Santiago – Sullivan Bay

On the northeast side of the island Santiago, Galápagos, is Sullivan Bay. The lava walk here showed us a lava phenomenon called Pahoehoe – a ropy lava flow, coming from from the latest eruption in 1902.

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The day started rather misty and the only thing we could see on shore was the dark lava flow, interspersed with red streaks and topped with lava mounds and volcanoes.

The Galápagos Islands are in a highly volcanic area, and the volcanoes seldom rest. On Isabela, the largest island, there are several of them alive. In the end, all these 19 islands will disappear in the Pacific Ocean. Some of them are already dying.

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We anchored between Santiago and the small island of Bartolome. Already there was a blue sailing ship waiting to unload its group of Americans.

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You had to watch your step – crevices and very uneven ground. This lavafield is indeed the largest I have ever walked. Iceland’s Krafla area we could not walk properly as we visited when the eruption was just over. The ground was too hot and too dangerous.

galapagos-3-and-4-945_copyMany beautiful and interesting patterns were found on the walk, and each one of us had his or her own interpretation…What is yours?

Walking back to our beautiful ship, the sun lashed its late evening colours on our steps.

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Bartolome consists of an extinct volcano, and its landmark is called Pinnacle Rock.

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The evening offered a bright moon, and in the velvety air, we all went soft and still on deck. This was our last day but one in Paradise.

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Thursday Thoughts – Why Galápagos is a Paradise

For many reasons of course. When I think of these wonderful islands, my dream was, and is, that animals can live together without fear, and that they tolerate us humans – they are not afraid of us, but rather curious instead…

I made friends with many animals – but we were not allowed to go closer than 2 metres from any animal. Except from trying to pass them on the paths of course…The wonderful thing is that they approached us instead – and that, is true magic.

This mockingbird was really communicative – jumping up and down on the tree trunk,  hiding, but still keeping an inquisitive eye on me. I know I lost a bit of my heart there…

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The birds here are yellow warbler and mockingbird, then iguanas and sealions.

Nature is fantastic. Everything to me. This time I was really living my dream.

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!

Finally we reached the last path, hiking to the old kapok tree.

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!

Amazonas – Almost Airborne!

The last days at Sacha Lodge, we spent most of the time 40 metres up – above the canopy of the rainforest. In fact, ”Sacha” means ”forest” in Quichua, the local language here.

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The biodiversity is extremely rich in the Amazon, and the list of birds sighted at Sacha, for example, is at 605 species – in an area of 5000 acres. 12 species of monkeys and plants somewhere in the thousands. Trees are about 100 species per acre – no wonder my treeloving spirit soared in the canopy!

Climbing down again and walking back to the lodge – Luis Andi shared some of his extensive knowledge of the medicinal plants in the rainforest. We had noticed him being an excellent scout, moving soundlessly on the narrow paths, but also an excellent birdman – he knew about 400 birds (and could sound like most of them!) I do not have to say he was born and bred in the Amazon. 90% of Sacha’s staff is made up of locals from Ecuador’s Amazon region.

We were all very impressed – to say the least – of our guides’ knowledge. There was not one single question about birds or animals that Pablo could not answer, and Luis and him were the perfect couple to guide us through the secrets of the tropical rainforest.

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But, now we were extremely hungry…knowing that a delicious lunch was waiting back at our lodge. We would need it before the afternoon and night adventures.

Travelling Again…

So, I will have to say goodbye for a while, again. Hopefully I will be back before Christmas. I want to thank you all so very much, readers, followers and friends who come visiting, liking, remarking, discussing – keeping me alive!

This trip will take me far away to a country I have never visited before. I am very excited about it, and I hope to tell you – and show you – more when I come back. Until then – have a great and joyous December!

 

Time For Colours and Reflections

We have not had much sun up here in Skane, where I live, so I feel lucky to have caught a few glimpses of the glory around me this autumn. I will share some of my favourite captures in this post. I hope you have a wonderful autumn- or spring – as well!

This day there was a chance to get some glimpses of the sun. So, I headed up the winding road to Hovdala.

All the pretty cows watching me from uphill. Comforting – cows always give me a good feeling. I hoped so much for some rays to come through.

The view from up here is not so bad. I go here every season to enjoy. Even the lake can be seen from here, Lake Finja.

Rays much longed for – came when my car was parked and I was hiking towards Hammarmölledamm!

And this, was what I got. Every shot had to come when there was a rift in the clouds, and finally Totti was very tired of me…despite his almost neverending patience…

As usual, click for the larger view of the photo.

Being Grateful

It is raining here in Skane, and the winds are not kind. On the news they show Haiti and Florida with strong winds and disaster in its steps.

With all wars and other terrors you can easily lose faith in the human race as well. I am very grateful to live in a peaceful part of the world. Grateful every day. My heart goes out to all in war and turmoil. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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Thursday Thoughts – El Capricho

Why do I love Antonio Gaudí? Maybe because of his love for nature’s wonders – starting when he was only a small child. His way of using nature’s forms and designs in everything he created. Making the pillars in Sagráda Família with scars like the tree trunks get when they have lost a branch, making lamps look like flowers and light spill out like waves in the sea…

In every detail he was …mirroring nature.

In Comillas, on the north coast of Spain, you will find this ”folly” – El Capricho – by Gaudí, built for Máximo Díaz de Quijano (a relative of the marquis of Comillas) in the 1880´s. You immediately recognize his style using iron structures, glazed pottery and stained glass.

Come, let’s take a ”folly” walk …

In my dreams, a dinner with Antonio Gaudí would be optional… to get the opportunity to listen to his ideas and maybe discuss nature’s impact on humans – body and soul. I would have had many, many questions…

I was lucky enough to meet him in his garden, sitting there admiring his work. I tried to get some answers, but mostly we sat quietly contemplating…me admiringly of course. But, I am so thankful for having finally met him – my favourite architect.

Thursday Thoughts – Slowly

Back from Spain, but only slowly returning to blogging. Thank you for all your lovely wishes for a good rest and reload!

I have just started reading, and somewhere next week I hope to read more and to post something more substantial…Thought I would send you this memory – a most significant sight along the Spanish summer roads.

Blog Break – Reloading

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It is time for me to have a break. I will be reloading my batteries for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I will be back with new energy to read and write again.

I am so grateful for all of you, friends, readers and followers out there…the blogosphere is a warm and generous place to be. Thank you for your constant support, humour and good advice – and for all your fantasy and inspiration.

I wish you a lovely summer!

Ann-Christine