy branches
Slowly the sun was fading and the light smoothened out both the landscape and the minds of us six friends sitting in the kapok tree. Each one in his own world…knowing this was the last day, the last hours of our great adventure. The Amazon saying its goodbyes…and us contemplating life’s beauty, in this moment in time
No words needed – only the sounds of the rainforest. A sadness and a joy, a thankfulness and a hope for this wonder to survive, to be given to our children and grandchildren.
In the early morning, we left this Paradise. Of course it showed its most glorious face this day – for us to treasure and to keep in our hearts.
Sacha Lodge will go on helping the locals with free water taxi, school supplies and a medical assistance program – and ecotourism to positively influence the course of land management in the area.
On reaching the Napo River again – a tiny, but clear rainbow appeared in the sky –
I want to thank you all, readers, followers, everyone who finds joy in my posts – it is you who make me tick…I hope to see you again next year – 2017. All the best!
Wordless Wednesday
Travel theme: Forest
Oh, Ailsa…where to begin…? My favourite motif and my major love – the Forest. Of course I love my own forest best…and in spring when the wild apple trees and cherries greet me when I walk across the meadows to where the forest starts. But…
Tane Mahuta
Te Matua Ngahere
Te Matua Ngahere – full view
…the Kauri forest on the North Island, New Zealand, is so impressive, dense and full of giants when you least expect it…I have never seen anything like it and I just never wanted to leave.
On the South Island, we met another type of mystical forest on our way to Milford Sound – The Enchanted Forest.
Wordless Wednesday
Travel theme: Snowy
Thursday Thoughts
Empty. Void. The last two days leaves many thoughts, but the feeling is emptiness.
Give me that bridge to walk safely across.
Leya 
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