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Showing posts from 2011

Photo Thursday: A Foxy Wedding Crown

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McPherson Square Is Occupied

It seems that we end up walking past nearby McPherson Square several times each day. Not only does it face the wonderful Georgia Brown’s restaurant and host the nearest transit stop, but it just seems to be along the way wherever we are going. The square itself is awash with the tarps and tents of Occupy DC. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/

In Search of Ansel Adams – Part 2: At the Department of the Interior

When the building was constructed at the end of the ‘30s, 1% of the construction cost was dedicated to art. Hence, the murals. (On this tour we only see a portion of them, as a number are undergoing restoration or are otherwise inaccessible due to building renovation.) You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Meditating on the Meaning of Art at the Corcoran

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In Search of Ansel Adams – Part 1: At the Wilderness Society

We have an appointment this afternoon to tour the Department of the Interior’s murals, including photographs by Ansel Adams. The murals at Interior have long been on my to-do list, but yesterday a colleague told me that the Wilderness Society has a whole gallery devoted to Adams’ work in their headquarters building – which happens to be very near our hotel. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

The Road Between Johannesburg and Kruger

A friend had recently driven this route, so I thought I knew what to expect, knew that the last of the informal settlements and mountains of tailings piles would give way to miles and miles of empty scrub land. But there is a texture and beauty to the land that I wasn’t expecting. Nor was I expecting to find that we would pass through an area noted for its trout fishing, but the waters around Belfast and Dullstroom are famous for their fishing. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Photo Thursday: Where am I anyway?

Imagine my surprise upon entering a very large South African gas station/convenience store/restaurant complex with rhinos lolling about just beyond the parking lot and finding an American wild-west themed Spur Steak Ranch inside, complete with tepees, buffalo, and cartoon Indians. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/

South Africa Travels

We spent three weeks in South Africa in 2011. It was a great trip and we got a glimpse of many wonderful parts of the country, but there is so much more we’d like to see. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Nieuwoudtville, South Africa

Cape Flats

The Cape of Good Hope

Beach Break at the Indian Ocean

Cruising the Saint Lucia Estuary

Game Drive in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve

The area where we enter the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve is so gorgeous I almost don’t care if we don’t see any wildlife. It would be a pleasure just to drive around and see the scenery. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Biltong

We’ve seen signs advertising biltong everywhere and even bought a little during one of our mega C-Store stops. (We tried it once, mind you.) When our tour guide headed into what appeared to be a sporting goods store with a sign out front announcing “biltong!” we followed him in out of curiosity. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Vernacular Architecture

Too Little Shoping Time in Swaziland

The Swazi are renowned for their crafts and most of our time in Swaziland is designated for shopping. While I am eager to do some shopping (Christmas shopping as well as a few baubles for myself, you know), our designated stop is at the factory, noted for its range of “enchanting African animals, birds and fish, as well as tableware, made from recycled glass that is collected by the children of Swaziland.” Shouldn’t the children be in school? Not exactly what I’m looking for. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

On the Road in Swaziland

We start in South Africa, traveling south from Kruger. This area is a lush subtropical world, much of it swathed in sugar cane. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Morning Game Drive (Kruger)

Krueger is South Africa’s premier game park, but this area is very brushy, with few of the open expanses we saw throughout Botswana. Juan is continually conversing with the other guides one where they have seen game or are planning to go in search of game. It’s sort of odd – I had feared massive amounts of vehicles converging at every sighting, but the limited number of visitors allowed into Kruger (and the size of the park) seems to really reduce the odds of that happening – instead there is this continued radio exchange and then racing about in order to get to a “good” sighting before it is too late. This is how we got our best look at the rhinos, although we almost missed them (one of the other groups did) because the guide who found them gave the wrong info out over the radio. The rhinos had actually been on the road, but by the time we found them – after Jaun went zipping all over in the wrong area looking for them – they had moved into the woods. (And yes, there were two of t

Cats and Other Critters

This afternoon we have signed up for an optional visit to the Lion Park. It’s sort of like a game park, but with fences to separate the predators from the prey and an area where you can pet lion cubs. I’d generally not partake of this sort of outing because a.) it sounds too much like a wildlife theme park and b.) lions are wild animals and should not be part of a petting zoo. On the other hand, lions are hard to spot in the wild and it would be fun to get an up-close and personal look at a cub. Our visit begins with a game drive through the section reserved for antelope and other prey species. There are a lot of types of antelope represented here, along with Burchell’s zebra and a few giraffe. The cubs are in two pens adjacent to a larger pen of adult lions. Visitors are allowed into the pens with the cubs for 10 or 15 minutes to pet and photograph the cubs. Handlers instruct visitors on how to pet the cubs (back and stomach rubs are good, stay away from the head and paws) and m

Soweto

Soweto – the South-Western Townships – is the largest black residential area in South Africa, but it is NOT just a teeming slum on the outskirts of Johannesburg. It has a full range of housing, commerce, and services and was home to two noble laureates. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

As Close as I’m Going to Get to NYC (This Time)

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Thursday Photo: Showing Off In Stillwater

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Thursday Photo: The Most Beautiful Buddha

Lake Harriet Peace Garden in Summer

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Thursday Photo - Window Shopping in Copenhagen

I found the window reflections in Denmark really interesting and spent a lot of time trying to capture the complexity of the image without it being incomprehensible. I’m sure my husband got tired of waiting for me to finish shooting, but at least it kept me from going into the stores and spending money! (A very good thing in an expensive country like Denmark.) You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/ - You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/

Thursday Photo - Our Saviour's Church (Vor Frelsers Kirke)

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Denmark Travel Details

Denmark is a small country with a good road system, making it easy to get around by car or bike. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

A Quick Spring Get-Away in Denmark (Index)

We spent a week traveling in Copenhagen and the Danish countryside beyond. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/

Thursday Photo - Fast Food in Denmark

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Evening in Dragør

We are staying at the edge of the historic fishing village of Dragør. It is rather late in the evening before we are able to get to town to look around a bit and find something to eat. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Crossing the Øresund Bridge

I’ve wanted to see the dramatic since it opened 10 years ago. I've crossed the bridge by train, but the train travels below the vehicle deck, so it is hard to really get a sense of what the bridge is like – you miss all the drama of the structure. Now I’ll finally get to see it. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/

A Rainy Night at Hamlet’s Castle

Helsingør is noted for Kronborg Slot a greatly expanded 15th century castle that helped maintain Danish control of shipping and trade on the Baltic Sea and the great wealth that came from the collection of Sound Dues for 400 years. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Frederiksborg Slot

The rain lets up just as we reach Frederiksborg Slot, a grand Renaissance palace surrounded by a moat and vast gardens. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Vor Frelsers Kirke (Our Savior’s Church)

I have this thing for towers (well, any high place really) and came to Copenhagen knowing I wanted to climb the stairs that spiral around the exterior of the tower of. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/

Springtime Pottery

Saint Croix Valley spring pottery tour. . You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/

Thursday Photo - Spring in the Indian Canyons

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Spring in Tahquitz Canyon

Palm Springs is surrounded by mountains, thus there are stunning canyons all around the city. On this beautiful morning we are visiting the Tahquitz Canyon, where the two-mile trail that begins behind the visitor’s center loops up one side of the creek and back down the other. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Really Really Red Spaces

It’s a 2004 Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Ramus structure that is more striking viewed from some directions than others. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at ExplorationVacation.net

Arizona Travel Information and Index

Note that traveling independently anywhere in Arizona without a car is almost impossible, even in Phoenix. On the other hand, the roads are generally good (if narrow) and the scenery is stunning, making it a perfect state for road trips. You are being transferred to the updated version of this post at https://explorationvacation.net/