tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62072624373219182132024-03-17T23:48:03.083-10:00Capturing the MomentA photo safari into the adventures.Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.comBlogger1019125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-62240632557341232392024-03-02T07:55:00.002-10:002024-03-02T07:55:34.827-10:00Galapagos Day 6: Pirates, Sea Lions, Turtles and more on Floreana Island<p> </p><div class="panel-heading pt-10 pb-10" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding-bottom: 10px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 10px !important; position: relative;"><div class="media no-margin" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; overflow: visible; position: relative; width: 553px; zoom: 1;"><h2 class="media-body media-middle text-semibold" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: 23px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; overflow: visible; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 10000px; zoom: 1;"><br /><small class="display-block text-muted no-margin-top" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #757575; display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin-top: 3px;"><br /></small></h2><div class="media-right media-middle text-right" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-left: 20px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="label border-right-grey-600 label-striped label-striped-right label-block label-read-time" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-color: transparent rgb(102, 102, 102) transparent transparent; border-image: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 2px 1px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 4px; padding: 5px 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="post-main panel-body" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding: 0px 20px 20px; position: relative;"><div class="content-group post-body gallery" data-v-3c53226b="" data-v-68347721="" enableembeds="true" id="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 20px !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="viewer" data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (28 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoAYpsEtfzyX5Bxgv4FqPKxsdkrSfzB9eRtpeZruJjCAM2HKAucyWK7Z67Z6iPvc5LK.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Blue-footed booby takes flight in the Galapagos.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The sites, adventures, and wildlife have been stunning here during this six day cruise of the Galapagos Islands. I can't believe it is coming to our final day already. We are going out with a bang though, with a visit to the famous Post Office Bay, zodiac tours, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking to accomplish. If you are looking for adventure, the Galapagos can be your cup of tea.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9519.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpQwfkZyrLmQvadFcnsjPXVY2gUki7h7YH9FAFZ38UTN62DM13vJ1sp86FYanczHxpZ.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The famous barrel post office box in the Galapagos. We all left post cards in the barrel, and we took a look at ones in the barrel to see if any were located back by our homes. Quite a few people took post cards to hand deliver to their recipients back in the states.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Post Office Bay, nestled within the pristine archipelago of the Galapagos Islands, is a site teeming with historical significance and natural beauty. Located on Floreana Island, this bay holds a unique tradition that dates back to the 18th century when whalers and sailors established a makeshift postal system. Sailors would leave letters in a wooden barrel, trusting passing ships to deliver them to their intended recipients upon reaching their home ports. Today, this tradition persists as visitors can participate by leaving postcards or letters in the same historic barrel, continuing the legacy of communication across oceans. The bay's turquoise waters and sandy shores provide a picturesque backdrop for snorkeling adventures, where visitors can encounter playful sea lions, graceful sea turtles, and a kaleidoscope of colorful fish darting among the vibrant coral reefs.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Beyond its natural allure, Post Office Bay serves as a testament to the human history woven into the fabric of the Galapagos Islands. Exploring the nearby highlands unveils remnants of past settlements, including the enigmatic Wittmer and Baroness Lookouts, which offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can immerse themselves in tales of intrigue surrounding Floreana's colorful past, from pirate hideouts to mysterious disappearances. As one of the earliest inhabited islands in the Galapagos, Floreana retains a sense of rustic charm and tranquility, inviting travelers to delve into its rich history while marveling at the unparalleled biodiversity that defines this UNESCO World Heritage Site.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="G0065227.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq35CLbCYk8A1mBCwJ46jY1emYUECT93xgyKXYGt9fYXri11DEifp9UYJLpJMuznEyT.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">These sea lions couldn't get enough of me. They were just as curious of me, as I was of them!</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />During the afternoon we snorkeled at an offshore rock called Champion. It was another drift snorkel along the rocky coast, and conditions started out pretty rough. We were up for the challenge though and it paid off, with our group having one of the funnest and most interactive sea lion experiences of my life. We also had big schools of fish and even a few sea turtles appearing out of the deep blue. While we didn't see any sharks, I imagine they were close by, because as nightfall came, about 30 galapagos sharks hung out around out boat!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9545.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tH3sF9y1BL4k5nUwiMmbCijCg9ntquu83hfpLgJcWM5NLgvteQ1hMu95io7jCFqT5AC.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is a little blurry since I took it at night, but count how many sharks are hanging out behind out boat! Anyone want to go for a night snorkel?</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Finally, we had a late afternoon walk across the island near Punta Cormorant. We spotted some Darwinian Finches and bright yellow warblers before ending up on a picturesque white sand beach. The dunes were littered with sea turtle nest, and much to our surprise, we saw a few sea turtles hatching and scampering out of the nest towards the sea. However, we were not the only ones to see the turtles hatching. A magnificent frigatebird also spied the tasty turtles emerging from the sand. Each time another turtle emerged, the frigatebird would swoop down at snatch the turtle in its beak, eating it as it flew off.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">We were all impressed, and saddened at the same time. Everyone really wanted the baby turtles to make it to the ocean safely. Finally, one little baby made it out of the dunes and onto the beach. Without saying a word, the entire group lined up on both sides of the turtle, keeping a wary eye on the sky for our hungry frigatebird. Cheers erupted as the baby turtle made it into the water! I didn't have the heart to tell people that it would probably get snatched up by a big fish, or shark, or sea bird before too long. So we all just basked in the glory of the feeling that we helped one baby sea turtle make it!</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (4 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244Uh7hfyaxxTM6z6xffzt3q8JJqGn4NGHznRRqv3ghNWozqrHaK3eaJMDmMwQp32PhxZ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">These sally lightfoot crabs add a splash of color to the black lava rock landscape.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (38 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23ywwA6YrkZnrhCEEAJ2H1jtdH2TFXbBKDJJPQAGEoCHpfCHdgwPeNF7F7nALYFBfhLDW.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">As we sat in awe, watching a baby sea turtle hatch and emerge out of its sandy nest, it quickly turned to surprise as a magnificent frigatebird swooped down and ate it!</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (2 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23zbaNBCEsbZtsxfQgU8ZqSjFhtdMhePezpvQZBJErmsgkFmRhE5QNabJq9gUreKCjvGQ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A friendly Galapagos sea lion playing around our kayak.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (45 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tmL9jmwPMFLmZeB8w1mLVJ2swzfcxyQBTNya39Q4DBJgxSCMr6KHwtcD4Zd1Dk4cK6u.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A baby sea turtle hatching on the beach in the Galapagos Isalnds.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (1 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23ynJ8crkXdDC5ebVZwVPuydSU8H3irAYfd9dErrsiUcWhTAaSrWnfBKwZ2d9PbzxPe1s.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Zodiac tour near Post Office Bay on Floreana Island. Check out the blue-footed boobies just hanging on the rock.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (17 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/2449vPgyqaBfZpuPsKexgytj6TqMYCfBx78SRBDjbJoYT1iJLG85JqYspyfdTRyXWdR4c.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Incredible blue hue of the blue-footed booby.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (31 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgB1oXNv1SRe1PpjN8ThpH7T3Fbhkz1DB9Yp2Ba2XXfXaFqR5i6qBS8hgQwvMNSPXxM.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">La Pinta has been a wonderful home base for all of our adventures this week. 48 guests, wonderful chefs, and stellar guides.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (32 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vsLc7AZaDLj8y1hybwM8DuHumK4uxLPKns9VzPRbAHcDJLZfjQXJH2EVYRufMC95LM5.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Galapagos Yellow Warbler</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Galapagos Fernandina (3 of 49).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243ziEaeLHXYENJHQzR7x41g2KJAhUoawztJmzUnpNjUMxQJ3Yopwgy9hi949Xq7ZTbCU.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The landscapes here are like something out of a Dr. Suess book.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9549.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep1XSaAXhrRhRFcCWBtecSQ7UwWrHfBanPA4ge9gXKoJdD9ZGXGzvhLbt9FmxFKQb2m.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The wonderful crew of La Pinta lining up on the final night.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9528.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpXLRRW31AkmsMwpUE93apf33CGzNzyhEDpZqNU9sTPdZG8HUQ3E5HjWMLmfLnMthRD.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">On the beach at Post Office Bay on Floreana Island, Galapagos.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9539.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpA2ziCuvvMoDbjymEE6go2rqFAQH5tSrRtwSQQ8hTPLZDuufjxY2mibXnpvQBZsErd.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Walking across the island near Punta Cormorant.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9553.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpXLzQGpoSMqkQjKmVUfkan5DoftWnkXgdqzWSCUvzXD9SPZZVxiNvDzGbWyJdxtQcH.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Making friends with the guides.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9521.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoK7jfA1fKhix2AiuyuhFNtmuNc5PUHxdc3mrxP6cXRqNaDBPYFMN67YCYQUKfHgvz1.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Post Office Bay. An old barrel here acted as a post office box for pirates back in the day. We still leave messages today.</em></p><img alt="IMG_9522.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep1YQ9Z2KnbZfr7nWXFP3pEqTWpaCruwvtewPXjGMvkGXubpUUchmkKdWgNnr8kxDUq.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="G0065230.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq35cnuY6Vh5GjDq2cV18TwkGb4D7k3i61RGNMS6TCWooQ5KHR96D9Bg9yWAhkKPVnc.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Incredible underwater snorkel at Champion Island. Conditions were quite rough, but we had a blast, especially at this sea lion hangout.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="G0075243.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EprTYZdgCMaW1wBxpqjTJgSEqmApa4SWFJ3cFG6ohw9oPyN2QBiWe1odU16BJ8jhX8M.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">You can see the one sea lion communicating by blowing underwater bubbles, as another comes in for his closeup!</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="G0085259.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqYrn3T2uqmscZqsjfRnRU4XcH88tn9kbNhDqnypBzEDd4HZmSYMwbJah6SoexXF22e.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Feeling like I'm in the school!</em></p></div></div></div></div>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-30676673333169082712024-02-29T08:28:00.005-10:002024-02-29T08:28:49.105-10:00Galapagos Day 5: Giant Tortoise Reserve and Charles Darwin Research Station<div class="panel-heading pt-10 pb-10" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding-bottom: 10px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 10px !important; position: relative;"><div class="media no-margin" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; overflow: visible; position: relative; width: 553px; zoom: 1;"><h2 class="media-body media-middle text-semibold" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: 23px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; overflow: visible; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 10000px; zoom: 1;">Galapagos Day 5: Giant Tortoise Reserve and Charles Darwin Research Station<small class="display-block text-muted no-margin-top" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #757575; display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin-top: 3px;"><br /></small></h2><div class="media-right media-middle text-right" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-left: 20px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="label border-right-grey-600 label-striped label-striped-right label-block label-read-time" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-color: transparent rgb(102, 102, 102) transparent transparent; border-image: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 2px 1px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 4px; padding: 5px 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="post-main panel-body" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding: 0px 20px 20px; position: relative;"><div class="content-group post-body gallery" data-v-3c53226b="" data-v-68347721="" enableembeds="true" id="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 20px !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="viewer" data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Today we got a little bit of civilization, anchoring outside the "big" city of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. This is the main tourist hub for those folks not on cruise ships. You can get dive trips, day snorkel trips, and tons of lodging and dining options here. No trip to Puerto Ayora would be complete without a walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the different types of Giant Tortoises from the different islands. We also had the chance to jump in a bus and head up into the highlands in the middle of the island to visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9314.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoEq1BnSHHfYnQLQ6yZFDkTyxAAg4YFnoMbMW7AAYWANiW8SMrgofd8vMi6yxJNjDwy.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">An endemic Giant Tortoise walks towards me on a trail.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">It was another big day today. We left after breakfast and took zodiacs into the dock at Puerto Ayora. A few sea lions and pelicans greeted us on the docks. We loaded up into a bus and drove a couple of miles along the coast to the Charles Darwin Research Center. Here we saw baby giant tortoises, noticed the difference between tortoises from different islands, and also got to see the embalmed remains of Lonesome George. He is in a very specialized, temperature and light controlled room. It was the coldest place in the Galapagos. Outside was hot hot hot. We walked back through town, checking out the shops and sites as we walked.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">We reconvened for a short boat ride to a beautiful lodge for lunch. They also had a pool and internet which most of us took advantage of.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">In the afternoon we jumped on another bus for a 45 minute ride up into the highlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve. This was a lush, beautiful spot where tortoises were just walking around. The biggest ones were hanging out by the water hole. We probably saw 7 or 8 in total as we cruised around the reserve.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Everyone was pretty excited to get back onboard. The crew probably had a busy day as well getting all of the food and laundry and trash changed over.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9456.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq5CUWpp8SPHwtyvdX6FeWzHpM4ubn6CyBsbxfWnHSZDHMjRwthcLft8tH2g9WuGPAD.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I thought this building looked like something out of a pirate movie, built out over the water out of stones and crushed coral mortar.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9438.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpA4yVArnEAJtCwGL9DchVgXJqy8UT3PYr6MKe9peYmDNa7BLoh76jKRfTyBaeHV7tF.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The embalmed remains of the most famous Giant Tortoise, Lonesome George.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9441.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eokexz2TMwkLYty7fbNeBy7gN6AUsftRJ6e2d6qWh7Y4GgvzFV414UpR2L1tmoJ8Emp.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The entire archipelago is a giant National Park and Unesco World Biosphere. It lives up to that and more. Definitely worth a visit.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9453.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Epvgx19nXTfMsk8rTefkwV8vqeUZuKmdp14L1idMkRLiVfA3mxmp3J6f8vcE7zuVbFp.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Back in civilization, checking out the local fishing fleet.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9492.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpNntWFZNN32137dWc53ypK31T15LMXBuqGRbVSUHwmMU7icXDRibTNVnk8MxCwcgB1.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Catching more sunset colors after a wonderful day exploring Santa Cruz island.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9482.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoK6EBYdCkvbpv1CAyGEkeiz69WqwUpFXWVKH63JHBc345tfcoPEkgfyg5GE9bEZRrj.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">When we say giant tortoise, we mean 'giant'!</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9444.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wMcfyS6XLmc6pgreJyjr3M5Egw1A8n6xYdi1jGmh8UvrkH8rzurjmbuq1qFfskCHENE.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Giving Charles Darwin a few pointers about natural selection and evolution.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9432.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoGxpxdFFrHhS2jWgYaPVgro4tj2FZGtAvNN3ashXufg7tPvKeMNQk6UX74WwNtTiA9.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pretty wild to see the very long neck, and saddle shaped shell of this giant tortoise.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9452.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep3doZjKXgkBVYGKr4otwApB4wBt6sec1zJszGXY7Xea18YLAwJiDG8iUeVFFdsWxkM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Checking out the alleyways of Puerto Ayora.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9474.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoEr2X4CxnHoounbd5BGEjigzUbtGsfuZex6oxyGZ3GfucAXooTsPaExtdcb4MWGRsR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">More fun with big reptiles.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9470.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eou8mu9Nfy6yDhpKbyZm9MafpyUuX1HQs75yiXG6u2cy4SpaLWw61JAkcwrnX1ffX9D.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The highlands looked like a very nice and lush place for these tortoises to thrive.</em></p></div></div></div></div>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-31130431983034661152024-02-28T17:28:00.005-10:002024-02-28T17:28:53.534-10:00Galapagos Day 4: Climbing Dragon Hill, Flamingo Ponds, Red Sand Beaches and Snorkeling<p> </p><div class="panel-heading pt-10 pb-10" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding-bottom: 10px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 10px !important; position: relative;"><div class="media no-margin" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; overflow: visible; position: relative; width: 553px; zoom: 1;"><h2 class="media-body media-middle text-semibold" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: 23px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; overflow: visible; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 10000px; zoom: 1;"></h2><div class="media-right media-middle text-right" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-left: 20px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle;"><br /><br /></div></div></div><div class="post-main panel-body" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding: 0px 20px 20px; position: relative;"><div class="content-group post-body gallery" data-v-3c53226b="" data-v-68347721="" enableembeds="true" id="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 20px !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="viewer" data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9408.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpXJTWXQ2auS1XvwZq6EA8kVfhk1nE7nyXKsC1J8yhjRnhfBUwRfsTAnbQ85LuyvEBR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dragon Hill in the background of another beautiful Galapagos Island landscape</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Today was a big day on our exploration of the Galapagos Archipelago. We crammed three different adventures into our day, with a hike and a snorkel on Rabida Island in the morning, and a hike to Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island in the afternoon.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The landscapes were stunning, and the snorkel was super fun. I spent most of the time underwater, freediving with sea lions, big schools of fish, and an elusive nurse shark. And it all started off with a bang as our zodiacs took us in for a shore landing on the most beautiful red sand beach.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9361.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpZRPBGdhA3FGBBixyC52BGPt9XrUS3u7CuYBndkyYacGVsVpLTMnxVZxoAUVzQTzCK.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beautiful red sand beach</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9362.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EnmBGEn276zZRX9zdEToFN72k1uKL1NFkMYgN1BQk9ni2k4KNnCu2L2KTDZpmRFTeGm.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another shot of the red sand next to the green bushes.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9380.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnCMTrFeGP6nZBPSozq4FWDjmgDWY5gJU3KiLPWb2nirmogxVu2LYfwiZKvdCK9zoA.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beautiful cliff view from our Hike</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Not only did we get a scenic hike in on the lava rock coastline, but there was a pond full of pink flamingos just inland from the red sand beach. We spent a while just watching the flamingos feeding in the shallow water. I think a lot of the guests onboard were surprised that there were flamingos here in the islands.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9363.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoyP7CjKbjFPduSPKZTL4ytpat6ndDHbY6JZ4wfD2azz7CRktXeFgz6PgHmR3tzVKV6.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Who knew that there were flamingos in the Galapagos!?</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Next we donned our snorkel mask and fins and jumped in for a drift snorkel a little farther down the coast. We had beautiful conditions and we stayed in for over an hour. There was just so much to look at. Huge school of tiny pink fish, and schools of beautiful King Angelfish, a few curious sea lions, and a shark all made appearances as we drifted along the coast.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="G0065215.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpNmQzom6FG7FzEApURUehS6r5tsPxMcRekVgKH5DwxG64seLA6oCoKojMfgwMqcjRL.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I had a close encounter with a few sea lions farther down the coast of Rabida Island.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="G0065218.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq9TGncHQvUFqMVBFfqoSWkGuLYX2wsnDsDNU2DmbnWyMZ42dCBp56LDftsNQDepBe4.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Very close encounter</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9171.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoK8Jq5xbyuYdmRhdE7iyyqy7o6T9LGeKkhK3xdzK456Lv9LNLoEkyn4QRXH7WoxPXv.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Itinerary</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9419.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep7ufF44y71ddhHHRz5BzZQNtGRDJtaGUPYjRFXuPq9Ws83p8m3m18BY2hfAXyadgvx.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is what we do in between activities.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9389.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnDmZVzH4NBKg3sebeiaRw3q8nMb4ijjccKZtS4iMuLPYbbzhi2jzn6UDsvL2VXzJv.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Calm beach landing for our Dragon Hill hike.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Over lunch we transited south to the island of Santa Cruz. We stopped at a place called Dragon Hill on the northwest corner of the island. This was a fun leg stretcher as we went through some pretty dense low lying forest on our way to the summit of Dragon Hill. The sunset colors on the way back provided some beautiful landscape photography opportunities.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9369.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqNEJYXSbfGYhYxLFPLouF2T7bdKf6FJx5nk71VRiy2mAcDyLhgAE19A53F21xCpHrb.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pretty cool landscapes on our way</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9405.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpLfybYujQkshfbg6eVCMj2h7qsJyhXn4tqXttfRonnNZdB1rgZiDMsXoGncbQAokgu.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The long rainy season has left some puddles to walk around. I do enjoy the reflections in the water for shots like this.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6069.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xp484CyhrQLDJ19BRHHUAm4PUNQeRQ1MU7tzuZHHZ1MgL9b2ksjA59EYLZEnywd3WGV.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dragon Hill in sunset colors. This was a pretty easy jaunt through dense bushes and more land iguanas.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I am getting in the groove of this expedition cruising from the guest-side of things. Usually I am running these trips in other locations of the world, but here I am just a guest ambassador, joining the guests and spreading the hype. I am just glad to be visiting a new place that is living up to the hype.</p></div></div></div></div>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-16854963288247605142024-02-26T01:12:00.003-10:002024-02-26T01:12:32.135-10:00Galapagos Cruise Day 3: Snorkel, Hike, and Kayak at Isabela Island<p> <img alt="G0015144.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqNDmY1iiHFYhkwRt1RjfgRUAmdadnY8zckUfyjeLVctp2HGHgE74eib41qDXZwfuqx.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">This is what I'm talking about! Today we did it all. We started with a snorkel in Urbina Bay, then kayaked around Tagus Cove, and finally did a hard charger hike up the volcano for a spectacular view.</p><img alt="IMG_9293.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eoc8QiWmgs9pdJq7m7aNDZEVPyCAhB5gAgCB8Ua3yu55iN2BWRBY5fffDUXCB51gVfL.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The snorkeling was a blast. Tons of hungry sea turtles swam in the shallows. Many could be seen feeding on the green algae growing on the rocks. They didn't seem to mind our presence so I managed to get some fun GoPro shots of them from pretty close.</p><img alt="G0015141.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnCGseDQE7w81hGES5jqrDh9RqY1mj6sgJbWstxhPktG1uTd7EantdBU5jnUYox15s.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I realized after our snorkel that this is the real hidden gem of the Galapagos. Everyone knows about the land animals and how close they let you get, but no one talks about how the sea creatures are also right in your face.</p><img alt="G0035180.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoyP6y27anfhub6HQUJoQL7eAoeZWbZqT9a4mHhhcjEYJf1JDbiX1Gt9Xcu55UugDGR.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Off in the deeper, bluer water I went free diving into a massive school of King Angelfish. I always love swimming around big schools of fish. It felt like I was part of the school and they totally surrounded me. Take a look below to see what I mean!</p><img alt="G0045203.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EprLJsdPYcGafKJE4sw4FzB9Ly2tebNNU2EVETwwPxVZsmjB3Nha1y7QmQT5TVZn5Hn.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The afternoon was spent kayaking and hiking. The hike took us right up the side of the volcano. It was a good leg stretcher, which everyone was excited about. The food onboard is delicious, but it would be easy to pack on the pounds if you didn't pair it with some solid exercise. Plus the views were cool, we saw several Darwinian finches, and we made it to an overlook onto the other side of Isabela Island.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9297.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqQMDMtRc1rAKqLZSysoGrfLuMcmw3oKCuvYs4pTn7A7r4pAKkykGZB1vnTXGrsTxz1.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beach landings are always a bit tricky, you can see our zodiac high and dry here as the waves went out. But our crew showed their skill and experience, doing it safely each time.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9342.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqNEmddJbFG3nvA8ZY59rTdvL17GtjUaXrYvNDugNywxjci74tUNSaFPSdBSRJFhyFS.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Looking down over the east side of Isabela, where some of the more recent lava flows have occurred.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9331.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpzxBXcbQ178KtMD823x82wue1GFqzmYfAdc1mUN8sMsLpQBbHGaF7WWx9nPGbpaF2U.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another beautiful cove, then our climb begins!</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9338.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpxrDLJ6m3EiBPhTFb2bpQvHm634uoJkSJo6Jay823YSVkSNGmcxsBty87c7Wq9x6s3.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pretty fun inland lake, high in elevation that the ocean behind it.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9347.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqYrjDdSNfi3ANwDcWydobJRQ2uo38EFAzftymzg8u1DRdKAJ49Xz7LATJkPow1x9Bj.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another view of the volcanic lake.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Finally we got a chance to test out the kayaks. We loaded and unloaded from the zodiacs, then had about 35 minutes to peruse the cove. Sea stars and urchins could be seen at the water line, while several species of sea birds were perched up on the rocks. It was our first view of a Galapagos penguin up close and we got more flightless cormorants as well.</p><img alt="IMG_1496.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqHzwhcrErYybDw9ZbwSymW2uhAPPM4QRMCYFWdtMNUjPN2oiTx4an8MefiBdWwrELV.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_1488.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EogNFwxqNUowKCG37oYfudCm1jWQ43B7kVgp3rdskdojKMr7tjhuygt4Vxgb1aRr1Bg.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Flightless comorant. One of the many endemic species of animals that can only be found here.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_1503.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoGyTnvzLsWMvs2H5RrFvRQFPza1CTsS9jKHMT4NTV2rJE6BQk5NR9nzLtCqQGtvfQL.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our first Galapagos Penguin! These are the most Northern penguin in the world. Most penguins live closer to Antarctica, but this one is almost at the equator!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9352.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpQuuVwaFkTT3PtDXzioaoSDVtLadLi3snRKHWe2zRiW8SaZNfBMWmcZE55VXU2u9Mj.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another beautiful sunset on our way back to La Pinta.</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-18700764367427227292024-02-25T06:03:00.002-10:002024-02-25T06:03:38.941-10:00Galapagos Adventure Day 2: Punta Vincente Roca and Espinoza<p> </p><div class="panel-heading pt-10 pb-10" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding-bottom: 10px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 10px !important; position: relative;"><div class="media no-margin" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; overflow: visible; position: relative; width: 553px; zoom: 1;"><h2 class="media-body media-middle text-semibold" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: 23px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; overflow: visible; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 10000px; zoom: 1;"><br /><small class="display-block text-muted no-margin-top" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #757575; display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin-top: 3px;"><br /></small></h2><div class="media-right media-middle text-right" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-left: 20px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="label border-right-grey-600 label-striped label-striped-right label-block label-read-time" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-color: transparent rgb(102, 102, 102) transparent transparent; border-image: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 2px 1px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 4px; padding: 5px 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="post-main panel-body" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding: 0px 20px 20px; position: relative;"><div class="content-group post-body gallery" data-v-3c53226b="" data-v-68347721="" enableembeds="true" id="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 20px !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="viewer" data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Skiff Tours, Sea Caves, Beach Landings, and more wildlife than I can shake a stick at? Yes Please! That was the story on our first full day aboard La Pinta here in the Galapagos Islands. We started off our day with a zodiac tour around the Northwest tip of Isabela Island at a place called Punta Vicente Roca.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9256.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoChi8q36oKETUYsJhmahSpeav2s71D4WY5ZEJvkMhWYT727g119do8p29E5igy6WZg.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A marine iguana lazily lounges ontop of another in an attempt to warm up in the afternoon sun.</em></p><img alt="IMG_9172.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoK7kjiuk6kbUCVracqXeHMDRGmdpQQwcYbY7g5KsqHDbE3yPLN8FtJyhawbxMBn9BR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The landscape of Isabela Island here is stunning. The volcano geology is exposed thanks to thousands of years of erosion due to wind, waves, and rain. As we approached the cliffs closer we realized that sea birds and marine iguanas dotted the cliffs. Just like the animals on Seymour North Island yesterday, they allowed us to approach very closely. All of these photos were taken with my iPhone. It was the closest I had ever gotten to a brown noddy, a beautiful little sea bird that nest in rocky cliffs. Check out the photo below!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9188.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eoc8xBv8rBJy7J2qwxe3WWPf81w1cBTpLyEN1vZBMKLhtwHWTxJmGQ5rLr2pM15Dn2y.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Farther along the cliffs we came across a massive sea cave. I love exploring sea caves by zodiac or kayak and this morning didn't disappoint. Check out the view from inside the cave looking back out at our other zodiac.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_9201.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep5fSp2oScsCbNJ8T8bvHHxV91UgdN367G3UpATzdeGdwrK7HCzT6GSkdqnCFgUBtMK.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><img alt="IMG_9202.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpGNJmjnUe2VHauWtgkk4MdyKgQAd3iPnSZCubCAS7J22RjcKhrGfrVLUn3b1N6CHyU.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9181.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Epzxgo8fQFZWo28Wk3cuwiKdVqTJ2zZk1HTVx3DyfZKRXX5gq6k2UTqH2qMoKNN7737.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />After a delicious lunch back onboard La Pinta, we transited south to the island of Fernandina. Our afternoon plans were to do a shore landing and hike at Punta Espinoza. This turned out to be a great place for marine iguanas. In some places they covered the ground like a carpet. Check out some of the iguana photos below.</p><img alt="IMG_9212.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoErXsci8VGEm2exBPHAfHpznA5YaGqBNMq5YVchMTVPHVxtet4X36JnbKhGN34FFJr.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9236.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpXJVNdBJXFDKYmKcxwqP4kTT9UMD28HUk1cUYyFznhEm4U8Xgu4wisXtDtrDtqvzRT.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Reflections of the group in an inland tide pool. The lava rock is so porous that sea water flows in and out of this pool under the ground.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9226.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244KLkQpo4QRciaxxnjFMAyt5nBVhY32auKsn6w2QNQU9QA6ks3Pms6q8egBBSTtMcKKn.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I'm always looking for different perspectives that offer good photo opportunities.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9241.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpNoQxeTkCPr1akH9T25YmQ7eBQ7YBtr3qUCXEMCnSc5snzeTKda5SPUp19wA1CaBax.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A colorful sally light-foot crab races along the beach.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9261.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpzwKvXvKjQwTcypiu5fUutMEmU3K2rx7pN7JJQSwBWnYgamhi256jtvs7Xebz7nc6V.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of my favorite shots from the day. These marine iguanas formed a carpet on the side of the black lava rocks. Sally light-foot crabs added a splash of color to the camouflaged reptiles.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9292.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpA4uaRbqpbQq6aSxazEUxBk3RhkH1bptUQtNBdrzFN1okYMcGa1BygdTXY7D4xmwMM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Soaking in the sunset with happy hour back onboard.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9218.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpEJL89gG5sfNFTy5mKmx5orwzxyQdGAvyQgcsSuVhCXsDzLe18Jm6JgVae1hrA76aP.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This beach landing was nice and calm in this beautiful cove.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9222.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoeEU9Bd8eyzsG7orDxdBJe58jYFQ2kXJuhcKzXWXYX7WuAUquXDLMNm1hTGvdjsct7.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Photogenic cove. The next groups were waiting for the landing zone to clear. Each guide takes a small group so everyone gets personalized attention.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_9245.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoAaAXiESDeVD6KCv44i6YgLFf6EibKEXyfaRFYi1LEkBLZBJ1bePP1pnrFu3gYfew2.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">More marine iguanas.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">It was a great day exploring two very different places here in the Galapagos. And it was capped off with a beautiful sunset back onboard.</p></div></div></div></div>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-89260030378302871702024-02-13T15:50:00.001-10:002024-02-13T15:50:21.272-10:00Beautiful Day on the Mountain: Stowe<p> <img alt="IMG_8585.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EprTAuaU5XtfrzNhUaKY8aqiuAHBupRAbG8bHBj9Z5aRkjvzfxeyAnmnoVjBdHrABL3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Looking down the nosedive out at Mount Mansfield and the Stowe Mountain Ski Resort.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in Vermont, and the pinnacle of East Coast skiing and snowboarding. I took advantage of this beautiful early morning to hit the slopes before the crowds gathered, and was greeted with some wonderful views. A fresh scattering of snow fell over night, lending even more beauty to the high elevation areas.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">We havn't had much snow here lately, so I'll take what I can get. Another fun day on the slopes.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_8582.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq5FRKWosRWkZK3JWNp78QXwrpTe7uL41Uz71BqcQbTTTMhjnKHNokmXUkAKhUDG5pv.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">An entire chair to myself... getting those uncrowded early runs.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_8583.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqBbApTxo1Wc1bP7XdWtmUJveXbPikqHbaSK7M1Y9x3yVvjADUVCLF1pxwFMsLQmKYc.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The unusual clouds and the fresh snow really made a beautiful landscape high atop the mountains here in Vermont this morning.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_8586.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoyQQeN8w2u8KhpbzSbbNq7393w3NLExC6RRBDzSaTxbnodz3QUj15eq8fgdb6U3VX8.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">At the top of the Gondola you can find this 'Stowe' sign.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_8588.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpGRcCNddugWmxQnbXv6m9aM8qTc2MgU89jwKaRf9DsBC2JvzCcKHStzLYztnNmDiEo.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">And at the bottom you can find a sweet outdoor hot tub. This reminded me of my time in Japan, where everyone soaks in the Onsen at the bottom of the slopes.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_8584.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq5D77SrHcVdSgz62RYJEfyUwad1APVYxin2rzLdoVg6g95V5SD4GxMCpctLBuHvSDm.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Stunning views from the morning.</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-63480041578896167162024-02-04T05:45:00.004-10:002024-02-04T05:45:41.792-10:00Whale Season in Maui<p> </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The whale watching action has been incredible lately in Maui. The humpback whales are here for their annual migration to the mating and calving grounds around the Hawaiian Islands. We have been quite lucky the past few weeks with our whale encounters. I've snagged a few photos that you can check out here.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWhales (16 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tvAjXFmNCMNncQcNvzdAsNHwPoac3tEpYdtTTNyvhjzX66QLRUXWbKrewEc61WGzgwu.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I love getting as low to the water level as possible. It is a special feeling when you are looking up at a whale.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWhales (19 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoGr5Tw8UiQjtkuUUCtRSespx5eRoPwdw6bQbEQoeGQ2SVPfBF1cy2frZu1xZj13wCB.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is a tail throw or 'peduncle throw.' It can be like the roundhouse kick of the humpback whale world. It is almost like a reverse breach, where the back 2/3rds of the whale comes out of the water.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="LanaiWhales (1 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vhW1fkkH7hPvNL6Q94D7EpzMWEb3fMnbAM4KDK7KdScqRRf4nC2K3B7WH2R9EjcmQCU.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A fast shutter speed freezes the action of this powerful tail throw.</em></p><img alt="BigIslandWhales (5 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23uEv7rsY216Ubocto4bmx7tEU4bQZqmM3WozuhFdCNJyfjn25eyHtAQFEqBqd6Fmtp5h.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="WhalesFromSkiff (22 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgDFQYVUJFnVq48uXyrG1brrBedDnBRNbPLKZcbPHAZi73NPFj6hZhhEUpk3rkqLm9V.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A close up of the barnacles growing on the tail of this humpback whale.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="WhalesFromSkiff (20 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23zbKYGMuPGNwX1EsszZaieYrJAkRHynrZxHnnFCAKdqNtxaxxBgtqNpeQZCCNhNqSGRV.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I sent this photo into the happywhale.com website that catalogs humpback whales based on their unique white patches seen here. This whale was last spotted in the Inside Passage of British Columbia near Princes Royal Island.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="SwimParty (16 of 71).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoEq68gJ7WbdxzCFmRgsTxDYfuYJxBFdxkHQ4tVoWEQDsswXzrtfuy5WWC3dVaxJVaJ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is the underside of a brand new baby whale's tail. Notice that you don't have the telltale unique white markings yet. Those will form over the next few months.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="MauiWhales (11 of 11).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgU9nYk5M6RsqmPuJAV6haxLWn2J75XZrPEhjGTBKbfK8QCg6yhPDLHTU1111EG44Q7.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Almost like this whale was waving goodbye. A good way to end the post.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I shot all of these with a Canon 5d mark ii and a Canon L-series 100-400 telephoto lens. I try to keep my shutter speed above 1/1000th in order to freeze the drops of water spinning off the breaching whale.</p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-44660943227569861982024-01-27T06:17:00.004-10:002024-01-27T06:17:38.662-10:00Wild Weather and Big Waves in Hawaii<p> <img alt="BigIslandWaves (8 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EokcaBCnncfNH5mncJGFxQkjm5fkZcayRgeTH8pbdHF9c4sqJ9vyeuZn69JF2ndqXXJ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Safari Explorer in the background with waves crashing artistically in the foreground. I took this picture from our small skiff that I was driving with our guests.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Maybe I can blame El Nino for the unusual weather patterns out here in the Hawaiian Islands recently. But whatever it has been, 'unusual', is an understatement. I've been running expeditions from a small cruise ship around the islands for the past three weeks, and we have had big waves and winds the entire time. While that isn't in itself unusual, the directions the wind and waves have been coming from is highly unusual. The winds usually come from the Northeast so consistently that they are dubbed the 'trade winds.' Early traders used to rely on them to sail their merchant ships out to Hawaii. Then they would travel farther north to catch the 'westerlies' and ride them back to San Francisco area. The trade winds have been no where to be seen, so instead our usual calm protected western shoreline has been crushed with big waves and strong winds from the southwest.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">It has definitely changed up our usual itinerary. I've had to change our daily plans almost every day. Luckily we thrive in this flexible environment, and I can put my years of experience to good use. We have been finding different parts of the islands to hide from the wind and still get off the boat for adventure. This is the UnCruise small expedition ship experience at its finest. I always thing it is conditions like this where the crew really shines.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Today we tucked into a protected bay called Kealakekua Bay for our final snorkel of the week. I had a few folks onboard who were not into snorkeling, so I offered to take them on an adventurous skiff tour. I told them we might get into some big waves so to bring their adventurous attitudes, and they did! The photos here paint a good picture of just how wild the coast is right now. Usually this would be calm enough for me to drive the small boat right up to the rocks and touch them. As you can see I am definitely not doing that today.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">However, I did get them pretty close for some amazing photo opportunities. Check them out and enjoy. And here's hoping that things calm down soon. I miss my calm conditions out here.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="WhalesFromSkiff (22 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgDFQYVUJFnVq48uXyrG1brrBedDnBRNbPLKZcbPHAZi73NPFj6hZhhEUpk3rkqLm9V.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had a couple of close whale encounters on our skiff ride this morning as well. This one had a tiny wound on its tail that was still bleeding.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="VolcanoHike (10 of 43).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqL9he69RTiFTvA6KdgdGBBGkadMZ9CbF6WxLxV8feTJ7ytzkWYrhSSxiUn2dXnuNcb.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We have gotten some beautiful sunsets this week. I feel like they are the first sunsets not hidden by clouds that I've seen this month!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWaves (1 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xoujE85ZsQam1DvcsgYG4iNm3EazRuHVG2rUv4AyWRzv3vBCALuMZTkuRk6YMk24e2G.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The full moon setting over the monument to Captain Cook at our snorkel spot in Kealakekua Bay.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWaves (4 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xp8JVdcmByhQLJkyF28JFvCxN9PYpVyYT2HEyMZ2CkPWXXKTGinPMd3gpBW5TSmkcpG.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I do love taking photos of big waves.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWaves (9 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/242hQM6KzUuGEqv75gsTkunTvgxmb9xbsjynKWVm5S5VyWQBwp3mPKNHnx43yghdjCwda.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I got as close as I safely could to this sea cave on our adventure skiff tour.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="WhalesFromSkiff (20 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23zbKYGMuPGNwX1EsszZaieYrJAkRHynrZxHnnFCAKdqNtxaxxBgtqNpeQZCCNhNqSGRV.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another amazing whale encounter. This whale was slapping its tail on the water over and over.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="VolcanoHike (9 of 43).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xVD4yZFgzCDhAnCGEYEzLyE43GH6kJb1zyi1oNy9HhRhdw5BQjTn43xe26DcrbDt551.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The palm trees probably started as a floating coconut being crashed up onto shore by waves just like this.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWaves (3 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23w2eki9xzjgrqRezLknUehPb7gNdhZxDskghw1b8km44u5RBMkxyvEcdSRxbP9wxEsYZ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Wait! Is that a person sitting there!</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-76388633870500416662024-01-20T07:04:00.001-10:002024-01-20T07:04:08.827-10:00Whale Watching Heating up in the Hawaiian Islands<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">Every winter, Humpback Whales arrive around the Hawaiian Islands for their breeding and calving season. If you get a chance to go out on the water and do some whale watching, you could be rewarded with some very interesting behaviors. I tell people there are three big goals while whale watching here; seeing a brand new baby whale, seeing a competition pod, and see a breaching humpback whale.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="MauiWhales (6 of 16).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tGdqCZLu5CgSfEA2hVAR3CP4B7zn1kW21ogEX4Gcy3bm8h3jyXa1c7cEZzA571YdANb.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Whale watching has been heating up here in Hawaii. The Humpback Whale migration is on in full force. One way to see it is to head out in a small boat from Honokahau Harbor near Kona, Hawaii.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Babies are about the size of a small pickup truck, and they are born right here. The momma whales like the clear, calm, warm waters around the islands. The draw to Hawaiian waters must be pretty big, since the adult whales have no food here. They fast the entire time, and then head back to the food rich waters of Alaska when the need to feed outweighs the need to breed. Even though the babies are quite large, they look tiny next to mom, who is the size of a city bus.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Competition pods are also called heat runs. This is where multiple male whales fight over one female. She gives off some pheromones letting the males know she is going into heat, then puts the males through a test of fitness. Presumably she is seeing which male she would like to mate with and pass on genes to her baby. If she mates successfully then she will return next year to give birth.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">And finally, the breaching behavior is when the whale launches its entire body out of the water. The tail is so large and powerful that it only takes a couple of flaps to launch the entire 80,000lbs whale into the air. If you get to see this it will be hard to forget. Getting a photo of it is even harder. You never know when a whale will do this, or where it will come up from. So you just have to put in your time and hope for a whale that does it more than once. We were lucky enough to get that opportunity on this trip.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="LanaiWhales (6 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoCbSzp6k1jeTgUKEkzLKgM8JJu9YCovF9dwgpf82QKrciWy1mZ9zvBYYsf9z3z87Fz.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This was a tail slapping whale. We believe that the incredibly loud slap, caused by the 15ft wide tail, is sending a message to all the other whales in the area. Sound does travel 3.5 times faster through seawater than it does through air.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="1-IMG_7212.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xyJFS3jKXgpuczis62BhEMGcodJrwVq73eBU6HLkBrVWmXHhKeQE3bAXEH3nAunctsp.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is me driving the small whale watching boat. There have been times when I have had to look up from this boat to see a whale, towering over us.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWhales (9 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tGc6RdiFRcJtQZgEeQmbUTMzNUN5zGJjbSDuKRS3cve34qGgkKTgTkqycPsyQnn4F6d.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I just love whale season here in Hawaii.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWhales (7 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23t7BCTTPZNHmBbqq1EnaHQSRqu6jE1kqJR8Hb73kSjgigGTRH3YpG6kaehQc1mzNpAtY.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This photo is of two whales, each doing a different behavior. The whale on the left is doing a pec slap, where it waves its long pectoral fin in the air before smacking it on the water. The whale on the right is doing something similar with its tail.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWhales (16 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tvAjXFmNCMNncQcNvzdAsNHwPoac3tEpYdtTTNyvhjzX66QLRUXWbKrewEc61WGzgwu.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I tried to get a very low angle picture here. I just love the water cascading off the tail.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="MauiWhales (10 of 16).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23uFXvUE35Z5fqptmq2b6PjcHkUJnCby7Z8kPY5bw88p4HmHs7jLjfcWE5QUpu3S4GxkN.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had several chances to photograph breaching humpback whales this trip. I got lucky with this one.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWhales (1 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u5ZAo9wWskpx7Qtn1KhRK7LjbuWQgMnF5kfVXm1QBn3HmsNm4HvgWSNoGSMWL42Rqec.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Breaches happen so fast and the whale can come up from anywhere. It is a great challenge for all the photographers onboard.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="BigIslandWhales (21 of 24).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/48J9Kc8Dx8u6VhwNqCfDUtBR2Pqxbq6puVRXocWN4RQPF8Zej7y1kmnFHStu6pyfGe.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A very powerful behavior called a tail throw, or peduncle throw. It is like the roundhouse kick of the humpback whale world.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">If you are planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands, then consider coming in January to March. These are the peak whale months. You could literally sit on your lanai, sipping coffee, and watch whales out in the distance splashing around. Although, there is nothing like going out in a small whale watching boat and have some close encounters with these giants of the sea.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">And to think, the peak season is just getting started!</p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-47115528134278959502024-01-13T06:56:00.003-10:002024-01-13T06:56:10.933-10:00Double Snorkel in Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii<p> </p><div class="panel-heading pt-10 pb-10" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding-bottom: 10px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 10px !important; position: relative;"><div class="media no-margin" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; overflow: visible; position: relative; width: 553px; zoom: 1;"><div class="media-right media-middle text-right" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-left: 20px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="label border-right-grey-600 label-striped label-striped-right label-block label-read-time" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-color: transparent rgb(102, 102, 102) transparent transparent; border-image: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 2px 1px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 4px; padding: 5px 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">3 MIN READ</span><span class="label border-right-info-600 label-striped label-striped-right label-block label-read-time" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-color: transparent rgb(0, 172, 193) transparent transparent; border-image: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 2px 1px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 5px 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">436 WORDS</span></div></div></div><div class="post-main panel-body" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding: 0px 20px 20px; position: relative;"><div class="content-group post-body gallery" data-v-3c53226b="" data-v-68347721="" enableembeds="true" id="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 20px !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="viewer" data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="P1120436.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoAZGeMTcQDXaSTx5NQfEHo2GP2TJwhPZNsztStf2YYGx4pUgCYJwM8vR5vWC78hWZm.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">There are a lot of good snorkeling sites in Hawaii. Oahu has Hanauma Bay, Maui has Molokini Crater, and the Big Island has Kealakekua Bay. Today we visited Kealakekua Bay, the Big Island's premier snorkel destination.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The orientation of the bay, and the lava rock peninsula create a very protected bay for a super developed coral reef. It is possible to feel like a part of the school when snorkeling around the shallows. There are just so many different kinds of beautiful fish here. Just offshore the reef slopes away into the blue abyss, sometimes visited by Hawaiian spinner dolphins.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Kealakekua was a very sacred place to the ancient Hawaiians. Its name translates to 'Pathway to the Gods.' Bones of ancient Hawaiians are buried in the many lava tubes that dot the giant cliffs forming the southern wall of the bay. Is is also the historical site where the first western captain, Captain James Cook, landed in the Hawaiian Islands. Unfortunately for Cook, that ended up in his demise. However it did put Hawaii on the map... although with the name of the Sandwich Islands.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Nowadays the bay is mostly visited by snorkel tours from Kona town. We were quite lucky this visit, with the rough conditions outside the bay, we had the spot pretty much to ourselves. It was the only game in town, so we spent the entire morning here doing two different snorkels with our guests. We ended up seeing a white tip reef shark, a couple of moray eels, big bluefin trevally, huge schools of goatfish and yellow tangs, rarely seen reticulated butterflyfish, and even the super rare black morph of the longnose butterflyfish.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120357.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Epxoq5oupXr2mSq8k9nvMNPV4gb8ABqKoyz9y68Z9wMgm4N2QapRXAsXJR55KUAo8nL.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ready to jump in to snorkel Kealakekua Bay!</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120360.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqhMvdS7zG9nhzi8exNmvfMZ5PLceN326tRhX7dHSenRT7sooHAmJBLnYcie5ywSRPF.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is our tender, the small boat that brought us over from the Safari Explorer, our small expedition ship. We are lucky that we have a permit to bring our boats into this bay.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120363.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep7tc4TRzmZZds6cpSFMLtDJkVJN7RA1TV98y7xXs8RSdVQZEwzopwgdQ8JmU8bDoN8.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Look at the color of that water!</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120385.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eou2VtddyMXH48wkGWFccLig8Hx5NMig1xPg8FHWjNVrVsWmMNfxjUi9DZm6jTWHYda.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">You had to freedive to see this shark, as it was snoozing down under a ledge.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120391.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EonkVX1yjkoGPXrztLmvY4k4QNDCnb1vEZL2QhP7CFkDMLGKFT9H9N1qDXT5VqGRFGc.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is what the shallows look like. Huge school of yellow tangs.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120397.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpEFrBk6WwkNgHcxPXHRyYr3yX71urbYbBN8rmj9xZR2yNkqCUmr9iAGPJVKmFDHPKE.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of our guests enjoying his morning snorkel.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120415.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoEjGfRLERtYZ1vguR3o3pJxTY3EdK9Sd7cJPBXYEzrP5EHBaAt9ZESQGHAcMEKE3ct.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Enjoying some clear water.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120422.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpzpT6am3shZYgnk1NhZiMmWZMLaFAHTnBAp4pqk6VWgvznB46JbpCQM4fvZFcX3uL8.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">More clear water for fish watching.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1120433.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoEq7SZv26YVBNePna3givGeK9PaQiRm6x9t5pj4CwGajhnYE3xTWaqSX1cjEbebi7d.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Watching bluefin trevally and a huge white mouth moray eel hunting together.</em></p><img alt="P1120451.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoptpRyTUJNC5GLppRZu4DfqgoeJbyPwd1QBX6URHciwbcgvhP6VC99gex8ogTP6JCn.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1123507.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23w2FajMNPEBCAjGWu4p3K6ykX2jiFTkTQYefHsiTrsqf6upjxdDW5E3UTLzMAvECtiEh.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Freediving with a school of goatfish.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1123512.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tm7725T8YTLZBAkXcNkhaWwHqr6wkVKZhm1sk3tPuXWv894rZWA73qtJs8taZ4ZGvEU.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of our guests found this whitemouth moray eel poking out from beneath a rock.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1123540.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23uQfxwwimMnXTghLrQkW6sBQz1RE1NYpbD97eDxGYWbWvufdZ2HikZd2Bge8WWYJTaLq.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Posing in front of the Captain Cook monument.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="P1123549.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/241tLQ5NoNUkF8w6jH4521SHawGkDG5LU1NqHjW7yJQzCSzgdnuC4eF2n668d9yz7Y1Fp.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of my favorite finds, a reticulated butterflyfish!</em></p></div></div></div></div>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-15991881616117885902024-01-02T05:26:00.000-10:002024-01-02T05:26:01.591-10:00Quintessential Snow Day in Stowe, Vermont<p> <img alt="IMG_7082.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpJXbwcaYUJEh69aDhZrDajvvdSk25PuhvYUyFdk6MENg3ymwEiophMKQTLicsjjMjr.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beautiful view looking downslope at the lodge at Stowe Mountain Resort</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">We have gotten a bit of snow over the past few days here in Stowe, Vermont. Our little town becomes a winter wonderland when that happens and I always say to myself that I should go out and take some photos. Well, today was the day I finally did it.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I started in downtown, with the famous Stowe Church. Main street was still all decorated for the holidays. Then I took a few photos on my way up mountain road on my way to the Stowe Mountain Resort. Finally I strapped on my snowboard and headed up the Four Runner Quad to get some photos from way up high. The scenes were just beautiful, but feel free to take a look for yourself.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7081.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoK5MVWrYxFAxKPD7p3ecd4bzj4JvfBrvDVqnrtrmocYupByvkRVK1TAFWYsumVg5nR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I had to stop here and take a photo of the sun backlighting all of these snow covered trees.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7064.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpEFSZj7B2vf3f5NqDXJKEfLjhW5NtytTopADjphAxyZVQuti6YzggRMMWSaoscKQfW.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I thought, 'what could be more Northeast than this?'</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6840.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23yTjH2w24pa1hntZiYTm3beams4FgtqVjePa3xDXcqzr7DhCSBfGKFiQcr348H3HrGDi.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">My son getting in on the snowy action.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7077.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoyN2qLa1hY1GrpmK2Wh5HoCgHmLy7DCFWPmxDKErfLcTPZDznVmLMbRP4BE9GNZc6e.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Way up on Mount Mansfield, looking down over snowy Vermont</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7078.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EopsRP1w6QUj9GacejLFcHdNH9BcgsNeZtYnHGP1g7u7zJNEDsQzFb7XwQQ56vMgFC7.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">View from the top of the quad today at Stowe</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7079.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep5oe55QrHF4c6RPLjmNQbenkp19B28oENtP6XEXf1YuoLpgU82cfBvVpfgrSqyFX3R.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dressed for success and all smiles.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7083.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/2423x5PRn4jrCczxXSduT6MK9naMhGNtXoz2FpqCMz9wRXHcCGfoo6cHok1xY1Ap2Cgi7.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Halfway down!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7060.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep7t5QKtooWd2mEGSETV5abXou1APjTYXPeub9T8CizGSSuLnUyCq1g64adD2f6ZUqw.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our beautiful little downtown of Stowe.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7063.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpXGzKngeVW1xktDU6xf9ue7igMQNf2DHdFwF9jDFj5kdNyR5q4SFijXqCucdzwd9hL.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another angle of downtown Stowe.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7067.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep3ctqoFprSX3X8aGpZhT8uMcTiy6No9gUrJGQSLhxkq69yCBowqMVCao2quRYXYYfc.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ski-in ski-out lodge on the way up the mountain.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7071.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eou7K2a2rR2uK3VuiX6HV1eLW82jnXuxrX9rPshVwvcmTi7azgRKLbydtj86b5v4444.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beautiful day and not a large crowd at Stowe mountain resort.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7069.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpLe7LdwxVXAiHQGPju57kRSBt7poUgxwfgu9ZjarajoWnuJFGQu3VvBmKNswn3sndg.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The view turning into the mountain.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7072.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Epzyc6MvtMjMHW6WsgLzT5PmcpQkRbNWMUwViknfxLM4tqLAdH9rPt1K38mnFiG5rU6.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Soaking it up.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_7075.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xebHni837GES33v37KTr2U9TZB9QNGDz6XJPzkWUbdrQi1jfjp5ror3t6RszENnSkfe.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The moon setting over the mountain. It almost looks like the ski lift takes you right up to the moon.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I'll be out of the snow for the next month, running expedition cruise trips in the Hawaiian Islands. I feel pretty lucky that I was able to have a few days like this to ring in the new year before switching it up for board shorts and snorkel goggles.</p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-42520506030034553342023-12-31T05:54:00.002-10:002023-12-31T05:54:48.988-10:002023: A Year in Review<p> <b>2023: A year in review</b></p><p> It has been another wild and wonderful year. The highlights were too many to count but I'll do my best here. I watched my three wonderful kids hit tons of little person milestones, from Catalina and Fisher learning to ride bikes, to Catalina starting kindergarten, to Fisher finally being able to stand in the deep end of the kids pool, to Dela becoming a walking, talking little kid. The family spent three months in Maui, during which Heidi and I officially tied the knot, getting married on a secret little beach surrounded by friends and family. I had a busy year with work as well, running expeditions onboard the Safari Explorer with UnCruise in Hawaii and Alaska throughout the year. I also had the chance to go down to the Galapagos as a guests ambassador during May for a weeklong trip. And I added another wonderful Africa safari to my list in October. </p><p><br /></p><p> My Hawaii trips with UnCruise this year have just been a blast. The itinerary is the best it has ever been, with the addition of an e-bike option in Lana'i, as well as a new night manta ray snorkel on the Big Island. The volcano hike on Hualalai Volcano on the Big Island still continues to amaze me with all of the honeycreeper sightings as well as the surprise lava tube traverse. The big change this winter comes after the devastating fires that wiped out Lahaina town in early August. We used to stop there and take the guests on a historical walking tour, but now I'm adding an addition water activity that has proven quite amazing so far. We snorkeled around the huge Shipwreck on Lana'i, and did a long kayak along the west coast of Lana'i for starters. I'm excited to get back aboard in a few days and see if the whales have shown up. <img alt="P3130084.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eow7Qj8uNMHaMKsp6HBbHSsdh8RHsb9BPqPwZ2VzJWJCQVKhpVwzXuwqv4Y5rLvm3ph.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p><img alt="IMG_7586.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eo6DBAkaASKKvfuNjELCck347PxA1vg5rtDjXUcKHFykons7Ma54BdQfXnjbUGPQ2Xr.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /> </p><p> Even though the UnCruise Hawaii trips were great this year, my Hawaii memories are dominated by our wedding week. We had 20 of our friends and family out to Maui in early March for a week of fun activities, capped off with an absolutely gorgeous beach wedding in Makena. Heidi looked beautiful, the kids all had their matching outfits, and the wind and rain magically disappeared for the morning of the ceremony. Fisher was pantless for most of it after immediately sitting in a tidepool, shortly after arrival. Ben officiated the ceremony which was a very nice touch. With all the help of the grandparents we were able to get in a group nudibranch dive at Sugar Beach, as well as a few surf sessions with the boys. Nate, Ben, and Brian surprised me with a brand new surf board, custom made with my name on it. I couldn't have been happier. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Uz1sm2nQ-Vt0Irr4mTn3CqjXDEqXpkTDl6xNUoaiadEY131Zqw35WopD2yI7FZHuAIpL3ulKGJaFVhNPTPzWFUAP9IwnOxg8XyAXF9w-oE6cgyzjLEHwvswfj4AWIHdRdh_UfGLialPBuD_H3dPRohqm30XnMhJoV3X7-k4QH0GTdUmdMNxMGeAoEMWH/s4528/RW_301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4528" data-original-width="3016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Uz1sm2nQ-Vt0Irr4mTn3CqjXDEqXpkTDl6xNUoaiadEY131Zqw35WopD2yI7FZHuAIpL3ulKGJaFVhNPTPzWFUAP9IwnOxg8XyAXF9w-oE6cgyzjLEHwvswfj4AWIHdRdh_UfGLialPBuD_H3dPRohqm30XnMhJoV3X7-k4QH0GTdUmdMNxMGeAoEMWH/s320/RW_301.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2U3S5PHlQ3CuaoDDma9FsqmGR6ujY6EdiS6-VafeqiJgWbNimqFVwrC_7LZ1Z9SM8OP5B8hIGRETpazTLzWopBhvFRejmvs4ycUDTUvDOVEY4OZBbvzBPpOjFiyiunxaEsD1f1QVHJRmsXZel4yY6gxKx3Auv4geXyroh4sFMGK0_cn571srfIyW4gPW/s4403/RW_342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="4403" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2U3S5PHlQ3CuaoDDma9FsqmGR6ujY6EdiS6-VafeqiJgWbNimqFVwrC_7LZ1Z9SM8OP5B8hIGRETpazTLzWopBhvFRejmvs4ycUDTUvDOVEY4OZBbvzBPpOjFiyiunxaEsD1f1QVHJRmsXZel4yY6gxKx3Auv4geXyroh4sFMGK0_cn571srfIyW4gPW/s320/RW_342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oEhzurFJgFMtQkArQhUauAaCIMg4VQNOcFfQcLfxtZnMg_JS0cBhRNDiaEeUZ8urd07E5x35tQhJ_WHMW86GCuca_OZSEBTW0apGvd-GpvVrGz4cDtNXhsvS-G9OgafLMWyTH6fQzedJwse7OcNvd16eUAumOXfO-ZowtbtpobZhZgAk9MYZwUQNuaxK/s4528/RW_422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4528" data-original-width="3016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oEhzurFJgFMtQkArQhUauAaCIMg4VQNOcFfQcLfxtZnMg_JS0cBhRNDiaEeUZ8urd07E5x35tQhJ_WHMW86GCuca_OZSEBTW0apGvd-GpvVrGz4cDtNXhsvS-G9OgafLMWyTH6fQzedJwse7OcNvd16eUAumOXfO-ZowtbtpobZhZgAk9MYZwUQNuaxK/s320/RW_422.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEQRkgtXvzaZ7T_n-xobl37k2pELy8-C9npG5_ZnF2EmboKltSPmmx-9i_sHMIpvWOu7onD8f7DglvFOnP4I-JaOSWYozSQ_vNGwZI5Oeui1TERCDZB-59xdtsQTnCHJtxWBpMC8KhpDCHGmTpGcBXAaTvsgJvTyoU4UHDWeXnBaygSB7m2Gsw_t-CVo1/s4540/BachelorSurfHawaii%20(23%20of%2031).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="4540" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEQRkgtXvzaZ7T_n-xobl37k2pELy8-C9npG5_ZnF2EmboKltSPmmx-9i_sHMIpvWOu7onD8f7DglvFOnP4I-JaOSWYozSQ_vNGwZI5Oeui1TERCDZB-59xdtsQTnCHJtxWBpMC8KhpDCHGmTpGcBXAaTvsgJvTyoU4UHDWeXnBaygSB7m2Gsw_t-CVo1/s320/BachelorSurfHawaii%20(23%20of%2031).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> After years of joking that people should request me to be their expedition leader in Galapagos with UnCruise, it finally happened this year in May. I was asked to be a Guest Ambassador onboard La Pinta, for a weeklong expedition cruise between the Galapagos Islands. We had a very nice group of guests, many who I sailed with before. It was fun seeing all the famous land animals, but I was really blown away by the snorkeling. And that was with pretty wavy, murky conditions for a lot of the snorkels. I am hoping next time I go back it'll be calm and clear underwater. And I have to go back since I lost most of my high quality photos due to my hard drive going haywire. I should have the chance in November of 2024 if everything goes according to plan. <img alt="IMG_9084.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243ftwG2b2FQDipveeUdhiDgvk1BcrTXCKc3DoisoFZ5RjoFSv4yLAu4qHCqpiZYM2bnZ.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_ekxWnN4SA1U9LA4nBaaEiippRj8t6A0gQjGqljfQZbMaIiFCtkzR6eYZchAl46z_WLgaYiSJLxxC3GHAY5XYzy14Hc0uxyij0LjqEUiBbOkEbO4TQ1k-f6xbn2eZpNk824y-g5gfGZtBgC6wLceJnnmjrk_gbHYOiPu_t5xJH3u2-3ckrHKnvOHaklzt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_ekxWnN4SA1U9LA4nBaaEiippRj8t6A0gQjGqljfQZbMaIiFCtkzR6eYZchAl46z_WLgaYiSJLxxC3GHAY5XYzy14Hc0uxyij0LjqEUiBbOkEbO4TQ1k-f6xbn2eZpNk824y-g5gfGZtBgC6wLceJnnmjrk_gbHYOiPu_t5xJH3u2-3ckrHKnvOHaklzt" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Right after returning from Galapagos, we had a couple of family trips planned. The first was down to Savannah for some grandparent time and some gator catching. It was a big success. Catalina even reeled in a fish all by herself with a vote of confidence from her Babu. It is so nice to give the kids a chance to really feel like Savannah is a part of their childhood, like it was for me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjztodGgw3e1Bl1mBPSGLoY9R1NHjY2qWe01m1IuZwmqXzIRyWTt-VffZJPWGj__NS-01F2_zXq-4G6xFgUtU3Oo-A-m7q-GJV5rOUPRNQ_EVDTEr8CkiOPuJ7qd6-9oFG8bTjKNaXNRRPuyKaM0u1BAR52dhWDUBF6sJYhQX8Nw5K0fL4CJHmcl-CBjPu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjztodGgw3e1Bl1mBPSGLoY9R1NHjY2qWe01m1IuZwmqXzIRyWTt-VffZJPWGj__NS-01F2_zXq-4G6xFgUtU3Oo-A-m7q-GJV5rOUPRNQ_EVDTEr8CkiOPuJ7qd6-9oFG8bTjKNaXNRRPuyKaM0u1BAR52dhWDUBF6sJYhQX8Nw5K0fL4CJHmcl-CBjPu" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p> After Savannah, the entire family, plus Heidi's mom Susie, flew to Alaska to do a week aboard the Wilderness Legacy. We were invited to be a part of the Dillon private charter. 65 passengers... now that is a big family. I will always remember going on an all-day yak n whack with Catalina at age 5, and kayaking with Fisher while looking at a bear, and then having Heidi and Fisher in my kayak as we paddled around ice in front of Margerie glacier. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="324-_JJJ8953.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vi5tYUCbcDjUTuRFBRSTxx7RPcPuxhH8QX2iYsuAPnHS1oNuSx6mmsDy3MNuZUuxAPz.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin: 5px auto 2px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deedee and Fisher in the tall grass of Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><p><img alt="192-IMG-20230704-WA0014.jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpvgXYsDJXTd3Y9kLMvbLCsDwXzq3srJzLUwujAs165kPALzmLCUBVRhdGCA1V1cG87.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><img alt="IMG_0554.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqBdAWAnR5eZWjsjN4G77RUerwEJshYcfvMP5qWfAg3gxZQ46Li5EYh9otENdxyZxda.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin: 5px auto 2px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p> </p><p>UnCruise in Alaska was bittersweet. Due to mechanical and hull issues my entire first rotation was canceled, then Wilson's rotation was canceled as well. I started the season in July for a five week rotation. It turned out to be the only 5 weeks that we ran Alaska trips all summer. The third to the last day one of our engines broke and the ship was shut down again until the final southbound trip to Seattle. However, those five week were absolutely incredible. I was able to get guests into our small boats and out with bubble netting humpback whales multiple times. I worked with Christian Lloyd for the first time in years, and the first time ever on the SFX, and it was just as amazing as I had imagined. He showed me many new adventures, and was always up for checking out new places. We touched Lamplugh glacier almost every week, we paddled for miles up so many different salmon-filled rivers, and he even showed me a few hiding places of the elusive horned puffins. I pushed my boundaries doing bushwhacks in places that were brand new to me, including one of my new favorites at Dundas Bay. It was also my last season working in Southeast Alaska, as I am scheduled to take the Safari Explorer into Prince William Sound next summer, and the Aleutians the summer after that. </p><img alt="monday (87 of 96).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vsE9TRAevjgJ5YkTpzekMpq7s8e9A6eXNFb1RsNp6GNrHnguiyern21hDVdaW4vciA3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin: 5px auto 2px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p><img alt="thursday bears (61 of 93).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tRvHuW8GwEyfsxEaaSMn3m2xMwtDJzmbJwNMVT92efeJWYgeGYoZoEtHNVrYZaawHna.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><img alt="IMG_2600.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqWcdU49S7W8RAGSN4qS7LCsAeJCx5qMTkLEaimKSrRrKabckGmnzfZUqy9hmddw7nk.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /> </p><p>Then in October, all my Africa planning came together to form a magical two week safari through Kenya and Rwanda. I called this group the 'Crab Shack' group, since Tracy, from the famous Juneau eatery Tracy's Crab Shack was the ringleader. From the very first day of elephant and giraffe close encounters, to the meals, to the animal sightings, and finally the gorillas...it just could not have gone any better. I added a trip through Nairobi National Park where we had close encounters with white rhino. Then we saw black rhino at West Tsavo. Amboseli gave us multiple cheetah encounters and baby lions and hyenas. We had Jackson as our guide in the Masai Mara, and Kichwa Tembo luxury tented camp blew everyone away as always. I still think the group talks about Talisman restaurant and how good that was. The Bishop's House in Rwanda was another big success, and trekking with gorillas was the grand finale I was hoping for. As always, the moment I got on the plane to fly back to the states, I was already ready to come back to Africa. I'm scheduled for two more safaris in 2024, including a huge six country safari in August. <img alt="IMG_5586.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoAUWaUDPiLTeop8nBtepi4P3vieX8o6wyRjJhGgks1bFij6Yo97aLsH2xE7yXwTdTN.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_5607.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq36f5nsHcmnfd96gXnDo42XG2iSj3duwNR5PkLH5PyHB7Q1ciRKTM3QHZLENKzXcPA.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijEZEJ07XkTVu8Qb3vqeIaRGZmvJIDls3O2mvKy80aw4NbQOhQSdrUpxZqUSEE2w_R2Uvfp__3hOjT8tX3_A9bG64LhBq4tL1PGTxwwV0J6DwcwG3VapD8ivqKIZm6GFSaqBpbkGmKBApCS94zeGp8TIGlV4OKz8xJPcj-r30cWTgq0ey9zIfsl6r2XQXa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijEZEJ07XkTVu8Qb3vqeIaRGZmvJIDls3O2mvKy80aw4NbQOhQSdrUpxZqUSEE2w_R2Uvfp__3hOjT8tX3_A9bG64LhBq4tL1PGTxwwV0J6DwcwG3VapD8ivqKIZm6GFSaqBpbkGmKBApCS94zeGp8TIGlV4OKz8xJPcj-r30cWTgq0ey9zIfsl6r2XQXa" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXXweJ3b7oYLnpdDQgwSFSYQbsm2hm1EBqFCY8984Zcw4dVvBCl04nEePg7oIJJpWSFEostKTsXN26K6SSU1qXGiOjZ_9lwYVMSE7Uys3a3QRG2QBKnDNPwfCBpYmnQKUTkwJIiC7uZ28wYrF4Dy9wtYFal4dvEJ156WURBQvY8xpTOq972YnE7pzCSBTf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXXweJ3b7oYLnpdDQgwSFSYQbsm2hm1EBqFCY8984Zcw4dVvBCl04nEePg7oIJJpWSFEostKTsXN26K6SSU1qXGiOjZ_9lwYVMSE7Uys3a3QRG2QBKnDNPwfCBpYmnQKUTkwJIiC7uZ28wYrF4Dy9wtYFal4dvEJ156WURBQvY8xpTOq972YnE7pzCSBTf" width="160" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p> All of these work trips were spaced out with weeks of family time in between. I was able to spend over six months out of the year with the family. With Catalina turning 5, Fisher turning 4, and Dela turning 1, it was such a valuable time to be with them as much as I could. We spent a lot of time practicing bikes and scooters, swimming at the Swimming Hole, and skiing when there was snow. Learning letters and numbers has developed into learning words and math. Personalities are blooming and I feel like this age is just maximized for snuggling. The kids want me to carry them everywhere, and could play with me all day. I know that I am going to look back on these years very fondly as the kids grow up and get more and more independent. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9O_Gyz8GijJDcuf9TDM8x1nZG7c8Fy5ZbLr4y3a_LCW4ICWS84vNY2O1_5jhGs6s4Ri5hnIKnNNvSvHTHodaSjS_gRl58kTj8QSh7Lgib-hFi_w2YqBtnG04yW7pnEfh9QoPi5oMpyTcG4E3qgQzjsuCSMGN4Rfcj0c1G_Rs-hW1Y-EoMJylzFyJ7QhJ/s1668/IMG_4394.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1668" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9O_Gyz8GijJDcuf9TDM8x1nZG7c8Fy5ZbLr4y3a_LCW4ICWS84vNY2O1_5jhGs6s4Ri5hnIKnNNvSvHTHodaSjS_gRl58kTj8QSh7Lgib-hFi_w2YqBtnG04yW7pnEfh9QoPi5oMpyTcG4E3qgQzjsuCSMGN4Rfcj0c1G_Rs-hW1Y-EoMJylzFyJ7QhJ/s320/IMG_4394.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAC (Toyon Adventure Club) back at it with the next generation<br /><img alt="IMG_6896.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoiW9Y3BekC8mh1H1uQVbf5RB2Fg3nmCmmydH811THe5SEYypenAis11mUxNMj9gVTA.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> 2023!. What a year. And hopefully 2024 will be more of the same. </p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-45133807846513907782023-12-21T06:24:00.002-10:002023-12-21T06:24:18.432-10:00Early Season Snow here in Stowe, Vermont<p> <img alt="IMG_6871.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpQwfqNUPxSLWS9cJZMWYQ9thnwNumg5rSTo2QJgnZFvJf9TEYK7xXhwzcYBZ1wxoSR.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">So far it has been a pretty stellar snow season here in Stowe, Vermont. We got a good six inches one day, and I have been snowboarding ever since. The beautiful thing about an early winter snow, is that the crowds are not yet at the mountain. So it can be just you and a lot of fresh powder.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I've been trying to document some of these days. These selfies look pretty similar, until you really look at the backdrop. I tried to capture all different areas over the course of a couple of weeks.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The rest of the month doesn't look too good in terms of snowfall, but I'm hoping that it'll be a good February when I am back from Hawaii.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6869.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnCFyN8R2yafxv2yarJMVzY9NAA9ZPcxhrsBykZA3Hh59zr8jXFQVpe3oEm2g4xYsR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">View from on top of the quad at Stowe Mountain Resort.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_E6859.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23zbHJz7Fe93RGm1HnyGUbj9Gw2Yx86EjKnFMWUvG2eroDgTWnJC5pVQBFuamvaLytN68.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The view on my way our of the neighborhood.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6846.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpJZ6k8YrS665iCvw2dBoK4z1Tz7Muqh6SyBinmtDKy3w9EKvQ92wCWbyZ4LoXMC6kA.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Spending some time on the mountain with my oldest.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6860.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep5pbfSqaLQGbiCSdconLHf4Bk6Q2guuSUhy2nn289aictDDp5NbCrTpKjoUPPKxYGg.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Everyone was just pumped to be on the mountain, scoring some fresh powder this day. Susie and I had runs all to ourselves.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6868.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpJY8AepZZVGcqXMqyrkNarjcHaYrDfhSARDMEQgqAC3rSZpoLEFzK3MjbzhUhLiaUU.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sunshine after the snowfall.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6872.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EowHzUnwFhDcybmSv53TrDcC4Sp1w9gF6i6mZaCtLdwv3qqMXgd2cJ6tKhiB1aQb79o.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where are the crowds?</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6890.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eokg3Zjqz8hm4Vjakgi9R2WuqG7LckETQVZEsQHgAa52KbJSnUwmvxXtoqjcdQyzdyk.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This sign says, 'Warning: Backcountry area not patrolled.'</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6891.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EowHxxf9JBSP5yEuWuYjUBVCeQmiutFDN115t92vMXLJRtG2UAyfWT3DMTzfWBSQrCp.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another beautiful day at the top of the gondola. Opening day for the Gondola.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6896.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoiW9Y3BekC8mh1H1uQVbf5RB2Fg3nmCmmydH811THe5SEYypenAis11mUxNMj9gVTA.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I'm not the only one pumped to be at the mountain.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_6882.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpxqDtJrb6S7c6fgZPAo5nZMz6i6Vmrbg57QMkGWkKuF1pBR5vjPSWa97tXSZHAoEhG.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The extra slow, remnant of times gone past, toll road lift at Stowe.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I'm looking forward to more funs times on the mountain to come this winter!</p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-30055655217541684632023-11-28T11:53:00.003-10:002023-11-28T11:53:21.425-10:00Cool views from my impromptu flight to meet guests: Maui to Molokai<p> <img alt="IMG_6101.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqSNixBFTqnKyiTiAZ3tBgii9dVdiGD8ZS54qLMfcAiRV54kRaBzb23ug83jG1uxGsq.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">There's something magical about exploring the Hawaiian Islands from the air, and my recent adventure with Mokulele Airlines from Maui to Molokai was nothing short of extraordinary. Buckle up and join me as we embark on a scenic flight aboard a small 10-seater plane, capturing breathtaking views of the North Shore of Maui, the historic Halawa Valley, the haunting remnants of the leper colony at Kalaupapa, and the awe-inspiring sea cliffs of Molokai.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our journey began with the rhythmic crashing of big waves along the North Shore of Maui. The vibrant blue hues of the Pacific Ocean served as a perfect prelude to the adventure that awaited us. Mokulele Airlines specializes in providing intimate flying experiences, and this flight promised to be a visual feast for the senses.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">As we approached Molokai, the excitement reached a crescendo as we found ourselves almost level with the famed 3000ft sea cliffs on the north side of the island. Waterfalls cascaded over the cliff edges, creating a mesmerizing display of nature's raw power. The intimate size of the aircraft allowed us to feel the grandeur of the cliffs, a sight that will forever be etched in our memories.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">As we soared higher into the skies, the lush greenery of Halawa Valley unfolded below us like a patchwork quilt. The emerald valleys and ridges, surrounded by the deep blue ocean, created a scene straight out of a postcard. The pilot skillfully maneuvered the plane, ensuring every passenger had a front-row seat to this natural spectacle.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our journey took a poignant turn as we passed over the historic Kalaupapa, the site of a former leper colony. From the air, the remnants of this once-isolated community told a tale of resilience and survival. It was a humbling moment as we reflected on the history of this place and the lives touched by its legacy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The adventure didn't end in the skies. We touched down on Molokai, ready to explore the island's unique charm. Our overnight stay at the Hotel Molokai provided a cozy and authentic Hawaiian experience, complete with warm hospitality and stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">A scenic flight from Maui to Molokai with Mokulele Airlines is more than a journey; it's a visual symphony of nature's wonders. From the big waves on the North Shore of Maui to the historic Kalaupapa and the dramatic sea cliffs of Molokai, every moment was a testament to the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. So, if you ever find yourself in Maui with a sense of adventure, don't miss the opportunity to take to the skies and witness paradise from a whole new perspective</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6108.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpQodCNwT6oZyTTuRM7gmEsJPYuZjiPR4ZEsDW5iBHLaoSzUpvRExnTcwH4cJJEQfK2.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The famous 3000ft sea cliffs on the north side of Molokai. The Jurassic park theme song kept playing in my head, which was fitting since this is where some of the opening sequence of the movie was filmed.</em></p><img alt="IMG_6103.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqNCNVyRDv6kZfTX3nmhcL7wPm6FZ3WqpGNSkxKWuELegGv938oC3r7QPPQYcgzF6rC.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6089.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EnYJaQuoMWUeGEtErgeKhJBVWceRCYS7BUTbRWPg4JzTu9EmtZkzHCuPrNdnWvkrFn5.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our little plane was part of the Mokulele fleet. They specialize in interisland puddle jumps, but you get the added excitement of flying low over some breathtaking scenery.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6097.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EowFcyjUAK2n6Pq2MQRy9ZHVGsgMU4F2qTiKFFzBrvsjDYmLh7zPU8ds9BV2Ar7qRtv.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cozy inside cabin of our tiny prop plane.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6123.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpzwjRpnSa4ZHEqb15h7yh7eaHZLjzXev5LDDxE7mRrCByfGfSC9FfLsbZC2Nfj2xhe.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Hotel Molokai is pretty much your only option for overnight stay on the island, outside of a few vacation rentals and a handful of airbnbs.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6127.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep7sAD2m5LMb6vDcBp7iCGfrYwUbDFFHHVvNJ7AhWbzKzP3qwT6jNBz61NZJRpDQMs7.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of my favorite palm trees on the island, reaching out over the placid tropical waters.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6095.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpEAZWWVwWZ1ziwSji5SiKsvvQHqszkcbhrLJ1icnESihKfbfpr3BLxn5hPpe8V8cQX.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Big sets coming into the North shore of Maui.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6115.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoiTP15bzxnFvtrZ3kyediqxdXwhysRKUpmyz7EkJ7nKRFzAYVVJ7KvwKXQZRnTRXHF.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Big sets rolling into Kalaupapa peninsula on Molokai.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6112.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpQoYQVFEZRfL3n782NYy6e9yVt2Ve7dUutBfc8wYa2QNocepWBjHKkEYna4siQocKf.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">More scenic views from the sea cliffs of Molokai.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6105.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EokcCfSRvxfQcGHCUrHPMrx82s86LHM2FeziCMXhfeoKLRUXYbk86ZyNSoLHBKni8Bj.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Halawa Valley on Molokai.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_6125.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpJWiBGJwPMDW1EZU8mRtb5K2KGMoks5epEMkG3RHmwWDY2i3eM1d7to1T62FtJpZjP.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sometimes you just have to slow down, find a nice hammock, and really take in everything that you are experiencing while traveling.</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-41146648373484309442023-11-22T19:33:00.007-10:002023-11-22T19:33:44.263-10:00Maui Coral Gardens SnorkelAnother fun snorkel here on Maui as we eagerly await the arrival of our first guests onboard the Safari Explorer. Check out this beautiful spot known as Coral Gardens.<div><br /><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/DG5bOFT5chE?si=VAkAvBk66S8KCGvV" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DG5bOFT5chE/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></div></div>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-47183442155931429772023-11-21T10:05:00.002-10:002023-11-21T10:05:27.822-10:00A Day Snorkeling in Maui, Hawaii<div> My friend Moser got us the hookup with a Molokini Wild Side trip on my old boat, the Ocean Explorer. Aaron was the captain, Matt and Daniel were the naturalist. We caught some nice weather as the kona winds shifted to North, giving us a chance for a four snorkel day. We went to reefs end, backwall, Secrets at the southernmost tip of the island, and then to Coral Gardens. Not a bad day. Even learned a few new spots myself. </div><div> </div><div> This is some of the GoPro footage I took set to some relaxing music. Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/gTKQz_KAHwU?si=Oix7Py2yBXKJ6axO" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gTKQz_KAHwU/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-30963218510596563192023-11-04T03:13:00.002-10:002023-11-04T03:13:30.778-10:00Masai Mara National Reserve: Best Place to see the Big 5 in Kenya<p> </p><div class="panel-heading pt-10 pb-10" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding-bottom: 10px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 10px !important; position: relative;"><div class="media no-margin" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; overflow: visible; position: relative; width: 553px; zoom: 1;"><h2 class="media-body media-middle text-semibold" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: 23px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; overflow: visible; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 10000px; zoom: 1;"><br /></h2><div class="media-right media-middle text-right" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-left: 20px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="label border-right-grey-600 label-striped label-striped-right label-block label-read-time" data-v-3c53226b="" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-color: transparent rgb(102, 102, 102) transparent transparent; border-image: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 2px 1px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; line-height: 1.53846; margin-bottom: 4px; padding: 5px 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="post-main panel-body" data-v-3c53226b="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 796px; padding: 0px 20px 20px; position: relative;"><div class="content-group post-body gallery" data-v-3c53226b="" data-v-68347721="" enableembeds="true" id="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 20px !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="viewer" data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div data-v-68347721="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> "Africa's Big 5: More Than Just a Safari Snapshot!"</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Hey fellow adventurers! Ready to embark on a wild journey through the heart of Africa? Well, pack your binoculars and sense of humor because we're about to dive into the fabulous world of Africa's Big 5!</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Imagine the sun painting the vast expanse of the Masai Mara in warm hues as your safari vehicle bounces along the rugged terrain. The air is charged with anticipation, and your heart beats in sync with the rhythm of the African landscape. Suddenly, as if the savannah has orchestrated a grand symphony, the regal lion saunters into view, its golden mane catching the sunlight. You're not just a spectator; you're a witness to the royal procession of the Big 5. The mighty elephant family parades gracefully, their monumental presence etching an indelible image in your mind. Buffaloes graze nonchalantly, seemingly unaware of the awe they inspire. The elusive leopard, a phantom in the golden grass, adds an air of mystery to the spectacle. And then, the rhino, a prehistoric relic, graces you with its stoic presence. In the Masai Mara, every sighting is a chapter in the epic tale of the untamed, a narrative written by the Big 5 themselves, and you, my friend, are living it.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Leopard - Nature's Stealthy Supermodels:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Leopards are the supermodels of the animal kingdom. Their sleek coats and stealthy moves make them the Naomi Campbells of the wild. If you thought you had a killer catwalk, just wait until you witness a leopard's runway-ready stroll through the grasslands.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 8 Amboseli to Mara small (3 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wMW9YAqS9tHDRctW1LZXvHDTNiFNS75EeZRTw15d6cKBu1vbgMowsqjjx6TyukCeMzc.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The most elusive of the Big 5, a leopard wakes up from its arboreal nap and stretches as it climbs down the tree.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 9 Mara (30 of 32).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23t74ZjKSKHwT6XT9p4KtvLongJe6uP2Xg8cukkDEozJv6hpdwE2fin51ReoecJmQzLmj.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I treasure every leopard encounter. I know that you can go an entire safari without seeing one.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 9 Mara (29 of 32).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23swigwCF64jpXu374TkV7CLSYMpkfT8nZ9DYcv4uP2U9WF7NdnWRBhabEKEE6GLrhb5R.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This leopard was looking behind her in the bushes, because her two little cubs were hiding back there. They never did come out.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 8 Amboseli to Mara small (4 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tvZwHEmAgpiB263mz6D6SR8swb5uKf8xoHRJMZjQ94WMjpXAsemnKXSJwddJWUSmwoY.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">These kinds of moments are very rare on safari, but the Masai Mara provides the magic.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Lion - The Ultimate Catnap Connoisseur:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The lion, or as I like to call them, the "monarchs of the savannah," are the true kings and queens of the animal kingdom. With their majestic manes and impressive roars, they've perfected the art of daytime napping. Move over, cat videos; lions are the original catnap connoisseurs!</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 10 Mara (53 of 57).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgWfQ5yWtT4vB8FseU9Gf8gpuYZgzSY1mXdipFNVbHaWQSQin6TD7P58idKrLJF8rLp.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Close up encounter with a female lion.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 9 Mara (10 of 32).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSdCVgo3VDSv6Wrs4X935Z6KUQs5de4c34vHh1sXA4T4b6jnAwaHGbxJB95zzJSHwF3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Every once in a while a lion will look right into your eyes. It is a powerful stare. Even from a young male, who is still growing its mane.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 11 Mara (7 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wBy7Gc6apZYMTPkiYyZogu2xVJTD4qTymTBSpd8ACkTsRg38amiS73jnYr3KFp8SeNx.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A mother lion rest ontop of a termite mound with one of her cubs.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 8 Amboseli to Mara (6 of 37).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xAW4s8tdxa2U3PMcZDV9kykPcs7FS8cuX39aYpFJwTPzcq6f1EvxhAFiLxmnAWoupyD.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Close-up of a huge male lion with a beautiful mane.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Buffalo - The Original Bad Boys:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Buffaloes might seem like your average grazing buddies, but don't be fooled by their seemingly calm demeanor. These guys are the original bad boys of the savannah. With their unpredictable attitudes, buffaloes keep the safari drama alive. Move over, reality TV; buffaloes are the OG drama queens.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 10 Mara (55 of 57).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vsJ5SpEDGRg22pUsy3vTLLuS8V3cpzSWVkNJiko62qCWMHXeBLRGzGoHGSSiDjVvd7q.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">These cape buffalo are taking a mid-day bath. It is a great way to get the bugs off.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (33 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EopsxQSpJwUxP8k9wBp2VjeeFKa4AqjEMY8pEucUy8Lycimts4iK6bgKGsMdZVnEEdK.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Two buffalo stop to take a drink from a water hole, while yellow-billed oxpeckers pick off parasites and bugs from the head of one of the buffalo.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (45 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23yJbN9zrcqss7wrJYjLMy2yQ9MQEbX93s7P45vUDw38Y6FFgk4tBRor3fpyEWmX6cmcE.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Black rhino do exist in the Masai Mara, rounding out the Big 5, but they can be hard to find. They spend most of their days hidden in deep brush.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (29 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wqq1yyG3vEsf2MKRSKDZBPP7Xb33KjhTSYbYKnAxG8kQoFo1nKppkc3NRmgvq51eBEL.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beautiful side view of a giant rhino.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Rhino - The Unicorns of Reality:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Rhinos are basically the unicorns of the real world. These armored tanks with pointy horns are not to be messed with. Conservationists are working hard to ensure these majestic creatures continue to roam our planet, so let's give a shoutout to the rhino rangers—the unsung heroes of the wild!</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Elephant - Earth's Original Heavyweight Champions:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Meet the gentle giants of the African landscape—the elephants! These guys are not just heavyweights in the literal sense; they're also the architects of their own landscapes. If you need a lesson in community planning, just follow an elephant herd. Urban planners, take notes!</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 9 Mara (22 of 32).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243fxrjQHUzoeToUZAxZcGcdqSHTgej2jGsVxEfrVPy31pkuLuTy1mq9zRHNT4jugaBCx.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This elephant has seen many moons on the plains of the Masai Mara.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (57 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244A8WWyKz5Zog2yM4xYqr1P1u11qoP4FcarQFJPvJABP5vbmEV2QmH5zj1c91DwfFC7o.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Family of elephants with a tiny new baby.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">So there you have it, folks—the Big 5 of Africa in all their wild and wacky glory. Next time you're on a safari, remember that these animals aren't just nature's VIPs; they're the rockstars, divas, and drama kings of the animal kingdom. Happy safari-ing!</p></div></div></div></div>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-82784308591931127272023-10-27T05:16:00.005-10:002023-10-27T05:16:42.641-10:00Trekking with the Kwisanga Mountain Gorilla Family in Rwanda<p> <img alt="Day 13 Gorillas (5 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tbKBMkiRF2gcY66PajR8jpyEZwtK8wASrnWX5h4NU6MozHAkNLgAvDqXYACweZ38fwd.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Imagine entering a world where time seems to stand still, and the boundaries between human and wild disappear. That's precisely the enchanting experience our group had while trekking with the Kwisanga family of gorillas in Rwanda. "Kwisanga," meaning 'welcome,' turned out to be the perfect introduction to a journey that would leave an indelible mark on our hearts.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_5664.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpzygSqmHc3mDrLpCEgmhanU5Ra7VM5s8jSr7XuPJHRnSUdByv4xHDsnR1BVNWJF8CY.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><img alt="IMG_5668.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpLgXguvEZJe8PjXnDoSKnQAgpxwyCWFqjNUKDQkx6WmKBdoXiH5r3Yjf4Y7jdKMsXZ.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our adventure began with the warm welcome of Mr. D and Patrick, our knowledgeable ranger guides. As we walked through picturesque potato fields, we couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building up. The air was charged with excitement, and the distant sounds of the protected national park forest teased our senses.</p><img alt="IMG_5681.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqYsisufCkWpccQbZibLPu1rM9BLMLRWuS87sSmDbaVyAunDzwUApmP4w53bj8Vww7p.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><img alt="IMG_5797.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpQvrnuvxNVe54ypARKKPHheZ3dqRzTDDyBgp7DhUbqj1GhvzbyDECAncPKye1J8NmH.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Crossing the threshold into the forest, our anticipation turned into awe as we stumbled upon the majestic silverback of the Kwisanga family. He ambled towards us, a living testament to the wild beauty that awaited. The magic truly began when, midway through our group, he gracefully sat down, effectively splitting us into two, each on either side of this gentle giant.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">For the next hour, we became honorary members of the Kwisanga family. Mr. D, our guide, demonstrated a unique form of communication—speaking to the gorillas in soft grunts that seemed to resonate with them. It was a fascinating dance of connection that transcended language barriers.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">One of the most heartwarming moments occurred when a baby gorilla approached its mother for a tender nursing session. The connection between mother and child mirrored our own familial bonds, a reminder of the universal threads that bind us all.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="Day 13 Gorillas (10 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tbJmnDwEUbRzMzcVw34N7pucThFJYiEH5WVG6sAu7Lign24bwFbtFeDqxo7h1SUPRzm.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Meanwhile, juvenile gorillas swung and clambered in the bamboo around us, their playful antics echoing through the forest. The cracking of branches and the rustling of leaves created a symphony of wilderness that enveloped us in the gorilla's natural habitat.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">As we moved through the forest alongside our newfound gorilla companions, time seemed to lose its grip. Every moment was a snapshot of harmony, an immersion into the rhythm of their daily lives.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">However, all good things must come to an end. Our hour with the Kwisanga family concluded, and we reluctantly began our journey back. Yet, nature had one final surprise for us. A young gorilla, full of energy and mischief, came hurtling past our group, hip-checking everyone in its path. Laughter and joy echoed through the forest as we bid our unexpected friend farewell.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our trek with the Kwisanga family was not just a wildlife encounter; it was a magical journey into the heart of nature's wonders. The echoes of grunts, the sight of nursing babies, and the playful energy of juvenile gorillas will forever linger in our memories—a testament to the incredible bond that can exist between humans and the majestic creatures that share our planet.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5670.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqdBUWDqBjid3encLkVxJtmvSYy3GY4ZjzCijFxvEEb9pr6rfaQJAKYz7Jf7fYwbwYv.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me and Patrick, after a successful gorilla trek</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5674.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eqb29F1Q9MBQZQ4HWEVAHHJTEwJ1pKxpzaCBkxd2fe2iMPrfZnwvexEUb2F8oNse6fB.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Everyone is expected to hire a porter for the trek. They help carry your bags and cameras, as well as lend a hand on the slippery terrain.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5749.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoK5H89VB9j6RyFjk5Rd4z1CqbG44B9jXYEKuKYR89H2qeedKtny8qQHFFovPFQw6uM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mom and baby sharing a tender moment.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5799.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqfFR57LyLD8bCBkVsQS2XFMfwMU1vSHpydeYXh37FaVayo6wRhWfCQy9sMHmPswkJm.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">After the trek, we stopped at the new Ellen DeGeneres campus of the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund. It is an immersive museum experience that shouldn't be missed</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5733.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoiVEnkHqhWDfnsS9cKpng7gqTzW9qsmffRndhbGZs8Y6Q25t3qnTyf8uPHwu6Xbskc.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Just amazing, this photo was taken with an iPhone. We were quite close to the group.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5792.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq9WDi8WV5qTpSPQJAWPB2x5FFQDeetN8p4mePDdkbPKvYV1TgrBWtyz4kUwQYT8L9E.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had quite the entourage. This is our group, plus rangers and porters.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5766.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23w2m8o3vLDmoUTLhknnKft394NqfH7BgrGtrj9ovQpUFReBAFskKwaBaqHe1UBvbVAwM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A close pass by the silverback.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5784.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqHyTthYhyw13jGCoxbBsLwuEbtNoTZTbtrsH5PTqhXcXfEiU7ZgADDbd9Wyrzn42Du.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pyrethrum crop, a natural insecticide.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5687.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep7v8YezvHUGkWwGvGZcAGzFePsDegh4VtbqXu2vfz15c9xEFPPLvcQu8hoWHnsTobu.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Edwina Bauer, showing all her fans how to properly suit up for a gorilla trek.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5781.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoyQR7KFDX3rA47nWgGwak4nTvG4ZpnHNuvjsZMZdtD8nN6WLzC3vguzbQEx1zw4AcG.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our group was the only group allowed to spend time with this family of gorillas all day, and it was just one hour. This team of trackers does stay with the gorillas all day, leaving them at night. Then they pick up the trail the next morning.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 13 Gorillas (9 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vhqQipPQk582YgjEA77s7nn6U9siZWfx5RD4aDFFjygkjEQq4GWgdnRFnKMXbfyTYv3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A powerful stare, portrait of a gorilla.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5697.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoCi2b1KoRizdtyyGqAsorLqff5CrUhfKEfU7X88X2hSKnqQkh6wdiuTUUnqHJamvwd.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The separation between the farms and the forest.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5693.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoGxWXPMMYACUFnr11Bd1wMYk4W2CcsyLDAEtrtMiGFuUqJwJ8UoiiNBMboXn4iRQGc.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kris and his porter, looking ready for adventure.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 13 Gorillas (15 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xKtCp6x44AYKuFNFvfHNK2TyzdG4RUzvvyUjSv8kPB4G3v3r7FFzWUbtaseFnyJq5v1.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dangling gorilla, up in the tree.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 13 Gorillas (18 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23t7BBzoctHzNmytrRorZdNo7qXuXWS1FRiJx4dD7dysuVQDTTcvJh6qWZ4Bo86ogJW3N.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Gorillas have opposable thumbs just like us. However, they also have opposable big toes, which is what you are looking at here.</em></p><img alt="Day 13 Gorillas (6 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u5tiUw5bCxWW7QFcxn5zL6877NNyDFqPYh9UWDDZofBXTzvjohHCUJzLZ2AK1uppCJC.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 13 Gorillas (16 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xKpCumfot9oiXsHkfML9Np8WzSG7Z1m3HSKiPDYuruETUYGgSVEZAhH7U7hJ62PZmsW.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The thinker</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-70231175330535351992023-10-22T23:23:00.003-10:002023-10-22T23:23:45.823-10:00The Bishop's House: the place to stay when trekking with Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">Unveiling the Charms of The Bishop's House in Musanze, Rwanda: A Trifecta of Luxury, Location, and History</span></p><img alt="IMG_5660.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpzxntrXtN2dMkPqps4SABAxujnpkFpy6JRbDp2MV3gVmPCcyficFxMTQqb6hVaSYPP.JPG" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Musanze, Rwanda, The Bishop's House stands as a testament to the intersection of luxury, location, and history. This hidden gem invites travelers to indulge in a unique blend of opulence, natural beauty, and a rich historical tapestry that weaves through the heart of Rwanda.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">From the moment you step into The Bishop's House, you are enveloped in an atmosphere of refined elegance and unparalleled luxury. The boutique hotel seamlessly combines modern comfort with timeless charm, offering guests a sanctuary of relaxation and indulgence. Lavishly appointed rooms boast breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and volcanic landscapes, providing an intimate connection with the beauty of Musanze.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5648.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep3eif5nqaEhMdRSvQ9evEQQv8Kg4KrXWkU5dkmzx9MqVU6SgF5wasgZdkvwYbDGdrY.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">These rooms will do just fine.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5652.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EonkXUJtSqu9SeD5TXHcsveWvS73yrTTJwcc1qY4KtWqYA8CDHT5LoPN9afcpHzax3F.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This was a little reading room off to one corner of the second floor.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The Bishop's House offers a range of personalized services, from spa treatments that rejuvenate the body and soul to gourmet dining experiences that showcase the best of Rwandan and international cuisine. Every detail, from the carefully selected decor to the attentive staff, is curated to ensure an unforgettable stay that pampers the senses.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5651.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpXH6N294Sg6qH8bc8GaM8trbmx7BhNZ2XqpxkKakPPZQLSX35MK2bsGw4M8LSJtbCy.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We definitely spent some time here at the Bishop's House pool. There was also a gym and a spa area in the building behind. They staff even brought in the best barber from the village to give me a one and a half hour haircut in one of the rooms here.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Perched on a hill overlooking the vibrant town of Musanze, The Bishop's House enjoys a privileged location that immerses guests in the natural wonders of Rwanda. The panoramic views of the Virunga Mountains create a stunning backdrop, inviting visitors to explore the diverse landscapes that make this region a haven for nature enthusiasts.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The proximity to Volcanoes National Park, home to the majestic mountain gorillas, adds an extra layer of allure to The Bishop's House. Guests have the opportunity to embark on unforgettable gorilla trekking adventures, forging a deep connection with these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat. The hotel's strategic location serves as a gateway to the exploration of Rwanda's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5800.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep3fma7vKFSfGnifVfTe3mmAMjFDpqx9nNizwHGHh3u3vrjHr8nCFMtwC7HG2Nqk3QU.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The ultimate in customer service and hospitality. When we came back from our muddy gorilla trek, the staff of the Bishop's House sat us down, took off our shoes and socks, and even gave a little foot massage, before slipping on sandals and ushering us in. Our shoes and socks were returned later, dry and clean.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Beyond its contemporary luxury and breathtaking views, The Bishop's House is steeped in a rich history that adds depth and character to the guest experience. Originally built as a residence for a Catholic bishop, the property has been lovingly preserved, showcasing the architectural elegance of a bygone era.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Each corner of The Bishop's House whispers stories of the past, creating a unique ambiance that transports guests through time. The fusion of history and modernity is evident in the meticulously restored features, creating a harmonious blend that pays homage to Musanze's cultural legacy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5646.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep1YNQyQMkzZbBRgTuydJjCw1FL5zmt6osFgU6zw2jwYqqiRXvJcMSSatzKbvDTZVNc.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The entire staff came out to introduce themselves to us.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5647.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tc1iEYK4PE4gC7GdYtrnDc4Ed6Gk2wtTd5GX7nnSju9MFB9NcvyyueMAmhxA35Gonwv.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A tasty treat welcomed us into our rooms. It was another very nice touch of hospitality.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5658.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eoc69gPDkUWKTNwXcZ28Z5BgBHiWUPcTXQnfVju86jkAN2Yk1fmvTwyCMbn18sfcrBw.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had meals here, inside in front of the fireplace. We also dined al fresco by the pool when the weather cooperated. The chef prepared meals were some of the best we had all trip.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5662.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23zGmAvU1STq9u43WDn12MNNcjdzyWBGrR2ke6qQGwW9TATP8vaGxk4xhoYa124zmg8pB.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The huge doorways and vaulted ceilings were quite impressive.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5644.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqfGLpNXxmWahbyiArTcn5JPXMdkyL5Wjh7xUTetz5syDrRFafksnrN1asyTjrdNmwd.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Over 95% of Rwanda is cultivated. Every hilltop is covered in terraced farms. This hilltop is covered by the capital city of Kigali.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5653.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep5ngUyFUrdMATowVmqnxxPHQesHdsVD4THghezSgsWqXP8De8jaTrjTbsVpuAz3R5T.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Even the common areas are just amazing.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5659.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpVEUtYnn9DoAFpwfHQSgnnzxA3HUDqwKsxhVHdSrpNvBeXdCuk5knmcoBwH5tihQ6j.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">My kind of spread. Our breakfast were buffet style, with a chef making omlettes and pouring delicious lattes.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5649.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EopuNRkERyfrAkj4RuNPnVi59wj4Ne1u7nHz9H6MpApYA8LHqc8hDj1G3gRxAuJXKg5.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dining al fresco at the Bishop's House.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I think I'll be back here again.</p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-80925181148341276722023-10-20T21:26:00.000-10:002023-10-20T21:26:02.252-10:00Five Wonderful Days of Intimate Animal Encounters in the Masai Mara, Kenya<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">Embarking on a safari adventure in the Masai Mara is a dream for many wildlife enthusiasts, and my recent journey at andBeyond's Kichwa Tembo luxury tent camp exceeded all expectations. Guided by the knowledgeable and passionate Jackson, our days were filled with awe-inspiring encounters with the Mara's diverse and majestic wildlife.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 11 Mara (7 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wBy7Gc6apZYMTPkiYyZogu2xVJTD4qTymTBSpd8ACkTsRg38amiS73jnYt3RQzWrLpG.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This momma lion and her cub were perched up on an old termite mound, perfectly posed for this shot.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our safari began with a roar, quite literally. Shortly after landing on a bush plane, we were greeted by the sight of two magnificent male lions. One of them, named Chongo, held a special place in my heart. A year ago, I witnessed Chongo in the midst of a fierce battle with nomadic lions. His triumphant return was a testament to the resilience of these incredible creatures.</p><img alt="Day 8 Amboseli to Mara (5 of 37).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgKmqpLnSW6Z4HPtsEb2NEWa4ngEmCQJDcTcjy58wgXp8kxRQgJCDwWUuC5KJM56WwX.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">While the great migration had already migrated south, the Masai Mara still offered an abundance of wildlife wonders. We chose to linger, patiently waiting for glimpses into the elusive world of leopards. Unlike other safari-goers who rushed from one sighting to another, our dedication was rewarded with intimate views of leopard activities, creating lasting memories.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="Day 8 leopard 2 (1 of 1).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23uFMh3nUrR9mpMPQBooAGrMUt1XeyoCVwKgGrsubwYeKA6kctNbo2ZqbApq4raK6zhFr.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another encounter where patience paid off. We waited for an hour and a half in the hopes that this sleeping leopard would wake up and come down the tree. I was ready when it did!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Kris, a fellow adventurer, became the hero of the day when he skillfully spotted a cheetah in the distance while scanning the vast plains with his binoculars. The excitement that rippled through our group was palpable as we marveled at the grace and speed of this remarkable big cat. It was a moment that truly defined the essence of a safari—unexpected and extraordinary.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="Day 10 Mara (21 of 57).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wMeY13eJrv5CSSFZTaRAg4ZBnQCvy86etDpZNxFAuebhTmxjzF1iVAhxCrtrCRZAzoR.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kris spotted this cheetah far off through his binoculars. We were in a quiet corner of the park, and had this cheetah all to ourselves for a good long time.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Every day brought with it the dramatic beauty of the Masai Mara's landscapes. Thunderstorms rolled through, casting the savanna in a mystical glow. Remarkably, these natural spectacles coordinated themselves to avoid disrupting our scheduled game drives. The result? A series of breathtaking sunsets that painted the sky in hues of gold and pink, creating the perfect backdrop for our safari tales.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="Day 8 Amboseli to Mara (37 of 37).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wC1KzmD7xZjkYUXT56xxBKF1G7tPYNfM9cHPMDtxUTc37BosDgWc2SD6PzYjgpmXgYf.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The sun setting over the savanna painted a beautiful canvas at the end of each evening game drive. Thunderclouds rolling in added to the mystique.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our five days at andBeyond's Kichwa Tembo luxury tent camp, under the expert guidance of Jackson, were nothing short of extraordinary. From lion reunions and patient leopard sightings to the thrill of cheetah spotting and the majestic beauty of the Mara's landscapes, each day was a new chapter in our safari adventure. As the thunderclouds rolled away, leaving behind a canvas of vibrant hues, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the magic of the Masai Mara—a place where nature's drama unfolds in the most spectacular fashion.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 8 Amboseli to Mara small (2 of 9).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243WTXgz2ALYVDJmAiT5LZxDbJqfteZKZV4AopTbG4yvR2X8q4Va3WP4z4fykxcXPj82H.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Red Breasted Barbet, one of the 'star' birds to find in the Masai Mara.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 12 Mara small (6 of 21).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tvkRaYznc3UDmtRx1FnxAQZVrjoFPpgadRp4KLPPxJqjHZp1xQ2vWcSP8pnqoKBxA5G.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The always beautiful lilac breasted roller. I've been waiting years to get a good, in-focus picture of one of these rollers in flight. They are beautiful at rest, but the incredible blue flash while flying is the ultimate photo!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 12 Mara small (11 of 21).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tbs3yr5Cvihcg4EvD9nxDjShFc3viU3fFRk8Qv3CyAm1AYTLLjDAJBEm66fj4yfUcEk.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A group of female impala, with babies huddled in the middle.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 12 Mara small (17 of 21).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vsNURUdSH9fbiDLUe6eoHi7M8Nuz6KCtwm96cRALp56b76t7f9dDBbjhDWnC2mVsVeQ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Yawning hippo, showing off some impressive teeth. This is another photo I have been waiting for!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 9 Mara (26 of 32).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u62kGmqnsGK3f6m8hUWnp29E1ftsNMSaSjEqa62rpa8tzVc15Nuf6Tzg2BZZtknZhYX.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">An elusive leopard, motionless, watching from the forest edge. She was stalking a group of impala. We watched for several hours. Eventually she gave up the hunt, and called her two cubs out from hiding.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 10 Mara (38 of 57).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xL7BLg25Rc9v1feV6uMBWVH5BmiWHPyEqYBeUW4SvSDq7HTAkoD8wrwa7j1k7mp7whi.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our cheetah feeling a bit like a yawn.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 10 Mara (44 of 57).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tvnkBCfp8i7TPxbZ7ZewcNhh2oRUsqf8P4LDNd3BkWGdsTGn27F93t2s6CLcnD1fhFw.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The beautiful crowned crane. This is the national bird of Uganda.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 10 Mara (46 of 57).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/2458d74ZpgyCs1W2Xcn1VARH2SQfcYTQDzSSJYobBAPZFfZF9MCZWH4QnrzSUaLCaaaAs.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The mara was our first encounter with the beautiful Topi antelope.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 9 Mara (30 of 32).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23t74ZjKSKHwT6XT9p4KtvLongJe6uP2Xg8cukkDEozJv6hpdwE2fin51ReoZoSUKtCih.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Perhaps the most elusive of the Big 5, we had our leopard luck in the Mara. We even came across 2 different leopards on our night drive!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 8 Amboseli to Mara (15 of 37).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/242Nd7a6PgKD7kobsxDVUjLJH1SjK6cAQ7A4jr3Znk7eMMWG8ENVUDcbBk5PDUrsM1zun.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A group of giraffes is called a 'tower' if they are still, and a 'journey' if they are moving.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 9 Mara (2 of 32).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/242DGJCvjdpyJfVcv6pA5CbzBNHvmkswKLZiFHF3mrnuLw5sTJCtpysALrx6HQUgGTAeZ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Early in the morning you might see a wild scene like this in the Masai Mara. Hot air balloons flying over a grazing hippo.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 11 Mara (23 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u5b6aQjSJvhjkAQbuNHCz9eQjVPwd29BRrD4ep3mMxLGF6y2cj2woMYmzTGcvzmB8M2.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Amazing photo opportunities abound in the Masai Mara.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 11 Mara (1 of 26).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSPsoUXucVs4Q5qRJiju7F8RZwqp4nWW7DosEhx6Es78aCQVMXwuzt22R8bYQrCK8gr.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A very close encounter with an adorable spotted hyena. Well, adorable as long as you aren't on his list of prey.</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-66866325398131800712023-10-20T06:44:00.000-10:002023-10-20T06:44:00.306-10:00Luxury Tent Camping in the Masai Mara, Kenya, Africa<p> <img alt="IMG_5586.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoAUWaUDPiLTeop8nBtepi4P3vieX8o6wyRjJhGgks1bFij6Yo97aLsH2xE7yXwTdTN.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our view, each morning, as we walk to meet Jackson for our early morning game drive. The hanging lanterns add a nice touch to an already picturesque scene.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Nestled in the heart of the Maasai Mara, Kichwa Tembo's luxurious tent camp promises a safari experience like no other. During our four-night stay, we were treated to a symphony of nature, a unique blend of comfort and wild, and unforgettable moments that will linger in our memories forever.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our adventure began each morning with the breathtaking sunrise over the savannah, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. What made it even more magical was the sight of hot air balloons gracefully gliding over the Mara River. But there was not too much time to waste taking photos from camp, our guide Jackson was waiting with our safari vehicle, ready for our morning game drive.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">As the night fell, our tents became a front-row seat to the sounds of the wild. From distant roars to the gentle rustling of leaves, the Masai Mara came alive. The real surprise, however, came in the form of rock hyraxes living in the trees around our tents. Their playful screams became our lullaby, and we soon found ourselves growing fond of these little furballs.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Nature, as beautiful as it is, comes with its quirks. We quickly learned to watch out for safari ants during our morning bath, a small price to pay for being surrounded by such wilderness. Monkeys added a touch of mischief to our days, dropping things from the trees, a comical reminder that we were guests in their home. And to top it off, wild warthogs grazed the lawn and sipped from the pool, as guests walked delicately around them.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5577.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpGQj6FJGM57oi8XJ7BEbPB2HhKhKmEzNgCNn6u2a3HVc1dQPmmjM9DmmgPShwjH4VG.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Selfie with a warthog, shortly after it drank from the pool. Who needs a lawnmower?</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Despite the occasional disruptions, our second night brought a sense of harmony with the nocturnal orchestra. The calls of various animals became a comforting soundtrack, and the hyraxes' screams seemed like nature's way of welcoming us into its embrace.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5529.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eo6Cjhu63f3rL1KLsSxuGefLJsth8QKhdh876TpYz38pojAWCQiB5ZvvJ3sKwGCJhem.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Kichwa Tembo chefs took very good care of us.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our days were filled with attentive service from our butler, who greeted us with freshly brewed coffee, ensuring we started each day invigorated. The meals at Kichwa Tembo were nothing short of culinary masterpieces, and the drinks flowed freely, adding a touch of indulgence to our wilderness escape. One evening, we had the privilege of dining in a treehouse, the elevated setting providing a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape as Maasai warriors danced around our table.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5531.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EogLSZhMwxo2UjuEdiUhoF4cmSRrrtvMj9TCfC8HjMEWiE7NUdk9vi4uwABjUQfFHR6.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Up in the treehouse, serenaded by Maasai warriors.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Kichwa Tembo's tent camp in the Maasai Mara is not just a safari; it's a sensory journey that immerses you in the wild luxuriously. From sunrise to sunset, the camp offers an experience that combines the untamed beauty of nature with the comforts of a world-class retreat. Our four-night stay was a symphony of sights and sounds, a testament to the incredible harmony that exists when you find yourself in the heart of the African wilderness. It is possible to get the five star experience while sleeping in a tent in the middle of the African bush, and it is Kichwa Tembo.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5378.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqWkj3mdKb1c6aE9GYnEHWX61o3PogdKidpZ6Ra4aUKR5QB4t8mufno1VhiiZTAorba.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kris, arriving to the Mara like a rock star, in his classic African bush plane.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5575.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Epxoqwz64GXBBWwwqGQz7x2cECst7D4RNqKtSn7D1JXpXgVHz2zMYP1GJjhUahcwCBu.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">With four nights, five days here at Kichwa Tembo, we have time to slow down, and really appreciate this amazing location.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5389.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqNEd1yETXnPCD8ZK7fcDo56vmrHhTvKnEMBJkbwZae9H8p6XvXq3Hve3ZMWDtGpYmu.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">When you stay at Kichwa Tembo, there is a warm welcome from the very beginning. This is our guide Jackson, greeting us at the airstrip with beer and snacks.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5412.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqWiqrPz2dntBtAKp5VcwujFysuVTDgirQZfSUAyLiCAfS6zh1GvYUzvUzKuanJji3j.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Infinity pool, looking out over the Mara plains.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5410.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep3eo2121siNGUbaWq46tSgZTkG5FGCkjz5ACZpY8ddC3g7foHrqFQoHpzFQbzwwV4i.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Even with our group, Kichwa Tembo never runs out of Tusker.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5557.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq7KSiE2yVNoWdw1cVyovDj2HP2SN9VMDDVBQ93toGzr5NtDThJaAJZajnXQiUaaGdR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Half the group in Kenya, and half illegally in Tanzania.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5535.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EopspsSMFPZfL9Ekkg5osgYxuEjHHd3yD9fUMSiXNCANtPDYyRUDSQy6r9yzdoL2hm3.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our trusty safari vehicle. We would head out on early morning game drives and late afternoon game drives, in search of all the the Masai Mara has to offer. It was like a treasure hunt. This photo was shot just before Kris spotted a cheetah from a half mile away!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5587.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpT3AJFk5kj3pSGE4AhwjJmcVSHzw9dKejhsy1TvXfSCqZUdP7NyHVP9oA8ro9kGM3S.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The scenery of the Masai Mara can be stunning.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5600.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnDhegW9BKriww88SsRzzAhDk8u1PyLdw9SjE6iSe9WHaFVtJWRW4U2T6h7pE8jBcp.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">What an experience to share with a sibling!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5601.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpVCbftfgbkbhM8ko4vZxW192t4vaCAt3QsYs1zLYuJWEBYrY3S4oSG2sJn3HP7Ynyy.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kris and Keli, safariing in style.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5610.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpzyeNXzkJRinVf3BjvaVoD1FLmd31pazrvJyJdSCRBZKNtBFpfsoKxpjJz3MrWcp41.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">After all the go go go on safari, it was nice to just sit next to the river and soak it all in.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5616.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eos1rt7NCCiFqSPaMaqGpLpBgpyg4HqbhVmiwsBB5MzyajNEUGNbqMyHNNSGppjrrwo.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The group in all of their glory, heading out from an amazing stay at Kichwa Tembo.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5607.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eq36f5nsHcmnfd96gXnDo42XG2iSj3duwNR5PkLH5PyHB7Q1ciRKTM3QHZLENKzXcPA.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our final game drive and we did it right, with a top notch sundowner next to the Mara river. Just hanging out with some great folks, a bunch of yawning hippos, and one African green pigeon. Thanks for putting on such a good show Jackson!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5416.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoiUkXEi8V2s7ubM1yCeyAGDTME7hmd7KJKAc7Mgd8RwmTud8B1iQg3nzAKktiMRqGm.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Glamorous tent camping in the middle of the African bush. All night long I could hear different animal noises coming from the forest outside the tent. What an experience!</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-16938452199306206292023-10-14T02:16:00.004-10:002023-10-14T02:16:48.769-10:00Journey Back to Village Number 3: A Tapestry of Resilience, Yoga, and Unforgettable Encounters with the Maasai<p> <img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (16 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wWyTujNQjx4V7DhVhVvhWknMDi8T3d6PMzScKoiV4QPb2x6ZcSLfQDJnD9UctkyepYj.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Some of the Maasai ladies lining up to sing as we arrive.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Nestled just beyond the boundaries of Amboseli National Park, Village Number 3 of the Maasai people welcomed me with open arms in 2021, leaving an indelible mark on my heart. Returning in 2022 and 2023, I witnessed the resilience of this community amidst the challenges of a global pandemic and the harsh reality of a devastating drought.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">One of the unexpected highlights of our first visit was discovering that one of the Maasai men in the village was a yoga enthusiast and even taught yoga in the nearby school. It was a beautiful fusion of cultures as, with great excitement, my group joined him in a spontaneous yoga session. Sharing this ancient practice across cultural boundaries brought a sense of unity and joy, reminding us of the universality of human experiences.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_0876.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tmL1ZtyqEhE9F3JYk4nK7RtJFmYbdjuoBooiDo8hhykW3iTwx1eKF7ctXxFTCE4pJiU.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Photo from my 2022 visit.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The bond forged through yoga extended beyond that initial meeting. In subsequent visits in 2022 and 2023, our group engaged in a heartwarming tradition—exploring new yoga poses with our Maasai friend. Each pose became a symbol of our evolving connection, transcending language barriers and cultural differences. It was a testament to the power of shared experiences in fostering understanding and friendship.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5252.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23s9VLG5b1123BGhjGKsomn1noXxfnYN62bpRWrCGoxRCsGrwUaqTBRbZSooCsfvh4ENx.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Keeping the tradition alive.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">In 2022, Village Number 3 faced a formidable challenge as approximately 80% of their precious cattle succumbed to the harsh consequences of a relentless drought. Cows are not just animals to the Maasai; they represent wealth, prosperity, and the ability to sustain families. Despite the grim circumstances, the community persevered, and by 2023, signs of recovery were visible, offering a glimmer of hope in the arid landscape.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5263.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqSWu2Lf5kJS8cA4ab96jFYPpaZxH1LPNY7YVF94ekHEjjLMMiUcn2rY2XkpUhpsw4V.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Everyone with smiles on their face.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">For the Maasai, the number of cows one possesses directly correlates with one's wealth and, in turn, the number of wives one can have. This cultural perspective provided a deeper understanding of the profound impact the drought had on the fabric of daily life in the village. The resilience displayed in the face of such adversity only deepened the admiration and respect I felt for this community.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Chief Joseph graciously opened the door to his past, inviting us into his first home constructed by his first wife. These humble dwellings, crafted from dung, sticks, and grass, offered a poignant glimpse into the simplicity and authenticity of Maasai life. Each structure echoed a tale of tradition and the importance of familial ties within the community.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5216.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoAU2PK1N3rYbKTQqL5dqUq1RrC6gUKY46r97CYfgRGnH3MzpxapH89N9aGYH24xko3.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another look inside the home of Chief Joseph. Luckily these new iPhone cameras have a long exposure mode now.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5213.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vsFsHX8pY1zjcZ6NA7yA7UESfgT1N2gPTdk8Gf8JVnc8iZqk6zQ3aq6uTHxYAWknvBM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A glimpse into the house of the Chief. This is where they do their cooking and their sleeping. A small hole in the ceiling acts as a chimney. It does get quite smoky, but I'm told it is good for keeping away mosquitos.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The son of the village's medicine man provided a captivating demonstration of traditional medicine, presenting an array of remedies in a bowl crafted from the horn of a cape buffalo. Beyond medicinal knowledge, he showcased the ancient art of fire-making by skillfully rubbing two sticks together—a process completed in a mere 45 seconds. These ancient skills are a testament to the deep connection the Maasai maintain with their environment and heritage.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5206.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u69Fa69UGkLBS3MHdoAn6g3NHdCN1xWHXRDkc1ZKPBEu89RWunatF9EAWN86emg8EjM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The son of the medicine man put on an impressive fire-making demonstration. I've tried before, and it is not easy.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5204.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpJb4Sz5sj9jywkKgPkn78VzrGpUXz82vbNgEDC7KVEXAEmmM9JCM9FBJNiCHRWZKiM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Masters of making fire.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">As we engaged with the community's youngest members, their enthusiasm for learning and showcasing their English language and math skills was infectious. Tracy's simple gesture of gifting crayons led to a heartwarming, albeit almost chaotic, moment as the children eagerly gathered, each eager to claim their colorful prize. This exchange underscored the universal joy that comes from sharing simple acts of kindness.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5234.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eokd5Dcz3Mx23L3n8WdCxgciUnFtFxXDD3pb1nN4u6Qyrbp5uLmMPpaWXzFtx6e7tLS.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Tracy handing out crayons to the kids as Chief Joseph tries to slow the mob.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (30 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wCFvVa7JwMsYLFzTNAn9bUDQYUB6tnsJ9XsQnSETXRJpR5BZRLLRszZSQLfRxc3XA3C.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The village school, saying their ABC's. They would answer math probems by writing in the dirt.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">My journey to Village Number 3 evolved beyond a cultural exchange; it became a poignant narrative of resilience, hope, and the enduring spirit of the Maasai people. Through the challenges of drought and the triumphs of recovery, the shared moments of laughter, yoga, and cultural exploration formed a tapestry of connection that transcended time and cultural boundaries. Village Number 3 will forever hold a special place in my heart—a testament to the strength that blooms in the arid landscapes of adversity.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (28 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23yd69Cq1WM6tvBuskKhWcXZwJ8Cseg2VsSDHTt6jbTpphNqJeFuUHDKd2e98BbkCWmex.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">It is always a wonderful experience spending time with the local people, wherever you travel to.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (2 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wMaeP2aBqtmwRYgPLzqkmENacgMq7UPX7shpb62GRskKwvc1ZeFjyPmrEa7dkXZcZpL.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Familiar smiling faces.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (26 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xVP1sFW2L79BPmdRh6yqXZ9XRfPQFAkKg4TKijGc1xCjMbNvggRQg8UA551aVMHXaNW.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Rob getting in the mix.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (11 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpLgx4Cefvv8FBq28gJ57CUuJKjAWHnonB5wvdrCeNBVdLEkkiriY4ofL95gr14Sjwv.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pano of the ladies, lined up to dance with their beautiful beaded jewelry and colorful robes.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (18 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xySzSqvdK1uT6qu4fxt6dkBN3h4dxjxk1XLjPFpoSTteJChFaPHXjxUbYLrJFH3CeV3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dan with the boys.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (27 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpQyeRna12MXacHunUcQAd9Fq6skurU2xZGmQZPkm386aGPsTT6WaDwpgUPpFLMjwby.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Welcome dance and prayer.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (7 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23x1DAwh1SRJaseNmgruWN98vkj1M2UbXPtCWGamivEWUBQNhS6CuSoA2oC41m7oYe2h8.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Even the new mothers came out to dance and welcome us.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (34 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tvcHn5V5vQZSTQVv2RSntkhXmSbwPBoXR1hzKA2byz19SnEpMiibHCKR6p92rhe8srQ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Flies could often be seen getting moisture from the eyes of the Maasai. It didn't seem to bother them that much.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (12 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/242YEJQMxv15ZAFfhPx8aNFk6ZKRqNHDrKif6k7PFziEG9fm8rS3TM6kMTWZ3h88DzFH7.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kris lined up with the Maasai warriors.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5241.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EnqUzy8mHCcX3hPtDiN15yTSFiabfPmGsqbfC9DxvLo5JQCykH2L7V3wCErrPnzDDup.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of the elder ladies in front of Kilimanjaro.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5196.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep3gJbwjC9QjLduJfX2JZk3sxAHyjYhLLPJWgJhxWJ8c7LSDyrmEkTyn6G7FY53uhQE.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Another new addition to the tribe.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5246.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EnqT9kNq5iWsjmAYeaWMMoZHuMVeN2b9TfmFKUK285D59jJ45ouj3u9N1G6VaKnHvJQ.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The colorful jewelry and wonderful smiles of the Maasai.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5237.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpT5DMgS2Gf3DvM78eebDJLgsEk6p8GohPGsjGj3KXCUvcJWpoqu8NGjnbaFQkoTzkK.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Familiar faces. The yoga teacher introduces me to his new son.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5182.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23yd621DpdpZdYhMtX8KCrv9dScRGUEcupkKpeYYwJx9c6cicmNgwSUmY5k9nBwGT8zGu.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Rob showing off some serious ups. I saw a couple of the ladies glance in his direction.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5225.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EptbQVFQTQ31FAzXtworaWQb8pM3T94eTVFRBcntvK6utgQZmgNBWRNZj1RuQWGT3Yu.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Keli interacting with the kids. She must have looked quite exotic to them.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5220.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep1YJTXbLuj7RYndTsXfAsSw9wwQ4Hi5PBBai8Zr27jENd42k7MSQhueF6DtRsUTnW1.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had to duck down to get in and out of Chief Joseph's house. The women of the village do all of the house building. They make a frame of sticks, then use dung for the walls and grass for the roof.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5166.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqDkU1kqVt1DaUrv7JygUKhezvS1jCPdzAiTVPHRpQ32uvw5KWtGgSHPYNeymMPtPhu.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">For young warriors, the jumping dance is a chance to gain the attraction of the ladies. I am sure this is the highest jumper in the village.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5190.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnDiHtkjzQi5MJcosHJpfS6BqkXoSRGwbct5puo1oAuMTa5RLJCP7cLoFErNdyhF6V.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The women of the Maasai adorn themselves with beautiful beaded jewelry.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5211.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnEGQwgYmURg85kEBAMPxBro4JqTgutfve1Fq7ZQfuBVLY24fmYHNiTETVkUmWNwSR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I remembered the gentleman on the left from my previous visits.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5187.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23ywqPx3jMhSrvEidPRFZ2rhBGD4vuQKtLScczvzmTFeAb3sbzkKnnxEQ9ji4h5xfY2ij.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had a warm welcome back to Village #3. A welcome song and prayer upon our arrival before being escorted into the village.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">-Dai Mar</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-11235992387885203772023-10-13T00:19:00.004-10:002023-10-13T00:19:28.082-10:00A Safari Adventure: Embracing the Wild Wonders of Amboseli National Park in Kenya<p> <img alt="Day 6 Amboseli zebra sunrise (1 of 1).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/2458Qamh6subuWmh7rY5DiuRjtjFjsYcFBnkwHpnScbCqaxqJkj3mx293YwW9Z4YuLMYC.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> Embarking on a safari to Amboseli National Park in Kenya is a journey into the heart of the wild, a mesmerizing experience that transcends the boundaries between man and nature. Our adventure was nothing short of extraordinary, filled with encounters with majestic wildlife, cultural immersion, and moments of pure awe.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> One of the highlights of our safari was the decision to opt for a private driver and vehicle. This choice granted us the freedom to dictate our pace, linger in the presence of magnificent creatures, and savor the untamed beauty of Amboseli. Our skilled driver, James, not only navigated the terrain with expertise but also shared insightful knowledge about the flora and fauna that surrounded us.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5341.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqWkDnyTzkkjUGvmyTBcSwynyCeP5vbbi1x94hZVG3F7XEiZjRerjpWW4rFAM6Z5HCt.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> Our journey extended beyond the borders of Amboseli as we visited a nearby Maasai village. The encounter was more than a tourist experience; it was a profound connection with a community whose traditions and way of life have stood the test of time. Witnessing their dances, rituals, and genuine warmth made us reflect on the privilege of our birthplaces. And speaking of warmth, everyone was awe struck when several Maasai warriors created fire in less than a minute with nothing but two sticks and some elephant dung.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5167.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqDkU1TfvnRCgET27LeFvnsYEqddZaMDAzL9Eb1kGsMGtem2Vmxr69mLcC1riM56EvQ.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Some of the local Maasai warrior showing off some serious jumping skills.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Nature unfolded its grandeur before our very eyes as we encountered multiple prides of lions, their regal presence leaving an indelible mark on our memories. Elephants, gentle giants of the savannah, graced us with their proximity, following their well-worn trails within inches of our vehicle.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (21 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tbyYoxVkJ5q7vbzZLGSFkKCYZkbugpP2uP4cekSWPweotKWLYt8qiowW4ayJhKYsrX3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The piercing gaze of the king of the jungle.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5149.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23x1BTcxMLtU53NcYz7pwUHhC8i4TDvdf5f5hpZ4sE6FZB8MzSMxLYM17QMDfQDNRJKPT.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Amboseli is known for its elephant close encounters.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_5100.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tbktKgqR1eBuzLAmR96vmARs8Skih7sXjVgzhm2WGhfPCqnNSWT6tWPoqjoygCsxG4L.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">By 'close' encounters, I mean very close.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The sight of flamingos in the lake added a splash of pink color to the rugged landscape, creating a picturesque contrast to the dusty plains. Every turn of the safari vehicle revealed a new chapter in the story of Amboseli’s wildlife. Across the lake, an abandoned lodge, now overrun with wildlife, remind us of nothing here is permanent. We soak in the moment, being surrounded by Africa.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (63 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tmHR3xumyep4SbeXUwcgT5TaHin48W4oZVuwKamEukjJEfs8ASxxaDtdVtDaYZYMWkK.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Flamingos at sunset. Pink on pink in Lake Amboseli.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (64 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244ofcKWDt6os8AZ7fQEoYFTVVhLgJfaY38eG5GF8H4Tfsu4Putq6rouSVTLCt6W2wyc7.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A spotted hyena walking in front of the abandoned lodge on one of our early morning game drives.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our safari also bore witness to the raw realities of the animal kingdom. Two brother lions, one with a full mane and the other scruffy and almost maneless, napped near a fresh giraffe kill, a powerful display of nature's unforgiving cycle. Our first encounter with a cheetah happened not far from our camp on our third day. We watched it go into hunt mode, stalking gazelles at a marshy water hole. Later in the morning we came across it again, this time its coat was stained from a freshly killed gazelle, providing a glimpse into the speed and precision of Africa's fastest land predator.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (46 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u67PieZJ1gmf3b8rWj2QAd272zXJYX4c5zBxDXU9HvaVf2asxvxXw9KDYX6BfTCSeyj.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is not something you see every day. Two lions had taken down this giraffe. They were snoozing nearby in a food coma, while hyenas were gathering to step in next.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (109 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSaS5savHNtsK6i95XvMfycuwBKBxNbCJcYsMJ7ErgsrptKsZkKp9GXCsZycKw1MXPW.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A successful hunt. Our cheetah chased down a gazelle and eagerly devoured it as other animals looked on.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (100 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSfCHfnUPkXChPWHk9ibdUWtWt5XKwVRTntMUYnJ5Jbfa2pJE1YeFwj1zHzwJ4cwRqs.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I thought this shot of the cheetah turned out almost like a painting.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Amboseli means 'salty dust' in the Maasai language. Its dusty landscape, though challenging at times, bestowed upon us unparalleled sunsets and unique photo opportunities. The haze in the air transformed the setting sun into a fiery ball, casting a warm glow over the savannah and creating a canvas for capturing the essence of the wild.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (2 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/245n3SW5X5DnsjqtzRFT66HrLaQaWbyXqTUuLq95v3oPTHxT4gPznyaNaYz6wQwAUHN8B.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A gorgeous male lion walks right past us during sunrise.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5306.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EokdX7ZoiBvE87poWqtLeeVzrdCBevf68moaXpD5nK5QiH2Qq6VH36EPt1xCuag3K5N.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The sunsets and sunrises here in Amboseli are incredible.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our home amidst this wild beauty was the Amboseli Serena Lodge, a haven of comfort and luxury in the heart of the national park. Three nights under its roof allowed us to recharge after exhilarating days in the bush.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_5309.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpT3HVsGkxKbU8QhEMCaKdQaVtPmnBTH1uQLXNaHBt5ymmMYkEzFHUhvhzzRCQg9mrP.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The view from our lodge dining area.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5310.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eonm3PgmRyNQZ4eQGfsf3EKPMVsDAJHAVrq8WChF53BNohV4svZsqBciPcGnJ5YBRmW.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our room at the Amboseli Serena Lodge.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A private bush dinner under the stars, accompanied by the rich taste of Pinotage wine, and the camaraderie of the outdoor fire pit created an ambiance that mirrored the magic of the African wilderness. Sipping Tuskers after a dusty game drive, we found ourselves recounting the day's adventures, underlining the serenity of the lodge.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5115.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tGZrHFEXECVhCpavzuFL7dXW8yumsLgo2cJuQmNSN4Le9CooucXR1R68XMzHFDG4Md3.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our bush dinner finished with an impressive flaming dessert and a surprise Maasai dance performance.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5112.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoCfiooXNnQuaUQMko8KAGCkfp6a94aBXcGCsjXXMHQjPf63t1UU4LwjC5vMRDBYXmG.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We were lucky enough to enjoy a lovely bush dinner under the stars, set up by the lodge. 6 course meal, check and check.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5126.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eoc52ohmgwrLodJkyAcL8H46iqT5yHvLhAGszi7gTiBA33n7kH6vHCPtPvpK44c6ztF.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This giant fire pit is where we usually end our evenings, enjoying a glass of wine and trading stories of the days animal encounters.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Our safari to Amboseli National Park was more than a vacation; it was a soul-stirring odyssey into the untamed heart of Africa. The memories of lions on the prowl, elephants in the marshes, and Maasai dances linger, etched in our minds like scenes from a dream. Amboseli is not just a national park; it's a living, breathing testament to the awe-inspiring beauty and fierce grace of the wild.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (1 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244ocy6Hyn6YiqAYcx3kxYiaKjLycivCrHb3j54cFcodSF11HCwLpTTG3pUUgFTRB9XDK.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Grey-headed kingfisher.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (39 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23uQrp3GdE2wVrs1rf7cvZ27DY6qCLigtEcznWbVSbKUtTxbTt3hiBsAsuo8uoULHG5Dc.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Colors of the little bee-eater.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (84 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wWyTyy5z2Sk8ga35cFUE8gVKUHMeiQXy3W7Npe5YkXWy1ajn7VWqEznf1RBQHaegSKK.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cheetah checking out the dinner options.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (55 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244Kbw8zBBhGJH3bGZaij4WTWESW56tssM2JfN3uRgjn7k8KdeonkM8weWuqBoUqJAnxw.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Incredible zebra fight in the dust.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (74 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSYH7i45VaSH46vm5GKUmhfHrzmotzPhHh4Jvgwdm2Jugy2rxgycYU4VX9DJ6aZAF8C.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cheetah stretching before going on the hunt.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (39 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tbtyGUxyFoNR6pPrhqo5cxmCrqD3KyMyJNtE2ZW7gpP3bzUKPtVVRtjugqJAHLn57pR.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I had never seen hyena cubs this young and small before.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (66 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSamEYN2dsLUARFfx6KfadgrUDQ2zHbGR4GmqemjzE44gVXEJe24nfTwpGvzAJebfA2.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had been waiting all safari to see a cheetah and finally it happened! This lone cheetah was pretty active and gave us a great show.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (57 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EnywGaZxjQvWXSNmzJCL2dcrG59SqKPVttNjfuCGqQLHZBRCEttiU8UEfQJYSqqy6Af.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lion cubs looking a little sleepy.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (64 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244UqdJKLFKMhLCqdvBAT5RbMJoPVHVWy5KqnsT3t5SP1Yzq6L7D6MWse4HWET1i8x6cS.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sunrise over Amboseli.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (44 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/242ryBQwVCzf3mpDkMzs9sp7FM7dM8edLu1E8egaYE2bkEPLgQn1RiJ2DZidsiEp9BiR1.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A big tusker hanging by itself in paradise.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (64 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243BqETAqdzUVJe4eChavenu8FptwPyViNFjP3VfQK2UuLHCDzzhPnSLURtN9YZdEdAtc.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I'm not sure why these two zebra were fighting with each other, but I bet it would have made any predator think twice after tangling with it.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (61 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23sK2etV8C2yEaxtQFVJBsDr47Qsss7PaHjB5tj9mxJwULrF6LyF8ZYtMG3DWL5P3VoAb.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Wildebeests heading across the dry, dusty plains. They would kick up dust with each step.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (68 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u5zoTSaZj8x7uN1pkQCgrQUTgNBQqpe62wend1dQpev1KdTn1G2eMdfzbddmjscYrGb.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of the many families of elephants here in Amboseli, following the trails to the marsh.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (96 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/242hYNBymyWT9ft29MZvPMjrKsuSHyoPPj3qD3NHSekg3EuW5gdNhQw3wDjTQUtzqMUMJ.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A cheetah goes into stalk mode. From behind these bushes this cheetah scours the scene for its next meal.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 5 Amboseli (22 of 68).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xebDo5ocEhtaYFGX16s2RL9XcWBdDy6Vqp1kqDp2FmhJ5QFbFTqUhH2DjAby1bdbjx5.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Two male lions in front of the massive Mount Kilimanjaro</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (57 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/244A8WWyKz5Zog2yM4xYqr1P1u11qoP4FcarQFJPvJABP5vbmEV2QmH5zj1bsYtaqwWbY.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Amboseli host thousands of elephants. This family was enjoying the grass of the park in the early morning light.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 6 Amboseli (103 of 114).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23t7quj63vMnsi7mGgjVMpKXAVq3JM7PVnxzCQVnKyZ3FR5sAtSsLMDEAMvrvxUrbtQP3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Hippo in the marsh showing off some impressive teeth.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5079.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpJYeDNUM5ofF91gNUuxyCA1K3gHK18BdRXrZDUcnN17cmGtwUpdDSTWgFdZ15YsjA5.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I'm excited to show the team a totally different ecosystem here in Amboseli National Park, and with it, new animals.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5071.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgSMcjRB78kdK7XnrqS43MgQTdNKHmHQL3hFqfKyJwZ4wxJS5NDrz5JuJSQnhwGnSis.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Heading into the park we were greeting with Maasai women selling tradition bracelets and necklaces.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5271.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqDkccy3YkcJAx6cKqfDTpjnyMYHLhehzoR9VUP1RjcsaaPP693udVNrQ5YHwfcDBat.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Zebra traffic jam.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5289.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqWmCo99hzDmaP8X1mAt4Ja4h7X6hkbUwUSRhgZAhTZTQpMhEkgrv6MX6f4p5QntkVk.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Zebra and wildebeest with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </em><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">It is sad to say good bye to Amboseli and even sadder to say good bye to James, but the Masai Mara is calling... and that is a call that should always be answered.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">-Dai Mar</span></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-86011986858655365082023-10-10T23:59:00.001-10:002023-10-11T01:33:33.070-10:004 Days in Tsavo West National Park<p> <img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (53 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/2458JRTYmfejBbJDfkfqycrwubVQ5JfSaPwGJk217xvDMdSmCyVwBbPG8NaAD1dZr3Dcy.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Rare encounter with a critically endangered black rhino. A lone baobob tree looks eerily out of place, while the typical red soil and mountain spines of Tsavo round out the scene.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Tsavo National Park, located in southeastern Kenya, is a sprawling expanse of wilderness that beckons both nature enthusiasts and wildlife aficionados alike. Split into two sections, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, this national park is one of the largest in Kenya, covering an impressive 22,000 square kilometers. The park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, ranging from open plains and savannahs to dense woodlands and riverine ecosystems. The Athi and Tsavo rivers traverse the park, adding a vital water source that sustains the rich biodiversity within.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">It is always important to me to try and show as much diversity in landscapes and ecosystems as I can during my safaris. Not only does this give the guests a more complete understanding of the destinations, but it provides opportunities to find different animals living in the different habitats. The dense foliage of Tsavo provides perfect cover for tiny antelope called dik-diks, as well as the very elusive black rhino.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (4 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSaqghydZMvzKzr5nwAnCMsXebQACpAjN5exEE9BGAeWN5s5bxakQqL4ZjGtHbrYDTg.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dik-dik sighting!</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Tsavo National Park is a haven for an abundance of wildlife, making it a prime destination for safari adventures. Visitors have the opportunity to witness the iconic "Red Elephants" of Tsavo, known for their distinct reddish-brown hue, which is attributed to the park's red soil. It is also where the elephants raised at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi are eventually re-released, back into the wild. Beyond elephants, Tsavo is home to an impressive array of species, including lions, leopards, buffalos, and a variety of antelope species.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, boasting over 500 bird species, making it a must-visit for ornithology enthusiasts. Colorful species like little bee eaters, superb starlings, and orange bellied parrots, delighted the group. However, it was our amazing encounters with the lilac-breasted roller that turns everyone into a birder.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (66 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSWJ3XASh9tVgx2X8uogBMRurSYD85kDJFtyCuJb2gnMbTzmKVvoeEJuPQVwFR2yEJw.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Even with over 500 bird species, this lilac-breasted roller always seems to steal the show.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="Day 2 Tsavo West (15 of 38).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tbnq8nbYSh37DQsWanT1diEzpP5gR5zNcw9g6u3D2HvEMXzDXotYcjRQJMrKAQ59a3i.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Superb Starling</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (14 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u6Bgrtg2QET5CNbybyW6rqmN4RzRewgJFtR85jS6PR9hJDKXorrY9PK4ZHs48qxeX46.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The colorful little bee-eater.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />One of the distinctive features of Tsavo West is the Mzima Springs, a series of crystal-clear natural springs that gush from the lava rock. These springs not only provide a refreshing oasis for wildlife but also offer a unique underwater viewing experience for visitors, allowing them to observe hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat. Another notable attraction is the Shetani Lava Flows in Tsavo West, a stark landscape created by volcanic activity, providing a captivating contrast to the park's other ecosystems.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><img alt="IMG_5060.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqQP7Dvk2gXJudpqXvHHGoM9gGqTQQuKizquCHvNoxWdAzzSk1VzaYgE46g9wKZpMnV.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Checking out the Shetani lava flows, appr. 150 years old.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5031.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqSVbErYQVzbZqUixcNXjp37sjpb5FwgDH7PsAbpmG5D7J91EaLExGA6cjfSKqaxpbz.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Tsavo is full of volcanic geology, which creates some pretty unique landscapes.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (74 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23swdkX6xK8Bn1njRuUvvmgX8NoER2oU5VQxMRGtJA7qKWC6aozfCZi9KtRsZBvWqQKpH.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A lone hippo from water level at Mzima Springs.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The park's vastness and relatively lower visitor numbers compared to other Kenyan parks contribute to a sense of untouched wilderness, allowing guests to connect with nature on a profound level. It often feels like we have the park to ourselves on our game drives. Overall, it is a wonderful start to our big game parks on this safari.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Tsavo, the lodge offers a unique safari experience, where guests can immerse themselves in the heart of one of Africa's largest and oldest game reserves. The lodge takes its name from the nearby Kilaguni Rock, a massive volcanic rock formation that adds to the dramatic scenery.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Built in 1962, Kilaguni Lodge holds the distinction of being the first safari lodge in Kenya. Its architecture seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings, and the lodge's strategic location provides stunning views of the Chyulu Hills and the timeless expanse of the Tsavo plains. What sets Kilaguni Lodge apart is its innovative waterhole, which attracts a myriad of wildlife, offering guests a front-row seat to observe elephants, giraffes, zebras, and various other species in their natural habitat. The combination of luxurious accommodations, warm hospitality, and the thrill of being in the midst of untamed Africa makes Kilaguni Lodge a captivating destination for those seeking a unique and unforgettable safari experience.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4935.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqUbsZWLxt3FLKtUziMXvwPwt1AX6sFUc1jYPrSjdrMb7VJ1nfB3dAUZqygBfb5juj1.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our lodge, the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, was the very first lodge built in a national park in Kenya. This is the view over the waterhole from our dining area. Every day, big herds of buffalo, zebra, and antelopes come to drink, while the nightime show can bring out the nocturnal animals. Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen on very clear days like this one.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4922.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23yJCYYXTwVdiZJcWaTHhEdfZrjiYa3DGkkWggr8fM2zWRcZvrKGanSuZic9mucqXWNK2.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mike and Keli dressed for adventure.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4911.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqhNoCTYNj66WyYgZ7fqwhxhaQH4oxudhThM5knoev32MHHn9XsRAamhUT7PCHNDqRR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The team checking out the view.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4945.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EppKfcFnfxoUyaha9gN7cM7GcjRsEK3mgNgPF5eC12YFaD9jwJ8S7vgGekaiUzm7VD2.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is the view if you turn around. Cold Tusker beer for days!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4941.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpnCmvQhhZaAKcjnKNVYZhTbNkYRxuZNbdZiqCbgiRP2foGVJYU2BWkzydkupD9aCDE.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">It is quite cool at night here, but the mid day heat is perfect for a dip at the pool.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5011.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23ynX4CXMFr1jsqgwTryjbVbgph33DSy35LFYUmeppodaQDe8gzduCNEwB3xiXygXArNL.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our ranger guide, Clause, in case we run into any elephants or buffalo while on foot in the park.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5028.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eqd8TL8t7AN8Zm9A3pYhp2aeDVT7JYjvzgGkJN32htXkVCvR9UEUU5Z7CLy3mYA7gcR.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The team wanted a challenge so we climbed a slippery cinder cone for some wonderful views.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_5033.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EqSTzB21rZtJdCGFeUZJVkhnh9Wgt4RKK2kM2kigQSj6tsPMaCtf7936unGVFD1XQhw.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">What an adventure to share with each other.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4910.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoeErs3JHubY8FFxAUUox1u2YXhznPXgcCWUKi1YZojJqUojxrEnPBeUZpNZCRLY8H2.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">From L to R: Dai Mar, Rob, Kris, Dan, Keli, Mike, and Tracy.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4995.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoiW9RD2C3VPnpGv2mBRo6j2gaAkR42k7hU6osDD8JTg3E9nV6cB1hRJVQs3N2KXBr3.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Keli checking out the inside of a hippos mouth.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4936.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EogPGGnzSsGTQ9t4GE2H7cNRjRE531mXdn4esfvxFQGDDHpyu9TjMiUWV1RpkDyGsRd.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our lodge, located right in the middle of the park, and the wildlife action.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (72 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tHAEUpvz8YhjcWzuyRi7MEkeJ3DvF13hhG577nQuRykHSrTacA7qoT8AS3oARAwx4XM.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We did catch a glimpse of this female lion. It looked like it had a gore wound in its chest. I surmised that it was a hunt gone wrong. Hopefully she recovers and pulls through. Dr. Dan was just about ready to jump out of the car and operate.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (64 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eo8TNb1ckb1dQPaSGR7rNFAppw6C35473MvoGNSyowuDvo3eQnjCjsxQJ8DTNUd5wRo.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A spotted jackal, staring us down on our early morning drive.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (21 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23uFYCPBap8uA6EwefR4CiiXf4JpBH6Wc2kapLyuAFynQydkFJ55jdKBkUS4uH1iW6ZHB.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We watched this banded mongoose digging like crazy for about five minutes, before it pulled out a giant scorpion and tore it to pieces.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 2 Tsavo West (26 of 38).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xAXyF3fFDBnPbCH3kD9mHbwojAC5UEwkjrqAjRkEa9Z6J79Hw9htCqvj6uatBf8i74R.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The classic hippo yawning picture, ruined by a wayward stick at the top.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (33 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EopsxQSpJwUxP8k9wBp2VjeeFKa4AqjEMY8pEucUy8Lycimts4iK6bgKGsHEghZnqEz.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Thirsty buffalo. One's face is covered in oxpeckers.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (77 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EorypGnMTqYiyQktWGPxMS8bvPN8i6M6XEN86xMBp4DhPqmzLCCjLboACCr6GFoSwNK.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">All the rocky outcroppings provide great habitat to the rock hyrax.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (5 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wMwafspHjhchdnwcPUFrg1W1heMi8yRuMamNpC98ypvRGSwRM5cH5GQuTg1ZogkEJsM.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Golden breasted starling</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (20 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u6Br24mjmUUJwc8vN8PumUD8SzT3NXXgSyWjPNNK14jfa6snrzie4vJvD9H1e75qr4H.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Banded mongoos with scorpion dinner. Our first kill.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (3 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23u61AcywgCcTeobPLgFGtcTP3FvbCRBnJwf9fymUjpQd7KvPo2GnzfjDPRrfeT7NoQMp.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A troop of baboons early in the morning.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (68 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vsbRZp6xp6CPxJ56Jp8CzU4mUP8H8Tej7MfsrSxvx9rrHUoteakTZYH5UCEvcQyagWC.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our close encounter with African wild dogs was a surprise to us all. It was brief but documented!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 2 Tsavo West (19 of 38).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23vsfX7rY258t4Jmk6CNX21ahL6VNFpCPhH3aQ42zPnY4WmroEJnimG2WgHmGk8Dg5bon.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Baby baboon catching a ride on mom.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (23 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tS13kyphXfhpABmrqvw7aomGwJcRoUyDGHscgTWPkniV4dH6W5dC7DEDbBFqck6WFDF.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Klipsprings antelope on the Shetani lava flow.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (25 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243MG8Yf9HxWGDiYr1vsMUJShDrLYyvwEiAzURtEAvXrnCu4BpTsxrnxL66wnf6Q8agWW.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Agama lizard</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 3 Tsavo West (20 of 80).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23x1QMEANR2S2fAtjs8XXeVGq4E4aRArWLEGK4in7SGK3bDtdTyRSCdb5eMBWgJ2zVPfu.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Black bellied bustard.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (9 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23wgKmusUKikFvt1m1yNL4sMYAsvE9jiyzYCmcWagPfM2z1dwSLGnP7NViuFwuux5zPeq.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Just sitting at the water hole and watching with a cold gin and tonic in hand never fails to disappoint.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 2 Tsavo West (6 of 38).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tGyZY9zSk5GK31KJk6pMupBYyQoh3YevLFdWEu9ZwJP6j7m9ysXrGGMKYfJiGFqx83h.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We got our first look at kudu in this park.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 4 Tsavo to Amboseli (1 of 67).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/2423uiN84yZuiZSrLXCaFkWLQkx6z1ny9emkx8U694ymTPsXkqq7pyfQPrY8JCGhFcGVf.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lending a helping hand on the way down the cinder cone.</em></p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207262437321918213.post-48719225660370283002023-10-08T08:56:00.000-10:002023-10-08T08:56:02.533-10:00From Nairobi National Park to Acacia Camp. Finishing a big first day on Safari. <p> <b>Day 1: Hilton Garden Inn - Elephant Orphanage - Giraffe Center - Talisman Restaurant - Nairobi National Park - Acacia Camp</b><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (36 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243zrQ1Dp8Ng3DWV1QKo7whFvpYwiQqvq5qddcGYUsVwb9RLFxYRkQPUBeGByntTeCEv8.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I'm so excited that the group had this close encounter with white rhino. This is a species that is not so common in this part of Africa.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Nairobi National Park, nestled just outside the bustling capital city of Kenya, is a unique and remarkable wildlife sanctuary that offers a surreal juxtaposition of urban and natural landscapes. Established in 1946, it holds the distinction of being the only national park in the world located within a city's borders. Despite its proximity to the bustling metropolis of Nairobi, the park spans over 117 square kilometers and boasts a diverse array of ecosystems, from open grasslands to acacia woodlands. Its scenic beauty is complemented by the backdrop of the city skyline and the towering Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance, creating a surreal panorama that encapsulates the harmonious coexistence of nature and urban life.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Home to a rich tapestry of wildlife, Nairobi National Park provides a haven for numerous species, including lions, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of antelopes. The park's unique setting allows us to embark on a safari adventure without venturing far from the city center. Nairobi National Park stands as a testament to Kenya's commitment to conservation, offering a glimpse into the country's incredible biodiversity while highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats in the face of urbanization. I know it is also going to be our one chance on our itinerary to find white rhinos, which we did!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4871.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep1XuBoXY86V1j9BTzMvGnXeREfkBuAjwMQyMXHdnFTNj5NLCzY2pE2fAoGC1zgcHvS.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Entering our first National Park of the trip, Nairobi National Park.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (27 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23w2yoRcG1e8F282henacRaT5ZMQjbHTVnDeqh4Gb5wW984D3UQxVHjWTbk7D8V7VRQQr.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our first big sighting happened to be the biggest of the antelopes, Eland. The males can get up to around 2000lbs.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (44 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23x1FqCBk6Sr6hV5mhjw7HrtU7FGGRpcSpFciis9a3gvHeGGrJok65Ze8avL7d2oNX9hA.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This little bee eater delighted the group with its vibrant colors.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (58 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243MBjbiUt1F5NN7EbEZzwnWa5hLzKRxp1s3RjMyhBwDFGqAUvLDFvBx6TsF6J6xR4J9N.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Female impala in the late afternoon light.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (37 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23xetCcFCDhfD6Vzo6vMQ9nYGCUYSASWV7SYeFdEd1etBCjDWiCUdPGvZmHnaDpfk31HN.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is a great Africa safari scene. I see impalas, hartebeest, zebra, and rhinos all in the same meadow.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (59 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23yJNqMM5SD8A1jFM6C7ViGDnED16Ds7vS7m7NuXrY4pKWmkjJnMVRj1wGg9Q4dN7cHsg.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Two sleepy lions under the train tracks. Anyone ever seen 'The Ghost and the Darkness?'</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (25 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23uQfqK1fwNFvAMXDjKEUimnqVAf2UN66g9JyMMc7sUP3D97fiF4mZHjhaNPXS1ysHd5R.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A young baboon lit up by a ray of sunshine.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (26 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23w2exHa9vyonuAdunJvLbnGwipqJEugwfFpna3LFxXw7DSnaWCttjVAPjiPvnbiP36Px.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Olive baboon in beautiful lighting.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (43 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/243qFGeaGHrR5USEbFFZW5vnn5p4chSvzKU3t1BqsSNydS1g85sMxTpsoaXKsyiU6Deat.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Nairobi National Park is literally right next to the city of Nairobi. The buildings can be seen in the not so distant background. I think it would be hard to concentrate if you were working at one of these buildings and you could look outside and see giraffes roaming around.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (52 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23yToagTGRXuHApffeERUq3B91PhRUYU1rbe4dCrL9Yncwq4ABwCcJ8n4YN4cRvAgY9c3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A family of beautiful Crowned Cranes stuck close together in the grass of Nairobi National Park.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (32 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tSKXgaAepS6oGbxdCFUNNaztvpWtArTJbRWwvDF8XyGazmVwyFkuV4GQeZ7i1qfed39.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We had a close encounter with these endangered white rhinos.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="Day 1 Nairobi (49 of 64).jpg" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/23tc3rYNnh2gWWywZ2Z6RBCYGRzM2Ea1HzcFtWuvAxGhhh6snzNjbwDM38HYTEoPNXDWs.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Zebra dot the landscape here at Nairobi National Park. This plains zebra was lit up by the late afternoon sun.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4882.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EpA219vE41MGYJcYQpeswJiTULFzhtMzRBaWs74CPTbM3gr2yGjHehAVVEVi5NwiCdM.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The new railroad goes right through Nairobi National Park. There were actually two male lions sleeping next to the concrete pillar here. Talk about a train with a view!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Next stop after the park was Acacia Camp. This is one of the hidden gems on our itinerary that not many people know about. Nestled within the enchanting Swara Plains Conservancy in Kenya, Acacia Lodge stands as a secluded haven, offering a unique blend of luxury and natural beauty. Surrounded by vast savannahs and acacia-studded landscapes, the lodge provides an intimate and immersive experience in the heart of the African wilderness. With a commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism, Acacia Lodge is designed to harmonize with its surroundings, allowing guests to connect with nature while enjoying the comforts of modern amenities.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">We just have one night here, but it is enough for everyone to fall in love with the rustic charm of Acacia Camp.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4885.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eo45r1cVf9SdLornJz6uDypjeQpC1yqEViUVvDMXQJYs7cUaKefEJiuo81tnPJSxXFE.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A huge fire pit draws you in. I couldn't help but grab a local beer and sit at the fire before and after dinner.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4886.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EoAaDnJfr1Zsst5E5XfX9w8AE8RXzR1VsHSD8TuUTumhND5W3JnbtSR8m8i7EpTWkLJ.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Am I a princess? No, someone just set up my mosquito net around my bed at Acacia Camp.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4893.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Eonk5vQm7PDHnYjR2onmBayFyepo4N32j77MQxaNHjpRfqFeAJU3pVCRkXt7fgPbZEo.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The dining area at Acacia Camp is open air, under a huge tent.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4888.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EppJiM1HLCZVNgEA56okJ3VuAEk14SkKHNzkZJKHTfxJ5TUHhmG8wLhMJBpWWcPCyHi.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our bungalows at Acacia Camp.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4891.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/Ep5js2jHoqbbpvZMbsgRpfu3pLbejEprSFaiAr5kESyonAAsbAPpGEAaTiqzBYMLJBf.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I've been coming to Acacia Lodge for over a decade now and it only gets better.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="IMG_4895.JPG" src="https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/dtam/EogLnMEHY5vFpxq5Z1dmAExcodE7Tuhu8mBoVyN5o9foYJ3BNK5PfeLf1N2rUQhDXTQ.JPG" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; max-height: 1000px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our trusty ride, the extended Land Cruiser safari vehicle.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Too soon our time at Acacia Camp has come to an end. Our driver, James, is here and ready for the long drive out to West Tsavo National Park. While we are all not yet ready to leave, we are excited for the next step of the safari.</p>Dai Mar Tamarackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10018095210833739185noreply@blogger.com0