A Walk In the Cactus Garden

In fact maybe the most astonishing one I have ever seen – and I visit in every country and every city I go…But this particular garden is very well thought through, which shows in its architecture and its natural environment. (It was a Swede that started it, Sventonius.)

So, the Canary Islands’ Botanical Garden, situated just west of Las Palmas, in Tafira Baja, is well worth a visit – and not just because of its cactus garden. Let us go, tomorrow!

 

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Abandoned or Alone

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Abandoned or Alone

Hiking the mountains of Gran Canaria, I saw this dog standing in an old shed. He sounded abandoned, but I guess he was only left alone there while his master was working elsewhere.

The sound of a raven echoes – and there he was, high up on a rock, with a splendid view of his domains. I tried to zoom him in, but he was perched very high up.

 

 

WPC: Ascend

From Krista at WordPress-

Ascend

There are many interpretations possible – as many as there are people in the world – that is the idea with this weekly challenge, and that is why I like it!

Travel theme: Love

Travel theme: Love

What is Love?

Well, there are so many ways of showing it…

…and we all want it…

…mmm, and sometimes it is so obviously shining and true!

I guess the one thing in common is – we ALL need it!

CFFC: Letter Q

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter Q – Simply needs to have the letter Q

Equestrians in the header and one of the many squares in the Forbidden City, Beijing.

Hiking the Roque Nublo Area

We went for the light – and a week of hiking joy. The Canary Islands still have a lot to offer even if you are not a beach person.

I have been to this volcano island once before, and fell in love with the Roque Nublo area in the middle of Gran Canaria. The highest peak is almost 2000 metres, and sometimes there is even snow here.

Driving through scorched areas on our way up, we wondered how much of the island had been taken by the big fires. Spain’s mainland was also much burnt this year. Much of this particular area was destroyed in September this autumn.

Those who never have experienced a Swedish November, cannot imagine the joy of this light and this blue sky!

I love the look of those distant mountains…

… and in the forest – some quiet companions don’t mind you coming close.

Because, we are all hiking here together, aren’t we?

WPC: A Cheeky Hoopoe – or…

Maybe it was me being cheeky, trying to take photos of him eating…but he sized me up with his beady eyes, flashed his imposing crest – and kept eating. The Eurasian hoopoe is a real beauty.

Thursday Thoughts – We Must Make it Work!

Every December I remember our month in New Zealand some years ago. Never have I been to a country where I found so much and so many to admire and love.

This is where our antipodes live, this is where I had one of my first penfriends, this is the country whose nature I believe to be the most diverse and beautiful in the world. And this is where Rainbow Warrior went down, sending many people around the world into an unbelievable state of shock.

We are constantly reminded of how much we contaminate our world, and the focus here in Swedish media, right now,  is the sea, the oceans.

Just like in Wellington, we can still bathe, swim and fish in Stockholm – but for how long?

I am a member of many organizations trying their best to help preserving our planet for generations to come. But right now, we receive news every day about all the plastic and micro plastic in the oceans – a terrible threat to all organisms-

So, I think again, with my heart wide open, about how much I respect and love NZ, its people and its genuine efforts to help the world stay healthy. Down to every detail… for example the artwork made for making us humans see and do the right things.

And these are only two, small,  brilliant examples out of many, many…we saw new examples every day.

Hopefully it is not too late for the world – but You, and all of us, have to do our bit, our part, every day – to save our enigmatic and fantastic planet. Start with the little things…don’t use plastic bags, bring your own when you go shopping. Don’t throw old medicine in the toilet, in Sweden we leave them at the pharmacy for destruction.

Can you say you try to do everything you can to help? I know I try – but I also know I can do so much more.

Travel theme: Warm

Travel theme: Warm

Spot on, Ailsa. Warm is the theme for this week. Up north we are very tired of all the grey: rain, drizzle, slush – and darkness. Now it is dark around 3.30 pm. I hope your theme will get much light and warmth from us all!

Mmmm…