Wednesday, May 19, 2010

WC 2010- Kenya- Mombassa

For some reason, Kenya is the first country that comes to my mind when one says "Africa." I woke up extra early, for some reason, and could not go back to sleep, so got dressed and went up on deck to watch us sail in.

As we headed toward the dock, we passed many ferries loaded with people going to work.



I was amazed at how many people fit aboard one ferry.



I grabbed a bite of breakfast, and there was something new amongst the fresh fruit. I tasted my first rambutan.



The port authority reminded me of the air traffic control tower in Atlanta.



Our guides were waiting for us on the dock, and spontaneously broke out into song.



I had heard stories of the marvelous dock-side market stalls, and I wasn't disappointed.





My friend Kay was up early for bargaining, knowing that her winning smile would get the best price!



Once in the excursion van-we were headed on a mini-safari- I realized that if there is a line of bicycles coming UP from the ferry, we must be headed toward those very ferries that had been loaded with humanity a few hours earlier.



Yep.



A 15-minute ferry ride is the perfect time to change a tire.



We passed colorful rows of buildings-stores on the first floor, living area on the second.





Once outside Mombassa, the countryside was sparsely settled.



We stopped just outside the game preserve to visit a village trinket shop.



One of the first animals we saw were baboons- dozens of them hanging out in the trees. This one captured my attention because of the eyes.





I keep wanting to break out into song when I see this guy....



The Lion King's Pumba singing "When I was a young warthog..."

Sable Antelope



and REALLY upclose and personal with a whole BUNCH of Cape Buffalo.



The vista, with rain in the distance, was spectacular.



Back toward the ferry, I couldn't help but watch with amazement as these guys pushed this cart UP from the ferry dock to the top of the hill.



We had a hilarious experience with peddlers wanting to sell us necklaces and trinkets. They were so persistent, and we were laughing so much with them as we bargained, we all forgot to take photos. It was the highlight of the day.

All too soon, we had tossed the lines, and headed out to sea. The pilot boat escorted us most of the way out, but it seemed the boat had several aboard more interested in partying and taking photos of the big white ship in harbor.



The sun was setting, and the same masses who had gone to work in the morning were heading home in the evening.



And we were off, for six straight sea days across the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.

WC2010-Tanzania-Zanzibar

After three days at sea, we arrived in Tanzania...or more appropriately the islands known as Zanzibar, on the east coast of Africa.



The depth of the water changes dramatically, making for some spectacular sea shots.



Yep--this REALLY is the color of the water.



Our excursion took us to a spice plantation. Along the way, we past Dr. Livingston's house.




Our guide explained to us that the islands of Zanzibar had been without electricity for two months, as the main undersea cable from the mainland had been damaged in December. Residents were hoping to have electricity restored within the month.




Our first stop was the ruin of a harem bath. We were greeted by some darling local children who sang for us and wove us bracelets and rings made out of palm fronds.



The back of the baths shows how very little of harem life was visible to the outside.



The entrance is equally stark,



but softened by a large fruit tree- durian, I believe.



The spice plantation was as tropical as one would imagine.





This pavilion is for drying cloves.



I had no idea this is what tumeric looks ABOVE the ground.



Very similar to ginger.



When this is dried, it is more familiar. It's cinnamon.




A long row of lemongrass...



We're hitting all my favorite flavors!

I had NO idea why he was climbing the tree....



Until we learned the important thing here is the vine, not the tree it is climbing up.



It's the way pepper is grown. One vine has all the different colors of peppercorns.


He also climbed up another type of tree and brought down a branch of cloves...in their pre-dried state, they look different, but taste similiar...but much milder.



Under the shade of a GINORMOUS tree, we sampled spices and the most delicious fruit I have ever had.





Check the size of these pineapples.



They were so amazingly sweet. Not a bit of tartness anywhere.

We drove past this most unusual palm tree.



It spirals because it was hit by lightning!



Back in town, we passed the lines forming for the ferry to the mainland.



What remains most vivid in my memory are the smells of the spice plantation..the spices, the fruit, the earth. It was a wonderful experience, and one I hope to repeat again someday.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Week 30 EP 365

Where, once again, she forgets to post!!!!

Day 203 April 23, 2010
Galina's Magic



Day 204 April 24, 2010
Galleria Atlanta




Day 205 April 25, 2010
Filters




Day 206 April 26, 2010
Cactus




Day 207 April 27, 2010
Bloomin' Cactus




Day 208 April 28, 2010
Lucky Bamboo




Day 209 April 29, 2010
You Lookin' at ME????

Monday, May 17, 2010

Gratulerer med dagen 17. MAI, NORGE

Happy 17 Mai, or Constitution Day, to the Kingdom of Norway!.


AS most of you know I am definitely a Norwegian Wannabe after our trip last year

here's another taste

and another

And so, of COURSE, I must celebrate Syttende Mai or "grunnlovsdag"!!!



I raise a glass to toast to the health of His Majesty, King Harald V.

Long Live NORGE!!!

Hugs and much love to my wide circle of Norwegian friends... The Captain, Jan-Olav, Ann-Mari, Bent Ivar, Geir, Svein (Big)and Svein (with Lourdes and Kristian),Ombugge, Akka, Jan Martin, Jan Peder, Øistein, Torbjørn, Bengt, Haakon, Helgeland and Harald Jarl !!! If I've forgotten anyone, I am sorry!!!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Celebration!!!!!!!!!