tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966257658531775252024-03-13T14:39:19.973+04:00Hello, Dubai!Hello, welcome to Matt and Katie's Blog! We originally started this for our friends and families, and to help acclimate to the desert heat. It's taken on a life of its own, and we're now using it to share the best of what we see, point out our mistakes, and, with any luck, help others around us <i>THRIVE</i>. Enjoy!Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.comBlogger452125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-79821914395660435282013-10-08T21:47:00.000+04:002013-10-08T21:47:50.032+04:00Lost in Translation - An afternoon with HyperPanda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Can Panda's have ADD? Not sure what the scientific answer to that question is, but here in Dubai there are HyperPanda's everywhere!<br />
<br />
In a quest to set up our new apartment Matt and I have been scouring the Dubai metro area for the equivalent of a Wal-Mart or a Target to pick up household basics. Not that the incredible amount of shopping venues in Dubai don't provide for all our needs, its just that - we are American! - how can we possibly be expected to go to different stores for different needs. It's just barbaric. I mean, we really can't be bothered to buy coarse sea salt, an air mattress, salt and vinegar chips, a blow drier, and lavender-scented candles in more than one stop.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, Dubai has an answer for us. A light at the end of the tunnel to fulfill our need for one-stop shopping. I give you <a href="http://www.ameinfo.com/68196.html">HyperPanda</a>. It is a Saudi-based chain much like our beloved Wal-Mart and it has everything from beef bacon (remember no pork) to snorkeling gear and so much more in between. We took our first trip just a few days ago, and purchased the aforementioned sea salt and other items. Oh, and one of those tea boiler things! Having studied aboard in London I was quite aware of these handy little kitchen gadgets, but honestly, I implore you, if you are reading this go out and get one! Seriously, no respectable tea drinker should be without one. I think I might have to post a video of how fast this thing boils - it's like what I always thought the Jetsons would be like. No one should ever put a pot on the range again.<br />
<br />
In sum, the store was great, the name however is a bit mystifying. Apparently somewhere along the way the translation from the American "super" market got a bit mixed up, so all the big markets here are considered "hyper". I wonder if the Hyper Bowl or Hyper Man are also literal translations? (Except if there is an actual Hyper Man I think Christopher Reeves would have to fight my fiancé for the title!) I have no earthly clue how Panda then worked it's way into the name, but I makes for some pretty funny mental images! The guy below looks a bit incorrigible if you ask me.<br />
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-82510127461699137612013-03-31T19:51:00.002+04:002013-03-31T19:51:56.851+04:00Artini 2013: Impressionistic Imbibing <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
With the advent of Spring comes the birth of several new cocktails, now making their inaugural appearances at the swanky bars of the District. Luckily the Corcoran gives us the opportunity not only to try them, but to casually sip these tasteful (and tasty) creations all while browsing the latest collection at the museum.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Matt and I along with our dear friend Jessica, enjoyed the chance to sample some of DC lively libations last Friday evening at the annual Artini event, which is presented by the Corcoran’s 1869 Society (for art-lovers under 40 - we are patrons). It was a vibrant evening of art, cocktails, entertainment, and dancing. The gala is the culmination of a month-long celebration in which eight mixologists from the District’s most prominent restaurants and bars compete to see who can create the most artistic martini. Each of the eight artinis is inspired by a piece of work from the Corcoran's collection. </div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">The competition was tight between eight of the DC’s best bars, but the winner of “Critics’ Choice” award was announced as </span><span style="line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Gibson’s Frank Jone</span><strong style="line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</strong><span style="line-height: 21px;">. His drink was inspired by Henri Regnault’s Head of a Moor. The “Fan Favorite” winner was </span><span style="line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Joe Ambrose from POV at the W</span><span style="line-height: 21px;">, with his cocktail inspired by Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko9gTBKerMyEbf-5jq7bSjNedKhkzr2a8bi8UJmHG0VS1BqlUyNng5BEMgmUEUgH0PHv6NcGlQ-Axg49HSDH6SC1eQGOMM2m1t0qRpfw1qGOpVTXQeoH1hHSAJcsOsx1CruTEAE1ioNPl/s1600/IMG_9501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko9gTBKerMyEbf-5jq7bSjNedKhkzr2a8bi8UJmHG0VS1BqlUyNng5BEMgmUEUgH0PHv6NcGlQ-Axg49HSDH6SC1eQGOMM2m1t0qRpfw1qGOpVTXQeoH1hHSAJcsOsx1CruTEAE1ioNPl/s400/IMG_9501.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Learn how to make my favorite cocktail of the evening from Ambar below:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/61645135" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/61645135">ARTINI: Ambar</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/washingtonianmagazine">Washingtonian Magazine</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNy9l2IqNn2p9UEVtdlWkbWh8-25Dd_XCOggRPHy41uDh7dT4YkiZ3UThoj97DNhUTpLw6QfrYtZnoCrZxsawxoxaotuUataYW_E31wwVPy7DcGC8NZDtcObJfoxqOBAQxsuqf1EvPMB9/s1600/IMG_9498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNy9l2IqNn2p9UEVtdlWkbWh8-25Dd_XCOggRPHy41uDh7dT4YkiZ3UThoj97DNhUTpLw6QfrYtZnoCrZxsawxoxaotuUataYW_E31wwVPy7DcGC8NZDtcObJfoxqOBAQxsuqf1EvPMB9/s400/IMG_9498.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The exhibition was great! </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> is the first exhibition to explore the thriving underground of Washington, D.C., during the 1980s, giving visual form to the raucous energy of graffiti, Go-Go music, and a world-renowned punk and hardcore scene.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRvcHzVqrHrRkbEaavxv_BA68KXpHyf7tJPdiVSNjqj4iA9rAoT7IhmerNdW29L0SIKKRlmW0QTf-Wu8oFvDJBb0D1FYqko8zUXOdI-L9zshfnN45bsWUn4ssTIb2m1UNqYiNt83WaIJ1/s1600/IMG_9503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRvcHzVqrHrRkbEaavxv_BA68KXpHyf7tJPdiVSNjqj4iA9rAoT7IhmerNdW29L0SIKKRlmW0QTf-Wu8oFvDJBb0D1FYqko8zUXOdI-L9zshfnN45bsWUn4ssTIb2m1UNqYiNt83WaIJ1/s400/IMG_9503.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fashion inspiration for the drinks? I was going for champagne cocktail, Jess could definitely be a berry martini!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDiBENDME0W_ENclSlKDgp5QDtEb9EFXozbYxgaiJ8HuI4fLHKtTY5RaNK7HybsuNqvmwLDiZsTULd2aFOS8kivhGKSgtRY_YhvlaEL-cynBz0dEKtIwFECBTlKxZ9uWJSnBQawjrBzEh/s1600/IMG_9506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDiBENDME0W_ENclSlKDgp5QDtEb9EFXozbYxgaiJ8HuI4fLHKtTY5RaNK7HybsuNqvmwLDiZsTULd2aFOS8kivhGKSgtRY_YhvlaEL-cynBz0dEKtIwFECBTlKxZ9uWJSnBQawjrBzEh/s400/IMG_9506.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the more interesting pieces of the evening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKR6F7tF2nb5LtGsTKIv2EHlNe0avEwmbo7Od1WTTipsT7SGa3iPernjdajNiBV7rVu3Tr2xM6dcozffvoz2O3WSLeIeDJZfpkXSIGvIoY-8zAMQWRaA0FznSFJ-gezKlbSMAdWzcWep9/s1600/IMG_9504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKR6F7tF2nb5LtGsTKIv2EHlNe0avEwmbo7Od1WTTipsT7SGa3iPernjdajNiBV7rVu3Tr2xM6dcozffvoz2O3WSLeIeDJZfpkXSIGvIoY-8zAMQWRaA0FznSFJ-gezKlbSMAdWzcWep9/s400/IMG_9504.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NrW5Gm9uf_Vjl1bXuyXV5lDD-m2cM6CXvnPgIwY-RH8gfq5oK7Wd3gXpJq0TLHS2DyAthkrlSV5UWkKNg38kbPLo-6h40BuFCOlVuFJXXOZzOg__af2kMxcaijh-TOydCAIvmAs5ZCoV/s1600/IMG_9507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NrW5Gm9uf_Vjl1bXuyXV5lDD-m2cM6CXvnPgIwY-RH8gfq5oK7Wd3gXpJq0TLHS2DyAthkrlSV5UWkKNg38kbPLo-6h40BuFCOlVuFJXXOZzOg__af2kMxcaijh-TOydCAIvmAs5ZCoV/s400/IMG_9507.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And like most successful nights, we topped it off with a little trip to the W to enjoy the ambiance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltvDZu-oqMfDFfNYWqq4u-VrhgPK7NHY240dzMbUqvd8qfFYqsL6gqSOXjhgR85zesScWoFwM9dpFY03yJ4r2Czdid0_ffzK6CGhWS8Hmz5Oqq1JuU88Bn5g8JCMcMD-Adar6XC0name6/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+3312013+114551+AM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltvDZu-oqMfDFfNYWqq4u-VrhgPK7NHY240dzMbUqvd8qfFYqsL6gqSOXjhgR85zesScWoFwM9dpFY03yJ4r2Czdid0_ffzK6CGhWS8Hmz5Oqq1JuU88Bn5g8JCMcMD-Adar6XC0name6/s400/Fullscreen+capture+3312013+114551+AM.bmp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To top it off we were surprised to find our photo on Captiol File magazine the next day!</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-10154117613567473952013-03-10T22:24:00.000+04:002013-03-10T22:24:40.433+04:00Puerto Vallarata & Punta Mita: A Whale of a Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are a number of traditions that we've created over the last five years in Dubai that we are bringing with us back to the States - one of them is that we don't sit still for a long weekend. Taking the opportunity to travel when given the time, is one of my favorite memories from our time spent aboard and I'm happy to say that when presented with the opportunity over President's Day weekend, we didn't miss a beat. A quick expedia/viator/trip advisor/google map/spg points consultation lead us to enjoy some fun in the sun on Mexico's west coast in Puerto Vallarata and in Punta Mita (to the North). Just a 2 hour flight from Houston, it was a nice reminder that we don't have to go halfway around the world, just to feel half a world away. <br />
<br />
Situated on Mexico's west coast, the port was a sleepy little town until about 50 years ago when a few events converged to bring the city into the international spot light. Namely among them: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the American </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">director </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Huston" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="John Huston">John Huston</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"> filmed his 1963 film </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_of_the_Iguana_(film)" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="The Night of the Iguana (film)">The Night of the Iguana</a></i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"> in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mismaloya" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Mismaloya">Mismaloya</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">, a small town just south of Puerto Vallarta. During the filming, the US media gave extensive coverage to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Taylor" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Elizabeth Taylor">Elizabeth Taylor</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">'s extramarital affair with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burton" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Richard Burton">Richard Burton</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">, as well as covering the frequent fighting between Huston and the film's four stars. The subsequent publicity helped put Puerto Vallarta on the map for US tourists. So we can thank Liz and Dick, in large part, for putting the Puerto on the map.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYn_aLPy2IvMZTX8w8NZmSX6bqKP80O5iGmjCm4G250ZX9QlN3HkBOTXuuvYGGIg1Br2OfIU1BRUsDjpW09zTswHK8ZM79OIP8dHCGBBU0aqAbbDo4yJ5Lkgu7DnlgoKDZMg2-USFJLgoS/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYn_aLPy2IvMZTX8w8NZmSX6bqKP80O5iGmjCm4G250ZX9QlN3HkBOTXuuvYGGIg1Br2OfIU1BRUsDjpW09zTswHK8ZM79OIP8dHCGBBU0aqAbbDo4yJ5Lkgu7DnlgoKDZMg2-USFJLgoS/s400/IMG_0473.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sun, sand, and palms still seem like home to us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIkTHSIwot6Av5FEgD1VXAoj4NuS9jgA1tYDBQ4im5gVe2VoYw83V8sBzoxqbNdDxwYUSg4L4jxrWUYu4WrD_6bbo9ENJv-CVTjvRMUP8JBXMusu9vGK5gjk5lHHeu_Ax3urNivr32OgD/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIkTHSIwot6Av5FEgD1VXAoj4NuS9jgA1tYDBQ4im5gVe2VoYw83V8sBzoxqbNdDxwYUSg4L4jxrWUYu4WrD_6bbo9ENJv-CVTjvRMUP8JBXMusu9vGK5gjk5lHHeu_Ax3urNivr32OgD/s400/IMG_0555.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt ever-the-water-baby wasted no time in hitting the waves for a sunset cruise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaktIg_cpe8YkKB3u8dyEtD7csRzdM8pYC7Wmj1G-6RW-XGWW8nGh70-L7orEQ5K4BwRDecJVcKlii5iXQ_d-TAUtP7b4wM5gBARHGXb5pK73jUoLbi9x25a0XH11pTVJ9LK322onHILY/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaktIg_cpe8YkKB3u8dyEtD7csRzdM8pYC7Wmj1G-6RW-XGWW8nGh70-L7orEQ5K4BwRDecJVcKlii5iXQ_d-TAUtP7b4wM5gBARHGXb5pK73jUoLbi9x25a0XH11pTVJ9LK322onHILY/s400/IMG_0608.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the sunset did not disappoint.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pd6zyjb3xAj0inaEyMHpg0lxBzwEDJ8Ki9wiXTQzd-xj0mQIaArv8FKKYd6uzO8BAOymu4opusSPmQrADPe_bzd15yvnZ0jA0hZ5wPhZmaYEWMP8L5Ndwu3TELvYvoQlOjJWBjl0DXtG/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pd6zyjb3xAj0inaEyMHpg0lxBzwEDJ8Ki9wiXTQzd-xj0mQIaArv8FKKYd6uzO8BAOymu4opusSPmQrADPe_bzd15yvnZ0jA0hZ5wPhZmaYEWMP8L5Ndwu3TELvYvoQlOjJWBjl0DXtG/s400/IMG_0675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As the sun dipped below the horizon we were treated to stunning water color painting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBAk3fFEPmMgaDTHklen8Cp_21CMa6h4cu5c3CF6Q41UAtBITzzcn9ADKH2Hyj7I9PN3e89O0XNsEZMEbtK9Dfgb2bBVwKwhAp1iXWhf18W-lg_5tyF7AMG9N6FbKOkAq8E-jdnR6Z3xf/s1600/IMG_0726_7_8_tonemapped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBAk3fFEPmMgaDTHklen8Cp_21CMa6h4cu5c3CF6Q41UAtBITzzcn9ADKH2Hyj7I9PN3e89O0XNsEZMEbtK9Dfgb2bBVwKwhAp1iXWhf18W-lg_5tyF7AMG9N6FbKOkAq8E-jdnR6Z3xf/s400/IMG_0726_7_8_tonemapped.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The heart of the city is the Our Lady of Guadalupe church, known for it's distinctive crown top.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDoYw9KbqT-8Mg8o6haI3ImJEknXHoPQbEkgtaxGBz4Ey5bQp0T4aKfME-GXjGQfcCwp0tTYLM635zaYYKG5nPaVWAhNhBgXai5XcFXItQxZ39IqxKPOUaFai8Mdc-L3T0WUe0iF8A-db/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDoYw9KbqT-8Mg8o6haI3ImJEknXHoPQbEkgtaxGBz4Ey5bQp0T4aKfME-GXjGQfcCwp0tTYLM635zaYYKG5nPaVWAhNhBgXai5XcFXItQxZ39IqxKPOUaFai8Mdc-L3T0WUe0iF8A-db/s400/IMG_0734.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best $1.50 we might have ever spent. Chicken tacos to die for! When we went back for more the food stand was gone!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg7rzu1OOmi7cAE-qee3cVNUMhb7jGXicu1Dn0_TXdSUIxweUEkatyFNZ_7OF9S53aJUJTygVHxOdLp1dIc53nF58BQmkTXmODt-T96Fs0ozy1A8oG8AVlRsRpIO6tEE6faJ3LMyE8yT6/s1600/IMG_9235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg7rzu1OOmi7cAE-qee3cVNUMhb7jGXicu1Dn0_TXdSUIxweUEkatyFNZ_7OF9S53aJUJTygVHxOdLp1dIc53nF58BQmkTXmODt-T96Fs0ozy1A8oG8AVlRsRpIO6tEE6faJ3LMyE8yT6/s400/IMG_9235.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just meeting up with a friend on the way to the marina.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-BAqwEq8CXY_P-q_nDUUDNuWYV3SzfrUodKNyzNp_huEmLTuYa83_1Vdhs5wHpY0C4ZykPJZVsk_0X2t0Q4kFu3j2XGYJrDLhNbQkQ-_kNfDw3Jcf6_D9TKoGxSSBQuJcJ5QWWdB-n4S/s1600/IMG_9254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-BAqwEq8CXY_P-q_nDUUDNuWYV3SzfrUodKNyzNp_huEmLTuYa83_1Vdhs5wHpY0C4ZykPJZVsk_0X2t0Q4kFu3j2XGYJrDLhNbQkQ-_kNfDw3Jcf6_D9TKoGxSSBQuJcJ5QWWdB-n4S/s400/IMG_9254.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Score 1: Happening upon a farmer's market and buying a bag of delicious fresh strawberries. Score 2: Stopping for fro-yo and realizing that said berries are in your backpack. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE5O7rlBsx39h1BHTjEjZWq5123gwE7snlTwSTH6FLHlPGKP-lOU652XOeIK_udyABShLw7By2drVhRRg1-v0u_PRNvhP6uvlxl9AukJTsxqxhAoXKss87_mIrkcXDOkiI75n5hMZ9xfV/s1600/IMG_9270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE5O7rlBsx39h1BHTjEjZWq5123gwE7snlTwSTH6FLHlPGKP-lOU652XOeIK_udyABShLw7By2drVhRRg1-v0u_PRNvhP6uvlxl9AukJTsxqxhAoXKss87_mIrkcXDOkiI75n5hMZ9xfV/s400/IMG_9270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
La Panoramica treated us to one of the best views in town.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JDFEFhcqBWHmxM_tGyx14Af0ZyqQUaZ6avZ7962a7jiv_GtJtfMN97eCP2sGnsL-5h86i9VSnHbF9E8JRWD8hXsG7-oj8A1DhtJKhwh3H8QUteedUInzu3NGnwKeLWD6WX1pAJmrD046/s1600/IMG_9273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JDFEFhcqBWHmxM_tGyx14Af0ZyqQUaZ6avZ7962a7jiv_GtJtfMN97eCP2sGnsL-5h86i9VSnHbF9E8JRWD8hXsG7-oj8A1DhtJKhwh3H8QUteedUInzu3NGnwKeLWD6WX1pAJmrD046/s400/IMG_9273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The highlight of the trip, by far, was the ability to spend hours whale and dolphin watching. We had the opportunity to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat, and in the case of the dolphins even jump in and swim with them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7mBxFGtF8TUT1SZfyeWtxUEM4K3E9E29pdGQoyXBPqwTUCpT60sm1MO4eXNRcNNpTnEYMjZFVmy0JOJNd1SIp5BKvriCOCmEMK6_4lI5JnygDcLCnKRi6YCkhU4g0j8yWjiiVuFq6fWa/s1600/IMG_9331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7mBxFGtF8TUT1SZfyeWtxUEM4K3E9E29pdGQoyXBPqwTUCpT60sm1MO4eXNRcNNpTnEYMjZFVmy0JOJNd1SIp5BKvriCOCmEMK6_4lI5JnygDcLCnKRi6YCkhU4g0j8yWjiiVuFq6fWa/s400/IMG_9331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We did not expect to see Killer Whales on our dolphin trip so this was a treat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF22hllq2C5hds65-1n7x_pNbnAjfGmwQLbFwqANNa_E0t2EMOpy1xgHZS9qIfvzC8W54Rq9Z9uezT2yt4JKakueoXFFtw5VbSgoHpBeg8nAIIiyHeYhacZ-iUhzOgH_K4cJur_c7-t44l/s1600/IMG_9380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF22hllq2C5hds65-1n7x_pNbnAjfGmwQLbFwqANNa_E0t2EMOpy1xgHZS9qIfvzC8W54Rq9Z9uezT2yt4JKakueoXFFtw5VbSgoHpBeg8nAIIiyHeYhacZ-iUhzOgH_K4cJur_c7-t44l/s400/IMG_9380.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was taken right over the side of our boat, these guys were in the mood to play.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5smPUVW0DBR8DUiibvth2BRmnzIu8fN_4_5_z3OPQ6w9-qATg-wcafO3bRuunVyxCI5vqqf_qLiomqXuHKE2sMVxaM5OD1C1RT5E4STUEyADLhXs-VPxvbpyriMjDVN1AYySkzqLIrRF/s1600/IMG_9421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5smPUVW0DBR8DUiibvth2BRmnzIu8fN_4_5_z3OPQ6w9-qATg-wcafO3bRuunVyxCI5vqqf_qLiomqXuHKE2sMVxaM5OD1C1RT5E4STUEyADLhXs-VPxvbpyriMjDVN1AYySkzqLIrRF/s400/IMG_9421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Expert water landing by one of the many, many pelicans.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmYv7cX4Yyy1ojjUEYEo0WfrUTYf48PFzoCEDN6a4ktcaf2X0nCz4z5x9njle4nst5cQcmhsfT99ZHBZ2e_nIsuq-5QrBPH49K4e_CPLFVHZ6VjDqNu43YmHUEhKGZaCX_Qg6bNI3rthu/s1600/IMG_9444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmYv7cX4Yyy1ojjUEYEo0WfrUTYf48PFzoCEDN6a4ktcaf2X0nCz4z5x9njle4nst5cQcmhsfT99ZHBZ2e_nIsuq-5QrBPH49K4e_CPLFVHZ6VjDqNu43YmHUEhKGZaCX_Qg6bNI3rthu/s400/IMG_9444.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's spring time which means the babies have arrived. This little guy wanted a closer look at me, but the protection of Mom right by his side.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi5W9YRj50DDwtWwatO1rm6OyztfRkqN6olj8bGmG1ujTK8sGYn_sU9yYfe6kleL6IHIdW47AFMFhVuvq5L9e4-Y18FrjyvrT9AgGTaFIaGClvytexCCjY62c2NFvVe7thdYu9c9viVZb/s1600/IMG_9394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi5W9YRj50DDwtWwatO1rm6OyztfRkqN6olj8bGmG1ujTK8sGYn_sU9yYfe6kleL6IHIdW47AFMFhVuvq5L9e4-Y18FrjyvrT9AgGTaFIaGClvytexCCjY62c2NFvVe7thdYu9c9viVZb/s400/IMG_9394.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The visibility in the bay was low so I couldn't see the dolphins, but I could hear them. Only when I would pop up would I realize that they had been swimming right next to me! Kind of terrifying and exhilarating all at once.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL7_0MOxUuBDxO1z3Pu65gJXax-nT48JeTfDDkM2er5LiZEgZocV3r9TudVDbZ-6Fhr2uHbuTSiaJtuJSZnXmqKXBLQVha_HUgSvCoTOnqQZwnM-dixWjG_UZjdgQA59AFJ8lPxNvyX_W/s1600/IMG_9515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL7_0MOxUuBDxO1z3Pu65gJXax-nT48JeTfDDkM2er5LiZEgZocV3r9TudVDbZ-6Fhr2uHbuTSiaJtuJSZnXmqKXBLQVha_HUgSvCoTOnqQZwnM-dixWjG_UZjdgQA59AFJ8lPxNvyX_W/s400/IMG_9515.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The humpbacks are also in town for the Spring and boy did they show off for us. These photos are <i>not</i> using a zoom-lens. This was some real-deal Moby Dick stuff!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-sUPa2LRGg5Yb8c9Wh1zfUVChkaugGWzia8kqrVW44sgacj1EuMThv9Kzhpm_A5RIi4_HkoDfSbBgSoveuMIFqYM2X-N8WLLH1UF-mVjgcf4aJZRMNG876NGZEGLq9Gxz8jsdoG0aQSt/s1600/IMG_9557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-sUPa2LRGg5Yb8c9Wh1zfUVChkaugGWzia8kqrVW44sgacj1EuMThv9Kzhpm_A5RIi4_HkoDfSbBgSoveuMIFqYM2X-N8WLLH1UF-mVjgcf4aJZRMNG876NGZEGLq9Gxz8jsdoG0aQSt/s400/IMG_9557.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mama, male-escort (not the father, but juvenile in training) and baby all in a row.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-eoxgT7MruuHl0JwJsGU_1baB9YSdfayjdQq6grWeYv0lSmjwGuGM-_1SVWofnKkDt-KBapzCbsyYRNDlwDMj4NquRJLw6GN-WrV3abC5V9PY5zCMPBmtd0cliqmWewqVAF2Y247VW9c/s1600/IMG_9523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-eoxgT7MruuHl0JwJsGU_1baB9YSdfayjdQq6grWeYv0lSmjwGuGM-_1SVWofnKkDt-KBapzCbsyYRNDlwDMj4NquRJLw6GN-WrV3abC5V9PY5zCMPBmtd0cliqmWewqVAF2Y247VW9c/s400/IMG_9523.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And of course the dolphins refused to be upstaged.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6Vke0mZZa1ADzSVS-5se2P4hdatBPoDCgC5qpZzD6Ww4z6dOCSJodDkLGsMEnAXskXezOinymkDHjZW7PioJm9jC5Ya1NSOFYsnnxI782Ghj6Zqd7mVqadeP5-18v7Jq_kn7_Zau2bJf/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6Vke0mZZa1ADzSVS-5se2P4hdatBPoDCgC5qpZzD6Ww4z6dOCSJodDkLGsMEnAXskXezOinymkDHjZW7PioJm9jC5Ya1NSOFYsnnxI782Ghj6Zqd7mVqadeP5-18v7Jq_kn7_Zau2bJf/s400/IMG_9586.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's nothing quite like the surprise of a majestic 40 <i>ton</i> animal hurling itself out of the water and leaping through the air right in front of your boat. It's an awe-inspiring and spectacular event. And it's addictive. It never, ever grows old for me. In this case we were lucky that they were in a mood to keep leaping and we enjoyed it for several hours.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf8wMMUr9ShYmuhSoG8ESfthcGKA_Fw0E5OFr77HY7yve2E-wFBj5CrF5rGnTzz1QlWd9ALZZTaWSqZtqBemZKwxgBM78i7bpWJsu5w0OTJh_N9xa3dBMYfOs_e_ec5HjI4cnjLkj_om9/s1600/IMG_9562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf8wMMUr9ShYmuhSoG8ESfthcGKA_Fw0E5OFr77HY7yve2E-wFBj5CrF5rGnTzz1QlWd9ALZZTaWSqZtqBemZKwxgBM78i7bpWJsu5w0OTJh_N9xa3dBMYfOs_e_ec5HjI4cnjLkj_om9/s400/IMG_9562.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They don't often pull their face out of the water. But it's really cool when they do!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLS4N3nBfkBHFKzNQ6OE61udyXxZuL016WPaAIAXuBX_CML8wnBaV4C69SVa7B31n9xu0fLlPYsIux8UkUdc-Q2jWWbJxWtMdsttGDN7XrAovvATqVDTSBEnnnlh5agfk49mOkJwhze0L4/s1600/IMG_9702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLS4N3nBfkBHFKzNQ6OE61udyXxZuL016WPaAIAXuBX_CML8wnBaV4C69SVa7B31n9xu0fLlPYsIux8UkUdc-Q2jWWbJxWtMdsttGDN7XrAovvATqVDTSBEnnnlh5agfk49mOkJwhze0L4/s400/IMG_9702.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As we left Punta Mita I was left wondering how I was going to find a future home that would have room for my (first love) elephant and now my pet whale...good thing that at least know where I can visit them in the meantime. Adios!</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-4638701158096128532013-03-03T23:08:00.000+04:002013-03-03T23:08:45.979+04:00New Orleans: Do I Need a Passport For This Place?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Rather than 2013 New Year's Resolutions - I was set on making some 2013 decisions. Chief amongst them were buying a car, cleaning out my closet, and buying a winter coat for the first time in 6 years. I've also been toying with whether or not we keep up this blog. It's been 5 years and a great run. With the return to the US I wonder if people are still interested, or maybe, are we still interesting?<br />
<br />
That said it's still been a pretty wild ride these last few months. Coming home, contrary to popular belief, has been much harder than leaving and this adjustment is really taking some time. So, I've concluded that we'd keep up the blog as long as there was still something to say. Supporters, detractors, questions and comments are welcome!<br />
<br />
2013 started off with a bang, or maybe just the collective sound of the debauchery of Bourbon Street! Matt and I were simply delighted to help our friends John and Lynze celebrate their nuptials in the Big Easy for a NYE wedding that was simply spectacular. The fun we had was really driven in part by two factors. Firstly, New Orleans is awesome! It was my first time visiting and I took to the French Quarter like white on rice - or maybe powdered sugar on a beignet? The sights, the sounds, the...food, were all fantastic. The city has such a deep history with so many different cultural influences that I felt I could have been visiting another country. I found it a real gem.<br />
<br />
The other factor was that the wedding guest list including all our friends from Dubai as well as sissy Lisa and BFF Fiona, so the pure giddiness of seeing everyone for the first time in 6 months to a year was pretty darn exciting!<br />
<br />
Here's just a little of what we got into:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU22avFm1RmLfSDdEfyiAlYcnMCOSqZ66q1TuV7tnU290JjJp_y_pM2RZuD5TwPVkwWTSrrEvBLemxy8fXnOohYX2oCrl0LiVjnjf9hvbWsuYBqogZe2j9SXJkZgDL2vySsbV8TUtvgL27/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU22avFm1RmLfSDdEfyiAlYcnMCOSqZ66q1TuV7tnU290JjJp_y_pM2RZuD5TwPVkwWTSrrEvBLemxy8fXnOohYX2oCrl0LiVjnjf9hvbWsuYBqogZe2j9SXJkZgDL2vySsbV8TUtvgL27/s400/IMG_0207.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fair enough...I think all the pretty ones were at the wedding!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie56fbiiMtd72kQaEfu3gK2l1zEoBYtYj9wJ5F-NZGhVZ7jH3OETam3sm3acsU7PDUjqh-XeE06ksjojx9aKMhPSLPaz4oHMv-QUHrv6MT1bfJn-iaRDFuCkz3vAjhcL7Ej08Bm4Jhojyn/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie56fbiiMtd72kQaEfu3gK2l1zEoBYtYj9wJ5F-NZGhVZ7jH3OETam3sm3acsU7PDUjqh-XeE06ksjojx9aKMhPSLPaz4oHMv-QUHrv6MT1bfJn-iaRDFuCkz3vAjhcL7Ej08Bm4Jhojyn/s400/IMG_0195.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did Lisa mention her new dream job in marketing? (The Google thing is just a cover).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOYT5Z2VvlbKaD9lQLRLB9gm6kIxJa84FkqR3seH0WbORG1cB9O1wIaO9ZntAsuAjSbaPMYKoNJ1DmkfB0yL6nghubl_pHtDGGAdgNTGzKGZBczBFsUTrCmtXHuRUW2y5xdirwTr-AjN7/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOYT5Z2VvlbKaD9lQLRLB9gm6kIxJa84FkqR3seH0WbORG1cB9O1wIaO9ZntAsuAjSbaPMYKoNJ1DmkfB0yL6nghubl_pHtDGGAdgNTGzKGZBczBFsUTrCmtXHuRUW2y5xdirwTr-AjN7/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We laughed for 3 days straight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlFShFuOZlDQM9MRkw85K_1jZJI2b0V3AxxPkZ25nUaQQ9OlLaLOXJMAGkcanFunhvCLsob3Ro9FqWSx5gRPDAytHwkUV__N-WcGd6U8zCMtBJJsMJ68xCsvndpOOMD6JPQK1a7VCth7C/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlFShFuOZlDQM9MRkw85K_1jZJI2b0V3AxxPkZ25nUaQQ9OlLaLOXJMAGkcanFunhvCLsob3Ro9FqWSx5gRPDAytHwkUV__N-WcGd6U8zCMtBJJsMJ68xCsvndpOOMD6JPQK1a7VCth7C/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The rehearsal dinner held at Mardi Gras world was our first shrimp boil. Enough food for an army.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLNZD_DMBdR6xOqCu9eIBxaUdEJ6zDbI0qKxVPFjApoTXYhVDqkGpwE2Bl9yxgiyAb3dnI_rK6w_dFzNIOX7GBnJmbQaMBBKgGpsQQM2YBh-Jy69I_8OdTGXxsNFM0O21IBS10rw4PoZk/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLNZD_DMBdR6xOqCu9eIBxaUdEJ6zDbI0qKxVPFjApoTXYhVDqkGpwE2Bl9yxgiyAb3dnI_rK6w_dFzNIOX7GBnJmbQaMBBKgGpsQQM2YBh-Jy69I_8OdTGXxsNFM0O21IBS10rw4PoZk/s400/IMG_0247.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr. Incredible stares down the bride and groom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUnOF3jOVB93QkRdoUn9V7ZZCIQh-6Oae_wJGRhBStrU50RgNiR4-RwN-AgmUk-KUQpNGt41abXDkGPfQkOOGRFfHEHwMql1ufia9Z7olY3IrWCyLvIMGxWxgGvGwxEnui3f2Z7aj0sAM/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUnOF3jOVB93QkRdoUn9V7ZZCIQh-6Oae_wJGRhBStrU50RgNiR4-RwN-AgmUk-KUQpNGt41abXDkGPfQkOOGRFfHEHwMql1ufia9Z7olY3IrWCyLvIMGxWxgGvGwxEnui3f2Z7aj0sAM/s400/IMG_0289.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt and John welcome Knot Standard's third business partner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4SDy1ny-qZIw0Fxlu9uq6O4R46Gc8QAnF5XjRy0NEVF3danbN-5NuERvF86B7_Y8usRhydpuDGZHS0Kr5ydHGTI2_K_QFbVM8nWOxDuZyPlfaoCuEaoG11LJ3wjSMC6sm7mcuOWsaFMY/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4SDy1ny-qZIw0Fxlu9uq6O4R46Gc8QAnF5XjRy0NEVF3danbN-5NuERvF86B7_Y8usRhydpuDGZHS0Kr5ydHGTI2_K_QFbVM8nWOxDuZyPlfaoCuEaoG11LJ3wjSMC6sm7mcuOWsaFMY/s400/IMG_0302.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can find an elephant anywhere.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIJeX7xlXvqw4st_raYUyC7BeSVzaiMqDWc0KSjEO3g6OJv0oYZbwX6VK0A91pAaRg0QyMag6q98TJvciKmgHzyEJtFofpb8IFzUDar1k86AW39oWPRVkzoITehaRseWe8OI0kWV6_S89/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIJeX7xlXvqw4st_raYUyC7BeSVzaiMqDWc0KSjEO3g6OJv0oYZbwX6VK0A91pAaRg0QyMag6q98TJvciKmgHzyEJtFofpb8IFzUDar1k86AW39oWPRVkzoITehaRseWe8OI0kWV6_S89/s400/IMG_0313.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Too bad the 49ers didn't have Matt on the team.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0zTv0wrTe3c34xsE39BUNSI3DWdgFMGNZmA57Svrfh44ox8hNumn4n6q6TLelPMY705-RwvE6HgME-OdE97EoLIaKLW6xt-kzfwVPyEOQNWqYZ-JvwCLycBM-sOnH7dQsIK5FFjDx-_-/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0zTv0wrTe3c34xsE39BUNSI3DWdgFMGNZmA57Svrfh44ox8hNumn4n6q6TLelPMY705-RwvE6HgME-OdE97EoLIaKLW6xt-kzfwVPyEOQNWqYZ-JvwCLycBM-sOnH7dQsIK5FFjDx-_-/s400/IMG_0310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Friendship is like strumming the perfect chord. *Cheesy*!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepLRk4zmLmx__U0r8mmEDn-g_btfEyjPCwt4ZhtdSFJ9oE3y8R8zSX8Vg1jaHKUjXT9lNokDvOBoQT0dAd_IFDD-JHNVzU1T8ofKXyOJmFfZwLowwnIvwhw1R-nqYQK0qOdDY4C9jICQr/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepLRk4zmLmx__U0r8mmEDn-g_btfEyjPCwt4ZhtdSFJ9oE3y8R8zSX8Vg1jaHKUjXT9lNokDvOBoQT0dAd_IFDD-JHNVzU1T8ofKXyOJmFfZwLowwnIvwhw1R-nqYQK0qOdDY4C9jICQr/s400/IMG_0318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We even lured the father of the bride into the action.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUGYhXTEYt0XCDLMshYedMW7-tPPbAG7qEn1EG-Brm-Cq0-ri25bi93jh2jTVZSAlF2Fldj2T0cBGytgPHFV-1F_GQ2xqwwOLY8JPTMIOSxqEV-S3vT_uNS73QXNm1s4poOPx4kZKd76F/s1600/IMG_9748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUGYhXTEYt0XCDLMshYedMW7-tPPbAG7qEn1EG-Brm-Cq0-ri25bi93jh2jTVZSAlF2Fldj2T0cBGytgPHFV-1F_GQ2xqwwOLY8JPTMIOSxqEV-S3vT_uNS73QXNm1s4poOPx4kZKd76F/s400/IMG_9748.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some QT with the future Mrs. Ballay!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZzsDNHFT-DYSeRsqUFpETGr2KpcKY0GN5TSyfpGLqwQIIL6y-eNxyvYt1BZk7Pi_SW-lLEUT077JF2ZdK3QTvBts6HCP9FamPoycvrTMVAmD6I8GLrAYoI9v5NwdW9UmTaC1JVBAsMWV/s1600/IMG_4191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZzsDNHFT-DYSeRsqUFpETGr2KpcKY0GN5TSyfpGLqwQIIL6y-eNxyvYt1BZk7Pi_SW-lLEUT077JF2ZdK3QTvBts6HCP9FamPoycvrTMVAmD6I8GLrAYoI9v5NwdW9UmTaC1JVBAsMWV/s400/IMG_4191.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lovely church - still decorated for Christmas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty65KP2fXd-gsRDBH4-oNZfQGx36exnGLiLbC8aSf1zvpnPwEfxI78dx2OuH8mt9ejcs4KdnMoVHCw1XB9yOuB6sk0woDC25Wgbaj3iFQ_N-JCfAtXhophOL9nCZ00uCMTXsl2YDSle18/s1600/IMG_4227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty65KP2fXd-gsRDBH4-oNZfQGx36exnGLiLbC8aSf1zvpnPwEfxI78dx2OuH8mt9ejcs4KdnMoVHCw1XB9yOuB6sk0woDC25Wgbaj3iFQ_N-JCfAtXhophOL9nCZ00uCMTXsl2YDSle18/s400/IMG_4227.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The most memorable part of the evening was hands down the 'second line' from the church to the reception.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDO7fRK_biEqnJKzChS1pM1Vjn1_eWzg7O-bQbB9EwOcGs2Gsv0XFdS_wqI1EYaQ6XPf7yUXr_WY0ninpVFCEb6iATbEwBnr5e7IWTVdC8wTyrd9f2Id1SUC4oH-KDMPsBO4UeuLPkG0D/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDO7fRK_biEqnJKzChS1pM1Vjn1_eWzg7O-bQbB9EwOcGs2Gsv0XFdS_wqI1EYaQ6XPf7yUXr_WY0ninpVFCEb6iATbEwBnr5e7IWTVdC8wTyrd9f2Id1SUC4oH-KDMPsBO4UeuLPkG0D/s400/IMG_4235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't know what a second line is?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;">Second line</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;"> is a tradition in </span><span style="color: black;">brass band<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;"> </span>parades</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;"> in </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans,_Louisiana" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start; text-decoration: initial;" title="New Orleans, Louisiana"><span style="color: black;">New Orleans, Louisiana</span></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;">. The "main line" or "first line" is the main section of the parade, or the members of the actual club with the parading permit as well as the brass band. Those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the "second line." The second line's style of </span>traditional dance<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;">, in which participants walk and sometimes twirl a parasol or handkerchief in the air, is called "second lining." It has been called "the quintessential New Orleans art form.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;">And now for some fab pictures from the reception:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzTGrnxv_L7LfOTX5CG_zz6ygNX2MWElwcaEg99vm5HnbFhrdkZ2_N30wYafGqSZ_SexFkI9dNTFraE5FPeAvRiTztPDM5AZtz8OgCNIAi__UomPULEviCpsigBqqKKBDUxrBbEnC89K5/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzTGrnxv_L7LfOTX5CG_zz6ygNX2MWElwcaEg99vm5HnbFhrdkZ2_N30wYafGqSZ_SexFkI9dNTFraE5FPeAvRiTztPDM5AZtz8OgCNIAi__UomPULEviCpsigBqqKKBDUxrBbEnC89K5/s400/IMG_4253.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNhNGEj1-Duh_Nccc00hyphenhyphenGx0QT7riXauOwYsj_XnQf-Mru8hqBEWQ80O5Kh0gvAuQGVuONxp-Q8yzMYOkIUpYwK3uUJ5emN2MEA9FsgGKkeMyq5bVwadQYi3l1PA1xo5J1jJ1OOzzaenV/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNhNGEj1-Duh_Nccc00hyphenhyphenGx0QT7riXauOwYsj_XnQf-Mru8hqBEWQ80O5Kh0gvAuQGVuONxp-Q8yzMYOkIUpYwK3uUJ5emN2MEA9FsgGKkeMyq5bVwadQYi3l1PA1xo5J1jJ1OOzzaenV/s400/IMG_4257.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtpbX1llBvQsjcewr6GHbvdltOddvWBFaSS_i-IqwrsHleI6iZ2OGEG5N0CaCa9O2H7V-o1rgK627KPeMCzq-Pu3hgab8ZI-VsZLEEis_Tl8mVCwWtZ25a6X9HIQNgOkUFMgoJzGpUe-L/s1600/IMG_4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtpbX1llBvQsjcewr6GHbvdltOddvWBFaSS_i-IqwrsHleI6iZ2OGEG5N0CaCa9O2H7V-o1rgK627KPeMCzq-Pu3hgab8ZI-VsZLEEis_Tl8mVCwWtZ25a6X9HIQNgOkUFMgoJzGpUe-L/s400/IMG_4264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJt5emYvpk6toLzSX9sjR4DmNrFCk-mxXIaP44A8ZwyD6cEzIJaaur4ysb7-8iXNQohwFkRg3-Q-j9ng2pCHeJc9syevobZB2dLUEhV_2byStNurwBtRvGoRCa8-tq9Y_uTC1OdX5isst/s1600/IMG_4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJt5emYvpk6toLzSX9sjR4DmNrFCk-mxXIaP44A8ZwyD6cEzIJaaur4ysb7-8iXNQohwFkRg3-Q-j9ng2pCHeJc9syevobZB2dLUEhV_2byStNurwBtRvGoRCa8-tq9Y_uTC1OdX5isst/s400/IMG_4263.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9s1-Qd-9GxWL53RbRxZ1tw0hiQ1XdJx3hyphenhyphenLy-rNlGKCOtBQ3in5VijTXsm7uqaSFEhgVZgUuvtE2ojfL_nKpU3I4fYn16pXJ0ECXJEbdsrRF29yFJpthwA2z8_qaMXCxu9dhY7fwiK40/s1600/IMG_4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9s1-Qd-9GxWL53RbRxZ1tw0hiQ1XdJx3hyphenhyphenLy-rNlGKCOtBQ3in5VijTXsm7uqaSFEhgVZgUuvtE2ojfL_nKpU3I4fYn16pXJ0ECXJEbdsrRF29yFJpthwA2z8_qaMXCxu9dhY7fwiK40/s400/IMG_4254.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXEaTtDbsYxPgmnVHalV_uzJ-1vLwpbF0020JuIvIzG9T2Yv8UUsP5f7nnGGTRDffzlPsuehWgOYHVyCAgcuqK5lSflbl1bKjPK9ipEHjDnbqaxPGv_-4dJbO7IIxfY1BBVFy80OqUAkn/s1600/IMG_4276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXEaTtDbsYxPgmnVHalV_uzJ-1vLwpbF0020JuIvIzG9T2Yv8UUsP5f7nnGGTRDffzlPsuehWgOYHVyCAgcuqK5lSflbl1bKjPK9ipEHjDnbqaxPGv_-4dJbO7IIxfY1BBVFy80OqUAkn/s400/IMG_4276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7un6F0VicEcjweMM02GpIZu6hlCXjcjuPYaWbOqOv37BjxrbCOOc1l_Agp9xyngizgBH825HLBuPLoJ-S7iUGAKSEFqdnVRkDzY6HumSOPkqjvAT0ktRkoYasrd_l6FJfMzbdio2kfYP5/s1600/IMG_4306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7un6F0VicEcjweMM02GpIZu6hlCXjcjuPYaWbOqOv37BjxrbCOOc1l_Agp9xyngizgBH825HLBuPLoJ-S7iUGAKSEFqdnVRkDzY6HumSOPkqjvAT0ktRkoYasrd_l6FJfMzbdio2kfYP5/s400/IMG_4306.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSss3NBdrrdQkdSbMSvLUe0a0C5s9H9qkiGWXHm0cXUcf6w60TI3N49Voad0eFxI20RJNCtRPwCE_PYZiza18qIF99KFym0-qXB4fx8cK_-95CnjtocLiRYNJT5B1pNCNdx9ZANKB-9Bk3/s1600/IMG_4321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSss3NBdrrdQkdSbMSvLUe0a0C5s9H9qkiGWXHm0cXUcf6w60TI3N49Voad0eFxI20RJNCtRPwCE_PYZiza18qIF99KFym0-qXB4fx8cK_-95CnjtocLiRYNJT5B1pNCNdx9ZANKB-9Bk3/s400/IMG_4321.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNHqWb21s5KGxnxA8P1-nBl2GFLHvjJpNYI80K5XPi840l_N2b4QIdmUCnxiTdOP6w5bHTgHuxkEYi2h3P-2nnXImxWH78GLyF0yIZfwW-0VIDf_A43Fa0w8_23iug-s7Z4Au3EnwL_eZ/s1600/IMG_4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNHqWb21s5KGxnxA8P1-nBl2GFLHvjJpNYI80K5XPi840l_N2b4QIdmUCnxiTdOP6w5bHTgHuxkEYi2h3P-2nnXImxWH78GLyF0yIZfwW-0VIDf_A43Fa0w8_23iug-s7Z4Au3EnwL_eZ/s400/IMG_4303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GjdjxN06SC7lDpY5NzGCddnlA2c5B9L9tMS1Lqgkep6-t69xfdToCX6YnvY2BR4PB1b2rRdRel4KS76NYFDd5l7dq2f6u4aPFEuHwOsJMgnTgW1vklzfRipLGoSZbrD4acCZGYAtV92u/s1600/IMG_4335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GjdjxN06SC7lDpY5NzGCddnlA2c5B9L9tMS1Lqgkep6-t69xfdToCX6YnvY2BR4PB1b2rRdRel4KS76NYFDd5l7dq2f6u4aPFEuHwOsJMgnTgW1vklzfRipLGoSZbrD4acCZGYAtV92u/s400/IMG_4335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeBwawKcPikhjfpT2G_SixG3aJ34zhHPfa35E7D30uupXKw_sXRP_9sxC7A-xzE0njX58nyG59Q6iWyzRb9WBEghZyZPXU_JBQe5Bof3FiHrKvdy10WBpHb7atAmsGKA9SpwNn-awUM1p/s1600/IMG_4338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeBwawKcPikhjfpT2G_SixG3aJ34zhHPfa35E7D30uupXKw_sXRP_9sxC7A-xzE0njX58nyG59Q6iWyzRb9WBEghZyZPXU_JBQe5Bof3FiHrKvdy10WBpHb7atAmsGKA9SpwNn-awUM1p/s400/IMG_4338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't let their refined nature fool you. Earlier all these boys were swamp boating! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_DkbsSLB-OqMBa2kR6aH0LSzlIK2BWQzc_QSoUvu9uSdD6gvV6YCodu30Bw_JUDel6q-vJRxmHjDARjfnwRzu9011GEyEqsJyKMzX1szOa5gQUfJyq3NQXvWDM9piYR3EKZIRPAK0uOA/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_DkbsSLB-OqMBa2kR6aH0LSzlIK2BWQzc_QSoUvu9uSdD6gvV6YCodu30Bw_JUDel6q-vJRxmHjDARjfnwRzu9011GEyEqsJyKMzX1szOa5gQUfJyq3NQXvWDM9piYR3EKZIRPAK0uOA/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Basile trying to bring wall street fashion to the Bayou.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5vU8I-IeMRFz89DbiMNuMyyM4W7bel2LMZI2sJwRzQHDal6hgR_8wZi7lKaYH2XmQgHT6mwPUa8bOWZfusddd2-WaSxYPuH4Eu7uDx4quXTI3e5-54KcOjKMH2YsVqR5L5TP-rPHtAeT/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5vU8I-IeMRFz89DbiMNuMyyM4W7bel2LMZI2sJwRzQHDal6hgR_8wZi7lKaYH2XmQgHT6mwPUa8bOWZfusddd2-WaSxYPuH4Eu7uDx4quXTI3e5-54KcOjKMH2YsVqR5L5TP-rPHtAeT/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beers for breakfast for these boys.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxvYJaey271GX18QoSnBzkhm9dzHxgqhEjkfuig_QTE-8FuKpNxykUg4IGMqfwJStPrpJK5G2rPQ0ev-clFKShrOCQb73eqvM15-gB3Nredg0vEHyoLvOcvrXIVdyxxNkdh7LVvWmAAtR/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxvYJaey271GX18QoSnBzkhm9dzHxgqhEjkfuig_QTE-8FuKpNxykUg4IGMqfwJStPrpJK5G2rPQ0ev-clFKShrOCQb73eqvM15-gB3Nredg0vEHyoLvOcvrXIVdyxxNkdh7LVvWmAAtR/s400/IMG_0073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of the local scenery.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggawvOq4cus79UIt2GYq0LnLrbvPRKZllw2Axo3bzsjce2Me5t38BsVYvJ4-_WOUpPk2k7lR667Yajt59MP6OIGJW45hlZ8SfEjgDf1Q65LKKIZwV3dNG9XtPYWRQvM0HAZkjWFQrx4bro/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggawvOq4cus79UIt2GYq0LnLrbvPRKZllw2Axo3bzsjce2Me5t38BsVYvJ4-_WOUpPk2k7lR667Yajt59MP6OIGJW45hlZ8SfEjgDf1Q65LKKIZwV3dNG9XtPYWRQvM0HAZkjWFQrx4bro/s400/IMG_0102.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ever the humanitarian Matt tries to keep a baby alligator warm...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgFkfihK3BxRz9H-4urcmGF2Cc0lzLM-oUctjrpEqZF5MayOPW_Hb1dYS8eQlQHETEtazPzbkQt6H_F3is_FVXQM3j_9t9hzugkeTucD7AMU2zOqh1f-OCm1PXAxMj7kosApijJ1mLgsC/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgFkfihK3BxRz9H-4urcmGF2Cc0lzLM-oUctjrpEqZF5MayOPW_Hb1dYS8eQlQHETEtazPzbkQt6H_F3is_FVXQM3j_9t9hzugkeTucD7AMU2zOqh1f-OCm1PXAxMj7kosApijJ1mLgsC/s400/IMG_0107.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and Basile attempts a snack.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiFZESnxB75Lmg6IOcSDDoHTJgdztdcnKwpg8Lc7abtaUaQ7S-qQ5F0nE-3QBph3OBRZ7Tu7oQhW0EUvE9s6BQn87Ne6Q3p-9pFy6Lny9X0K1odR-FZRsfwM_q9S4UsM4jHrBXv6RHu-T/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiFZESnxB75Lmg6IOcSDDoHTJgdztdcnKwpg8Lc7abtaUaQ7S-qQ5F0nE-3QBph3OBRZ7Tu7oQhW0EUvE9s6BQn87Ne6Q3p-9pFy6Lny9X0K1odR-FZRsfwM_q9S4UsM4jHrBXv6RHu-T/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hard to believe a major city is just a short drive away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fNLo2yd7OsG9rnKaIkPnRDc-snSVTOv4Wk-YrCY8FHXOQTqQj9x2bsCBgCd7VTTr4Jku_78XlIZ79eaxAUUgUUkIiic33OIvhvRDYwTBSMyqe2G-f_CZkXB35wXuOX3sOBdGoSs-FoxG/s1600/IMG_9990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fNLo2yd7OsG9rnKaIkPnRDc-snSVTOv4Wk-YrCY8FHXOQTqQj9x2bsCBgCd7VTTr4Jku_78XlIZ79eaxAUUgUUkIiic33OIvhvRDYwTBSMyqe2G-f_CZkXB35wXuOX3sOBdGoSs-FoxG/s400/IMG_9990.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See you later alligator - hope to be back in Nawlins soon!</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-29518236758377687402012-12-11T05:33:00.002+04:002012-12-11T05:33:55.449+04:00Victoria Falls: One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We've been fortunate to have many moments on our travels that make us feel like we are seeing a little slice of the world unknown to many. As we headed further towards the African interior, Victoria Falls, became one of those very special places. Vic Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Statistically speaking, it is the largest waterfall in the world. This recognition comes from combining the height and width together to create the largest single sheet of flowing water.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Victoria Falls is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and travelers can access the falls through either Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River, which originates in northern Zambia, serves as the fall's water source.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The name Victoria Falls was given to the falls by the Scottish explorer Dr. David Livingstone. He named the falls after the reining queen at the time. The locals called the falls Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning “smoke that thunders.” </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Everything about Victoria Falls looks like it is leaping from the pages of romantic African novel, from the gentle babble of the Zambezi river (during low season) </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">punctuated</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> by the </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">occasional</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> grunts of the prolific hippo pods, to the </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">mosquito nets billowing in the breeze</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> while your treated to a massive blood red sunset, it has all the elements of an quaint and exotic back water, enhanced with the Victorian touches of a bygone colonial era.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-right: 2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Life in Zambia is hard however, it has one of the highest incidence rates of HIV in the world, and most live in poverty. Our tourist guide told us that he had recently recovered from malaria, which he had contracted now for the </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">fiftieth time. Our river guide, nicknamed Potato, slipped into a coma after nearly drowning after being tossed into a whirlpool on one of his daily trips down the rapids a few years ago. When I asked him if he was terrified to return back to the river he simply said "how else would my family eat?" There is a underlying sense that survival teeters on a knife's edge in Zambia and yet it's clear that major investments in infrastructure and education are taking place. The Zambian's are a high spirited and hopeful people, and we can't say enough about how meaningful our visit was with them. We carry them in our heart and our minds until the day we get to say 'hello' again. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf1XjleNCwzNaYebQHnJPLwhMjh7rgXXj_zEdt1bPXUkWZyjYU1rWTIFeisxFz9bSx8JlBjYjb09p_WydjeqkESeysQhIK0CiEila8pUMy6kyhyphenhyphenMRPixh-FH91wynqbO4nG_siKyJB28Z/s1600/IMG_5037+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf1XjleNCwzNaYebQHnJPLwhMjh7rgXXj_zEdt1bPXUkWZyjYU1rWTIFeisxFz9bSx8JlBjYjb09p_WydjeqkESeysQhIK0CiEila8pUMy6kyhyphenhyphenMRPixh-FH91wynqbO4nG_siKyJB28Z/s400/IMG_5037+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A room with a view - the open air cottage enjoys an amazing view of the Zambezi</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCqG2vbK1aX4T7V2epzReL0v_M8WDfEwOmEtgzdljY002LnkP0SYV4RF-DP6SyZbYQgX9imNkKQ4qFUVNH5di4pMZC6y9Y2rmsSBxSTWHqtp-_VdlkfKP2BgTNF896cvgD4luYdlwZFVr/s1600/IMG_5071+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCqG2vbK1aX4T7V2epzReL0v_M8WDfEwOmEtgzdljY002LnkP0SYV4RF-DP6SyZbYQgX9imNkKQ4qFUVNH5di4pMZC6y9Y2rmsSBxSTWHqtp-_VdlkfKP2BgTNF896cvgD4luYdlwZFVr/s400/IMG_5071+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A beautiful sunset washed the shores in pink light</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoN3qua9PxSGBqB8hDHQwhN_zgWqMr2vyrxEZ7KELgOFUf8QlfXLYB27JotP_5G9605kGoYq007NH1w0CaoDpNe42sFt7YH_Uwk7rbeQpT9OmVIuNHvLq1sXC0PGaq85A0n_sdEifa1MtE/s1600/IMG_5081+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoN3qua9PxSGBqB8hDHQwhN_zgWqMr2vyrxEZ7KELgOFUf8QlfXLYB27JotP_5G9605kGoYq007NH1w0CaoDpNe42sFt7YH_Uwk7rbeQpT9OmVIuNHvLq1sXC0PGaq85A0n_sdEifa1MtE/s400/IMG_5081+-+Copy.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These traditional boats are carved from a single tree</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5BkZjOtJU-V280sx9a4jvewFOjGkL8Ch0lyj9rYOH_cB9N2wgkr8jNEyrz0RqsBwbZVmGb9K7ubsCzl0hLKRKHJBXEVt9TXE24Ps746D-CMsKzBOniPBahp9lyGlS7hn2NULJLBp4iIv/s1600/IMG_5123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5BkZjOtJU-V280sx9a4jvewFOjGkL8Ch0lyj9rYOH_cB9N2wgkr8jNEyrz0RqsBwbZVmGb9K7ubsCzl0hLKRKHJBXEVt9TXE24Ps746D-CMsKzBOniPBahp9lyGlS7hn2NULJLBp4iIv/s400/IMG_5123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the two dozen times I've been escorted back to my room on safari, we've never encountered anything - this time there was a hippo in our path! A face to face with Africa's most dangerous animal definitely gets the heart rate going. (When this happens you back away, slowly, without turning your back on the animal) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ggCPGqzEL26T0OlpNnT__CkOTMAi3nEvfYYwy31sghJSWRMBwy48wALaWqmPzuXeIdxurLKeUfq706rfxX5KTzdyPBOcbLw1vyciAxCLLjLwo5Zhe5o4rGUcIS61M_OZbJCQKSLkYT3_/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ggCPGqzEL26T0OlpNnT__CkOTMAi3nEvfYYwy31sghJSWRMBwy48wALaWqmPzuXeIdxurLKeUfq706rfxX5KTzdyPBOcbLw1vyciAxCLLjLwo5Zhe5o4rGUcIS61M_OZbJCQKSLkYT3_/s400/IMG_5145.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Following in the foot steps of David Livingstone</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c8pMdoUFIuEa5DMGaYQXD7W74gvLw1kGa7gT2c74oCYLtRRynhlxRJwBpqi7hbUdNPMHUfu4Fknv18dD8J2sK4TTmUD8ymUj_QciUx8qPKELetzPWrM5e2BtQ15twhdFlDGkWZqFibFO/s1600/IMG_5263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c8pMdoUFIuEa5DMGaYQXD7W74gvLw1kGa7gT2c74oCYLtRRynhlxRJwBpqi7hbUdNPMHUfu4Fknv18dD8J2sK4TTmUD8ymUj_QciUx8qPKELetzPWrM5e2BtQ15twhdFlDGkWZqFibFO/s400/IMG_5263.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of the fuzzy local foliage</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHtc24UfKWDYLNR75HHmTmNh0otC0mYa6qng8z6ohH3dCc1Nteey8k_z6NMeHnugApX3f6KdNdfpssFTj06hD5hpIRaFTTeTm0I4tRTuNjmw5xhgQgYPA21ulTh7HKt4WnREa6HzcI-9e/s1600/IMG_5270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHtc24UfKWDYLNR75HHmTmNh0otC0mYa6qng8z6ohH3dCc1Nteey8k_z6NMeHnugApX3f6KdNdfpssFTj06hD5hpIRaFTTeTm0I4tRTuNjmw5xhgQgYPA21ulTh7HKt4WnREa6HzcI-9e/s400/IMG_5270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To the falls! The rainbows form off the cliffs due to the amount of mist in the air.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4FOHfbbxb7jNrVFQ06G2cItf2NaYhoz_Ii86Gc1mZoF88hU9S0Qrj52WZVRbnZBItzLfuUnEysrpOQBIo7Sht4GY8RfXFZIyVQzzA-NNjyWJYUoaQ0mz-0C5x7Y8-MakHXVD6xkwZBH0/s1600/IMG_5275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4FOHfbbxb7jNrVFQ06G2cItf2NaYhoz_Ii86Gc1mZoF88hU9S0Qrj52WZVRbnZBItzLfuUnEysrpOQBIo7Sht4GY8RfXFZIyVQzzA-NNjyWJYUoaQ0mz-0C5x7Y8-MakHXVD6xkwZBH0/s400/IMG_5275.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the dry season, so you can see much more rock than normal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift3xXMVYgXT6GCVspTyz6H7pw_Jq3tpTXeDtXeBZtCgJsz-EpbMhfFqXazNMgyldaPgGuuER3keFcXOi4COciAPaAbcXVVnHh-FN8za_0cy5rIsKsW5dmGvqaQREVVIZEUrsG3nYlWQyV/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift3xXMVYgXT6GCVspTyz6H7pw_Jq3tpTXeDtXeBZtCgJsz-EpbMhfFqXazNMgyldaPgGuuER3keFcXOi4COciAPaAbcXVVnHh-FN8za_0cy5rIsKsW5dmGvqaQREVVIZEUrsG3nYlWQyV/s400/IMG_5292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No optical illusion here! Matt takes the plunge into the Devil's Pool!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipWIVbRW_K2Z0bXQmwlAZvw7XJ9qDFlei3kPn8xsEPamaSv4gP6AGdIjtVFj_L-RoEGL_qGJuh5WJotRquq0Ty7pdN0TCAqRdhBkLIPgx6LdDnUwcfg_GIzQ5YaJ7E8lAT57omQHR_dOD/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipWIVbRW_K2Z0bXQmwlAZvw7XJ9qDFlei3kPn8xsEPamaSv4gP6AGdIjtVFj_L-RoEGL_qGJuh5WJotRquq0Ty7pdN0TCAqRdhBkLIPgx6LdDnUwcfg_GIzQ5YaJ7E8lAT57omQHR_dOD/s400/IMG_5305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Living life on the edge?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFwLrnGZZQnDnuiOXe5AvFlokKbKdUjNQq0UVcwIj9CLijTv-bjd1L8ZgJ1NvnDaLq_UU4VjmFemNRMeCOVSFpt3vA8wdFTkGoorZGaRMfe7sQE9dKWF8wtzWBLED1cyVrcmg-BE60fmj/s1600/IMGP6733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFwLrnGZZQnDnuiOXe5AvFlokKbKdUjNQq0UVcwIj9CLijTv-bjd1L8ZgJ1NvnDaLq_UU4VjmFemNRMeCOVSFpt3vA8wdFTkGoorZGaRMfe7sQE9dKWF8wtzWBLED1cyVrcmg-BE60fmj/s400/IMGP6733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt decided that hanging off the edge of the falls wasn't enough, so we signed up for white water rafting. What follows is without a doubt one of the scariest experiences of my life. Take me back to the edge of the falls any day!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of the 10 rapids we ran on the half-day trip, SEVEN were CLASS 5 - I think my heart is still pumping. You know you are in trouble when your river safety guide begins with "so guys, <i>when</i> the boat flips over here is what you do". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUlK8HUF-esihSvMuRXiKA2OEVrRlqBhXskWzW-INY7v7r0mawrwLJjBZOK8Fyx4FqwQPkoWjrarLLDJNFTbBp3CKMAGM5Qx91vc-j5Gl4JGKpsh3egFWCw17h5HXDv0TUhDy6tHPLabD/s1600/IMGP6719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUlK8HUF-esihSvMuRXiKA2OEVrRlqBhXskWzW-INY7v7r0mawrwLJjBZOK8Fyx4FqwQPkoWjrarLLDJNFTbBp3CKMAGM5Qx91vc-j5Gl4JGKpsh3egFWCw17h5HXDv0TUhDy6tHPLabD/s400/IMGP6719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I forgot to bring my scuba gear.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjTofRsUDX71PehQtq6rNUnJw9HKIbknwc66XMkvcyNgUmwTM_5hel_fwa4CCQNJ5J4TtOKpuhQtNwHTe5AIe5csAHzAqawdqlefgfX083EB2JRxEnqEW1bIcwQj_lqtoberI02O_PhHo/s1600/IMGP6727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjTofRsUDX71PehQtq6rNUnJw9HKIbknwc66XMkvcyNgUmwTM_5hel_fwa4CCQNJ5J4TtOKpuhQtNwHTe5AIe5csAHzAqawdqlefgfX083EB2JRxEnqEW1bIcwQj_lqtoberI02O_PhHo/s400/IMGP6727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, Mother Nature, you win! (I'm in the blue, Matt is right in front of me, engulfed by the wave that is about to pummel me).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtrIoz7r06P_Yly868rvXxGfNOBaccQd59FvX19qw4fR_ZUj7LUqZPEu3tYkOVF7Io2oBLFTUVzFFD9bFIKHAKTAZ8Oleky6OPr1bk2ecBWHVUx2dHo32CKrGCm7ezZtT_FUJNTgbEMWB/s1600/IMG_5363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtrIoz7r06P_Yly868rvXxGfNOBaccQd59FvX19qw4fR_ZUj7LUqZPEu3tYkOVF7Io2oBLFTUVzFFD9bFIKHAKTAZ8Oleky6OPr1bk2ecBWHVUx2dHo32CKrGCm7ezZtT_FUJNTgbEMWB/s400/IMG_5363.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After that day, observing the river from dry land was a welcome change. This is the front of our cottage on Sindabezi Island looking at the Zimbabwe National Park.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs5H959PwLDWxU9wNZWlW6wv3UQ-C0fjQXmdu2WNI-01Y1OOVtCnr8ab-XkXPLXyFOZCLKNtXewfdOF2sDbWR53WbOD8goGbv6WHzlVT0Z47wuRAJ8e_QMKgy6vwHSSuxLFAV7gjKM5EM/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs5H959PwLDWxU9wNZWlW6wv3UQ-C0fjQXmdu2WNI-01Y1OOVtCnr8ab-XkXPLXyFOZCLKNtXewfdOF2sDbWR53WbOD8goGbv6WHzlVT0Z47wuRAJ8e_QMKgy6vwHSSuxLFAV7gjKM5EM/s400/IMG_5367.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The shower facilities were au naturale. They even ran me a bubble bath one night!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc2gtGlsT6Qx94Jzj9Y9hf8yCq90OeW0oRQRWwb_arOX5s-Qp8RSSHAX_hwUObzj6N8ZuRVYmqxlCbge4FWYRVlMLyDk_IJjnSkVVAQGjeUz8RNItg6-Qw7WTEjMeE8tJKektM8Fm4-CB/s1600/IMG_5443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc2gtGlsT6Qx94Jzj9Y9hf8yCq90OeW0oRQRWwb_arOX5s-Qp8RSSHAX_hwUObzj6N8ZuRVYmqxlCbge4FWYRVlMLyDk_IJjnSkVVAQGjeUz8RNItg6-Qw7WTEjMeE8tJKektM8Fm4-CB/s400/IMG_5443.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The humidity lead to a stunning heat lighting display every night. It looked like a rock concert was taking place.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51Suj3RQIJJj0pUdK8a8JxLcABZYlFNVp8JoC82pk1igpGtwL4fLi0gRNNYOCbMIOK_tdxLNu0KooXbpkWgPdmzYCvTpIB5hXLndnEWk84DAVy4JboB1dzZ85lSWiceWroBRvPFIvF4JQ/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51Suj3RQIJJj0pUdK8a8JxLcABZYlFNVp8JoC82pk1igpGtwL4fLi0gRNNYOCbMIOK_tdxLNu0KooXbpkWgPdmzYCvTpIB5hXLndnEWk84DAVy4JboB1dzZ85lSWiceWroBRvPFIvF4JQ/s400/IMG_5587.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the Royal Livingstone hotel, they employ only the finest lawn mowers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwnFQ8VNsfWCzsGT6i0ruQqmktPmCb8nic-vQLb2m_sZxdd_QOrwK3hKV89xc9nkIC9AstOZ3bkQsJPXDJyYvBJVEypi9P8tKzAhR3JYoeHlY2GWgmpRmrh2tBPCe6Tkvq-4doR74BsZV/s1600/IMG_5576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwnFQ8VNsfWCzsGT6i0ruQqmktPmCb8nic-vQLb2m_sZxdd_QOrwK3hKV89xc9nkIC9AstOZ3bkQsJPXDJyYvBJVEypi9P8tKzAhR3JYoeHlY2GWgmpRmrh2tBPCe6Tkvq-4doR74BsZV/s400/IMG_5576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To the victor of the Zambezi goes the spoils! We treated our bruised bodies to high tea - a perfect send off from beautiful Victoria Falls and our African adventure. Thanks, for coming along!</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-88576934319623655842012-12-04T03:16:00.000+04:002012-12-04T03:16:35.269+04:00When Nature Calls: Ask Her to Book You a Safari<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Brian Jackman, 2004 Travel Writer of the Year once said, "Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all." It's true, I've been ailing from my safari </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;">affliction since our 2009 honeymoon in Kenya. There is something so wonderful about safari that it's hard to describe if you've never been on one. There is a feeling that no habitat, or zoo could ever capture - which is that you are really there on the animal's terms. The privilege of watching a leopard stalk his prey, or a new born baby monkey cling to its mother's back, is just something that can truly not be recreated. It also reinforces the often ignored blessing of patience. Animals do not cater to your ego. Therefore, safari is in some ways a great equalizer. No matter who you are, or how much money you have, or how important you may be - the rest of mother nature doesn't care. The animal kingdom isn't trained to make sure you get your money's worth. To capture all of these moments is luck of the draw, and based on the animals allowing you to share it. I also love it because it's not all razzle and dazzle. In a world that gets faster and flashier with each passing moment, we've become accustomed to an over stimulated environment that can often mean we don't, quite literally, stop and smell the roses. In a day where you see no big game, you being to take solace in watching a bird build it's nest, or listening to the incredible symphony of the various tree frogs, and realize that these things, too, are far more beautiful than you ever allowed your ears and eyes to believe. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">I can't say enough for our safari experiences except to say that I am deeply, deeply moved by the moments that I've witness in the African plains and Savannah and that the addiction to safari is a welcome one, as long as the remedy is to experience it as many times as possible. There is no experience I can recommend more highly.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">The following are a collection of our favorite images from the Kruger National Park in South Africa and Richard Branson's private reserve Ulusaba in the Sabi Sands. More so now than ever, I do really feel that the photographs speak for themselves.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE2jKaLJqRLd7uah-OM3FgYP3sPDvwYRci5uFSNZXXhIGU-F8mOHcSubnBBH6DwLKM7bAHXInuo6Kav7ZmCYKVa0GtwaNVkmn0zyKxQk9SY3xMkpMCqZyBWUdeInIjFVZNOa1QgmI2vq-/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE2jKaLJqRLd7uah-OM3FgYP3sPDvwYRci5uFSNZXXhIGU-F8mOHcSubnBBH6DwLKM7bAHXInuo6Kav7ZmCYKVa0GtwaNVkmn0zyKxQk9SY3xMkpMCqZyBWUdeInIjFVZNOa1QgmI2vq-/s400/IMG_3709.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A stunning male Kudu crosses the road in Kruger. Check out that car for scale.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66Ez2Ho7mR2cuLtubdOthr1B94AGOwrJDHRJoC6RqGa52gwzWqkWnGGPy3V-YUP1SSak1SfhbRnh2-4RttSTGUD94NlexWeigin1IWcAjR6rtWoxSCVqogc70pE0Otf1CORffAIRRnR1f/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66Ez2Ho7mR2cuLtubdOthr1B94AGOwrJDHRJoC6RqGa52gwzWqkWnGGPy3V-YUP1SSak1SfhbRnh2-4RttSTGUD94NlexWeigin1IWcAjR6rtWoxSCVqogc70pE0Otf1CORffAIRRnR1f/s400/IMG_3767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the rarest animals to see on safari, the African wild dog, stunningly effective pack hunters.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NQb_dxqwt5CCcd6_S9CjTJ5ZiAqt3QFvdzvphl3x1RG2eyZgsmyrlgvfH2cKEXfZ_XgsR8iqxkv5rMXx_nFejNjVqcbeJfE2y3D6DAT_-Qkt-349Rc1b98cfHJdlfbqu1JhQS7BDdLT_/s1600/IMG_3822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NQb_dxqwt5CCcd6_S9CjTJ5ZiAqt3QFvdzvphl3x1RG2eyZgsmyrlgvfH2cKEXfZ_XgsR8iqxkv5rMXx_nFejNjVqcbeJfE2y3D6DAT_-Qkt-349Rc1b98cfHJdlfbqu1JhQS7BDdLT_/s400/IMG_3822.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sharing the open plain with a mother white rhino and her new baby was a truly special place for a sundowner (read: safari happy hour drinks).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ0uNrkBIQmT07YlKui_mCEs_ozc7XdlhC8WyhHbrF1-lxNv5UU6Vn5huSdKoflqnzJnDGOUpYbZ6N73M4cCcshsN8GXzJVdjyyGOa9SAN4kofInE2DE2oTq9ZH0k_yUE-qta9S0xWbkZ/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ0uNrkBIQmT07YlKui_mCEs_ozc7XdlhC8WyhHbrF1-lxNv5UU6Vn5huSdKoflqnzJnDGOUpYbZ6N73M4cCcshsN8GXzJVdjyyGOa9SAN4kofInE2DE2oTq9ZH0k_yUE-qta9S0xWbkZ/s400/IMG_3928.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just in case you needed reminding that they aren't just cute and cuddly. This male baboon makes himself known.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJObjmyf09VGxZPoVcy0a-G0zkQVc2Umf57BHXxQzps1JcIy7EY-NjxDQ7AFEmoj8cBCS3y0QIUX19FZzJOFzhbscZrB3t9B-CdoiiOUCcqAn2YGwLttFIHASzoCDLym6nXnWAk5hO7LqJ/s1600/IMG_3960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJObjmyf09VGxZPoVcy0a-G0zkQVc2Umf57BHXxQzps1JcIy7EY-NjxDQ7AFEmoj8cBCS3y0QIUX19FZzJOFzhbscZrB3t9B-CdoiiOUCcqAn2YGwLttFIHASzoCDLym6nXnWAk5hO7LqJ/s400/IMG_3960.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes you are just too tall to get to the good stuff!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnITrty_Qp7tMMTURHifQLWkcUgZiJ4UtJL2UuEXMlycGEPB6919XBusyDfkTmQ3lPTdanU7eh1kARkcuwT3a5tIQsWflwc5crGiIPxaklPaug5ZkX-OlwYmkBc5-_LSaN1_rmo1z1Tma/s1600/IMG_4019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnITrty_Qp7tMMTURHifQLWkcUgZiJ4UtJL2UuEXMlycGEPB6919XBusyDfkTmQ3lPTdanU7eh1kARkcuwT3a5tIQsWflwc5crGiIPxaklPaug5ZkX-OlwYmkBc5-_LSaN1_rmo1z1Tma/s400/IMG_4019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Achilles heel. I simply love elephants and seeing the largest land mammal in the world grazing just a few feet away always takes my breath away. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LQoUxfxfuMRiJgC0OgVMFkB5QnmuxfotSnVTb4fufcQ_i7o51NpX0WoIo-35UwT1WDIg0dcgPAp96vlwpSkZqOrw809Jcs-_oeDnIqUN_OiVTMvQEMq35j2EqyxBNyRwMQ9lIpnBHM7Q/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LQoUxfxfuMRiJgC0OgVMFkB5QnmuxfotSnVTb4fufcQ_i7o51NpX0WoIo-35UwT1WDIg0dcgPAp96vlwpSkZqOrw809Jcs-_oeDnIqUN_OiVTMvQEMq35j2EqyxBNyRwMQ9lIpnBHM7Q/s400/IMG_4031.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The beautiful site of mother and (very new) baby. Only about 150lbs at 2 months old!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw39prJtH8X-ecL3nkL41nAJ-vNuI7ZlBb2k9mFa6dfw_I7gi9166byikvfmYyDU10ta8bIdvc56vvEIREuU-aYZH1jXtEHKXzajDmC8jZrALreKDzvlhSVa7TOe_QdGTBU3cs8THtaeE1/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw39prJtH8X-ecL3nkL41nAJ-vNuI7ZlBb2k9mFa6dfw_I7gi9166byikvfmYyDU10ta8bIdvc56vvEIREuU-aYZH1jXtEHKXzajDmC8jZrALreKDzvlhSVa7TOe_QdGTBU3cs8THtaeE1/s400/IMG_4054.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A hot shower is always a luxury in the bush but being about to do so outside looking at the dry riverbed was wonderful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnhZK-yiPl0Zj4qnlUQk6OmWEJUJWcCsw3BrkeFn5oBAaRgK2MQUHuXUHnMI2QzWz3_LmkSG8uNS-xtZGyNpuiUX9I16tFVRkBLF1k7kHBKvrPMeNjzS0td9qfbJdsIdwNl7EJZTskd4e/s1600/IMG_4058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnhZK-yiPl0Zj4qnlUQk6OmWEJUJWcCsw3BrkeFn5oBAaRgK2MQUHuXUHnMI2QzWz3_LmkSG8uNS-xtZGyNpuiUX9I16tFVRkBLF1k7kHBKvrPMeNjzS0td9qfbJdsIdwNl7EJZTskd4e/s400/IMG_4058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You never go hungry on safari, I think the guides like to make sure you look tastier than they are in case of emergency.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4A3rpYMJnVUoa4J0hNICZ0RqBamjqO8vzAxLV89pHgvh1Iz0x7ovkbDJrGH-og2sC5Q9b_VcqtTFAjOLeTqedHrQ8GUc1Idg47QpAxxmDJfxndrlyPuEdON-8q-iQRuMitayEDWJlNzso/s1600/IMG_4089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4A3rpYMJnVUoa4J0hNICZ0RqBamjqO8vzAxLV89pHgvh1Iz0x7ovkbDJrGH-og2sC5Q9b_VcqtTFAjOLeTqedHrQ8GUc1Idg47QpAxxmDJfxndrlyPuEdON-8q-iQRuMitayEDWJlNzso/s400/IMG_4089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All I want for Christmas is a...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX8YbY4pRqeWS442vKP0TOMngX4FnbMseymoyF_F_Nc6KGUO-oe-uA9n_MlolZRxu4OlBZymBZkgQOYYKi2ji9IvzfDHaCJ-49KRC6nYcuXbGARCh1Xnm8p-AH8EOxeJ0C2TBMM4UAD_v/s1600/IMG_4093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX8YbY4pRqeWS442vKP0TOMngX4FnbMseymoyF_F_Nc6KGUO-oe-uA9n_MlolZRxu4OlBZymBZkgQOYYKi2ji9IvzfDHaCJ-49KRC6nYcuXbGARCh1Xnm8p-AH8EOxeJ0C2TBMM4UAD_v/s400/IMG_4093.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This lady had it rough. She was tired and hungry, unfortunately she had a near miss with a warthog as we watched her, which meant back the the drawing board for dinner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK71pVSm5hYo51r7z36hpixxX5h9EzZxP-l_t5ZTZobmSU_2tWJV74u9W9g-jMWK2Oq5WysNQDWxoa3I6xwbb86kaKELYgicL4tRwAJ0DE9oJisWE78h5_UG35Xrxbc7Jb-EFUxohxKfgL/s1600/IMG_4173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK71pVSm5hYo51r7z36hpixxX5h9EzZxP-l_t5ZTZobmSU_2tWJV74u9W9g-jMWK2Oq5WysNQDWxoa3I6xwbb86kaKELYgicL4tRwAJ0DE9oJisWE78h5_UG35Xrxbc7Jb-EFUxohxKfgL/s400/IMG_4173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A true tailgate. The bar is open!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4jC4z8wTxeWFkA6xE1MkNZLPl5ZC060c7b3C3AwrrGvE8RvFYIITwh7PAisyV0EE6GM-_66p7Fn2368vqoft044gbO0tdRHahfHzVYf1qVDSeqK6klM7dtOhoVwOKhvir_LD9laKQMzp/s1600/IMG_4215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4jC4z8wTxeWFkA6xE1MkNZLPl5ZC060c7b3C3AwrrGvE8RvFYIITwh7PAisyV0EE6GM-_66p7Fn2368vqoft044gbO0tdRHahfHzVYf1qVDSeqK6klM7dtOhoVwOKhvir_LD9laKQMzp/s400/IMG_4215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazing our guide spotted this chameleon at night in a tree, and Matt of course, took the chance to say hello.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZHVYPdlSBbon8ASi35MNvV2d_tIp0BY7pA67aBQK_wg4NKRzNBPGOt_Z8cMugmQXBrBExP0RddaJbbX9TsHtTBTGlvdbUVhDLZy586Li4FGgQoCBQvViFJg-zl8ctz8nWkEWZl_aW6cr/s1600/IMG_4221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZHVYPdlSBbon8ASi35MNvV2d_tIp0BY7pA67aBQK_wg4NKRzNBPGOt_Z8cMugmQXBrBExP0RddaJbbX9TsHtTBTGlvdbUVhDLZy586Li4FGgQoCBQvViFJg-zl8ctz8nWkEWZl_aW6cr/s400/IMG_4221.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No better place for a dinner over the fire than during the full moon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCe5YynSaB5leKl8A3s2BrhavxkPtuP1U__5Jz1XdYXtwQ-ZPYmW8y2sNTX4aAwQrucrikf7mr0lkmBl96qz4O0xd7Jg_fCYdd9XNnHaTULNHEGzLPNYQjEPgDDEJlIU0ee4MTY6vQThG/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCe5YynSaB5leKl8A3s2BrhavxkPtuP1U__5Jz1XdYXtwQ-ZPYmW8y2sNTX4aAwQrucrikf7mr0lkmBl96qz4O0xd7Jg_fCYdd9XNnHaTULNHEGzLPNYQjEPgDDEJlIU0ee4MTY6vQThG/s400/IMG_4486.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While we don't see much at night, no doubt this guy does.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSwgWiCY4lsZ5OaSFgxBSNuV4y81b_od6Fg_R8794Ke3_Z57ccPgcfQLTUypkVWlzVODTGCA481itJaK71I-jduKtNcy7Gl7dO5pBzZ4PruMl5oOpcVD1M0dNF0ghQ3XvnXX-vR81_-nC/s1600/IMG_4621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSwgWiCY4lsZ5OaSFgxBSNuV4y81b_od6Fg_R8794Ke3_Z57ccPgcfQLTUypkVWlzVODTGCA481itJaK71I-jduKtNcy7Gl7dO5pBzZ4PruMl5oOpcVD1M0dNF0ghQ3XvnXX-vR81_-nC/s400/IMG_4621.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We tried a lot of new experiences this holiday including an attempt at facial hair!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiPwaLbly1wQ5vgstY6x0bVPf_Z0lny_IdR7URKccqsnYVee4fZt5475r04K-MRWPglg96Qr62aLjR7pjgXSSvNqkdsosKNxkiKfMJCinFRFCSlqMyZvOiTmGqS8BiGlP-AChTA_9ONWv/s1600/IMG_4767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiPwaLbly1wQ5vgstY6x0bVPf_Z0lny_IdR7URKccqsnYVee4fZt5475r04K-MRWPglg96Qr62aLjR7pjgXSSvNqkdsosKNxkiKfMJCinFRFCSlqMyZvOiTmGqS8BiGlP-AChTA_9ONWv/s400/IMG_4767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view overlooking the Savannah from the Rock Lodge at Ulusaba.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhyphenhyphenLqI_URe6zh8HxRRuIG8O-aw9gEy0OuOYNpSCxAWjRHY9t6_PRsxKROtxoWAMO5pZUq5YByYRQvF9b2lOO68gdjRxQeT1HnvCHVtoS0qEZxonW_LFd4Fm8G-lluoNt8VpSfkwLHwjw5/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhyphenhyphenLqI_URe6zh8HxRRuIG8O-aw9gEy0OuOYNpSCxAWjRHY9t6_PRsxKROtxoWAMO5pZUq5YByYRQvF9b2lOO68gdjRxQeT1HnvCHVtoS0qEZxonW_LFd4Fm8G-lluoNt8VpSfkwLHwjw5/s400/IMG_4847.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We got super luck finding this queen hyena's den! And there were two little cubs to entertain us!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnrMN0lSPKDcaJw_Od33KWn3HuDT60kdAzRdQ43w9fuCwpfo_kywFtY1Z-XCrift_cB2hY9M35uJIeeaOxH5Z85UD25JRiqbbeuPMxQ83P5PAwxJ3ww78JsIZily-2ZJ7bKUqxaWuxIrM/s1600/IMG_4423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnrMN0lSPKDcaJw_Od33KWn3HuDT60kdAzRdQ43w9fuCwpfo_kywFtY1Z-XCrift_cB2hY9M35uJIeeaOxH5Z85UD25JRiqbbeuPMxQ83P5PAwxJ3ww78JsIZily-2ZJ7bKUqxaWuxIrM/s400/IMG_4423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I may have mentioned that you don't go hungry on safari, well you don't go thirsty either...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubfnul1tYCXSj3P2_8D8hNySNqrq6WcDQJRprWfPt8KmumFaP2b0n-oHVIvbcok4HIB9ATQdkINegJDfv-WxiZiGJCq8WZC08h2PzMXn2SdJQYVc1oWqluQzHcCj4qs4l3wqw9AzogL2t/s1600/IMG_4302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubfnul1tYCXSj3P2_8D8hNySNqrq6WcDQJRprWfPt8KmumFaP2b0n-oHVIvbcok4HIB9ATQdkINegJDfv-WxiZiGJCq8WZC08h2PzMXn2SdJQYVc1oWqluQzHcCj4qs4l3wqw9AzogL2t/s400/IMG_4302.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The grand hall at Ulusaba uses the local foliage to decorate, including building the roof around existing trees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMas3MN0v6rzfHjvKe0vQ_NNYyEnM-1EUbaj-tbzVzbfOtrIoi3SuRmtesGEHrjG6IlyAdUobhko58xikZE0vaMboXBub2VeZ6o5n1bB0z6fG4KOSFF1zXy93v80Mrs6asaboVyk_P1_Qs/s1600/IMG_4382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMas3MN0v6rzfHjvKe0vQ_NNYyEnM-1EUbaj-tbzVzbfOtrIoi3SuRmtesGEHrjG6IlyAdUobhko58xikZE0vaMboXBub2VeZ6o5n1bB0z6fG4KOSFF1zXy93v80Mrs6asaboVyk_P1_Qs/s400/IMG_4382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Impala have three stripes on their backside that form an "M". You can always remember this because they are consider the "Big Mac" to lions. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzmh__DNNAL0hU6iTaKqOYHvnVcGfn5hDgJ5ok-3DuPNwsqcH2xBPa5U_tlTBTbA2-aJmH76eAr-L0Afm4n68lvkrO4tzgQC772QwCVX0pxld7d3_5U9ASdJnfaFBiSd40gHkIEv9Vwkc/s1600/IMG_4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzmh__DNNAL0hU6iTaKqOYHvnVcGfn5hDgJ5ok-3DuPNwsqcH2xBPa5U_tlTBTbA2-aJmH76eAr-L0Afm4n68lvkrO4tzgQC772QwCVX0pxld7d3_5U9ASdJnfaFBiSd40gHkIEv9Vwkc/s400/IMG_4404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An adolescence male white rhino soaks up the rays at sunset.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaitiGcQYMTgCU13QoLbCCFkKOdp_YtSejm5-f5fLmBvwEQourH3WVpdTdfNNbOrY7QaxJ8i6yku1xbpsipaSpnVVA7_YoVfOAU-RDm7bo8yRfx_vjwYxzjMVRQ6lFSZ12lYFk69FrbmG/s1600/IMG_4520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaitiGcQYMTgCU13QoLbCCFkKOdp_YtSejm5-f5fLmBvwEQourH3WVpdTdfNNbOrY7QaxJ8i6yku1xbpsipaSpnVVA7_YoVfOAU-RDm7bo8yRfx_vjwYxzjMVRQ6lFSZ12lYFk69FrbmG/s400/IMG_4520.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When your the King of the Jungle you can sit anywhere you please. Including right out in the open.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8M1wXW_SAfcvy-228Q4Hxh4fstLSEtDRqeMiWpNmSYoe_rkHCzOI75vzE0zfGZFCkCWsR4aDRnsI3NOr-xGsn-A53vV792kbSR9YpGzSXCL4AvgWwtTttgv3n7gEeno6S4hWfSCAfIT2/s1600/IMG_4582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8M1wXW_SAfcvy-228Q4Hxh4fstLSEtDRqeMiWpNmSYoe_rkHCzOI75vzE0zfGZFCkCWsR4aDRnsI3NOr-xGsn-A53vV792kbSR9YpGzSXCL4AvgWwtTttgv3n7gEeno6S4hWfSCAfIT2/s400/IMG_4582.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My most exhilarating game viewing this safari, a male leopard languidly patrolling his territory. They are very difficult to see, but when you do - wow - it is a truly stunning looking animal. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
We had the very special opportunity to attend the opening of a brand new kindergarten for local school children who live just outside of the reserve. Two of the guests (Americans from L.A.) at Ulusaba had sponsored the school. We were so delighted to have the chance to share in this very special moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFyn_qkKPEDJqHDBnTpz8cpkL6x8bfhRP3o18O_719WvZbDAGCHK7HWtxph18TrYITna7YJbZiB3tBcT9eAoH_pcVvyQyD-RXmB3IW4H6PMNJ_GkezDT0N0SlRqa8VKj7uCYsi_UyLLjZ/s1600/IMG_4634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFyn_qkKPEDJqHDBnTpz8cpkL6x8bfhRP3o18O_719WvZbDAGCHK7HWtxph18TrYITna7YJbZiB3tBcT9eAoH_pcVvyQyD-RXmB3IW4H6PMNJ_GkezDT0N0SlRqa8VKj7uCYsi_UyLLjZ/s400/IMG_4634.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr-YF41un4eXPXBg03mvGfb7VVclhZ8-6vWAcvOfrTm49eaHYUkBmJMykjSXh5awLoyZBKkIbwcE9ppM5qQnPlxXx-zkI9IH0RHVfJi7eaTlOCMFHLyat9FhnaoNNjTwGee_O_6r1U6G-/s1600/IMG_4651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr-YF41un4eXPXBg03mvGfb7VVclhZ8-6vWAcvOfrTm49eaHYUkBmJMykjSXh5awLoyZBKkIbwcE9ppM5qQnPlxXx-zkI9IH0RHVfJi7eaTlOCMFHLyat9FhnaoNNjTwGee_O_6r1U6G-/s400/IMG_4651.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDaktG6U5q1rAYKVo5KHJ_BkJT1rZLHYqzHvElx670Sq_j1OaPYDTobW07tLgKYVzqEoKTDdyFjZer1k3BfhW2opdXAz_LnuYAtCZAUO9wHsKT5kl0kHSa_Q-aA0hb5rVempGvB2Xuf8K/s1600/IMG_4740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDaktG6U5q1rAYKVo5KHJ_BkJT1rZLHYqzHvElx670Sq_j1OaPYDTobW07tLgKYVzqEoKTDdyFjZer1k3BfhW2opdXAz_LnuYAtCZAUO9wHsKT5kl0kHSa_Q-aA0hb5rVempGvB2Xuf8K/s400/IMG_4740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU0O_bd0JilxsEioqDfkm6xYtWCP0y2eF4lZnwq7ofHcWV6J8sXkUORi5Wq5NMuXbOYCK1ueRlgJ58AIn8ZAieyyFVcxvqkgdJMm2MtLjk6EE8FTy8Bqb-qON23Fvk7U4ECF43mNoeLcj/s1600/IMG_4742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU0O_bd0JilxsEioqDfkm6xYtWCP0y2eF4lZnwq7ofHcWV6J8sXkUORi5Wq5NMuXbOYCK1ueRlgJ58AIn8ZAieyyFVcxvqkgdJMm2MtLjk6EE8FTy8Bqb-qON23Fvk7U4ECF43mNoeLcj/s400/IMG_4742.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce4AQOZFGY5LUK8USo0s71xYf2_k1TaKl-wdbGD4nivC-ebIxi5kFkG75nVhjBiCrhnCTy5riptwnj8aFBqSjMJ1f1A-bL9VAU03DNLPlmUb4etCDg1ZRjLojw34gw3qCM0c1vvcHWym-/s1600/IMG_4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce4AQOZFGY5LUK8USo0s71xYf2_k1TaKl-wdbGD4nivC-ebIxi5kFkG75nVhjBiCrhnCTy5riptwnj8aFBqSjMJ1f1A-bL9VAU03DNLPlmUb4etCDg1ZRjLojw34gw3qCM0c1vvcHWym-/s400/IMG_4745.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alas, although travelling makes you get used to a sense of impermanence, you are still never quite ready to leave a place that you fall in love with. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fcZ9h7WpQdgX5Cr2DdigyfupizT0fM8Iov0iuFAGjdR62KZROVw6G3Ectip4Gn3pWq-7nmBfRi1t6g8Cvb-QxErvB7Obh5KkNXd4Pf8wRsBVru9xcr_RZbVxoauu3jlo9b43GzhGj8pG/s1600/IMG_4999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fcZ9h7WpQdgX5Cr2DdigyfupizT0fM8Iov0iuFAGjdR62KZROVw6G3Ectip4Gn3pWq-7nmBfRi1t6g8Cvb-QxErvB7Obh5KkNXd4Pf8wRsBVru9xcr_RZbVxoauu3jlo9b43GzhGj8pG/s400/IMG_4999.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thankfully, I know I've got a boy (and a plane) that will always be ready to return.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygBl78rLgCvdSNYP_dM-awW2HcYI5EP_UG7Hbb8xyHD2HY1to47KfpYj94yDdS3zWSUeBZnCAumPKO4Kn58f8TgEA75yJGnmKMBbqAUIV7tYNJ3faoC_-govg59G3fqHrEotn3xayKFP7/s1600/IMG_4994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygBl78rLgCvdSNYP_dM-awW2HcYI5EP_UG7Hbb8xyHD2HY1to47KfpYj94yDdS3zWSUeBZnCAumPKO4Kn58f8TgEA75yJGnmKMBbqAUIV7tYNJ3faoC_-govg59G3fqHrEotn3xayKFP7/s400/IMG_4994.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-20648466641484751772012-11-17T22:01:00.000+04:002012-11-17T20:06:15.766+04:00Hermanus & Franschhoek: Whales and Tall Tales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Heading East from the Cape we headed to Hermanus, known for being the best land-based whale watching in the world, and then on to Franschhoek in the wine lands, known for being the undisputed gastronomic capital of South Africa (settled by the French of course!). So in summary - after whale watching, we then went on to eat enough food to become actual whales.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Hermanus</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> (originally called Hermanuspietersfontein, but shortened as the name was too long for the postal service - can't see why), is a town with 49,000 inhabitants on the southern coast of the </span>Western Cape<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> province of </span>South Africa<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">. It is famous for watching </span>southern right whales<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> during the southern winter and spring. And boy do those whales not disappoint. I've been whale watching many times in my life and I have never seen anything like this. The whales are pretty much exclusively mothers and calves, and there is only one natural predator that can take out a southern right whale calf - a great white shark, who has it happens is also in the neighborhood (more on them later). So in order to keep the babies safe the mothers bring them almost to land where they sit in the shallow surf beyond the reach of an ambush predator like the GWS.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">For those of us even with the feeble naked eye, it's no trouble at all to simply stand on the beach and watch whale after whale breech, or slap the surface with their mighty fins and tails. It's truly a magical experience.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPdmUH6DGoSoRCiDh_ueAipwsdFbmGmd1K8FrCYX_gtpwTIhFH5To_WrwM7tuH_M1QtctGnT-8b4e7aUMM5ey5cgsTB_fMQMNKyq9aTv96ZpYn2NeIwwjQ1L1VJzA_KZHO80DHbth7sKK/s1600/IMG_2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPdmUH6DGoSoRCiDh_ueAipwsdFbmGmd1K8FrCYX_gtpwTIhFH5To_WrwM7tuH_M1QtctGnT-8b4e7aUMM5ey5cgsTB_fMQMNKyq9aTv96ZpYn2NeIwwjQ1L1VJzA_KZHO80DHbth7sKK/s400/IMG_2020.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We actually had this baby right whale come up and bump our boat (they are only white when they are really young). It was fantastic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwT0A_0AuV5149wsMoXyQ7NbWsMnWHRlDcqi_TW53HHEdpYKxIJvSa0BZMnHvvdrBlVTQyZ5mYgkIYkmnGrUg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyaGvtKbgbIAjqYdrkAasz-H22LwglDEPKmNnlTubfidb2LDf0Jl1X-fPnOimoyLTEde9sE2bs-gX6966rik5KRY3BGpxssvZ0De58kQ1NvLLP2P3uF1WKaQ3yq7wY_7hREBNtNbLmM7N/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyaGvtKbgbIAjqYdrkAasz-H22LwglDEPKmNnlTubfidb2LDf0Jl1X-fPnOimoyLTEde9sE2bs-gX6966rik5KRY3BGpxssvZ0De58kQ1NvLLP2P3uF1WKaQ3yq7wY_7hREBNtNbLmM7N/s400/IMG_2066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mother and baby cruising along.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnpEJwFMEtgURRUwkOCAAszVJyN0596j_MNkclPrE_rUvDVogqlCQhF-Yc8sifsTLyVQjH-VAnPMOiN_jjyjVQtKP4RpR2d9vhZyA1yLhq8ZXVB2Jr0FU16MIzI5ZfJ4n7n2apkMBlAia/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnpEJwFMEtgURRUwkOCAAszVJyN0596j_MNkclPrE_rUvDVogqlCQhF-Yc8sifsTLyVQjH-VAnPMOiN_jjyjVQtKP4RpR2d9vhZyA1yLhq8ZXVB2Jr0FU16MIzI5ZfJ4n7n2apkMBlAia/s400/IMG_2149.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Waving bye?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdiYApShhdTmh0DHKmZIeQe8SSOsDqSUCJGw6JMW9HdVy6BSdIUx9AhDM_iyRweBiUUuALxUnnSj0QsoB-ms_O11XcPZKuhx9GJncePXIUorGFuGcFevN2qTjjumQP9OI1OV5OWoj09_O/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdiYApShhdTmh0DHKmZIeQe8SSOsDqSUCJGw6JMW9HdVy6BSdIUx9AhDM_iyRweBiUUuALxUnnSj0QsoB-ms_O11XcPZKuhx9GJncePXIUorGFuGcFevN2qTjjumQP9OI1OV5OWoj09_O/s400/IMG_2379.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the famous Seal Island, home to over 40,000 cape fur seals. It is also the site of the Planet Earth footage of the GWS leaping out of the water to make a meal out of these guys. Consider it a shark buffet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqh-6leo_QEYCVqOosXHaA2uEUQCfCyYdCJ7m7I31zk8jQYu2cXnlK3NVsJArLGlUk-wyc10uy455nw8Ygx1tJnge1_2qwZpYADXTE1yxEMth2yIxEpRn4SxuNoQSW4s5fBsECfShct0N/s1600/IMG_9134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqh-6leo_QEYCVqOosXHaA2uEUQCfCyYdCJ7m7I31zk8jQYu2cXnlK3NVsJArLGlUk-wyc10uy455nw8Ygx1tJnge1_2qwZpYADXTE1yxEMth2yIxEpRn4SxuNoQSW4s5fBsECfShct0N/s320/IMG_9134.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did you say shark? I want to see one! What's that the water is 50 degrees? Ok, lets make this quick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4cJDEukck53Xund5VVCCVYIbVitsCElv_QkHU3DUxeEjwhMgE-EhA6iWy2gOSZXY-y-NBv-X8fg6uLOkkfc8EDtgmtHkXYIdOjOJZj7EDyH5RSu6coV9eSrNVGclNL3o1bj97akzKphh/s1600/IMG_2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4cJDEukck53Xund5VVCCVYIbVitsCElv_QkHU3DUxeEjwhMgE-EhA6iWy2gOSZXY-y-NBv-X8fg6uLOkkfc8EDtgmtHkXYIdOjOJZj7EDyH5RSu6coV9eSrNVGclNL3o1bj97akzKphh/s400/IMG_2718.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So of course we had to get into the water with the GWS. Cage diving! This male is just a juvenile.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zPuX4kAESzo" width="550"></iframe>
Matt was pretty committed to getting this video in spite of a scratched lens and poor visibility. Luckily our friendly shark made it pretty easy to capture him on camera. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7kH0GrF077zMeNrXjfBS0YgXTYqLXaUAb5ArOquDHWM4A0CNAKjPnabln3nDOHZalSO5Jy1VBPu8UdZYUx-tldMKhNycMUwvxAWLjHCfRFjnbPH8gQEyv4OANRZyLzooL-j3h8w2FIGI/s1600/IMG_2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7kH0GrF077zMeNrXjfBS0YgXTYqLXaUAb5ArOquDHWM4A0CNAKjPnabln3nDOHZalSO5Jy1VBPu8UdZYUx-tldMKhNycMUwvxAWLjHCfRFjnbPH8gQEyv4OANRZyLzooL-j3h8w2FIGI/s400/IMG_2771.JPG" width="250" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing like celebrating your survival of the cage diving experience with a few bubbles and more whale watching (they are in the water right behind Matt).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLkpiEeXDE-YD72n2wjZljs0xdVDGX1QFL-OGp9i103owaQSdij4V5n1vQ-YlusUJ6-TS7LOWRD83gnQHmbRfgcLn48O8HDOiPUGecaUDtkbajs8SAPYmczZTBu2wpEVRubr4DLhc4fCV/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLkpiEeXDE-YD72n2wjZljs0xdVDGX1QFL-OGp9i103owaQSdij4V5n1vQ-YlusUJ6-TS7LOWRD83gnQHmbRfgcLn48O8HDOiPUGecaUDtkbajs8SAPYmczZTBu2wpEVRubr4DLhc4fCV/s320/IMG_2891.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not a bad way to spend your 33rd birthday!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now off to dive into a bottle of wine, rather than a shark cage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAb_PcJQdJJLGXNiCasmOjGTkZ_rbHjm5LBdCjjR-UgyMv_YHS0J7Z4KkLsNUMd0RYd1-88jRdYmkmVJN6A25kAVS2MJ7qCUmJzgNdJOH0_nIp4Xs3hMLX31ErRRhHZmy8Z2M9Ra0LZ7w/s1600/IMG_2966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAb_PcJQdJJLGXNiCasmOjGTkZ_rbHjm5LBdCjjR-UgyMv_YHS0J7Z4KkLsNUMd0RYd1-88jRdYmkmVJN6A25kAVS2MJ7qCUmJzgNdJOH0_nIp4Xs3hMLX31ErRRhHZmy8Z2M9Ra0LZ7w/s400/IMG_2966.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The scenery at Jordan Winery was beautiful, and made all the more charming by the resident population of chameleons.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE70C8ocU2UCeQOzJgwNas4ixcH4EEjFCeqqfYAsaxYuHAsYVjiFIDvYKlX0aLH5FjcQeEbY-9j_1nedNBfSn8S2HhVApf0I9bwlPmFv4r0HQwZiFhnTHBcZI0PTwk4VFkXDS_eudYivkU/s1600/IMG_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE70C8ocU2UCeQOzJgwNas4ixcH4EEjFCeqqfYAsaxYuHAsYVjiFIDvYKlX0aLH5FjcQeEbY-9j_1nedNBfSn8S2HhVApf0I9bwlPmFv4r0HQwZiFhnTHBcZI0PTwk4VFkXDS_eudYivkU/s400/IMG_2986.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let the calorie loading begin!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hpS1BiIzMfFtxbmSc8NpcI7hJiGMTSJRvJR2bOH6TkVz69SZq8SDNruwVR2hlm7v6H5bV3w1_9QK0zrHO0XwyoJhf4Tbx2SQzfxOknQB3_TMaJ1joyl5WqpcAUQiwAR6w_SKqETnm_OM/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hpS1BiIzMfFtxbmSc8NpcI7hJiGMTSJRvJR2bOH6TkVz69SZq8SDNruwVR2hlm7v6H5bV3w1_9QK0zrHO0XwyoJhf4Tbx2SQzfxOknQB3_TMaJ1joyl5WqpcAUQiwAR6w_SKqETnm_OM/s400/IMG_2995.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeah, you don't need a birthday cake when you have the world's best souffle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6njiyJvnzYZ-5uxom5V76O8_g1fS8cGFuWkmSP_uD34R5iLI-eLb37gXYRShsU_k06PFaRYyrgsehLTN5_6nvJcZ4a5j_g8SgCCO2Bm6XrdhyhM8yLgrqYZYof3sOp3kYwcdpUSgwzdVk/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6njiyJvnzYZ-5uxom5V76O8_g1fS8cGFuWkmSP_uD34R5iLI-eLb37gXYRShsU_k06PFaRYyrgsehLTN5_6nvJcZ4a5j_g8SgCCO2Bm6XrdhyhM8yLgrqYZYof3sOp3kYwcdpUSgwzdVk/s400/IMG_3008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we actually spotted one! I love the color scheme.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCiQM5Guzrmj_XUBkjlephpU_WVYw3NKTLgsqOVRZH9PMGnqhsjicESWc5m29-_TChdy2h290PC-K7ygNTaZAu_AGgtKsOTHR65MHXPPuItxmh5IuBO1HIebl-ZuwGkIcVHMjOAurORtM/s1600/IMG_3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCiQM5Guzrmj_XUBkjlephpU_WVYw3NKTLgsqOVRZH9PMGnqhsjicESWc5m29-_TChdy2h290PC-K7ygNTaZAu_AGgtKsOTHR65MHXPPuItxmh5IuBO1HIebl-ZuwGkIcVHMjOAurORtM/s400/IMG_3046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the seasons inverted from the northern hemisphere, spring was in full effect in South Africa. These little fuzzies where to cute for words.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ageqGpJGMBEBIji0utv3LYaZXCSEVGqQZe0SLHcFw3apXfpq8PnpyPuSVmjTGStPHwmfYLjDC6iaEhfTBm2MIVaBVOlWSVAQvzWIBW8r3MD8J5EKc45wRs-ivsErLM5DwiyAjDt9_TsB/s1600/IMG_3104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ageqGpJGMBEBIji0utv3LYaZXCSEVGqQZe0SLHcFw3apXfpq8PnpyPuSVmjTGStPHwmfYLjDC6iaEhfTBm2MIVaBVOlWSVAQvzWIBW8r3MD8J5EKc45wRs-ivsErLM5DwiyAjDt9_TsB/s400/IMG_3104.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trying out the house vintage at the Auberge Clermont, our home for two nights.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKHJO65s_xJySFzXWU0FltSCk91yBUbcQUAgAiYR6vM54PZUQHJBxVXY14QChYtDZx6-3L9FvbhmC3Bbki1ZPO35NaMg-4AWjEYyDPasDlV2-aManM3w67T1MRdyPpwb7yIO_sF6dEqZw/s1600/IMG_3309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKHJO65s_xJySFzXWU0FltSCk91yBUbcQUAgAiYR6vM54PZUQHJBxVXY14QChYtDZx6-3L9FvbhmC3Bbki1ZPO35NaMg-4AWjEYyDPasDlV2-aManM3w67T1MRdyPpwb7yIO_sF6dEqZw/s400/IMG_3309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also took the opportunity to horse back riding between the vineyards. No officer, I'm not sober but my horse is!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACPDwXBEYf0iBPKxYlUWlK5vmXBX_JYgA45On8DwE0KxbskM_oVG_5M__zWxyOOEGeDMF3RYfG4W3JdMem1K13w5xseLr7x4yf2Rp2x3GhQ-qkqMBwUvpGiSUV9ZPsfhc4n6JOUCSlD3V/s1600/IMG_3193_4_5_fused.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACPDwXBEYf0iBPKxYlUWlK5vmXBX_JYgA45On8DwE0KxbskM_oVG_5M__zWxyOOEGeDMF3RYfG4W3JdMem1K13w5xseLr7x4yf2Rp2x3GhQ-qkqMBwUvpGiSUV9ZPsfhc4n6JOUCSlD3V/s400/IMG_3193_4_5_fused.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The scenery surround the vines was stunning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q5_65Kd3VT5OO8rG3G2KLJWwFFGK2qPPw_xSR2iUFJt2AE2dkin134TPxRaBpyzJFFMhqy0PB3ixrs3tKAfM8tXWDQtX_ZctX-7XNcqkauVcVRtSW2X8Vz6BFnbwQE2MaHomY4GcdV2Z/s1600/IMG_3240_1_2_tonemapped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q5_65Kd3VT5OO8rG3G2KLJWwFFGK2qPPw_xSR2iUFJt2AE2dkin134TPxRaBpyzJFFMhqy0PB3ixrs3tKAfM8tXWDQtX_ZctX-7XNcqkauVcVRtSW2X8Vz6BFnbwQE2MaHomY4GcdV2Z/s400/IMG_3240_1_2_tonemapped.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were treated to a beautiful sunset amongst the vines.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpviaA2jW0znxsLGaG3E-ovNsvmo0HHB0L1AN3Y8BfRduuUf0jSTZ-g_2a_D-BP7MCJmd9KXM-ktL_xmMQeHdT3ouEhYmr-tv0Db3rYOKNZKYStelit6O-2Bo5cQJ8AJEmdPQ99oG6qPM/s1600/IMG_3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpviaA2jW0znxsLGaG3E-ovNsvmo0HHB0L1AN3Y8BfRduuUf0jSTZ-g_2a_D-BP7MCJmd9KXM-ktL_xmMQeHdT3ouEhYmr-tv0Db3rYOKNZKYStelit6O-2Bo5cQJ8AJEmdPQ99oG6qPM/s400/IMG_3417.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt fell in love with his all white mare. Thankfully she doesn't fit in a carry on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLD3A1HCsTb4hkNeJwD326uLoDo21P56dWqh9KSH4QJwd5TjnWwKxqBClYbGnOMEgwnTpp4zRnzNUbE37Fhz3di3MqTzxSTWBYLm1XY6RL7hCcMeLnXZf3ue-BqGUrVLP_dj2eoPoyGK-/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLD3A1HCsTb4hkNeJwD326uLoDo21P56dWqh9KSH4QJwd5TjnWwKxqBClYbGnOMEgwnTpp4zRnzNUbE37Fhz3di3MqTzxSTWBYLm1XY6RL7hCcMeLnXZf3ue-BqGUrVLP_dj2eoPoyGK-/s400/IMG_3669.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did I mention the food?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0RF3Qsab-NnUPPNH08Y35JH8Lb26FUbwyaWkjWDUMEpxCXovtGehyHNd_PUsgvSalJbAmfzns1xIdgM07mjkcNRGkoSqkWHEblEhQhtCM4sXrx_KamYlr5glb9ZbeteCDrsV1eA3B6Yv/s1600/IMG_3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0RF3Qsab-NnUPPNH08Y35JH8Lb26FUbwyaWkjWDUMEpxCXovtGehyHNd_PUsgvSalJbAmfzns1xIdgM07mjkcNRGkoSqkWHEblEhQhtCM4sXrx_KamYlr5glb9ZbeteCDrsV1eA3B6Yv/s400/IMG_3678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This salmon three ways was a standout.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8rYQl5k00avlCDUASzWI-R0Nhv5sWlghrCcnKRXPY36vFz80_m7isEfeJep5h595HuZoKQcobrH7nGXpaeHGYupoZOfrhiFEPBcTW_DRe4R5GP7-DUmniVIbrtuNzf0AxcRw7sUjPXlv/s1600/IMG_3647_8_9_fused.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8rYQl5k00avlCDUASzWI-R0Nhv5sWlghrCcnKRXPY36vFz80_m7isEfeJep5h595HuZoKQcobrH7nGXpaeHGYupoZOfrhiFEPBcTW_DRe4R5GP7-DUmniVIbrtuNzf0AxcRw7sUjPXlv/s400/IMG_3647_8_9_fused.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After an afternoon of rain, we lucked out with this final sunset. It was spectacular!</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-4411072337602186622012-11-15T23:03:00.003+04:002012-11-16T20:59:00.036+04:00Capetown: Welcome to the Mother City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When ever we told people that we were travelling to Capetown the immediate reaction was "I've been dying to go there!", but when I would push further and ask why folks didn't seem to know specifically they just had this sense that it was in a word - "awesome".<br />
<br />
And their sense wasn't wrong thankfully. As it turns out Capetown really does have it all starting with an unrivaled geography. Capetown is the most visually stunning city I've had the pleasure of visiting. The backdrop to the city - the azure blues of the Atlantic Ocean, cut by the rugged lines of Table Mountain, the lush green of Signal City and the ever present white mist tumbling down from Devil's Peak and rushing to fill the City Bowl are all so vibrant you feel like you must be looking at a green screen and not the real-life backdrop of a modern city.<br />
<br />
Mother Nature alone would be enough to keep you occupied during your time (they do honestly experience weather changes like I've never seen, "four seasons in one day" my Capetonian friend has told me) but that won't be necessary because there is a rich (albeit often painful and storied) history complete with plenty of good eatin' and lots of activities.<br />
<br />
The one thing I was often struck by in Capetown is the underlying sense of tension and struggle that belies a nation who is really quite young in her modern history. It's only been 18 years since Nelson Mandela was elected and the country began to heal the wounds of apartheid, the effects of which run deep and still in many ways determine peoples lives. Though it's heartening to know that the other feeling that runs as consistent as the tension is an overwhelming feeling of hope and optimism - that the only way forward is together. And it's clear that the Capetonians, and all South Africans are committed to this path. It's hard to ignore the stunning natural treasure in the land they all call home and I for one can't wait to see them emerge to become the nation they all hope for.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXip6zGtUpI4g1PSeuC-1hwuqkgpHSu9EUzCZp4NoKfwZm9KXCmkN7woXd7PXhIZopf0yZNQieFOIlBtEwrQfZwZs9kojMg3HbnJwskjUtwWVoog_ehxo8a5jKaITv3i4dr_P2aoFr7qfE/s1600/IMG_0136+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXip6zGtUpI4g1PSeuC-1hwuqkgpHSu9EUzCZp4NoKfwZm9KXCmkN7woXd7PXhIZopf0yZNQieFOIlBtEwrQfZwZs9kojMg3HbnJwskjUtwWVoog_ehxo8a5jKaITv3i4dr_P2aoFr7qfE/s400/IMG_0136+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's always a great start to the day when you wake up to a view like this over the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and Signal Hill to the left.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oXQRTmydRyZBoV-esqTX2tumpnQ7In0EkQLFMJ7WfxXFA5WOso8dNLoJskLBcs5twy__EO5PmYqtqkKqtVjpvazHzanocx2EFdCn9IPvnuyb2ClDrt1uwEE1vPfgVnU8t1CJPxUqhCsL/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oXQRTmydRyZBoV-esqTX2tumpnQ7In0EkQLFMJ7WfxXFA5WOso8dNLoJskLBcs5twy__EO5PmYqtqkKqtVjpvazHzanocx2EFdCn9IPvnuyb2ClDrt1uwEE1vPfgVnU8t1CJPxUqhCsL/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was extremely important for me that we tour one of the townships in Capetown. I've never believed in turning a blind eye to the plight of others even if I'm there to enjoy a holiday. We found a great company that allowed us the unique experience of riding around the township on bicycle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">In 2002 AWOL Tours initiated a bicycle tourism programme in the Masiphumelele community of Cape Town in conjunction with the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) a non-profit organisation. This program evolved from BEN’s importation of second hand bikes and the establishment of Independent Bicycle Dealers (IBD) owned and operated by local residents. AWOL’s guests hire bicycles from the BEN IBD’s. P</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">articipating in this tour, spreads considerable financial benefit to the community. Much needed income has been generated and put into circulation in the local township as part of tourism services and fees paid to business owners.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNV-hJwVL1566Iog6Cz_58egWBQX2sPR9NtLZTUOCVGNutCTtTQlaSrvdAt487Y5y8cdWtYnc5jFkTldi74G0_IRiCGhsLyqi1G3XdRRuFoMoMM70LfR2pMNlSQF8XLKi6deXFhj58hrKH/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNV-hJwVL1566Iog6Cz_58egWBQX2sPR9NtLZTUOCVGNutCTtTQlaSrvdAt487Y5y8cdWtYnc5jFkTldi74G0_IRiCGhsLyqi1G3XdRRuFoMoMM70LfR2pMNlSQF8XLKi6deXFhj58hrKH/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">About 400-500 people first settled in the area in the 1980s during apartheid. In 2010, the population was estimated at 38000.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amenities are scarce, with an overcrowded school, no police station, and an understaffed day clinic, and it's estimated that 30-40% of the community are infected with <span style="color: black;">HIV and/or <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberculosis" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: initial;" title="Tuberculosis"><span style="color: black;">TB</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">But it's not without hope. I</span></span>nitially known as Site 5, the township was renamed Masiphumelele by its residents, which is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xhosa_language" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Xhosa language">Xhosa</a> word meaning "We will succeed". A fitting testament to their resolve. (And homage to our buddy Nelson who sits at the local library).</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tBbgOoVeNDP7vjBYBf0Ikt7EuhatDG-s24OdDhQhHAHMWVk_jIFZM-ExeMntlXhuXQsY5LljGhYRWxm2UamDdKiG9v0ILaqU1ZlLn52WO8sNP0uYP0vaatB-koahT8j64XA7QYRhruNY/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tBbgOoVeNDP7vjBYBf0Ikt7EuhatDG-s24OdDhQhHAHMWVk_jIFZM-ExeMntlXhuXQsY5LljGhYRWxm2UamDdKiG9v0ILaqU1ZlLn52WO8sNP0uYP0vaatB-koahT8j64XA7QYRhruNY/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This area if known as the wetlands because of its propensity to flood often and bring water and mud ankle-deep into the houses.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzD2tVRhNkKHNPixmJHIvZSa3En0_SgwpYBbA35amJHSPB6q3suOTm82Rm-gmZyB668hcXcBIFPHcNMPdixuO8HaT3HgAYYKyBlJsIzr8zuhR1fMV4b_J8FKCiKoaU3LTf22d-PX89yQs/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzD2tVRhNkKHNPixmJHIvZSa3En0_SgwpYBbA35amJHSPB6q3suOTm82Rm-gmZyB668hcXcBIFPHcNMPdixuO8HaT3HgAYYKyBlJsIzr8zuhR1fMV4b_J8FKCiKoaU3LTf22d-PX89yQs/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our guide's mother is a traditional healer and her sister is training to be one (seen next to me) this dance was meant to summon the spirits of their ancestors and ask them to look after our marriage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlzfa20hF25lse6diy3b7cNM4IRlMhec32_sFuIsJUNntWIzRe4SKLiDOsDElcJxjDLVTJhSaJQF5ZKEb0orA8dO4ORLOFTNgHYHeJEI5uYj7bNn1foldc0VMvT1fSlqtMYuwGX0VrB7G/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlzfa20hF25lse6diy3b7cNM4IRlMhec32_sFuIsJUNntWIzRe4SKLiDOsDElcJxjDLVTJhSaJQF5ZKEb0orA8dO4ORLOFTNgHYHeJEI5uYj7bNn1foldc0VMvT1fSlqtMYuwGX0VrB7G/s400/IMG_0108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We stopped but a local house for lunch (lung and rice, not joking) but I did get to have these little treats for dessert!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQozexUSsMbVthyWiqeHJjwS812arDE4OfZCEEDjgZczCVHB5sdqYRYeFopdbcHSmkNUGpE3dwYhlAzY9Yqzzw9EY9iOI9QZ_4L06mzX0jutgaucX06DSwR6003igN3OARvprnQKy70xLx/s1600/IMG_0179+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQozexUSsMbVthyWiqeHJjwS812arDE4OfZCEEDjgZczCVHB5sdqYRYeFopdbcHSmkNUGpE3dwYhlAzY9Yqzzw9EY9iOI9QZ_4L06mzX0jutgaucX06DSwR6003igN3OARvprnQKy70xLx/s400/IMG_0179+(2).JPG" width="286" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We can't miss the opportunity to swing by any aquarium, but this one gave us the added bonus of swimming with the "nemos". Poor clown fish - will they ever be called by their rightful name again?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiPtSizeNVDSiphRaamL4BeGWIjow0X6w2e5s3BYNF5njHQVydAk6RRE3c3XSi0M-QKxvXadU__7CVM8ezYqaEcpoFCMQHm_basOd0ndWYz_GBdpnqanzkzM5t1PCRmmnJY2i10NQq5qx/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiPtSizeNVDSiphRaamL4BeGWIjow0X6w2e5s3BYNF5njHQVydAk6RRE3c3XSi0M-QKxvXadU__7CVM8ezYqaEcpoFCMQHm_basOd0ndWYz_GBdpnqanzkzM5t1PCRmmnJY2i10NQq5qx/s400/IMG_0228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Built by the </span>Dutch East India Company<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> between 1666 and 1679, the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa. They still do a changing of the guard at noon. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rFdT-7epVBzxBhYODMuKuHdNYOxu6pFkD4nueZ2V_CKaWnhXExOhgdW1b-FfvyGrDPGvM8t6yVxtzD4fe_yFhvLZjymMSDvChpoUsyff-u3EdmaRqIk7JKXxXLrnzpA7wM4NzQRhie0I/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rFdT-7epVBzxBhYODMuKuHdNYOxu6pFkD4nueZ2V_CKaWnhXExOhgdW1b-FfvyGrDPGvM8t6yVxtzD4fe_yFhvLZjymMSDvChpoUsyff-u3EdmaRqIk7JKXxXLrnzpA7wM4NzQRhie0I/s400/IMG_0270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The city hall is famous for one iconic moment. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">On February 11, 1990, only hours after his release from prison, </span>Nelson Mandela<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> made his first public speech after his release from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mnfgbLz_wqg-8hLotyAhyphenhyphenmKLoGWktkmJAqt5H4ZahfdALCx_nXA2uvi_3R-DApdhDK16J1AKgL_uySvVZV-3vsJw2eEWS88P2JBJrS8Ps-tnvlXL53n1k9iamdDnTB1GC_EgW1JA4rIw/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mnfgbLz_wqg-8hLotyAhyphenhyphenmKLoGWktkmJAqt5H4ZahfdALCx_nXA2uvi_3R-DApdhDK16J1AKgL_uySvVZV-3vsJw2eEWS88P2JBJrS8Ps-tnvlXL53n1k9iamdDnTB1GC_EgW1JA4rIw/s400/IMG_0291.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dutch or German they still love their Mullers. This is also notably one of the remaining art deco buildings in the city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMFdfhQz-4NxURqLwPszoZwg_zjiB1LTAGzgdg5d3VsJ_P1et88W6GLVfHkwZAthGw6GQzEP7p6JC5KdNyOPiwJLhYIIf6Q-63GU6f1oQnzUbIXHvsaM12dnrvfuffoqRqkgZzZk6NVaA/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMFdfhQz-4NxURqLwPszoZwg_zjiB1LTAGzgdg5d3VsJ_P1et88W6GLVfHkwZAthGw6GQzEP7p6JC5KdNyOPiwJLhYIIf6Q-63GU6f1oQnzUbIXHvsaM12dnrvfuffoqRqkgZzZk6NVaA/s400/IMG_0348.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Bo-Kaap</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> is an area </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> formerly known as the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Malay Quarter</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">. It is quintessentially a township, situated on the slopes of </span>Signal Hill<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> above the city centre and is an historical centre of </span>Cape Malay (Muslim) <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">culture in Cape Town. The </span>Nurul Islam Mosque<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, established in 1844, is located in the area. It's also well known for it's beautiful colorful streets!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XezaYUmNOU1yfPC1HEHLpgCTAUfS3QOuUiHKBs0tB3SUG5tB3HX3Ruflh5Ph6y2WcCBzzW0vvL6UVny-_HmHEmEdca_geZdndATe5PI9KkQ3u2nk0uGayzBLfqvJzJPpH2y2haxPHpzU/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XezaYUmNOU1yfPC1HEHLpgCTAUfS3QOuUiHKBs0tB3SUG5tB3HX3Ruflh5Ph6y2WcCBzzW0vvL6UVny-_HmHEmEdca_geZdndATe5PI9KkQ3u2nk0uGayzBLfqvJzJPpH2y2haxPHpzU/s400/IMG_0353.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I must say I like to accessorize, but I really couldn't plan the fact that I would match the building! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhtvemTWKIAz28Di-Huji44Ch3hLnq7GzPXp0nx4csbRTTgd9YA87Kut11_1_fsJsRpoM6hlfXdoylXaiz-qU5zGid06xD_QlFJ63zTGZwkTpQZEvzzJcsejvO9d02bcKDgXEVXGdj3UW/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhtvemTWKIAz28Di-Huji44Ch3hLnq7GzPXp0nx4csbRTTgd9YA87Kut11_1_fsJsRpoM6hlfXdoylXaiz-qU5zGid06xD_QlFJ63zTGZwkTpQZEvzzJcsejvO9d02bcKDgXEVXGdj3UW/s400/IMG_0136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our way to the Cape of Good Hope, we stopped to enjoy Boulders Beach. Known not just for the boulders, but also for...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgK6xZudNZkDcBH-QOXxgr41zbGa5BL6qIMMzlLi1Unu-9juJ_D44ixA7xR7ozquiIHgi2OVpavN7ArXJWjj-JsWsfsKU88WGN3fdGmyhA05zFZ38XQ9p5lOr76sFYF2hvua2g0SKV7et/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgK6xZudNZkDcBH-QOXxgr41zbGa5BL6qIMMzlLi1Unu-9juJ_D44ixA7xR7ozquiIHgi2OVpavN7ArXJWjj-JsWsfsKU88WGN3fdGmyhA05zFZ38XQ9p5lOr76sFYF2hvua2g0SKV7et/s400/IMG_0535.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...but the colony of penguins that live there!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHJdXcntI9oYCgj1Y3ijIEM5DWM8NpAzY4J2faBRpQVDZn-BQHhvFV0lshLdfGSD604Ceck5otr4iHsYLLBPDiYJ5oBxUDUC6b5oWS4u2QoKPlaZvYjEOlJtHztOn-vIOJ1C_39o8lCa4/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHJdXcntI9oYCgj1Y3ijIEM5DWM8NpAzY4J2faBRpQVDZn-BQHhvFV0lshLdfGSD604Ceck5otr4iHsYLLBPDiYJ5oBxUDUC6b5oWS4u2QoKPlaZvYjEOlJtHztOn-vIOJ1C_39o8lCa4/s400/IMG_0589.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not the most southern point, but it's down there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FoEzZ5Fx9ekSsIDyzJ5hl6_HmjHpDjWwmmkLGR4vxPMPfl13SlQkvK0mHgNm1qYJucNRHA8KKFRtuFgPxZwDbQkhf8ICdm0Sk3tQcLMGdkIFbsY4fzyed7QZ0lcYjqiSSeSURbrCBOqF/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FoEzZ5Fx9ekSsIDyzJ5hl6_HmjHpDjWwmmkLGR4vxPMPfl13SlQkvK0mHgNm1qYJucNRHA8KKFRtuFgPxZwDbQkhf8ICdm0Sk3tQcLMGdkIFbsY4fzyed7QZ0lcYjqiSSeSURbrCBOqF/s400/IMG_0615.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The freedom that comes with being at the end of the world.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs_ZdPXkLt2OUzZzQBpuYVj5VARJjJJ-M5hOSvqoHwbilI4Kc4-LHJQvkDZdXY1tk3fOnoffPD0Nc4xE9Si2dKphJFW-iMBSEp2fo83hjV-D_UmVSR6GVptMSXgpJ-oJp_QpRvfemvrq-/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs_ZdPXkLt2OUzZzQBpuYVj5VARJjJJ-M5hOSvqoHwbilI4Kc4-LHJQvkDZdXY1tk3fOnoffPD0Nc4xE9Si2dKphJFW-iMBSEp2fo83hjV-D_UmVSR6GVptMSXgpJ-oJp_QpRvfemvrq-/s400/IMG_0728.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First time for everything - ostrich on the beach?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXsmkB8etcAlRuipkBazt7tQrF9NKBxg5oY9SwPUyhnOLNAr8RH2u1xtV9F31sVs-INKQuTy9nIPJVhdBDBoxsa9hMdHIoUUAv6sL0lw-_mgcb2CJbcnYD392OI8oEZhzVOSpM6Nlqo2e/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXsmkB8etcAlRuipkBazt7tQrF9NKBxg5oY9SwPUyhnOLNAr8RH2u1xtV9F31sVs-INKQuTy9nIPJVhdBDBoxsa9hMdHIoUUAv6sL0lw-_mgcb2CJbcnYD392OI8oEZhzVOSpM6Nlqo2e/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's nothing 'good' about the Cape of Good Hope - sailors are terrified of her! And with good reason, what you can't see in the picture is the absolutely wild gusting winds on the cape.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt9_tf2FMsjAHB6qb04Go_IyHTWG8JAfqgH1TkKia_Prwn1xJB9fIMJfBBuQPCHVSvePHrU-txhf3dSYDSpx37GQMpyyPt5AMr_OV2_ImWH8h9m-9yaVfDFGlNV6TiTD9ElM9V092XWEU/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt9_tf2FMsjAHB6qb04Go_IyHTWG8JAfqgH1TkKia_Prwn1xJB9fIMJfBBuQPCHVSvePHrU-txhf3dSYDSpx37GQMpyyPt5AMr_OV2_ImWH8h9m-9yaVfDFGlNV6TiTD9ElM9V092XWEU/s400/IMG_0878.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For those with a green thumb a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a must see. Here are just a few of my favorite snaps of all the beautiful scenery there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNjwbGobf_xk64zmKNrtrY0I3gFyAL5VcfhZMyN0Tz8lqDRKTyeFNOY2dZh6hKQAWUTrwzX8r4HIMtgJoJIeqzCkl2ZJvOwZdxEIou_sAzPLKh6QV7xk1Mpc7FsQQxg8iT-hpXDidoxl2/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNjwbGobf_xk64zmKNrtrY0I3gFyAL5VcfhZMyN0Tz8lqDRKTyeFNOY2dZh6hKQAWUTrwzX8r4HIMtgJoJIeqzCkl2ZJvOwZdxEIou_sAzPLKh6QV7xk1Mpc7FsQQxg8iT-hpXDidoxl2/s400/IMG_0899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQPMUstTEdJ44Ijv2dlyaz8XqTjpZFCRCJUXjcBL6mYasfR3y-65Nrc8jgDP9CziugM3GfO8oOyCCeHZD_MVUhpXvFR1owLk3ZfjQo-emf9wOieAb2Lv4jeJ6DBPFdvSAxLuULw7Qnue_/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQPMUstTEdJ44Ijv2dlyaz8XqTjpZFCRCJUXjcBL6mYasfR3y-65Nrc8jgDP9CziugM3GfO8oOyCCeHZD_MVUhpXvFR1owLk3ZfjQo-emf9wOieAb2Lv4jeJ6DBPFdvSAxLuULw7Qnue_/s400/IMG_0905.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIXQw1JEbRn59kLmtD39eVQhb62D11J_fY0GBezZDNs5eYhf4qB3YIHAKjCzODNsj8gjFK-Tc1r4I5kBP0lAa-6UA1NhChL-brm3p6v4C1NrBuCEZcY9MxFlp1MoNWm3rAOouUQcAVUCr/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIXQw1JEbRn59kLmtD39eVQhb62D11J_fY0GBezZDNs5eYhf4qB3YIHAKjCzODNsj8gjFK-Tc1r4I5kBP0lAa-6UA1NhChL-brm3p6v4C1NrBuCEZcY9MxFlp1MoNWm3rAOouUQcAVUCr/s400/IMG_0987.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also got a few pre-safari wildlife interactions. This little guy's parents have chosen this high traffic area because apparently humans are far less scary than mongoose.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnCnReZayAoMeSwOj1m1CgDfMEYNQ7Hzuy32Vgh4pAB6FK8NBEtt7tcgNJWoYiIHw0099pdQHlDQ_Y7PkAjsp1t3JfFFO1zffsq0_PQdZErWb9r-yVVbdwE8Ln3qX1Rru6ACXP4kpX3pF/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnCnReZayAoMeSwOj1m1CgDfMEYNQ7Hzuy32Vgh4pAB6FK8NBEtt7tcgNJWoYiIHw0099pdQHlDQ_Y7PkAjsp1t3JfFFO1zffsq0_PQdZErWb9r-yVVbdwE8Ln3qX1Rru6ACXP4kpX3pF/s400/IMG_1126.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOZqs8aJqZmrAHUXmIauUCDfcU1ipysHo9erKG7C8qw0httQpYed83YbydAd-sosZdyJMMCjOZqcnwAAb4ezJsBDBfdogQ_fXVBwfdDelPvK1DHC3TKjcQ3gTyTbtGX7vmRnMEu_ugvKN/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOZqs8aJqZmrAHUXmIauUCDfcU1ipysHo9erKG7C8qw0httQpYed83YbydAd-sosZdyJMMCjOZqcnwAAb4ezJsBDBfdogQ_fXVBwfdDelPvK1DHC3TKjcQ3gTyTbtGX7vmRnMEu_ugvKN/s400/IMG_1208.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt learns that guinea fowl have a soft spot for his crackers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmQWdbJvQ7tzToGNf0zsUz2L5J3i8P6BD2cbCqzuOmkyZ3UOwPRiXVoL3geqjIdpFOePyykLaa9Mx7VoXKYOjYBdSB1SdjSAwGORtKnhKpvV3hzeNBOp6v5nLtEXQ1yzhozo1D8ZOz32L/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmQWdbJvQ7tzToGNf0zsUz2L5J3i8P6BD2cbCqzuOmkyZ3UOwPRiXVoL3geqjIdpFOePyykLaa9Mx7VoXKYOjYBdSB1SdjSAwGORtKnhKpvV3hzeNBOp6v5nLtEXQ1yzhozo1D8ZOz32L/s400/IMG_1393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the four days we visited Capetown we were unable to take the cableway to the top of Table Mountain due to high winds, so we did the next best thing!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSID0DoSDj3m3O4JLRV-m87XC7Yj70nK7ga2_MoSpxfxnSTCzEvPtAF92f7PE4Ia6S4WnD8p-wCSRSdT-_JfGhDE8PfyHY95m1_bz6Tg9HDiiNhnOOKHpg2RJ0ugZWX-riUWxzdBRwYlt5/s1600/IMG_1644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSID0DoSDj3m3O4JLRV-m87XC7Yj70nK7ga2_MoSpxfxnSTCzEvPtAF92f7PE4Ia6S4WnD8p-wCSRSdT-_JfGhDE8PfyHY95m1_bz6Tg9HDiiNhnOOKHpg2RJ0ugZWX-riUWxzdBRwYlt5/s400/IMG_1644.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes you get a little antsy waiting for the self timer to go off!</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-13539066036524575342012-09-25T07:30:00.003+04:002012-09-25T07:54:47.988+04:00DXB to IAD: Dubai and Washington Upgrade Their Relationship<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was with typical Dubai-style fanfare that Emirates hosted a launch party to introduce their new route to North America last Thursday. Matt and I were delighted to join the party after participating in the filming of the launch videos for Washington, DC in Dubai a few months back. Boy, did they put on a party! The event was hosted at the stunning National Building Museum in Washington, and there was plenty of flowing bubbly, top-notch canapes, and VIP guests to add to the fanfare.<br />
<br />
We were able to catch up with friends from the desert who had flown in for the event including our own US ambassador to the UAE, the President of Motivate Publishing, and the UAE embassy staff, who were able to keep us updated on the ongoing of our former home - even though we've only been gone a few weeks!<br />
<br />
The biggest surprise of the night was almost the fact that the three course meal was incredibly delicious for such a large event (no rubber chickens here) but instead, as a surprise to all the guests, it was when the Master of Ceremonies invited Lionel Richie out on stage for a twelve song set! A legend!<br />
<br />
As he sat down and started crooning "Easy Like Sunday Morning", he invited all the attendees to join him at the stage. While most people were hesitant, Matt encouraged us to make a move and I was glad we did - we ended up right next to the stage for a near private concert! My heart skipped a beat when he sang "Say You, Say Me" and I was moving my feet to his great performance of "All Night Long". The evening turned out to be a pretty special one, I never thought we'd be front and center in front of Mr. Richie! <br />
<br />
Here are some of his best songs, in case your memory needs jogging on just how cool this guy really is!<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewO46d-pYL83AULfH1bkRY-V0irDZSCQPGwTYWyc83sOkGDjIoiIZVfVZXvDYMRqD9hoSo_H5-bbeDK5mWLu1WRMvxG0aSmvLJVG_kODcq8s-NbbRYPPi3FWPZYTVW6Vxv3NrKzfpnedu/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewO46d-pYL83AULfH1bkRY-V0irDZSCQPGwTYWyc83sOkGDjIoiIZVfVZXvDYMRqD9hoSo_H5-bbeDK5mWLu1WRMvxG0aSmvLJVG_kODcq8s-NbbRYPPi3FWPZYTVW6Vxv3NrKzfpnedu/s400/IMG_0625.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzp-yYXoBWwQraLlRa62tf9n34QST_TWR3m-4x6ggEchRLDEmlcEkYnkM-aG9_wcU7juqtjGmsGAImkimwIxaV3TxA98PsjYYNbMzR75ptY2HIzeI7VQN1G7c1ldvdpdQOpCFToW-N2CCc/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzp-yYXoBWwQraLlRa62tf9n34QST_TWR3m-4x6ggEchRLDEmlcEkYnkM-aG9_wcU7juqtjGmsGAImkimwIxaV3TxA98PsjYYNbMzR75ptY2HIzeI7VQN1G7c1ldvdpdQOpCFToW-N2CCc/s400/IMG_0653.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXYfhmhbQCz24V94Fvk2mF-MxM9xfba63-G9uAC6nnQ8z1MTpOMzcCzoivCXrqjvremVSZbqmatRcAxY6XJFBGF-F_PjCFDvF5vwkcAqk5huTEwTdY6liCVfcz7SpKIFvlewVQClqWG03/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXYfhmhbQCz24V94Fvk2mF-MxM9xfba63-G9uAC6nnQ8z1MTpOMzcCzoivCXrqjvremVSZbqmatRcAxY6XJFBGF-F_PjCFDvF5vwkcAqk5huTEwTdY6liCVfcz7SpKIFvlewVQClqWG03/s400/IMG_0657.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XQTLtrWJJyM" width="550"></iframe>
Say You, Say Me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AHLse4K6jaE" width="550"></iframe><br />
Three Times a Lady.</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pnxun_IdNVA" width="550"></iframe>
Easy Like Sunday Morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ORhaYBQtpVc" width="550"></iframe> All Night Long.</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-70143511020114520782012-09-04T12:26:00.003+04:002012-09-04T12:26:54.285+04:00Thai Cooking Class: When You Just Can't Get Enough Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our friends Maurice and Gemma certainly know how to ease our Thailand withdraw symptoms. No sooner did we return from Thailand, than did we receive an invitation to celebrate Maurice's 30-something birthday party with a Thai cooking class! Well, maybe it was just coincidence, but we were grateful nonetheless to be included in Maurice's big celebrate and of course, to have an excuse to chow down on some pad thai goong. <br />
<br />
The class is held by the Thai Kitchen restaurant in the Park Hyatt on the creek in Dubai. The restaurant gets top marks for it's cuisine during dinner time, often heralded as one of the best Thai meals in the city, but by day you and some friends can have the chance to take the restaurant by storm - cooking your way through their various stations to create your own lunch while the Master Chef advises. It was a great way to spend an afternoon and a really special way to celebrate a birthday - I would highly recommend it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59cHY6Q2k6heMrMqeDeAuxSI0OCXBWQ6Z4IntaO8R_wq4iHS00XjgC-ovf9l0FeUSq00FprpMfNWmeeHzZ7ZQMfLTdRVlEXdIG4yoX8BYqSy5bOtQm9XkTqDk1WFca6L_fHkGrjPkv5f2/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59cHY6Q2k6heMrMqeDeAuxSI0OCXBWQ6Z4IntaO8R_wq4iHS00XjgC-ovf9l0FeUSq00FprpMfNWmeeHzZ7ZQMfLTdRVlEXdIG4yoX8BYqSy5bOtQm9XkTqDk1WFca6L_fHkGrjPkv5f2/s400/IMG_0444.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A striking display. $10 to the guy who can eat the most?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrEoW7SBlrpQm0D605Ihi_u69Y3x5jRdNd7D8BxYISOej2EDBwuKKpRkDe_muvKwyhJjg_km5QeQWk4P124LSMbDvA_nRGKNRdj9kJx_oN7JYOBrM_6qkJPZCZiftyIg2ZDBPs9yKiv2e/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrEoW7SBlrpQm0D605Ihi_u69Y3x5jRdNd7D8BxYISOej2EDBwuKKpRkDe_muvKwyhJjg_km5QeQWk4P124LSMbDvA_nRGKNRdj9kJx_oN7JYOBrM_6qkJPZCZiftyIg2ZDBPs9yKiv2e/s400/IMG_0467.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We may look the part, but Matt did most of the cooking. I mostly did what I do best, look on casually while sipping wine - most of the ladies joined me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHZsT4c4brbMpdHfkDWOZs1sAWr4dBISY2oTNN8qT4ZVPC_9B7iqfuaS7s5TRF2UQjvy82Q-bOhwJkSVhE9Ft4hmdCJZ6EaYqdi5uMNTQag_y-6yJ9gIuZhhs_7Ncbu5Qcx5qhzo6ul7y/s1600/IMG_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHZsT4c4brbMpdHfkDWOZs1sAWr4dBISY2oTNN8qT4ZVPC_9B7iqfuaS7s5TRF2UQjvy82Q-bOhwJkSVhE9Ft4hmdCJZ6EaYqdi5uMNTQag_y-6yJ9gIuZhhs_7Ncbu5Qcx5qhzo6ul7y/s400/IMG_0503.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
Only Matt would have hat malfunctions. He broke two of them before he was relegated to the black beret.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHU6QbQQ8m3fLo9b4fbjg9iWiScwvEUQicYuPdhDpj5uwMPsdW4jTVGtD3N4-FgVWmup9854XUwJw5K7ot4FSWFnLGpE25khk2RK15cXdBBa5PpqW-6Bu-0Gw46-Ew9zXqxoVxhFzSEll/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHU6QbQQ8m3fLo9b4fbjg9iWiScwvEUQicYuPdhDpj5uwMPsdW4jTVGtD3N4-FgVWmup9854XUwJw5K7ot4FSWFnLGpE25khk2RK15cXdBBa5PpqW-6Bu-0Gw46-Ew9zXqxoVxhFzSEll/s400/IMG_0558.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The intensity of the group, as they learn how to make Thai fruit salad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvJhk8B6TQKL97wTsfK-BqEomUQYg_PB4-DlFnuAXwigRLEEyb5AEwP31fm4Eyy3neqzQmv1N1atHmFNapcEdhyYFkE_ufkqiCiGNj_I8TocvvVHU4xhslNVa1j2wHK4uyDO62WbQqC4e/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvJhk8B6TQKL97wTsfK-BqEomUQYg_PB4-DlFnuAXwigRLEEyb5AEwP31fm4Eyy3neqzQmv1N1atHmFNapcEdhyYFkE_ufkqiCiGNj_I8TocvvVHU4xhslNVa1j2wHK4uyDO62WbQqC4e/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This dish was by far the most surprising of the day. I would have never thought to mix chili, garlic and peanuts with fruit! It was delicious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeK_lG6k7penrkYwiZ0wtR6_fAxd6g4EjG8k9egwICvmZTWpks2WhY4Nz3avKxtvBZMJ8irbVDVjO56s8WH3pqXYuexUkTNUQc_h5LQiQCFKyGujkxr9kKXp4HK59L5R5v8zsPtdjaJ_x/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeK_lG6k7penrkYwiZ0wtR6_fAxd6g4EjG8k9egwICvmZTWpks2WhY4Nz3avKxtvBZMJ8irbVDVjO56s8WH3pqXYuexUkTNUQc_h5LQiQCFKyGujkxr9kKXp4HK59L5R5v8zsPtdjaJ_x/s400/IMG_0579.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt and Maurice enjoyed their time in the kitchen with just a little bit of help from some friends.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21fiEZWJLWowNVarFQPQMFHglVLyy4fgVqtOHUbpzZrFd45ZCOPQw_AFcTYR_sOi6XeL2ugKZ0qN1_l2STc4gxGhzuAhkBVKYfcO0-pnM26fGwicDlxGiEsUQDqTt3SQNKiKapcXcwi1v/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21fiEZWJLWowNVarFQPQMFHglVLyy4fgVqtOHUbpzZrFd45ZCOPQw_AFcTYR_sOi6XeL2ugKZ0qN1_l2STc4gxGhzuAhkBVKYfcO0-pnM26fGwicDlxGiEsUQDqTt3SQNKiKapcXcwi1v/s400/IMG_0619.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, did someone say pad thai? I'm on it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB0p5XDgWP7B8c0-IBAgMouo-GGHVsKyZNWzEgh4l2Em7GkKSgq3UhfkbSmPGtWRvVevpdbIlSx5-i2OROUTRhlxrn61cN1K56ki6CNct9IKjEXJgE24wIjNomddJP_ccA3i1xOYBgkmv/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB0p5XDgWP7B8c0-IBAgMouo-GGHVsKyZNWzEgh4l2Em7GkKSgq3UhfkbSmPGtWRvVevpdbIlSx5-i2OROUTRhlxrn61cN1K56ki6CNct9IKjEXJgE24wIjNomddJP_ccA3i1xOYBgkmv/s400/IMG_0621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I take mine with double the crushed peanuts. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgrCsPkSaWTyLY4TUVDyeKYKOZkLqxvYzesxOP0RLvxC6ka_bRcXGMTakKCPaEV1VkEXTyHhYXPVK4uzn6fZFyQbvRRFWb45dn9ASVkO-dM56b12PYAYfoF6DZ3Jp1RHhr29J0zZwvQb5/s1600/IMG_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgrCsPkSaWTyLY4TUVDyeKYKOZkLqxvYzesxOP0RLvxC6ka_bRcXGMTakKCPaEV1VkEXTyHhYXPVK4uzn6fZFyQbvRRFWb45dn9ASVkO-dM56b12PYAYfoF6DZ3Jp1RHhr29J0zZwvQb5/s400/IMG_0622.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The boys were really enamored with the 'meat drawer'.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy8q2DeOoeDm46svaFk6vkxH2IUFcb-mXB6XXWznir4Y7XDKPNL-b02xVINIFtu8nkWURxLIXAioVZPS2aJborQ-KHBQysVhKeFX23whfTpd7FzbRVs9kBPLuKE5jysH17g2gZVbZYFe3/s1600/IMG_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy8q2DeOoeDm46svaFk6vkxH2IUFcb-mXB6XXWznir4Y7XDKPNL-b02xVINIFtu8nkWURxLIXAioVZPS2aJborQ-KHBQysVhKeFX23whfTpd7FzbRVs9kBPLuKE5jysH17g2gZVbZYFe3/s400/IMG_0639.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you can't take the heat, then...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAIpInjwjB_aY3ALk4ICIWjLPNtx6sBZf9flI7epKtnrtpgzn3S8SuCgxaiRU2CiXLMCcK1un252j_vUo4xSOHCEq59hddLDOk_bunpnViPwP5VvfriSGMf8MUUumIA1HC3bKMxkKmjq5/s1600/IMG_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAIpInjwjB_aY3ALk4ICIWjLPNtx6sBZf9flI7epKtnrtpgzn3S8SuCgxaiRU2CiXLMCcK1un252j_vUo4xSOHCEq59hddLDOk_bunpnViPwP5VvfriSGMf8MUUumIA1HC3bKMxkKmjq5/s400/IMG_0699.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The motley crew making our final dish of the day - dessert: coconut mango tapioca pudding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vBqfSyO0Ed1AxFuvWB5ACH0-R-HnhaKYLHw4lKtzft7SxsWrPrunQj_oZNuv0z9sNedxn3AUuRcyv-VWn5wSjUXgG8Dmvf7DwcN9ZqA_vF5TlTop1iE3HGcDs5iUg8LPGDaGGRB29kwJ/s1600/IMG_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vBqfSyO0Ed1AxFuvWB5ACH0-R-HnhaKYLHw4lKtzft7SxsWrPrunQj_oZNuv0z9sNedxn3AUuRcyv-VWn5wSjUXgG8Dmvf7DwcN9ZqA_vF5TlTop1iE3HGcDs5iUg8LPGDaGGRB29kwJ/s400/IMG_0707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the end of the day we were certified by the master chef. I wonder if I can now add this to my CV?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0pQKa_uCTHerf7kQQCgDdfBBREMgRhcQoLLOI1BJSSPen9X7g1OnoU7-lP_zgDp2d8YECDYxD7rpD_LjAbmDOHz3YAqqWVjv6T3sAP6MYS0pGdG6QPT1wIIHK5M0CzhtUdibpmaBpE1L/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0pQKa_uCTHerf7kQQCgDdfBBREMgRhcQoLLOI1BJSSPen9X7g1OnoU7-lP_zgDp2d8YECDYxD7rpD_LjAbmDOHz3YAqqWVjv6T3sAP6MYS0pGdG6QPT1wIIHK5M0CzhtUdibpmaBpE1L/s400/IMG_0715.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yay, we graduated!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTtrygkirRgPe5LZ6zZsxHufNVcN0393nApI7J0VLq0SF_RrAv2gzBGIR3Vo9zxRIqepNbXQ3N1HY9wXdUck4wJbC6DQxL7wIPxQk9QUKHQIeFcSWI2ILkY13Zm9kRKAKLvlFG4JMGoZG/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTtrygkirRgPe5LZ6zZsxHufNVcN0393nApI7J0VLq0SF_RrAv2gzBGIR3Vo9zxRIqepNbXQ3N1HY9wXdUck4wJbC6DQxL7wIPxQk9QUKHQIeFcSWI2ILkY13Zm9kRKAKLvlFG4JMGoZG/s400/IMG_0730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maurice shows us that 30-something is no really challenge for him - look at that one legged squat, showoff!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And since most of the day we shared the kitchen with our Italian friends, I'll part with a happy birthday Maurice! Buon Cibo, Buon Vino, Buoni Amici! We were lucky to have all of them.</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-84003457353476936372012-08-27T20:57:00.001+04:002012-08-27T20:59:07.793+04:00From Dubai to Chiang Mai: One Last Eid Trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Almost all of our friends and family now know that Matt and I are plotting our move back to US this Fall. For us that means a lot of things to look forward to, and of course, plenty of things to miss. One of our most favorite times of year (although it does change with the sighting of the moon) is the Eid al Fitr holiday which marks of the end of Ramadan. An annual 'Eid trip' is a hallmark of time in Dubai and in the past we've been fortunate to travel to some great places. As this Eid approached and the list of things to do for our pending move grew longer, we thought that we might just have to stay in town for this final Eid. Prices were up, time was low, and there was just too much to do.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then it struck. That nagging, stir crazy, cabin feverish feeling of missing out on an opportunity to see another side of the world. Matt caught me casually (furiously) perusing TripAdvisor and I caught him logging into his Skywards miles and studying a world map. I mean, what were we going to do, <i>look</i> at each other for the next 4 days? There were elephants to ride, tigers to play with and rain forests to hike! Thus our trip (all planned in the preceding 48 hours) to Chiang Mai, Thailand was born.</div>
<div>
<br />
For those of you following our adventures for the last five years you know we have a problem sitting still. How could we not end on a high note? This will mark our fourth trip to Thailand in four years, and what started as a first date is clearly now a full blown love affair. We are hopelessly in love with Thailand.<br />
<br />
First stop, play with some baby tigers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIqS9TDZ1QdTOboVxTgOuWjtOdEHy41L-MgrDsjRoWnOZBWudp6bhnDgwMTSVMdMyWsEsbJ9Zqspl4tPluZ72KF4X-Phdl7Dh3l-P-qmrC57QHW3qN_wm1NRiyWNe5svNEmfGTFbGEjr6/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIqS9TDZ1QdTOboVxTgOuWjtOdEHy41L-MgrDsjRoWnOZBWudp6bhnDgwMTSVMdMyWsEsbJ9Zqspl4tPluZ72KF4X-Phdl7Dh3l-P-qmrC57QHW3qN_wm1NRiyWNe5svNEmfGTFbGEjr6/s320/DSC_0155.JPG" width="228" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY2dOnBZK47ZMZjAbqJuxa8iL1xdf3ZZL_X6paQ0o2J9J6Pqy_d6WoZsthMF9xSyb70ZA_HPxJ5Vf6cHVHwmZV9VZ5Sv2jBK0dawo_F21OtBB9-pOlurxPdPemcn3obhAWeOD34SUyWRv/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY2dOnBZK47ZMZjAbqJuxa8iL1xdf3ZZL_X6paQ0o2J9J6Pqy_d6WoZsthMF9xSyb70ZA_HPxJ5Vf6cHVHwmZV9VZ5Sv2jBK0dawo_F21OtBB9-pOlurxPdPemcn3obhAWeOD34SUyWRv/s320/DSC_0146.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgmBjcyTJiXtkjtkTOJewAYAtK1HPcA8wfAo1kUSRY5GpQFZ_VNZo-iyOyhaCuIJqSAuANg-xHtPNArTybFEFsZEvNvHTDjprOsvDbZKDZAapRQIH07vjttXBF5-x9MnjItq0bpnftF2G/s1600/_DSC0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgmBjcyTJiXtkjtkTOJewAYAtK1HPcA8wfAo1kUSRY5GpQFZ_VNZo-iyOyhaCuIJqSAuANg-xHtPNArTybFEFsZEvNvHTDjprOsvDbZKDZAapRQIH07vjttXBF5-x9MnjItq0bpnftF2G/s400/_DSC0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
These tigers are rescued from abusive domestic situations where they were bought as exotic pets for some clearly crazy owners. The sad truth is that it means of course that they don't get to fully indulge in their wild ways. I must say however, it was a fascinating and once in a lifetime experience to see this stunning creatures up close. They are spectacular looking, and I have nothing but respect for their sheer size and power.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqdE0-SWvN59ioM-KK8qiLj-ULS5wM_DnqYhSgK_Jz1BlI32IcUoOjV13OLKS1GZd2tE08y6rSXeGaR_uPfCvQBg6AODDJkEJkHktXwatbhIp32_ZYarxTjFFdI2HZ0bvPsqZiRX_d_9i/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqdE0-SWvN59ioM-KK8qiLj-ULS5wM_DnqYhSgK_Jz1BlI32IcUoOjV13OLKS1GZd2tE08y6rSXeGaR_uPfCvQBg6AODDJkEJkHktXwatbhIp32_ZYarxTjFFdI2HZ0bvPsqZiRX_d_9i/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hanging out with the Buddha at Wat Phra Singh. One of Chiang Mai's most famous temples. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJTM5poBiGqJ1gvCOM3e6u3TWYbjMbrHRHEzD8_SKNniU58QQo2WUp6LnagCM9_rGB3NbhQP-JQQeIwnAFsZ-Zcbj211x9UuN3OWtHusBGLbK3C28EwaM4cIzA1Gl182Qbmwni2nyf2YJ/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJTM5poBiGqJ1gvCOM3e6u3TWYbjMbrHRHEzD8_SKNniU58QQo2WUp6LnagCM9_rGB3NbhQP-JQQeIwnAFsZ-Zcbj211x9UuN3OWtHusBGLbK3C28EwaM4cIzA1Gl182Qbmwni2nyf2YJ/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The temples are in the <i>lanna</i> architectural style, which is characterized by the sweeping upturned roof. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Today, what we now term as the ‘Lanna’ rule refers chiefly to the period AD 1259-1558 when northern Thailand and Chiang Mai in particular asserted itself as a centre of arts, culture and architecture - similar to the Italian city of Florence during the Renaissance - during an almost identical period of history.</span> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8PkA6nNLGKwdGXpIUci9XNDH1ENFezugaeAYjDuSQ5TSgSaCZoczDZRmC0EbrNC4Mt7-v6xAWnct_PgkJJ4CcyPNOoLKBYSOQ5Wq38SAYbp6A2r2rfoyYIJDlMezewIqSOy0IuOcch0h/s1600/IMG_9965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8PkA6nNLGKwdGXpIUci9XNDH1ENFezugaeAYjDuSQ5TSgSaCZoczDZRmC0EbrNC4Mt7-v6xAWnct_PgkJJ4CcyPNOoLKBYSOQ5Wq38SAYbp6A2r2rfoyYIJDlMezewIqSOy0IuOcch0h/s400/IMG_9965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">Wat Chedi Luang was started in the 14th century, when King </span><a class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saen_Muang_Ma&action=edit&redlink=1" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #a55858; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Saen Muang Ma (page does not exist)">Saen Muang Ma</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start;"> planned to bury the ashes of his father there. After 10 years of building time it was left unfinished, later to be continued after the death of the king by his widow. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">It was then 82 m high and had a base diameter of 54 m, at that time the largest building of all </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanna" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Lanna">Lanna</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">. In 1468, the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_Buddha" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Emerald Buddha">Emerald Buddha</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start;"> was installed in the eastern niche. In 1545, the upper 30 m of the structure collapsed after an earthquake, and shortly thereafter, in 1551, the Emerald Buddha was moved to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Luang Prabang">Luang Prabang</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSPkvsd3hujj0dkbduR9ZbTU46REP4kzPt6x2jim-E-BVmX4LcsrE222lhv1vzw1d2CYrsMtSoF3fMNEaEcvNUKIcxXqpirZherHmbyCQeayKuXE836jn01A4UaRG59td_o_wEWaQKw6v/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSPkvsd3hujj0dkbduR9ZbTU46REP4kzPt6x2jim-E-BVmX4LcsrE222lhv1vzw1d2CYrsMtSoF3fMNEaEcvNUKIcxXqpirZherHmbyCQeayKuXE836jn01A4UaRG59td_o_wEWaQKw6v/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The beautiful Wat Doi Suthep is found on the top of a mountain overlooking all of Chaing Mai and it makes for some great views. Learn more about the legend of the white elephant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phrathat_Doi_Suthep">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2VQCdwEdVPrky0bCd3iffaJ2qjNXxmobPLSu-oQIEv3jq3SMp8OsoNTBYNReWuTWcuE54RQ-Oq46LbaY31yMikW8oNdvrHQzaayyIbYZ0AAOKRMcVPWuBdPaWgR2cGyB9V7l6gRTWbti/s1600/IMG_8926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2VQCdwEdVPrky0bCd3iffaJ2qjNXxmobPLSu-oQIEv3jq3SMp8OsoNTBYNReWuTWcuE54RQ-Oq46LbaY31yMikW8oNdvrHQzaayyIbYZ0AAOKRMcVPWuBdPaWgR2cGyB9V7l6gRTWbti/s400/IMG_8926.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt received a blessing by one of the Theravada Buddhist monks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sQ_jM2CiJXiqwEgjarpQr8mQehcgCqNirgtsU_SZNmfaMl4ZQlwR6Qx1yoiIEQ88ulOsQx9pA21fjaMTLjxZpU7RAZrNwyESVzaaf_GEbJwX5B8Z0K9y5qLEJs971-oEALa3ttIJko8k/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sQ_jM2CiJXiqwEgjarpQr8mQehcgCqNirgtsU_SZNmfaMl4ZQlwR6Qx1yoiIEQ88ulOsQx9pA21fjaMTLjxZpU7RAZrNwyESVzaaf_GEbJwX5B8Z0K9y5qLEJs971-oEALa3ttIJko8k/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2-o_j_CsnqxcZ0Gwp72UcdFs8YhpilyLdgfOFa7c8ntUUsplxBZQFeAPyWKerpkt3btKDwG8ML2tgNvRU6Q84LG5v9gk7LZAGgY-mteWvWd5xauMbnObj5u_nU7SUglX7I1jwC1dPp-j/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2-o_j_CsnqxcZ0Gwp72UcdFs8YhpilyLdgfOFa7c8ntUUsplxBZQFeAPyWKerpkt3btKDwG8ML2tgNvRU6Q84LG5v9gk7LZAGgY-mteWvWd5xauMbnObj5u_nU7SUglX7I1jwC1dPp-j/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Chaing Mai zoo held other adventures, like the chance to hand feed a hippo! (A hungry, hungry hippo?) And the opportunity to see fields of orchids who simply have no problem proliferating in the climate. I've been trying to get the one on my table to re-bloom for a year!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIv1GBecFSVURuC3iy4nBHQZYHwcfmalM6wEFcqodxdrR09l1mkzPOUjQtk3CA7DXKBs0UnnLMtR2vhkNGk5PA28FoBOZaWev2Abga_wbOPbhLIhofIct3BqW3xVfTBGOBQ-_3AHsZ2__/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIv1GBecFSVURuC3iy4nBHQZYHwcfmalM6wEFcqodxdrR09l1mkzPOUjQtk3CA7DXKBs0UnnLMtR2vhkNGk5PA28FoBOZaWev2Abga_wbOPbhLIhofIct3BqW3xVfTBGOBQ-_3AHsZ2__/s320/IMG_8904.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpmcr5FdtBawgUwXeoerwwr1U8VXZECneeiPf2yKg5MHF2emrNZtZ6NCQOLYBmVylcXWsi5cP4kaUNRmrxrIZlHB3JKGScX9QAs91Zrd-DHws2fd3I6-gFUlMnPyo7r4m08_tWsQwB13h/s1600/IMG_8906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpmcr5FdtBawgUwXeoerwwr1U8VXZECneeiPf2yKg5MHF2emrNZtZ6NCQOLYBmVylcXWsi5cP4kaUNRmrxrIZlHB3JKGScX9QAs91Zrd-DHws2fd3I6-gFUlMnPyo7r4m08_tWsQwB13h/s320/IMG_8906.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A visit to a local market is always top on our list and the fantastic produce here didn't disappoint. Neither did the delicious lemon grass smoked pork sausage we nabbed and noshed for breakfast!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-aJkEzG1ZvEoaG5wWG4UFn5XADJ3tvEiz2NgLn_oKtihCKlRmcd3onuN2weuClnBRcjKXlm9PuUxUvwJtj2JBf26APNmuYcx2jvZ3-sANR7BdAqNkRjoYsLnzUz3Ndc9BSJ8ttQkYpvL/s1600/IMG_8907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-aJkEzG1ZvEoaG5wWG4UFn5XADJ3tvEiz2NgLn_oKtihCKlRmcd3onuN2weuClnBRcjKXlm9PuUxUvwJtj2JBf26APNmuYcx2jvZ3-sANR7BdAqNkRjoYsLnzUz3Ndc9BSJ8ttQkYpvL/s400/IMG_8907.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then there were the grub...as a protein only mean I hear they are South Beach Diet friendly ladies!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Y8vICDXLc2_pKdscdyI4K9DMVl1fdcekG1-mpweCZV4FWaY615g-bsuyWp_6b0xq5QLVdJlIsob060rP8tFwiLfrudSfoWlvKHHAvGmIAN-Li86hjwlB7NgvzBoVFc6WTZDGc0HGBgO/s1600/IMG_9266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Y8vICDXLc2_pKdscdyI4K9DMVl1fdcekG1-mpweCZV4FWaY615g-bsuyWp_6b0xq5QLVdJlIsob060rP8tFwiLfrudSfoWlvKHHAvGmIAN-Li86hjwlB7NgvzBoVFc6WTZDGc0HGBgO/s320/IMG_9266.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D_b9rzPBU8bG-qew5t1GGVTERSHYXyTnQs1qkwOa-e-1sLyWmGHKYiAclmv_hsFhU6Vuxq4lNgDDWVfcSYZVqnKoe2BTA20QHSJ9sgoTwxIg73GFVdXbErOBuX3sm7QvoPU6TEbZb_ji/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D_b9rzPBU8bG-qew5t1GGVTERSHYXyTnQs1qkwOa-e-1sLyWmGHKYiAclmv_hsFhU6Vuxq4lNgDDWVfcSYZVqnKoe2BTA20QHSJ9sgoTwxIg73GFVdXbErOBuX3sm7QvoPU6TEbZb_ji/s320/IMG_8685.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D_b9rzPBU8bG-qew5t1GGVTERSHYXyTnQs1qkwOa-e-1sLyWmGHKYiAclmv_hsFhU6Vuxq4lNgDDWVfcSYZVqnKoe2BTA20QHSJ9sgoTwxIg73GFVdXbErOBuX3sm7QvoPU6TEbZb_ji/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D_b9rzPBU8bG-qew5t1GGVTERSHYXyTnQs1qkwOa-e-1sLyWmGHKYiAclmv_hsFhU6Vuxq4lNgDDWVfcSYZVqnKoe2BTA20QHSJ9sgoTwxIg73GFVdXbErOBuX3sm7QvoPU6TEbZb_ji/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D_b9rzPBU8bG-qew5t1GGVTERSHYXyTnQs1qkwOa-e-1sLyWmGHKYiAclmv_hsFhU6Vuxq4lNgDDWVfcSYZVqnKoe2BTA20QHSJ9sgoTwxIg73GFVdXbErOBuX3sm7QvoPU6TEbZb_ji/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D_b9rzPBU8bG-qew5t1GGVTERSHYXyTnQs1qkwOa-e-1sLyWmGHKYiAclmv_hsFhU6Vuxq4lNgDDWVfcSYZVqnKoe2BTA20QHSJ9sgoTwxIg73GFVdXbErOBuX3sm7QvoPU6TEbZb_ji/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D_b9rzPBU8bG-qew5t1GGVTERSHYXyTnQs1qkwOa-e-1sLyWmGHKYiAclmv_hsFhU6Vuxq4lNgDDWVfcSYZVqnKoe2BTA20QHSJ9sgoTwxIg73GFVdXbErOBuX3sm7QvoPU6TEbZb_ji/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqv5KQDNUdyPvkXVtqZhMXoADnxKCKQdDfEyucEq4Zy2TNbTVcTXNidqpbgIAmSabJy1KVMUV6ELOLyk8gdi_ePk-rEhAPdjwvEzPX0uDVPSe3F49g5cPwaO0sypFID7hyphenhyphenEpZJfzJQYp5/s1600/IMG_9274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqv5KQDNUdyPvkXVtqZhMXoADnxKCKQdDfEyucEq4Zy2TNbTVcTXNidqpbgIAmSabJy1KVMUV6ELOLyk8gdi_ePk-rEhAPdjwvEzPX0uDVPSe3F49g5cPwaO0sypFID7hyphenhyphenEpZJfzJQYp5/s400/IMG_9274.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For another first we took the chance to zip line through the rain forest. If you've never done it I can't recommend it enough. Soaring through the jungle on a wire was an incredible feeling! I was a bit nervous at first but I was clearly hitting my stride after a few glides. The experience is called Flight of the Gibbon in reference to the way a gibbon would swing through the tree tops.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH9VqNd2mAvQ9DFxq43yyzVchflcFl5ASDi4CTKeBDeJpbYT6D9-cQgN1ipD2fGVeFfehBX10lyYsw9w_RV6PEn6vrTH-s2nRBLYpldeLpTTPZtm2TJEu_C1goM10JdjOmaQOBWotGE1R/s1600/IMG_9209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH9VqNd2mAvQ9DFxq43yyzVchflcFl5ASDi4CTKeBDeJpbYT6D9-cQgN1ipD2fGVeFfehBX10lyYsw9w_RV6PEn6vrTH-s2nRBLYpldeLpTTPZtm2TJEu_C1goM10JdjOmaQOBWotGE1R/s400/IMG_9209.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And wouldn't you know we ran into this baby gibbon during our travels.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk0sR4JyQOV0oIXYUKv7t4nQurY1hOyNFJt4G6gXzZoSd3X6RyEtJcD-hu5bGcLrU9zpLHSmvr9drwTmtRICA-KWIuIXDLIaCPxR_AewcEQ1RFmVPK0bU9BCYwE1VB8ey_A4aButgsl8k/s1600/IMG_9439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk0sR4JyQOV0oIXYUKv7t4nQurY1hOyNFJt4G6gXzZoSd3X6RyEtJcD-hu5bGcLrU9zpLHSmvr9drwTmtRICA-KWIuIXDLIaCPxR_AewcEQ1RFmVPK0bU9BCYwE1VB8ey_A4aButgsl8k/s320/IMG_9439.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxuOwGKeyapGUkTnuprE__hoXNjYuFv3rCUsCDuwEfLfCVTcg6UhBExxSsnfq7_5DHppry9ttCDFccYSEolGX27bXlw74HppRO9DH7rHFTV13VKtVz7NWWQ0yJ10Q1WG_2KgH0zJ4HYEw/s1600/IMG_9525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxuOwGKeyapGUkTnuprE__hoXNjYuFv3rCUsCDuwEfLfCVTcg6UhBExxSsnfq7_5DHppry9ttCDFccYSEolGX27bXlw74HppRO9DH7rHFTV13VKtVz7NWWQ0yJ10Q1WG_2KgH0zJ4HYEw/s320/IMG_9525.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <a href="http://www.baanchangelephantpark.com/">Baan Chang Elephant Park</a> is a visit that I will not soon forget. This wonderful organization buys mistreated working elephants and gives them a life in 'retirement' allowing us to bath and exercise with them. There is a long history of domesticated working elephants in Thailand though to number about 20,000. Not all are mistreated but many are ill cared for and worked to death. In many cities in Thailand they actually roam the streets begging for a meal since they are unable to return to the wild. This park is doing some incredible work in giving them a second life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPWgk9ZqbbeXEc10xG4G-1tDBWwVRWLdYeAnhICjm1avgWtTAvf6cTZAdx5na_j3okUMNOKjojw38Ig7n-KJWHc3YjYoaRQ8Md10lwbyjSZ6kha8PGX59Up2e9jyuDpKnyh0UF7KI5Py5/s1600/IMG_9489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPWgk9ZqbbeXEc10xG4G-1tDBWwVRWLdYeAnhICjm1avgWtTAvf6cTZAdx5na_j3okUMNOKjojw38Ig7n-KJWHc3YjYoaRQ8Md10lwbyjSZ6kha8PGX59Up2e9jyuDpKnyh0UF7KI5Py5/s400/IMG_9489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You haven't lived until you've been 'kissed' by an elephant!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7augrL5EaYm6aRow_Q5yHyESB2vQey0ImHkG6oux_5AR2IBN3QE6sJfUk-yxo_Hcfg_PU8T1hpKXaVb2MweDtJXGXyuB315cgSumfRF93DBMmNtzPf0SyqZkSklGPByZt85_YpY_AZqk/s1600/IMG_9537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7augrL5EaYm6aRow_Q5yHyESB2vQey0ImHkG6oux_5AR2IBN3QE6sJfUk-yxo_Hcfg_PU8T1hpKXaVb2MweDtJXGXyuB315cgSumfRF93DBMmNtzPf0SyqZkSklGPByZt85_YpY_AZqk/s400/IMG_9537.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt's a 'mahout' for the day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzmZxe4ly_gL3mMYa7hCMjI2Qw3VBdHSElSPEy0zgcUD0lV_DCQNIWbRlmVSIn0yAZlGJqYhSHOcKu3RqXCF53cZ5l2B7Cop9Te_fq0WDYDoEF_U7FGHT_GfC133HYzs7nZYytHR4lS8R/s1600/IMG_9714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzmZxe4ly_gL3mMYa7hCMjI2Qw3VBdHSElSPEy0zgcUD0lV_DCQNIWbRlmVSIn0yAZlGJqYhSHOcKu3RqXCF53cZ5l2B7Cop9Te_fq0WDYDoEF_U7FGHT_GfC133HYzs7nZYytHR4lS8R/s400/IMG_9714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A private joke!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcnTk8ole4pmUTzhB2ADoyc9N9FXRr8wlTZMBV-CMJAmop7mTY3RSXu-gjuyg25IvTtEcd31BVl-DPe-Lrht1njBM-sODaMvAocUCTwhxLAW7FOnLNJ6pavOK-agY6GkjWSwA7ZMv3vLn/s1600/IMG_9731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcnTk8ole4pmUTzhB2ADoyc9N9FXRr8wlTZMBV-CMJAmop7mTY3RSXu-gjuyg25IvTtEcd31BVl-DPe-Lrht1njBM-sODaMvAocUCTwhxLAW7FOnLNJ6pavOK-agY6GkjWSwA7ZMv3vLn/s400/IMG_9731.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bathing beauty! My little girl was just 6 years old and was born to her mother in the park (she was rescued pregnant). She loved the water!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMHagJjpelz6jGcDPxZ9_-VUwVtN4KKqPbJo7Sid5AV7TayntEt2oiATfyujx7Nxo4Lngs95bA4I8Sh1ZB8uNzSKB4efi-VNwGNtcdzJFgqwEMKq8bd0wM2BmemRf3jS_m5BY0oYxBmI6/s1600/IMG_8810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMHagJjpelz6jGcDPxZ9_-VUwVtN4KKqPbJo7Sid5AV7TayntEt2oiATfyujx7Nxo4Lngs95bA4I8Sh1ZB8uNzSKB4efi-VNwGNtcdzJFgqwEMKq8bd0wM2BmemRf3jS_m5BY0oYxBmI6/s400/IMG_8810.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bliss.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeNb_uVSrsJUJGg79ZuiEAj7eyKzHD28OVytiTAHwJrb1QAstTnLw_AFIcKjX9NJ-SxNfq5Q1D9x7lDlbvmcBq0rLQTZIZKl_FENWazDCQgIdy4i1Y-4y3C1Fjq30S6YqrUu0Vtise__B/s1600/IMG_9780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeNb_uVSrsJUJGg79ZuiEAj7eyKzHD28OVytiTAHwJrb1QAstTnLw_AFIcKjX9NJ-SxNfq5Q1D9x7lDlbvmcBq0rLQTZIZKl_FENWazDCQgIdy4i1Y-4y3C1Fjq30S6YqrUu0Vtise__B/s320/IMG_9780.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_seuSyfk7K2UE0m5BpcFlc5MvEhxlzJMV1RYyo8cEMgWsBdONvJ588wK2H75FOOGxa1X1MCDsYyFuLY3mgoGXVghrukRdNSWqIfr43CtP-vtqYCAUDsALo7eqDTg3DH_dw7Lqq0F8fmiX/s1600/IMG_9792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_seuSyfk7K2UE0m5BpcFlc5MvEhxlzJMV1RYyo8cEMgWsBdONvJ588wK2H75FOOGxa1X1MCDsYyFuLY3mgoGXVghrukRdNSWqIfr43CtP-vtqYCAUDsALo7eqDTg3DH_dw7Lqq0F8fmiX/s320/IMG_9792.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can't escape Thailand without a few delicious meals, so we decided to try our hand at learning how to make a few of the <span style="text-align: left;">specialties.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7muHmGDsEJXiIMvtSuDl0lQHhGEMX99WeUnpuIXHJf8mRW1ek2G4dFZdiyCjsmErHq89w7BROGh1bw5np9X_pU49-GyO5vh9sQgYtCEfy8ET_4YBIJf2AjjmwuChL8ZLJcIB1r0awH7tx/s1600/IMG_9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7muHmGDsEJXiIMvtSuDl0lQHhGEMX99WeUnpuIXHJf8mRW1ek2G4dFZdiyCjsmErHq89w7BROGh1bw5np9X_pU49-GyO5vh9sQgYtCEfy8ET_4YBIJf2AjjmwuChL8ZLJcIB1r0awH7tx/s320/IMG_9810.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZd6LiNatn0Wlcd4CIy-x3TY4hVN43rqVuZLkTx_yK8p_sCbk-Y4DJwtahqP6M77j-u0q2qaEmZEzzjWZAxcMSobhfNPRxpp5bGsOW9w9a0YvjrxmDhvv4Od_GAwC3ajBMwboE8qYh-To/s1600/IMG_9830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZd6LiNatn0Wlcd4CIy-x3TY4hVN43rqVuZLkTx_yK8p_sCbk-Y4DJwtahqP6M77j-u0q2qaEmZEzzjWZAxcMSobhfNPRxpp5bGsOW9w9a0YvjrxmDhvv4Od_GAwC3ajBMwboE8qYh-To/s320/IMG_9830.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: center;">We made some great curries and pad thai, but the drunken noodles preparation </span><span style="text-align: center;">definitely</span><span style="text-align: center;"> was </span><span style="text-align: center;">highlight</span><span style="text-align: center;"> of the instruction. If you can't take the heat, then...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7PVdktmC2h6u4re8EyIlf4envOHrlVE06OHMtRBHlZVdCBkA4RHCHq-D0UxXB0zi5T94eLg491U9Rnul9R4NZ0hn0BHTuUiEY_FwE4eIWUtwcxRfpJWycZUkeGfXpxQTrEpV5yHF9zPW/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7PVdktmC2h6u4re8EyIlf4envOHrlVE06OHMtRBHlZVdCBkA4RHCHq-D0UxXB0zi5T94eLg491U9Rnul9R4NZ0hn0BHTuUiEY_FwE4eIWUtwcxRfpJWycZUkeGfXpxQTrEpV5yHF9zPW/s400/IMG_9844.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can you believe all of this....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSq7sPFg0mrNNC1r2LmoMXI94O4ShaifiSF76pB2oADmQLRCCZQfXfvkN8z-N9hIrY9Xi4B88VN1CNooScDNRl6h_dIrfz6pFzsQry2mtmW80L_bIhPVOKk4CMw0_nsU9OUmGuMyl50oJ/s1600/IMG_9853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSq7sPFg0mrNNC1r2LmoMXI94O4ShaifiSF76pB2oADmQLRCCZQfXfvkN8z-N9hIrY9Xi4B88VN1CNooScDNRl6h_dIrfz6pFzsQry2mtmW80L_bIhPVOKk4CMw0_nsU9OUmGuMyl50oJ/s400/IMG_9853.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...turns into this! I have a new found respect for home made curry paste.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb_T4zI6z_ZTLR67Xs8T2ff8SyKDOEfjr5WWtlWNs6otP5K8fUgzABrb4pSKrci9EjtBQ3G-nrRc8J0HgT2aeUpbTXI9siClUO_ZNw4J-8caIYzO0ipvhpESogReGU74qxqE6f7XnycPQ/s1600/IMG_9890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb_T4zI6z_ZTLR67Xs8T2ff8SyKDOEfjr5WWtlWNs6otP5K8fUgzABrb4pSKrci9EjtBQ3G-nrRc8J0HgT2aeUpbTXI9siClUO_ZNw4J-8caIYzO0ipvhpESogReGU74qxqE6f7XnycPQ/s400/IMG_9890.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Speaking of culinary highlights, one of favorite new snacks was a spiral cut potato on a skewer. Simple and delicious. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh2NTErlSkPm-0D3Sil1zqC9neLeWEMZo7-uy6MBDkiSXa4muNtcmeOU4qyTSbMpTGMFl3ch9B04NiM2Ka4EtEbf_0wnLin8u407poinBsHzqH0k7I9OqB9pL5ruBWtB0d0gcwkumBRnU/s1600/IMG_9918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh2NTErlSkPm-0D3Sil1zqC9neLeWEMZo7-uy6MBDkiSXa4muNtcmeOU4qyTSbMpTGMFl3ch9B04NiM2Ka4EtEbf_0wnLin8u407poinBsHzqH0k7I9OqB9pL5ruBWtB0d0gcwkumBRnU/s400/IMG_9918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6qUUzLl9lbNp3h4ic10zi9oi-Vvh0y34qQB1Ia4W6_PyVOIgpvz71G3p2DU014_qYuTcPIT6GhBN8oAZKaVMxiQIQ4KMJ3Gpyf7aViBWjZWfcqT4oiyr1zoUqdqSae5SnPgg5qzr7X4S/s1600/IMG_9920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6qUUzLl9lbNp3h4ic10zi9oi-Vvh0y34qQB1Ia4W6_PyVOIgpvz71G3p2DU014_qYuTcPIT6GhBN8oAZKaVMxiQIQ4KMJ3Gpyf7aViBWjZWfcqT4oiyr1zoUqdqSae5SnPgg5qzr7X4S/s400/IMG_9920.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh and did I mention the bug buffet?</div>
<br />
It's clear that no matter how you whet your appetite Thailand will always make for a satisfying trip!</div>
</div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-14556853982005225022012-08-22T18:39:00.001+04:002012-08-22T18:39:56.742+04:00Better Homes Cover!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's not Sports Illustrated or the September issue of Vogue, but we aren't real models either so we have to be happy with what we get! Matt and I were pretty jazzed to grace the cover of Dubai's Better Homes magazine this past week. It was a great opportunity for Matt's slick Knot Standard blazer to get some airtime and an even better excuse to clean our house from top to bottom. Cover shots are definitely "toothbrush on the grout" worthy! <br />
<br />
It was a great chance to look back on our last five years in Dubai and the place that we have made into a real home. We've come along way from living out of seven suitcases at the Movenpick hotel in our first month, to a chance to have our home featured on a cover so many years later. We've had so many weird and wonderful experiences (and blisters from Ikea allen wrenches) in our attempt to create a home in a foreign land. This piece gave a moment to look back on the journey that lead us here and we were really grateful and flattered to be featured!<br />
<br />
The full text of the article can be found here: <a href="http://www.bhomes.com/pdf/bh-dxb-mag-aug12.pdf">http://www.bhomes.com/pdf/bh-dxb-mag-aug12.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV3oMgKid7KUruk0RNKPw1126beSFxw2HAcj_2EfSA8HShzneHhYkIiFS-1_Kpc31EaBqCwUoV2Hf1bm0cyJ8hXYp5sZxn85oBcKP9WEfLY4qt5tFVzxWCK4DR6Ni4QHHin9NMJPUPmhL/s1600/Better+Homes+Magazine+Cover_Page_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV3oMgKid7KUruk0RNKPw1126beSFxw2HAcj_2EfSA8HShzneHhYkIiFS-1_Kpc31EaBqCwUoV2Hf1bm0cyJ8hXYp5sZxn85oBcKP9WEfLY4qt5tFVzxWCK4DR6Ni4QHHin9NMJPUPmhL/s640/Better+Homes+Magazine+Cover_Page_01.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpwwp5zwI0R-A_DMKVWrrywh3pWf40JwNUt0U9E8S_p5zM4_26uZ_N0IFQmPSUbbXsM7HxGJ_TmrJcG6tyO5zThyphenhyphenfbr3eye3IjX9ITNbJ8YAX7FQnjMCRBfQX_LeOftrZA-VY9LyuiJsY/s1600/Pages+from+Better+Homes+Magazine+pg8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpwwp5zwI0R-A_DMKVWrrywh3pWf40JwNUt0U9E8S_p5zM4_26uZ_N0IFQmPSUbbXsM7HxGJ_TmrJcG6tyO5zThyphenhyphenfbr3eye3IjX9ITNbJ8YAX7FQnjMCRBfQX_LeOftrZA-VY9LyuiJsY/s640/Pages+from+Better+Homes+Magazine+pg8.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4cW-x6VQYmZvvPm6tBzFy9XPlrXsSR7YlhlAZ3akRMdmbVHLXYnRBVlrCpwBSxVcFroO7ZAu-9ICGy3X1J1iOBH75p_AjHMAk2umarEXn0UwpxgY1ZCksnUKQ7H2kxz_gXwO5DHJfjcT/s1600/Pages+from+Better+Homes+Magazine+pg8+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4cW-x6VQYmZvvPm6tBzFy9XPlrXsSR7YlhlAZ3akRMdmbVHLXYnRBVlrCpwBSxVcFroO7ZAu-9ICGy3X1J1iOBH75p_AjHMAk2umarEXn0UwpxgY1ZCksnUKQ7H2kxz_gXwO5DHJfjcT/s640/Pages+from+Better+Homes+Magazine+pg8+-+Copy.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy93hzuedOkuZCteTy5wZjhEdX20gCNhSu6qL_GBKwIIvMxH9h0ft35zVICsBimdDabpjTpmSCUyr9ENRdEJq4tCKUGohdgsKx5-6mA_8t9vLtuqcIrpNUqNqAXjBxyNJCE5Q7wz53rk-/s1600/Better+Homes+Magazine+Cover_Page_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy93hzuedOkuZCteTy5wZjhEdX20gCNhSu6qL_GBKwIIvMxH9h0ft35zVICsBimdDabpjTpmSCUyr9ENRdEJq4tCKUGohdgsKx5-6mA_8t9vLtuqcIrpNUqNqAXjBxyNJCE5Q7wz53rk-/s640/Better+Homes+Magazine+Cover_Page_09.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m15rUAl7sW_IAnASyLpby62o6Liz_wUlxBrx-Fhvkx6N5wMHUlD2lJZcu6fX2OxlzDU4B8m9enL86WX_KHBDBQkaQU6HQ0jQQDpTPDF3DtE6y5FqFTYc0JvW-MhtW3Xzq0MDnF22eWmm/s1600/Better+Homes+Magazine+Cover_Page_09+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m15rUAl7sW_IAnASyLpby62o6Liz_wUlxBrx-Fhvkx6N5wMHUlD2lJZcu6fX2OxlzDU4B8m9enL86WX_KHBDBQkaQU6HQ0jQQDpTPDF3DtE6y5FqFTYc0JvW-MhtW3Xzq0MDnF22eWmm/s640/Better+Homes+Magazine+Cover_Page_09+-+Copy.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-40754480480699504082012-08-05T19:19:00.002+04:002012-08-05T19:44:13.975+04:00Zighy Bay: Rugged Relaxation in Oman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are very few ways to beat the heat on the Arabian Peninsula during the summer. Once the weather turns the whole region is engulfed in a blanket of haze and oppressive heat. In a search for ways to keep cool and due for another adventure, we set off for a little weekend away at the Six Senses resort in Zighy Bay, Oman. The resort is hidden behind the gargantuan Hajar Mountains, on the little-known Musandam Peninsula on the northernmost tip of Oman just 2 hours from Dubai.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeROfuckRWW14wXf-K4Tlf6hpK5-Y51D_EqQvmJh-IZ6lxcJoBaJISKYTnf8UMZgx7EeSrSGhzLa3xEJGfnBDEP6UwuPHgCf5lBj_mp-b9G-eqiYsU6j0oLFPaxVlqq8q1MX9BNBilZR6K/s1600/Zighy_Bay_Fact_Sheet.pdf+%28applicationpdf+Object%29+-+Mozilla+Firefox+852012+102749+AM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeROfuckRWW14wXf-K4Tlf6hpK5-Y51D_EqQvmJh-IZ6lxcJoBaJISKYTnf8UMZgx7EeSrSGhzLa3xEJGfnBDEP6UwuPHgCf5lBj_mp-b9G-eqiYsU6j0oLFPaxVlqq8q1MX9BNBilZR6K/s400/Zighy_Bay_Fact_Sheet.pdf+%28applicationpdf+Object%29+-+Mozilla+Firefox+852012+102749+AM.bmp.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
Any good road trip starts with a sweet ride, and luckily for us my love of millinery (and the resulting Best Hat honors) has given us the use of a Jaguar XK for the weekend. When she was dropped off, sporting a beautiful candy apple red finish, Matt was all smiles!
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9Wn8AtTkPTWdPT_o7ePgNrhXCEnIYFm4UcMuE4o2rvvD6LzZKlrc1xU-rmFBHrwTFD87FssrsOxOq7ZZXnIAK2cd26RXKLXEBK4p8zSupvTrR1BaWch3Bk1HmLSOlAcstog9qKrePJKK/s1600/IMG_8642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9Wn8AtTkPTWdPT_o7ePgNrhXCEnIYFm4UcMuE4o2rvvD6LzZKlrc1xU-rmFBHrwTFD87FssrsOxOq7ZZXnIAK2cd26RXKLXEBK4p8zSupvTrR1BaWch3Bk1HmLSOlAcstog9qKrePJKK/s400/IMG_8642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See it's worth it to support your wife's custom hat habit...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPK0MTa5UjcdwyrIeMTv8FMtOHKv4Ot2FbuKWc-U-wkpxa3oU0VWg6ZRLgqaq-qviM0jKLx6-wxOi3pDqL-9LcqpMQg7kKVhT0awiSIX6pPRDTre73TfWJg1VDzXZXrKNm_E4knsHTQIJ/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPK0MTa5UjcdwyrIeMTv8FMtOHKv4Ot2FbuKWc-U-wkpxa3oU0VWg6ZRLgqaq-qviM0jKLx6-wxOi3pDqL-9LcqpMQg7kKVhT0awiSIX6pPRDTre73TfWJg1VDzXZXrKNm_E4knsHTQIJ/s400/IMG_8652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once you arrive at the resort you have to switch to a 4x4 vehicle to traverse the mountains. Sorry Jag, this road wasn't built for you.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW7-Q7F1KCwQc19BhVNzyioSMq-56pIkTh1W-gt-wN7Ugih5oQKil3pbOeG6X7k_5U7hT1xaW_YPp9rZz9Pk19WEHZkYBOx3CT0EHyKLqqO8u4pC4n_XclcnThAR3LkpMuX9JgTLDVrHg/s1600/IMG_8730.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW7-Q7F1KCwQc19BhVNzyioSMq-56pIkTh1W-gt-wN7Ugih5oQKil3pbOeG6X7k_5U7hT1xaW_YPp9rZz9Pk19WEHZkYBOx3CT0EHyKLqqO8u4pC4n_XclcnThAR3LkpMuX9JgTLDVrHg/s400/IMG_8730.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With our transportation, and accommodations set we had one final
decision to make, mode of arrival. The resort offers an overland transfer via
4x4, a speedboat ride, or the chance to paraglide in from the mountain tops
down to the white sand beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll let
you guess which one Matt wanted to do…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After paragliding for the first time in Germany two years
ago, Matt’s been desperate to do it again, and he’s been insisting that I give
it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew the more I thought
about it the more terrified I would get, so I made the split second decision to
just do it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOBVzbNNEVWKNw9aIEhMD4OADLEEZtvq-09NoEn7O-ukFsdHriKuf6ZIV-QhL0OMgGsW_Et9gbKNhIfnAaz5WFqXSm2oLXEOWNg0v4G7IhDrPLxPm6KKjxO4A6rr6Cr3n5zv_uMhtnPJk/s1600/IMG_8658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOBVzbNNEVWKNw9aIEhMD4OADLEEZtvq-09NoEn7O-ukFsdHriKuf6ZIV-QhL0OMgGsW_Et9gbKNhIfnAaz5WFqXSm2oLXEOWNg0v4G7IhDrPLxPm6KKjxO4A6rr6Cr3n5zv_uMhtnPJk/s400/IMG_8658.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You want me to run off what?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBAdChW6-l-3sEjQNXFPtWDqEQeWCOgAfe4AntNbntsejlc-vvuUDD06cw6BOE-zZt8znwX5hF0Q7Uhv7zNjZ10HHvTuXNnpX42qOqvwHkoyQv6xhagRUM3ghmfsfNa9krfdZH_8luait/s1600/IMG_8684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBAdChW6-l-3sEjQNXFPtWDqEQeWCOgAfe4AntNbntsejlc-vvuUDD06cw6BOE-zZt8znwX5hF0Q7Uhv7zNjZ10HHvTuXNnpX42qOqvwHkoyQv6xhagRUM3ghmfsfNa9krfdZH_8luait/s400/IMG_8684.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
As they suited me up in the harness, the Omani staff member
told me that I must be scared because he could literally see my heart beating
out of my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My blood was pumping
and my stomach was in knots, and the brief instructions – “when I tell you to
run, just run off the cliff” – were not helping to ease my nerves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told that once we were in the air I
would then sit in the harness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
moment came, a mix of adrenaline and momentary confusion meant that I immediately
popped into my harness leaving the instructor to run us both of the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worked for me, but apparently this is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> how to take off.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cqRquGLFsSw" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The instructor said that this was one of the best days for flying that he had seen in months. If I was going to do it - it was now or never!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqDptRg1bTn2sw2ehJLMxJY4WTGx15ffj-rjJ8DuWHnD5VMTQUAR9CsZzT_uQ7_N6vKsbjupXVWFYHZ9bYC3AcY51MsiBpDtYlavy_XFp5HSa6ig0lcDBFhlIw75xJZt-Lqmmk6R2yM17/s1600/IMG_8695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqDptRg1bTn2sw2ehJLMxJY4WTGx15ffj-rjJ8DuWHnD5VMTQUAR9CsZzT_uQ7_N6vKsbjupXVWFYHZ9bYC3AcY51MsiBpDtYlavy_XFp5HSa6ig0lcDBFhlIw75xJZt-Lqmmk6R2yM17/s400/IMG_8695.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Once
in the air the feeling was incredible.
Now I understand what those birds are always chirping about. The chance to soar along the cliffs riding
the thermals, while drifting with the sea breeze was once in a lifetime. It is a moment of weightlessness and pure
bliss (albeit mixed with continued nervousness). </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7HLqN6g3cvfDGLe3Vg7rho3Blsx4G0UU4eUJIhS0QP5PIVbI2yLC37bA__kou5rdX8fuk0eE5NEiVH3cdDjRKpTv-Prbfk66nznZogyB0yUlAIny7khcvkeyCkoprS-4tFftX8tWYVVR/s1600/IMG_8711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7HLqN6g3cvfDGLe3Vg7rho3Blsx4G0UU4eUJIhS0QP5PIVbI2yLC37bA__kou5rdX8fuk0eE5NEiVH3cdDjRKpTv-Prbfk66nznZogyB0yUlAIny7khcvkeyCkoprS-4tFftX8tWYVVR/s400/IMG_8711.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt was looking and feeling a lot more confident.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVo0zWNrfmuIZItr7jBYEk7GwkQCdwqslUrSKWwl4JG1uQ7a4CCuZvX2eD0_rxNSRSR8IJCk1SL_nvH5my2_En5wbtqtrJffinjeB8Qt5ekDYzrLcIvsn2-jnpfnEiz2buWVREGJBoC_e/s1600/IMG_8718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVo0zWNrfmuIZItr7jBYEk7GwkQCdwqslUrSKWwl4JG1uQ7a4CCuZvX2eD0_rxNSRSR8IJCk1SL_nvH5my2_En5wbtqtrJffinjeB8Qt5ekDYzrLcIvsn2-jnpfnEiz2buWVREGJBoC_e/s400/IMG_8718.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You definitely want the guy controlling the parachute to be smiling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiET8w4Dd21IkUQsAEoVnuDq8szGOBJ3fJWJZiHNTjsuBMzjotYGxVv3jNxfcwIyMTCyc3Hsf6iK5UBdLpERmZGHZ5v9B5WGoi4c5hSYRspbTVJhEFM7XRqoZfq7Csoy5fYEVVK8rpCa85J/s1600/IMG_8720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiET8w4Dd21IkUQsAEoVnuDq8szGOBJ3fJWJZiHNTjsuBMzjotYGxVv3jNxfcwIyMTCyc3Hsf6iK5UBdLpERmZGHZ5v9B5WGoi4c5hSYRspbTVJhEFM7XRqoZfq7Csoy5fYEVVK8rpCa85J/s400/IMG_8720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walking on sunshine...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLAYbfA-EZfasLDi9_5FT34XIYStnIJGDEUcPLIo8c9_oztx3SzabaTNwf_atY_d9PqG-rSrOURLtUZS4UmkTnDL98ep8i7il5DnoFDStezBawEotn7STBlkzCPN92mjXrIUVPFMmaFi2/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLAYbfA-EZfasLDi9_5FT34XIYStnIJGDEUcPLIo8c9_oztx3SzabaTNwf_atY_d9PqG-rSrOURLtUZS4UmkTnDL98ep8i7il5DnoFDStezBawEotn7STBlkzCPN92mjXrIUVPFMmaFi2/s400/IMG_8724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can can definitely appreciate the scenery better with a birds-eye view!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C9KnC99U1MA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
Matt's an excellent camera man at 1,000 feet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4DqyccXmioyAwOmlJQdla1GVkZjbEmZkxIfWxUdF5-7-uDw3mmb09SaAplk1NKm3AUQD_RIpzN2TQ-aPE4-hjv-AiiquJiAMhD0OmNJh6QMzVXdJEQ4vYnVWqs6Cx_cgddrdVvpS-Iht/s1600/IMG_8706.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4DqyccXmioyAwOmlJQdla1GVkZjbEmZkxIfWxUdF5-7-uDw3mmb09SaAplk1NKm3AUQD_RIpzN2TQ-aPE4-hjv-AiiquJiAMhD0OmNJh6QMzVXdJEQ4vYnVWqs6Cx_cgddrdVvpS-Iht/s400/IMG_8706.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When we final got to the bottom there were only a few friends to greet us. (Since when can goats climb trees?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8h1TSdLmYI4ZbYoZRewsTxsZ3xokdY6KZ90LRZ-OpQ4NXGMc3tZP3LeRGB4pHAjj_kGutWDewbygNr2McmOmO85G3Nf-xLirO1dauueQ4Rnkzjsl27EdL7gYxzaFYMrId5xaP24zYha_/s1600/IMG_8673.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8h1TSdLmYI4ZbYoZRewsTxsZ3xokdY6KZ90LRZ-OpQ4NXGMc3tZP3LeRGB4pHAjj_kGutWDewbygNr2McmOmO85G3Nf-xLirO1dauueQ4Rnkzjsl27EdL7gYxzaFYMrId5xaP24zYha_/s400/IMG_8673.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8h1TSdLmYI4ZbYoZRewsTxsZ3xokdY6KZ90LRZ-OpQ4NXGMc3tZP3LeRGB4pHAjj_kGutWDewbygNr2McmOmO85G3Nf-xLirO1dauueQ4Rnkzjsl27EdL7gYxzaFYMrId5xaP24zYha_/s1600/IMG_8673.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Resort
resembles in many ways a traditional Omani village, with narrow passages
between the individual villas and palm shaded, sandy roads and is an almost
car-free environment. We really enjoyed our plunge pool which at 90 degrees was still 20 degrees cooler than the air. Sunscreen required!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until now, only a few fishermen and elders of the village
have enjoyed its unspoilt beauty, kept safe from tourism and progress by
unassailable mountains and hostile terrain. But the wonders of technology,
all-terrain vehicles and the unstoppable search for the few remaining
undiscovered corners of the world have aided in its discovery and cultivation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until 30 years ago, the Musandam belonged to the Shihuh
tribes who lived in scattered villages between the peaks. Once oil was
discovered, the peninsula had to be allied to either the UAE or Oman, and the
Shihuh opted to become Omani. Many were given homes in towns and now the only
remaining inhabitants are lone Pakistani goatherds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFvtMjDldHRYnS34eLckS6S7B5Ldn36_esw77768c1i8uojuE8dioXg7xZHRLLK_jJ73Af97M49tsYcmQxsT3qLqwUKzK8UAyN4B8Uvgev4zt4etVGSOIlAVRBJz-JBbmqb8TA2KbfkM/s1600/IMG_8768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFvtMjDldHRYnS34eLckS6S7B5Ldn36_esw77768c1i8uojuE8dioXg7xZHRLLK_jJ73Af97M49tsYcmQxsT3qLqwUKzK8UAyN4B8Uvgev4zt4etVGSOIlAVRBJz-JBbmqb8TA2KbfkM/s400/IMG_8768.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A sunset cruise was the perfect way to survey some of the surrounding environment.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBg8t54xgaFENAGZgwxn1kBtn4UIGgotK3dHn-4KgE-mXuY27-iBj2JAFkQfrX5iy1Ug9wmH4MmiBHNLCTy9NRrhLkQXZ19Ym4nRDe-Ig53yg2sFb6ir16yCADz6JysT5Pye3IJRMepnL/s1600/IMG_8803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBg8t54xgaFENAGZgwxn1kBtn4UIGgotK3dHn-4KgE-mXuY27-iBj2JAFkQfrX5iy1Ug9wmH4MmiBHNLCTy9NRrhLkQXZ19Ym4nRDe-Ig53yg2sFb6ir16yCADz6JysT5Pye3IJRMepnL/s400/IMG_8803.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The scenery was desolate, rugged and beautiful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ9SSqd1kmSLm4YO6WZZOW8A1Zzofu-HN5oGwsEv37p5SXEQnBzj3wCSYnJX4IOfRnBrHtb0PxDwkzI6HrWY4LVPQ3230Lf6eiqStgyef2rUgT8n95fyS4knviMKVK7bBGNVFzzup5d3p/s1600/IMG_8832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ9SSqd1kmSLm4YO6WZZOW8A1Zzofu-HN5oGwsEv37p5SXEQnBzj3wCSYnJX4IOfRnBrHtb0PxDwkzI6HrWY4LVPQ3230Lf6eiqStgyef2rUgT8n95fyS4knviMKVK7bBGNVFzzup5d3p/s400/IMG_8832.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBboyxUErP_34LmWKCrSj9EtBQuJa2g-SItr6RxGgHdtqA_KeUSMhKtXKOzUfA-vvC3F3TARWyZjo9TKmuMTXVpq-jTZDp7OIwlcsH1sF2SiELQo7B3fNMstddZ-k8nC-EYy4B4TA-OSgw/s1600/IMG_8846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBboyxUErP_34LmWKCrSj9EtBQuJa2g-SItr6RxGgHdtqA_KeUSMhKtXKOzUfA-vvC3F3TARWyZjo9TKmuMTXVpq-jTZDp7OIwlcsH1sF2SiELQo7B3fNMstddZ-k8nC-EYy4B4TA-OSgw/s400/IMG_8846.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This limestone outcropping has been worn into a sea cave.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGlAAVfOxOY1-Hrt5_4tUen08Kf-u1RnL9VbtAJrEBWR7i76OpVkIAHWLYoylki6XuBaWptYxrY9-2VptryFhkNOBhygWYoPmMfNpINMZBkwbV2KFZg0kGLkdLVVnpiw-W4IfW9F9eAs0/s1600/IMG_8854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGlAAVfOxOY1-Hrt5_4tUen08Kf-u1RnL9VbtAJrEBWR7i76OpVkIAHWLYoylki6XuBaWptYxrY9-2VptryFhkNOBhygWYoPmMfNpINMZBkwbV2KFZg0kGLkdLVVnpiw-W4IfW9F9eAs0/s400/IMG_8854.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a picture of the sun...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOILubUSFUQzX3dfMolrXDZodNxYLYYUqQv23RvSQQMx5UUaDCqdVtscetwOpXhBcEEmXvHktgybibl5Qe0dZJLaIRDLSx8zRiW00uWqP9vTSfDEfOtuUyaZB0aBIGBy_F6pNncwN5s-2/s1600/IMG_8865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOILubUSFUQzX3dfMolrXDZodNxYLYYUqQv23RvSQQMx5UUaDCqdVtscetwOpXhBcEEmXvHktgybibl5Qe0dZJLaIRDLSx8zRiW00uWqP9vTSfDEfOtuUyaZB0aBIGBy_F6pNncwN5s-2/s400/IMG_8865.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...this is a picture of the moon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9N6_AH21VAao06OnF8rFrUv4AO1tMgml5HFaO0J8XIjKPcxSALaYnjhEnQWWzxBKez8__WKHcl2fzYBoK6PuzS3cYwnTkgx0cikXZvLCmy4T-dhgDluEhTfW_SvsCy1xohnUAkLYEXGlR/s1600/IMG_8873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9N6_AH21VAao06OnF8rFrUv4AO1tMgml5HFaO0J8XIjKPcxSALaYnjhEnQWWzxBKez8__WKHcl2fzYBoK6PuzS3cYwnTkgx0cikXZvLCmy4T-dhgDluEhTfW_SvsCy1xohnUAkLYEXGlR/s400/IMG_8873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were treated to the most fantastic full moon. Based on the blazing sun during the day, we got some fantastic light at night.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtqh3gu9jo110udOWF8Phpe2A_5HjhFoarpT1Ds3Iwq7gU56F9g9fJrTdJY2XJp0ae9GjCBCVKKEAIlLoPKInEM8xWRakaBdSM44E1f15gTx43En5nbxp-xRUzjor5Nb3S2cH0hcEDcpX/s1600/IMG_8898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtqh3gu9jo110udOWF8Phpe2A_5HjhFoarpT1Ds3Iwq7gU56F9g9fJrTdJY2XJp0ae9GjCBCVKKEAIlLoPKInEM8xWRakaBdSM44E1f15gTx43En5nbxp-xRUzjor5Nb3S2cH0hcEDcpX/s400/IMG_8898.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The water was fantastic, warm and clear - but the sand was sizzling! We had to head to the pool to cool off from the beach!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyOZ0xQgBr5PyJqSZg9DGKzqeSibEI4cMDCt1nKczgcRbXMD9CYQ9XrcRTPJddmqfVFKml_1ivKJEXAKycE6Sz2JTErdnxrTWQixdsiyy0pxx6XzxXzXGVj4Rg16Lsvi98rOLJbayS3zl/s1600/IMG_8938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyOZ0xQgBr5PyJqSZg9DGKzqeSibEI4cMDCt1nKczgcRbXMD9CYQ9XrcRTPJddmqfVFKml_1ivKJEXAKycE6Sz2JTErdnxrTWQixdsiyy0pxx6XzxXzXGVj4Rg16Lsvi98rOLJbayS3zl/s400/IMG_8938.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An oasis in the desert.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8pQbzhkTZ1C3y1toIw2xVzFXfOvafusr36b-dj0LtxkGDSCAH0UEhotAH1V7G9iaJGMNXNxwBXshaNw8oja1kqA0ku8XOhowkxiYV-EhbsbCUIkySSlesHbZBAfftFTk6LlxxUzJXd_e/s1600/IMG_8949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8pQbzhkTZ1C3y1toIw2xVzFXfOvafusr36b-dj0LtxkGDSCAH0UEhotAH1V7G9iaJGMNXNxwBXshaNw8oja1kqA0ku8XOhowkxiYV-EhbsbCUIkySSlesHbZBAfftFTk6LlxxUzJXd_e/s400/IMG_8949.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt brought along some big boy toys and started photographing with some of the new camera lens optics I got him for Christmas. I love this one of the dates hanging from the palm tree. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-zwePg95w4a2fTb4KYbreYMmpleXXnBKcsGdgI2ZbLN9jS3w9CcFvmxf8J6h6-8z1hmoUzxPrBnfOgg_H6NeFYY9FVUw7thVqWxczVO9tGZ7Y_RuOD2fzjfrha1YJYWFTU2nH7DHbhdI/s1600/IMG_8989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-zwePg95w4a2fTb4KYbreYMmpleXXnBKcsGdgI2ZbLN9jS3w9CcFvmxf8J6h6-8z1hmoUzxPrBnfOgg_H6NeFYY9FVUw7thVqWxczVO9tGZ7Y_RuOD2fzjfrha1YJYWFTU2nH7DHbhdI/s400/IMG_8989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All good things must come to an end, but we eased our pain with a wonderful send off dinner in our villa.</div>
</div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-10723148068056796592012-08-01T19:27:00.003+04:002012-08-01T19:27:55.392+04:00I'm Melting! The Plight of a Car in Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's summertime in Dubai, and that means its hot. Really hot. Let's put it this way, our 'low' for the week is currently 92 degrees!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YWpgkKVkeHJs7g8aHPMHul_J-SszFDdFjMGm84l2hMtKs_ovyrqtrwDkxuvz2xzlHznG99hu1q8Ziqwz0oBMBsEwWPiyeqLeJlCLW0bXS66ucXWEqp5SqKopYZnxlFPMp6oTfO3y1Y-3/s1600/5+Day+Weather+Forecast+for+Dubai+-+weather.com+-+Mozilla+Firefox+812012+71112+PM.bmp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YWpgkKVkeHJs7g8aHPMHul_J-SszFDdFjMGm84l2hMtKs_ovyrqtrwDkxuvz2xzlHznG99hu1q8Ziqwz0oBMBsEwWPiyeqLeJlCLW0bXS66ucXWEqp5SqKopYZnxlFPMp6oTfO3y1Y-3/s400/5+Day+Weather+Forecast+for+Dubai+-+weather.com+-+Mozilla+Firefox+812012+71112+PM.bmp.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<br />
There's a lot of tricks you can pull when it's this hot out - baking cookies on the dash or frying an egg on the sidewalk, that's easy!<br />
<br />
But can you, I ask, melt your car?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7pcdC1UM3Oe9zPVZfcauPb0qZAYbnPAMkDguoz0VRtY098-Fgc87gQSs0d0UDTcGCPuX5P0pfIrLTk6v4DelwWmIGwiiu9xiDBVzsK1Vb0nEvRZgXOyCdP3RubTvZMvDexwp-ZbZ4eiU/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7pcdC1UM3Oe9zPVZfcauPb0qZAYbnPAMkDguoz0VRtY098-Fgc87gQSs0d0UDTcGCPuX5P0pfIrLTk6v4DelwWmIGwiiu9xiDBVzsK1Vb0nEvRZgXOyCdP3RubTvZMvDexwp-ZbZ4eiU/s400/IMG_0541.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
Apparently the heat was more than our little TT could take yesterday. I rolled down the window to swipe my parking pass and when I rolled it back it up the entire lining had melted and this weird slimy goo stained the windows. Yuck! Now I know what car guts look like.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOugKwKezMoxyaH7TY23uMK3fvFamjsV-SU0hB3d3eTDA7H961dL__uoFgi4bI9o1aDXBLojyeUJIh-_Y82Oiy9Dmdp_DmppD2J47ttQUQQ2enfYq0sEzoxXvK4uLgWq7Vh_cJEL_yqWr/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOugKwKezMoxyaH7TY23uMK3fvFamjsV-SU0hB3d3eTDA7H961dL__uoFgi4bI9o1aDXBLojyeUJIh-_Y82Oiy9Dmdp_DmppD2J47ttQUQQ2enfYq0sEzoxXvK4uLgWq7Vh_cJEL_yqWr/s400/IMG_0544.JPG" width="298" /></a> </div>
Thankfully we can't be brought up on car abuse charges, but we'll try to keep our little TT out of the sun next time. Apparently it does age you! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-10848179035304329392012-07-30T19:56:00.002+04:002012-07-30T19:56:40.402+04:00Boom, Goes the Dynamite: the Burj Park Cannon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are a lot of human conventions to mark the passage of time. We ring bells, set alarms, check our watches, heck we might even have a coo-coo clock, marking the hour with a deafening and quite terrifying cannon shot wasn’t one that was prepared for. When I first heard it a week ago – I almost instantly hit the deck, bit my tongue and felt adrenaline pump through my veins. It sounded a lot like a bomb, and I momentarily got a little nervous (honey - grab the passports and cash from the safe…).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOixv_i9HKudPPPt4KVl09-ToF9V9q_auzzP8QeXLpcyHqpJkZxFZhVDCrkqYHEo4uHFjAVknkxwbBo8oDNp1xcI0twOF2K_zo-zyARx9qlgZHWLChkTbxaVliTh1ZRfIvrpjIx74N2te/s1600/IMG_8634.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOixv_i9HKudPPPt4KVl09-ToF9V9q_auzzP8QeXLpcyHqpJkZxFZhVDCrkqYHEo4uHFjAVknkxwbBo8oDNp1xcI0twOF2K_zo-zyARx9qlgZHWLChkTbxaVliTh1ZRfIvrpjIx74N2te/s400/IMG_8634.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
As it turns out, we weren’t too far off. It was a bomb of sorts, a cannon in fact, and seeing how it was set off just a stone’s throw from our apartment it was no wonder that the glasses were clinking in the china cabinet. Why on earth would they be firing a cannon in Burj Park?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSWc8oquFGKuohlbkNXSKLPs3HKnQtAPdZHrOxCyjVGRnkbdbYX8116_2y4ur96J6O__JrIojxunEzk6zpRKEJ8SwZTBmWY5zjjkftfJaTxZQoBiR-77ALpLAHyVCTpYiIaFoVnLx77GL/s1600/IMG_8616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSWc8oquFGKuohlbkNXSKLPs3HKnQtAPdZHrOxCyjVGRnkbdbYX8116_2y4ur96J6O__JrIojxunEzk6zpRKEJ8SwZTBmWY5zjjkftfJaTxZQoBiR-77ALpLAHyVCTpYiIaFoVnLx77GL/s400/IMG_8616.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some recent snaps from the balcony of the Arabian sunset.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLnZONNJAI_0UJupJahb4JzyVvrDEMIvfL68MKpOO2THJYEY_LzHAO3anmEb9dJrWS1igLSVv8DrPirtEqq5ymSG80l6LYm8muviurlmHnXlmcgTAqGgbwBIXpzFx8DgqfVInkzruSixY/s1600/IMG_8622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLnZONNJAI_0UJupJahb4JzyVvrDEMIvfL68MKpOO2THJYEY_LzHAO3anmEb9dJrWS1igLSVv8DrPirtEqq5ymSG80l6LYm8muviurlmHnXlmcgTAqGgbwBIXpzFx8DgqfVInkzruSixY/s400/IMG_8622.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Well apparently it is one of the most convenient ways to alert the city that the sun has set and it is time to break the Ramadan fast at<i> iftar.</i><br />
<br />
According to Major Abdullah Mubarak Bin Misbah, head of weapons in the public administration services and equipment department at Dubai Police, “Since the early 60s, the firing of the cannon was entrusted to Dubai Police to mark the end of the fast at sunset. The first military cannons, which were made by the British, are still in our possession and are regularly maintained so that we can keep the memory of its significance and its beauty alive.” <br />
<br />
As part of the authority’s capacity in keeping the tradition alive, Dubai Police have assigned crews consisting of five men — one sergeant, one traffic officer and three soldiers — to bring the cannons into designated areas.<br />
<br />
The other cannons are being shot from Mussallah and Al Raas in Deira, from Bur Dubai at Mussallah in Karama, as well as at Safa Park in Jumeirah.<br />
<br />
Thanks guys – next time you want to fire off heavy artillery in the ‘hood, maybe just a neighborly heads up?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BR_tZdODkRElFlmlprZAPNtNnZxBhxIzTclBiCshwWBY0U9rEr_Gg2k95V6B_dc9Oty8HM4-Z7TO9WVImkx-yXpE4lTivsXY8MB_kYqyKixHDYOkQXlPNsgmb0-hhyphenhyphenJxKvXduseQQ4Lz/s1600/IMG_8630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BR_tZdODkRElFlmlprZAPNtNnZxBhxIzTclBiCshwWBY0U9rEr_Gg2k95V6B_dc9Oty8HM4-Z7TO9WVImkx-yXpE4lTivsXY8MB_kYqyKixHDYOkQXlPNsgmb0-hhyphenhyphenJxKvXduseQQ4Lz/s400/IMG_8630.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpMPF8uOIkAHxXqQr5YKnQ8CgkZn8V3BwCv0qHF3cgeKkDrnXOd6ZUCjDf7uwOzDMwmKCUkMW6U5Sd95WvwA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-11457080946774846812012-07-28T12:18:00.000+04:002012-07-28T12:18:12.199+04:00Dubai After Dark: The Seaview Hotel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After living in Dubai for awhile you definitely come to the conclusion that every experience will be scrubbed to perfection, albeit a little inauthentic. As an expat there is an admitted tendency to rely on the Marina side of town for your kicks. However, I've heard many a friend sing the praises of the dive bars on the other side of town heralding everything from cheap drinks, great live music, and (ahem) interesting clientele. A few weeks ago we decided to see what we were missing and set off to find one of the most highly recommended bars in Bur Dubai, the Marine's Club at the Seaview Hotel. They are legendary for the all Filipino cover band, who rock out nightly with the best that 80's hair bands had to offer.<br />
<br />
The first challenge was finding the place. <span itemprop="description">The bar is located out through the back of
the lobby, through the service area and kitchens, and then up the fire
escape and in through another back door. But what's a little walk through a hotel kitchen on the way bar? When we arrived we were informed that it would be a 50dhs cover change to enter. Well, this threw the group for a loop. I'm not sure any of us could remember the last time we paid a cover on the other side of town, so it seemed a pretty high price to pay, but we had come this far and our curiosity won out over our wallets. Once inside we were told that entrance came with an included drink, which helped soften the blow.</span><br />
<br />
<span itemprop="description">After arriving in the venue (and removing a stray hair extension from Matt's sole - yes really...) we were ushered to a table right on the dance floor and I was disappointed to be greeted with blaring techno music, and the entertainment of shall we say, many<i> </i>odd "couples" on the dance floor. With my watered down G&T and near asphyxiation from smoke inhalation I was beginning to give up hope on the live music scene when the band, coming back from break, took the stage.</span><br />
<br />
<span itemprop="description">And boy did they own it! The lead singer and bassist </span>Cherie Garcia is a talent not to be missed. She started slapping the bass to the first few chords of Guns and Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" and screeched out a version that would have <span itemprop="description">made Axl Rose jealous. She followed by playing the bass with her teeth and behind her head during a rendition of ACDC's "Back in Black". While most patrons were distracted by other "talent" she totally rocked the stage.</span><br />
<br />
<span itemprop="description">We're looking forward to our next visit to see what the new set list will be, but in the meantime I would suggest that Simon Cowell might want to stop by for a drink and the musical styling of Cherie Garcia. </span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtyBva_-79Bis6pbLBH8YpmffxlShzQnrl9P4FgNVQokNxiXu4fsLMdO-bfzedEec5HPp7Peo2U1ntp2uwEkxXpVZInDfe4iHtPc20jCzxaHz7jLw3vWWKWGx0kr2M9Y7Py6T7LdCvN4h/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtyBva_-79Bis6pbLBH8YpmffxlShzQnrl9P4FgNVQokNxiXu4fsLMdO-bfzedEec5HPp7Peo2U1ntp2uwEkxXpVZInDfe4iHtPc20jCzxaHz7jLw3vWWKWGx0kr2M9Y7Py6T7LdCvN4h/s400/IMG_0416.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwsN4trFaq2CS2lD7VGCp3W9SeJbphwiAwYWlElv_NFBXrDqCoh7H0CXEIwa9WeMP4i_Fc7ZZq39eHgj5MxLA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRVOpQ7yGi2cREia0BmqB8t0LXk7zqmFsJtwJB466d8x6ZRMFkOcSjsM426e0qU7Cl4j4y3eHR5caDsKxaocnhExOScpudh65gKSttkWpphAlCpzQUhGTITzHvHMe6-ip1EjMdRrnbZhF/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRVOpQ7yGi2cREia0BmqB8t0LXk7zqmFsJtwJB466d8x6ZRMFkOcSjsM426e0qU7Cl4j4y3eHR5caDsKxaocnhExOScpudh65gKSttkWpphAlCpzQUhGTITzHvHMe6-ip1EjMdRrnbZhF/s400/IMG_0421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyIxv36P90_ymNe373cFemxp506lfbxdWU3id6Jl-aMlyyCN7n8aHffBEmp8U_xRDpdkTM4jhPa9iBK1xkp4IQw849JvQIAaMwicZNErM2wLj1Nj7Dzeopmt0ihzk9QnRXYlgxyhdGTdt/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyIxv36P90_ymNe373cFemxp506lfbxdWU3id6Jl-aMlyyCN7n8aHffBEmp8U_xRDpdkTM4jhPa9iBK1xkp4IQw849JvQIAaMwicZNErM2wLj1Nj7Dzeopmt0ihzk9QnRXYlgxyhdGTdt/s400/IMG_0423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-80260855914809655742012-07-14T19:28:00.001+04:002012-07-14T19:28:55.172+04:00Dubai in 20,000 Pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dubai is home to a face paced and ever changing environment, but it's not often someone captures the buzz of the city like Richard Bentley's 20,000 photos of Dubai. <br />
<br />
A British photographer whose time-lapse films have attracted thousands
of hits online has released a new work that aims to capture Dubai's
restless, bustling nature.<br />
<br />
Dubai 3.0 looks at first
glance as if it has been shot using a video camera. In fact, it is made
up of 20,000 still photographs. He left a gap of between
three and eight seconds between each shot, and each second of the
completed film consists of 25 of the photos run together.<br />
<br /><br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="412" id="flashObj" width="486"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1727860925001&playerID=72195015001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAEM4ux6k~,VSCpaBaH64f0w0jYmjaJOT9lfrRsVsdM&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1727860925001&playerID=72195015001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAEM4ux6k~,VSCpaBaH64f0w0jYmjaJOT9lfrRsVsdM&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object> <br />
<br />
In the opening scene, the Dubai Fountain can be seen flaring briefly
at the foot of the Burj Khalifa before the view changes slightly as the
same location is seen across the rippling surface of a swimming pool.<br />
</div>
The
viewpoint continues to change as different parts of the city -
including the Dubai Marina, Business Bay and Atlantis, The Palm - are
showcased.<br />
<br />
Mr Bentley's says "Dubai is a photographer's paradise if you're into architecture," he said. "That's what really captured my imagination. The
lighting in Dubai is incredible at night. In daytime it doesn't capture
the imagination quite so much but, after dark, Dubai comes to life."<br />
<br />
The visuals are accompanied by a haunting soundtrack, penned specifically for the montage by the composer Athar Saeed.<br />
<br />
"What
I'm trying to convey with the time-lapse is to represent the city in
the best possible artistic way that I can and bring it to the internet.
Dubai is a very fast, very bustling, 24-hour city," Mr Bentley said.<br />
<br />
If a picture is worth a thousand words than this slideshow is worth 20 million!<br />
<br /><br /></div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-3021987923390843302012-07-08T00:03:00.001+04:002012-07-10T13:19:54.534+04:00Knot Standard Photo Shoot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Things have been pretty busy around here in Dubai - work, work work! Fortunately, it's not all sitting behind a desk. We recently got a team together for a large photo and video shoot of the new Knot Standard collection. Starting at 7am on the weekend, it took three grinding days to get through hundreds of new products, but you can see the fruits of our labor on the new Knot Standard website at <a href="http://www.knotstandard.com/">www.KnotStandard.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghQb9h7gm-0/T_h9odYXpJI/AAAAAAADpGo/iHDoqNKbqWE/s1600/IMG_7804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghQb9h7gm-0/T_h9odYXpJI/AAAAAAADpGo/iHDoqNKbqWE/s400/IMG_7804.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Everything starts with makeup and hair - or as Katie called it, "Making of a Ken doll".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2xsmNdhW2s/T_h9JARNpUI/AAAAAAADpGA/6cggm15_WyI/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2xsmNdhW2s/T_h9JARNpUI/AAAAAAADpGA/6cggm15_WyI/s400/IMG_1775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Setup and styling is no joke either - everyone at the shoot was a knot-tying expert by the end of the shoot. Even the tag-alongs, like the stylist's dog Becks (great mascot, fits in a garment bag!):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlE65hTpa30/T_h9eBNWTTI/AAAAAAADpGY/bEWZfVM-9SM/s1600/IMG_7772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlE65hTpa30/T_h9eBNWTTI/AAAAAAADpGY/bEWZfVM-9SM/s400/IMG_7772.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not everything went perfectly - you can't do a shoot without breaking a few lights:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2Bu4MsmBpNm-N7G7B4oIVba6jcJq8wrMygolYRhA_XIW8xUNmt9AM6qgQTC6JhA0WteX_2amKTG3xhCS8bw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To keep the shoot on schedule, we actually made two shoot setups, side-by-side: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSAXG12MyOA/T_h9QQTdq0I/AAAAAAADpGI/3Qfh_MusqdY/s1600/IMG_7768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSAXG12MyOA/T_h9QQTdq0I/AAAAAAADpGI/3Qfh_MusqdY/s400/IMG_7768.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
For the nerds out there, yes, that's a Red Scarlett, and yes, we shot in 5K video. The cart in the background (and guy manning it in the black t-shirt) is just to hold the hard drives to accept the data from the camera. James Cameron, eat your heart out:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GfuZDT2FFw/T_h9Vw68gvI/AAAAAAADpGQ/nRsQDKkNmdw/s1600/IMG_7770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GfuZDT2FFw/T_h9Vw68gvI/AAAAAAADpGQ/nRsQDKkNmdw/s400/IMG_7770.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Meet one of our models - these suits were made for them, but true to our model, they didn't even get a fitting before the shoot - just dress and shoot!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkasMnP5kyk/T_h9kXHjcVI/AAAAAAADpGg/PPZ6yA2l_No/s1600/IMG_7775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkasMnP5kyk/T_h9kXHjcVI/AAAAAAADpGg/PPZ6yA2l_No/s400/IMG_7775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's a quick clip of the full shoot - enjoy:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzN7Tw2-pkV3mQPsHpcxdRz6USAth5qnGGn4msKIoHfeN-HwwTPcUExp-EWM-HH0xGbu56blE2tNbHtDfnYMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>Matthew Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704712015680829663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-61404720949498806122012-06-25T20:28:00.001+04:002012-06-25T20:28:35.965+04:00Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's always nice to to have the chance to (briefly) get away from it all. As the mercury's been rising, the iPhone's been ringing, and the business meetings have been multiplying - we were blessed to receive a small reprieve in the form of a one day holiday last Sunday, and since our wanderlust only intensifies as the summer begins to close in on Dubai, we jumped at the chance to make the most of our three day weekend. After pulling out our compass and drawing a four hour flight radius around Dubai we had quickly narrowed in our our choice - Sri Lanka!<br />
<br />
I did not know what to expect as we headed to the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" but rest assured any preconceived notions were quickly exceeded as we landed and took in the beautiful and diverse scenery on the island and the wonderful spirit of the people.<br />
<br />
We chose to forgo the well embraced beach vacation and head into the mountains of the island to a tea plantation for something a bit more off the beaten path - <i>well </i>off the path, if the shocks of our car had anything to say about the four hour overland journey. But boy was it worth it! <br />
<br />
<span class="welcome-text">We traveled to central Sri Lanka, to the Castlereagh Lake, in the Bogawantalawa Valley,
known as the Golden Valley of Tea and home to old Ceylon. Here at an elevation of 4000 feet above sea level, we stayed in an colonial era tea planters' bungalow built in 1890. We spent three days on this working tea plantation and really got a chance to kick up our heels and learn quite a lot about tea!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2cMuaH-jATc0HNC1jSacv58KUDNb6_exHDKgfHLTaTsE8oRXzgO3b9IWQ5SqqBANjw8zUSubfJzrycBi7ZJKtW5wY-GOBQnSGY79cttrgYYclYq0dK0o-Ytqfy2F1Qkw0NpwdusV_S1x/s1600/IMG_8110.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2cMuaH-jATc0HNC1jSacv58KUDNb6_exHDKgfHLTaTsE8oRXzgO3b9IWQ5SqqBANjw8zUSubfJzrycBi7ZJKtW5wY-GOBQnSGY79cttrgYYclYq0dK0o-Ytqfy2F1Qkw0NpwdusV_S1x/s400/IMG_8110.JPG" width="400" /></a><span class="welcome-text"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our own little English garden awaited us at the top of the hills.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLIBN6Y329albHDGHAl69H-1uIXTnhIw0Xk64WytaHo5-GM2U0VFnRPlsesyKL3Obny1g6vRG8j_jXlNYK02UfYU2iF2WUzqQCAs-8LL0knFhXzH8_iz5Ujxi09dM8GV5zhtDDkyX9XpA/s1600/IMG_8118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLIBN6Y329albHDGHAl69H-1uIXTnhIw0Xk64WytaHo5-GM2U0VFnRPlsesyKL3Obny1g6vRG8j_jXlNYK02UfYU2iF2WUzqQCAs-8LL0knFhXzH8_iz5Ujxi09dM8GV5zhtDDkyX9XpA/s400/IMG_8118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Upon arriving a fresh pot of tea was the order of the day, naturally!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0x4wmGd0O7uK-ggtF30KksyZpgSA-qzEW9TEqHJFw7WtFHoBfUdadw4kekU6KrMzN_yuZJDUdXyqr8nzblRn6wpGZXsQfV4Xr7K8OpCyfW7OwP1MnSAyhvBwWkdGtrtR18arN6FelMod/s1600/IMG_8208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0x4wmGd0O7uK-ggtF30KksyZpgSA-qzEW9TEqHJFw7WtFHoBfUdadw4kekU6KrMzN_yuZJDUdXyqr8nzblRn6wpGZXsQfV4Xr7K8OpCyfW7OwP1MnSAyhvBwWkdGtrtR18arN6FelMod/s400/IMG_8208.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We even made a new friend who decided to join us for lunch, I think she likes scones as much as I do!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyQ9qz-2CiTwy-kQPmmpRr9d8BaNYj_NKKvd9t_N7DwCfAFftfmBWQojp0scWsaqqddoMFZbL5so1kw-feL0qN3j-_oO1bTQJuvzvjfaUTNJ4Y-eLfY2geFdutnbfvXhgXjh52WB2acnk/s1600/IMG_8220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyQ9qz-2CiTwy-kQPmmpRr9d8BaNYj_NKKvd9t_N7DwCfAFftfmBWQojp0scWsaqqddoMFZbL5so1kw-feL0qN3j-_oO1bTQJuvzvjfaUTNJ4Y-eLfY2geFdutnbfvXhgXjh52WB2acnk/s400/IMG_8220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the spectacular roses in the garden, just after a light rain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKa5-E2vIaV4dDA7n1yXgKbvjydJdYnOFBWTjolHuzlqE60-XzNCTSQF8Zyaef_jI68yxdcFSq9TAvOqHDiK414mOP954Lj-Uu7Reo54-dnDrMW10jBUSXzkn3GX3QLasxjA9GAdpz5xGO/s1600/IMG_8229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKa5-E2vIaV4dDA7n1yXgKbvjydJdYnOFBWTjolHuzlqE60-XzNCTSQF8Zyaef_jI68yxdcFSq9TAvOqHDiK414mOP954Lj-Uu7Reo54-dnDrMW10jBUSXzkn3GX3QLasxjA9GAdpz5xGO/s400/IMG_8229.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No menus, just a customized meal from the head chef made fresh daily from the onsite gardens. This was a curry eight-ways meal. Right up my alley!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xUF3xvazRUd-gx80xo-VsmOCZUFneoRLlWe2fA4NLm5wrlpdrMO64Z74SKa8Bz_KWjjBZyBj4vnZhMRFDUCoOkb_oVxDbCnMhhN0l2tyjJshxLxPipYrfp9l3TkTY_mo9wU7i2ng6hsA/s1600/IMG_8232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xUF3xvazRUd-gx80xo-VsmOCZUFneoRLlWe2fA4NLm5wrlpdrMO64Z74SKa8Bz_KWjjBZyBj4vnZhMRFDUCoOkb_oVxDbCnMhhN0l2tyjJshxLxPipYrfp9l3TkTY_mo9wU7i2ng6hsA/s400/IMG_8232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You won't want for a kettle in this home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMQXaHsa8enPFZzMUaD6w40P76jzJ9DPhHb_ThX0fV0sAMAlGpAJgBs4KoC1FNMoo8p1blKgN7lPZ-KscCXSva0Q254N9A5U03M3t-C-q0EgWYRmBvyNUs5JEYrpD5oBe15kyEktHDHpD/s1600/IMG_8233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMQXaHsa8enPFZzMUaD6w40P76jzJ9DPhHb_ThX0fV0sAMAlGpAJgBs4KoC1FNMoo8p1blKgN7lPZ-KscCXSva0Q254N9A5U03M3t-C-q0EgWYRmBvyNUs5JEYrpD5oBe15kyEktHDHpD/s400/IMG_8233.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes they look romantic, but it also means that there is a healthy mosquito population!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSWIMnRztAEqqxiLVuobx-fSEaHTDEF6nuUyDmG7-IBsJLX84ElqPZf_if3K9tYI4FOwT7-hb2_8-uJUJK4pGjpHzR-2MPCb4vnw0vqc7NggCYZOar8jk0q1vTB-xsGK6yxTC175jFWSs/s1600/IMG_8244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSWIMnRztAEqqxiLVuobx-fSEaHTDEF6nuUyDmG7-IBsJLX84ElqPZf_if3K9tYI4FOwT7-hb2_8-uJUJK4pGjpHzR-2MPCb4vnw0vqc7NggCYZOar8jk0q1vTB-xsGK6yxTC175jFWSs/s400/IMG_8244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rolling hills of tea.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuFYDFD4Mvpifp45d_RVr2fpr9rQ1kyOycs-AiuZZLBYOcFmFnD2kIKNwXd4_4yy3S7l5mfH9Qxq-nYXxV_1W2ZDgTPRksCk4XOFmUV7UTMIR_YTk3iP7fqG2zSBTWhMo-KONRr22wmVg/s1600/IMG_8245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuFYDFD4Mvpifp45d_RVr2fpr9rQ1kyOycs-AiuZZLBYOcFmFnD2kIKNwXd4_4yy3S7l5mfH9Qxq-nYXxV_1W2ZDgTPRksCk4XOFmUV7UTMIR_YTk3iP7fqG2zSBTWhMo-KONRr22wmVg/s400/IMG_8245.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The Resident Tea Planter showed us the age-old tea making process. We started by learning about the planters of old Ceylon, as they trekked through
the dense jungle looking for the best slopes on which to plant tea, to the the tea pluckers who pick "two leaves and a bud" each by
hand and finally to the factory where the all-important conversion to "made"
black tea happens. I've never had such an appreciation for a cup of tea!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYcuF1BR-cbEVW0E9wnGYEGq0nI1TTvbqhCy2c5XTUAS6elevSw6Ee6Rq_aqHAJfb_kBgwEFvHNG2bs2QEONY2D1_OSl6mPvVS4OfINO2gsBRf0jRJ-puBvyr3BJS3ij29dEoNigbUNUs/s1600/IMG_8276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYcuF1BR-cbEVW0E9wnGYEGq0nI1TTvbqhCy2c5XTUAS6elevSw6Ee6Rq_aqHAJfb_kBgwEFvHNG2bs2QEONY2D1_OSl6mPvVS4OfINO2gsBRf0jRJ-puBvyr3BJS3ij29dEoNigbUNUs/s400/IMG_8276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The machinery used is of very traditional British design, some as
old as 100 years. The process is a very artisanal one, unchanged for a
century. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Yc4AZ68sQEBeR6eNV_1QEa4i3GyOF5R_YM9NApaOiGQMEAxuLwsc-tK_yw1TG_XdHsn-pygKYFpa5qhvieOJaWLaquSt6X9sRIOeqLrNG1aijsnXNrMH9JS2THYio4N96MH0Oe3EDnL1/s1600/IMG_8316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Yc4AZ68sQEBeR6eNV_1QEa4i3GyOF5R_YM9NApaOiGQMEAxuLwsc-tK_yw1TG_XdHsn-pygKYFpa5qhvieOJaWLaquSt6X9sRIOeqLrNG1aijsnXNrMH9JS2THYio4N96MH0Oe3EDnL1/s400/IMG_8316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On a beautiful afternoon, we set off on an eight mile hike from one hill top down to the lake. It was a fantastic day to take some full strides.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDZPxfTWTVBoiF8Of0FKW9FoCVARf6tfi3ZkITDAbWnULyDbtdm6Qh_fBUd7297ipN0f-8Nt5M4z7bbc51Pbv16gfM_YMrcAPOwlYRaSyBZzrvvP4RkGYumQpVLXucvYPIWVRSVSxZHM8/s1600/IMG_8321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDZPxfTWTVBoiF8Of0FKW9FoCVARf6tfi3ZkITDAbWnULyDbtdm6Qh_fBUd7297ipN0f-8Nt5M4z7bbc51Pbv16gfM_YMrcAPOwlYRaSyBZzrvvP4RkGYumQpVLXucvYPIWVRSVSxZHM8/s400/IMG_8321.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYvm6YYbGk5KfxO-cWdlNjzuqPAoeI3vGWShG2So_r_N9M4K6-uDdhfjvNIMweh3o6J_k3Zs12MTaHgAhF41Ppo-k5PNw5KKAswMqFkw0IDLvOvRn3dKRubW76QIjxAYNyylU7yKYFFzS/s1600/IMG_8315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYvm6YYbGk5KfxO-cWdlNjzuqPAoeI3vGWShG2So_r_N9M4K6-uDdhfjvNIMweh3o6J_k3Zs12MTaHgAhF41Ppo-k5PNw5KKAswMqFkw0IDLvOvRn3dKRubW76QIjxAYNyylU7yKYFFzS/s400/IMG_8315.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYvm6YYbGk5KfxO-cWdlNjzuqPAoeI3vGWShG2So_r_N9M4K6-uDdhfjvNIMweh3o6J_k3Zs12MTaHgAhF41Ppo-k5PNw5KKAswMqFkw0IDLvOvRn3dKRubW76QIjxAYNyylU7yKYFFzS/s1600/IMG_8315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Along the way we found this little shrine where a live animal sacrifice had clearly just happened (notable blood and feathers everywhere). Very strange. The people living in the hills are a mix of Buddhist and Hindu religions, but a quick research run would pin this one on the Hindus. According to Wikipedia: practices of Hindu animal sacrifice are mostly associated with Shaktism, and in currents of folk Hinduism strongly rooted in local tribal traditions<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0">. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sacrifice_in_Hinduism#cite_note-0"><span></span><span></span></a></sup>It is not practiced in contemporary Vedantic or Brahminical Hinduism</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYgBzhX3Bgt8GSWcPyYVJeWnCl1KfSlm6CxL-fbjO6ybqxYzlMUna2PQvWCEIL20p-JxGuNwOu5uPG1G3fmZIYypK5fL0AtceVw6YbJFBu5cHI_WoaccYb4qoyxlaje4tpYxngB0WSsWh/s1600/IMG_8337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYgBzhX3Bgt8GSWcPyYVJeWnCl1KfSlm6CxL-fbjO6ybqxYzlMUna2PQvWCEIL20p-JxGuNwOu5uPG1G3fmZIYypK5fL0AtceVw6YbJFBu5cHI_WoaccYb4qoyxlaje4tpYxngB0WSsWh/s400/IMG_8337.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most kids walk their dogs, he walks his cow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLwAwThiyF3Dhn2C8iWqeGRPn-7PEutkV0l6d8vo6EXuqE04y0TDq_-Gm72MfHkdG-FNlhg2MvRABpl1u4rFM3C4vsPADVUVYqHJFVdM6sjqjbuxCGk3bcdPo06uUXgYtFU8S8wOElsiR/s1600/IMG_8356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLwAwThiyF3Dhn2C8iWqeGRPn-7PEutkV0l6d8vo6EXuqE04y0TDq_-Gm72MfHkdG-FNlhg2MvRABpl1u4rFM3C4vsPADVUVYqHJFVdM6sjqjbuxCGk3bcdPo06uUXgYtFU8S8wOElsiR/s400/IMG_8356.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The views from the top of the Norwood Estate were definitely worth it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9rrNC7i-2jMlKIr9LdTxMtZHEFxgNR0yWqp3Rl1kbkNRr3TIzDBFeYTkJ2sobxHegBILIMbbFLuq2M7X25rvqcYI26q-1NFJeR9wd7BFRmUlLo8zk1DhgZlyO536OXp7UnCnJD5HTS5h/s1600/IMG_8351.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9rrNC7i-2jMlKIr9LdTxMtZHEFxgNR0yWqp3Rl1kbkNRr3TIzDBFeYTkJ2sobxHegBILIMbbFLuq2M7X25rvqcYI26q-1NFJeR9wd7BFRmUlLo8zk1DhgZlyO536OXp7UnCnJD5HTS5h/s400/IMG_8351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutobWByJdJjqyW1gwijuxtBxebFl-Nb6i2Ki-xOt9X9mMY0qKm0o4cdELR8rdcwg-CZCz94TADH7aUDm66Re_V6cm6Q5xu8UPbOQGHzCqYQXCZIB1ldHO-jALvWyR23LCszdwZl9qqQxN/s1600/IMG_8362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutobWByJdJjqyW1gwijuxtBxebFl-Nb6i2Ki-xOt9X9mMY0qKm0o4cdELR8rdcwg-CZCz94TADH7aUDm66Re_V6cm6Q5xu8UPbOQGHzCqYQXCZIB1ldHO-jALvWyR23LCszdwZl9qqQxN/s400/IMG_8362.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It wouldn't be a walk through a local village with out a chat with the kiddies "hello! goodbye! MONEY!!!" (We only give books and writing tools, never money or sweets)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIx79yQPCSltFG1Lydmlqy7JIGfNDrNc7dO1q93ji2oaMJR8K2CWjv1LKqqz8OVul1zalaxFStDqVOEZ5c-MIwlPwaZu_Ne4JrmGQ71GTY9z6OsNeaqOXefjxgxAR_ZVkNPinjbk6PC-D/s1600/IMG_8369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIx79yQPCSltFG1Lydmlqy7JIGfNDrNc7dO1q93ji2oaMJR8K2CWjv1LKqqz8OVul1zalaxFStDqVOEZ5c-MIwlPwaZu_Ne4JrmGQ71GTY9z6OsNeaqOXefjxgxAR_ZVkNPinjbk6PC-D/s400/IMG_8369.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I call this one: Dare to be Different.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgRcz1dP-D-T1RbGt6ndCYkH67WPM6EUIQ22zG5vOj7u1AFBKBQJt0scB5hvsAVnxYWXGNFcraebI_MgMGGUSZ1OvCSMehl-U7DvVaqC3JMYSI8yUsd7Oku5WnuFH7TwNr4dF_WDUPXQJ/s1600/IMG_8411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgRcz1dP-D-T1RbGt6ndCYkH67WPM6EUIQ22zG5vOj7u1AFBKBQJt0scB5hvsAVnxYWXGNFcraebI_MgMGGUSZ1OvCSMehl-U7DvVaqC3JMYSI8yUsd7Oku5WnuFH7TwNr4dF_WDUPXQJ/s400/IMG_8411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They make it really easy to curl up with a good book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdjEdCYpQV2bKX06IQ1ZJ_esRLj3zIc4XVve01a5pmB3DqJubjWWQNlb1wc3Xo6bzz-WuGIc-1YzT9BesUKSYkHDzJheEAsIkwoYvNWdjhxFNjY2mHe0dofKuIskyECqJnc6V3aaQ6jtC/s1600/IMG_8416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdjEdCYpQV2bKX06IQ1ZJ_esRLj3zIc4XVve01a5pmB3DqJubjWWQNlb1wc3Xo6bzz-WuGIc-1YzT9BesUKSYkHDzJheEAsIkwoYvNWdjhxFNjY2mHe0dofKuIskyECqJnc6V3aaQ6jtC/s400/IMG_8416.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taking time to enjoy the flowers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3__WiLrW-go8_wlkcsZNRSqb6thyphenhyphenR82DsqrwjtWr8IPjkgOuyFXNAQEqHGRWPpAVpOnmUU1d1L2sdps-xure33RxmJ4ZZhmfDff7b0mEm5wUgQ-Vyb58Ead4tpr2w5wLRW-FJgT8qTsJ/s1600/IMG_8419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3__WiLrW-go8_wlkcsZNRSqb6thyphenhyphenR82DsqrwjtWr8IPjkgOuyFXNAQEqHGRWPpAVpOnmUU1d1L2sdps-xure33RxmJ4ZZhmfDff7b0mEm5wUgQ-Vyb58Ead4tpr2w5wLRW-FJgT8qTsJ/s400/IMG_8419.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew bamboo could exponentially grow - but whoa!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArWYvvxh1dNHLemSg2ABOOfDoh-_zzHx3DSj-7xjVwj9RoWfxaiyUpl_PvMjgE34iAajOBpBL5pv0tB8ggtSnpHjnUxXMVOu_fPiumGh57FPJQaBzRNiOL3h-fMuPdsIy1L9JHOVFqS_V/s1600/IMG_8429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArWYvvxh1dNHLemSg2ABOOfDoh-_zzHx3DSj-7xjVwj9RoWfxaiyUpl_PvMjgE34iAajOBpBL5pv0tB8ggtSnpHjnUxXMVOu_fPiumGh57FPJQaBzRNiOL3h-fMuPdsIy1L9JHOVFqS_V/s400/IMG_8429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Norwood Estate planter's house, est. 1890.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB4DOGjjkJpcKfZhnNfuGLhlHzDYTOQxAYj9A2xasGAl5gz-aPxioAy4CC6ZZa84GTxVpTN-whkA3cjNUxgBkBFtDU6tAOt3YQXfCw1J-lI8xp8FbWVMw8svEryRJF2P7uZqaYUrhSZ8o/s1600/IMG_8442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB4DOGjjkJpcKfZhnNfuGLhlHzDYTOQxAYj9A2xasGAl5gz-aPxioAy4CC6ZZa84GTxVpTN-whkA3cjNUxgBkBFtDU6tAOt3YQXfCw1J-lI8xp8FbWVMw8svEryRJF2P7uZqaYUrhSZ8o/s400/IMG_8442.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looks like I'm going to have to stay awhile. Four Square named me Mayor of Norwood Estate!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4UPkfpBfz1uUp01gpAPJk-j8rRj-OpxcSkOOSBRoj-rNqCZdQ68gO__xI4zJygQtuaW2WK5PXh0t6m17wtU7tr9iPaTaNnzkKmHpkLwPp03_jRQwloKi9zzoLFU9LIwTo3iS4YMotIQN/s1600/IMG_8448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4UPkfpBfz1uUp01gpAPJk-j8rRj-OpxcSkOOSBRoj-rNqCZdQ68gO__xI4zJygQtuaW2WK5PXh0t6m17wtU7tr9iPaTaNnzkKmHpkLwPp03_jRQwloKi9zzoLFU9LIwTo3iS4YMotIQN/s400/IMG_8448.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The chef's custom creations were all incredible, but this was particularly divine!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaiSNAXrOL83rs3ML9vgDM4NEL4_oSR3UElqDx4pbwYr9sJJgLKKsq0UoZGGkrBh7GBAK5TEXWWe1p0tu7E6nchrCfagn2vTXeapw0JOOp74c1U2G5YZM83Hq1Qm8EEhjc4aR61KZ8ZrE/s1600/IMG_8465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaiSNAXrOL83rs3ML9vgDM4NEL4_oSR3UElqDx4pbwYr9sJJgLKKsq0UoZGGkrBh7GBAK5TEXWWe1p0tu7E6nchrCfagn2vTXeapw0JOOp74c1U2G5YZM83Hq1Qm8EEhjc4aR61KZ8ZrE/s400/IMG_8465.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Food just tastes so much better when it's grown in the backyard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuU-NHTcGt85hl6l3F5oZ-JC_kQK60VAwZNyRSn888sTZYdnd-GViMoKr6qOZ221kMNfxurwydfPR_HHia8nyrHVg4aJ5pl-bEpMf6qqnOLcj4XYQJgmtyIU8QAuoUP2_SElRydxFQAqA/s1600/IMG_8517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuU-NHTcGt85hl6l3F5oZ-JC_kQK60VAwZNyRSn888sTZYdnd-GViMoKr6qOZ221kMNfxurwydfPR_HHia8nyrHVg4aJ5pl-bEpMf6qqnOLcj4XYQJgmtyIU8QAuoUP2_SElRydxFQAqA/s400/IMG_8517.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hmm. On second thought, I'm not going to go for a swim.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSt6KXH8VFkEufCpz7kxBTCxrDFNrwhVlz6UxEgUV3-wiSYDAGmWddNnp7pYgF3IncLNEmn5F69p4HlKQX0yV0OY0drROSwDQrJU_winU7hw3vV8niWP3PYyKWhtZy267-7cslvoX93op/s1600/IMG_8534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSt6KXH8VFkEufCpz7kxBTCxrDFNrwhVlz6UxEgUV3-wiSYDAGmWddNnp7pYgF3IncLNEmn5F69p4HlKQX0yV0OY0drROSwDQrJU_winU7hw3vV8niWP3PYyKWhtZy267-7cslvoX93op/s400/IMG_8534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view overlooking the old city of Kandy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q4Tie097_REkY1RHKvg-jV71LCcE-wF6HIk6VB12XjtH67MqBMayrouI0lM2YuDH4z3VjLsRQuKt6tdKfcJNy-vB7PFQxezR7Vlmu5MXqWqy1jnK_oIiLnNKb69rtLhp5KfNTmG6jiic/s1600/IMG_8542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q4Tie097_REkY1RHKvg-jV71LCcE-wF6HIk6VB12XjtH67MqBMayrouI0lM2YuDH4z3VjLsRQuKt6tdKfcJNy-vB7PFQxezR7Vlmu5MXqWqy1jnK_oIiLnNKb69rtLhp5KfNTmG6jiic/s400/IMG_8542.JPG" width="348" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the top exports of Sri Lanka is cashews. The sell them along the road like so, yum!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryar_gAG9M0O1f7X9wiztPplWtIzznUAVS7p1p_kwlMDRZh66bMVk9cJu07cq1f-ac-aSVsJD__xt1kA7YgcTZypTr93ZLPDddsuDgyA7ClRShICoYBUIzlXFMnv8yeK_pn7ZCp1jU_0U/s1600/IMG_8567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryar_gAG9M0O1f7X9wiztPplWtIzznUAVS7p1p_kwlMDRZh66bMVk9cJu07cq1f-ac-aSVsJD__xt1kA7YgcTZypTr93ZLPDddsuDgyA7ClRShICoYBUIzlXFMnv8yeK_pn7ZCp1jU_0U/s400/IMG_8567.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDG5fU3SFcMOssq61L8MxMMB9EW_iZC-IA4dFlhE-px8lGIVBpgJ2KAgsH9JKwfbG-ia6_LFWF2z3Jgl6jmSTkKXv2bEo9U1QexxO18yuU1F8JjjB5vr-SzyJZpR3xpPVHZZnM-iiHVFC/s1600/IMG_8576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDG5fU3SFcMOssq61L8MxMMB9EW_iZC-IA4dFlhE-px8lGIVBpgJ2KAgsH9JKwfbG-ia6_LFWF2z3Jgl6jmSTkKXv2bEo9U1QexxO18yuU1F8JjjB5vr-SzyJZpR3xpPVHZZnM-iiHVFC/s400/IMG_8576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Gallery Cafe was a great choice for our last meal in Colombo. It was pretty as a picture and we didn't want to leave.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As our driver Bandu drove us back to the airport, he asked if we could do one thing for him when we left. Could we tell people that the civil war is over in Sri Lanka? Could we tell them how open and friendly the people are and how beautiful the scenery is? Could we please tell everyone we know that Sri Lanka is a great place to visit, and encourage them to come? Well, Bandu - you have definitely made it easy for us. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was all that and more!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-20112171486558718082012-06-08T14:10:00.001+04:002012-06-08T14:12:10.414+04:00Material Girl in Abu Dhabi!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When an artist's career spans your entire lifetime there is good reason to be impressed. In Madonna's case not only did her concert in Abu Dhabi this past week confirm that she is the reigning Queen of Pop (Gaga who?) but that is she a total force of nature.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DZALYK0hVJ-pjX-ATyx9e_Wh_SLDePmEFrO46jOO_VnGVd7HOUxpaw9nfEU7sQ4ad4oB3zOM1PSXLk6lo-EBk9yf7uiEaRm41uzq2_Cr8c36Mfyg_c7Zy05vi7H3zt9xwzZkh54xJCNs/s1600/IMG_1801.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DZALYK0hVJ-pjX-ATyx9e_Wh_SLDePmEFrO46jOO_VnGVd7HOUxpaw9nfEU7sQ4ad4oB3zOM1PSXLk6lo-EBk9yf7uiEaRm41uzq2_Cr8c36Mfyg_c7Zy05vi7H3zt9xwzZkh54xJCNs/s400/IMG_1801.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div>
I must admit I had my reservations about seeing Madonna in Abu Dhabi. I've wanted to see her in concert for almost a decade now, and the dates, times, and cities of her tours always seemed to elude me. So when I learned that she was performing in the capital of the UAE, Dubai's older and much more conservative neighbor I thought - how much are they going to censor her?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngJaY5EhSIUGaaUJK5WKL9umAAbFeSjvI-zUFU_qcZql2IvXswo_xGSa8zc3-so2q_NBhlytpIl8KUXsc_9w1USuEaHjS4f4GQQoMS3lRKtRotuuelMIUYIL7oYBUliACyuOQq94QeD0r/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngJaY5EhSIUGaaUJK5WKL9umAAbFeSjvI-zUFU_qcZql2IvXswo_xGSa8zc3-so2q_NBhlytpIl8KUXsc_9w1USuEaHjS4f4GQQoMS3lRKtRotuuelMIUYIL7oYBUliACyuOQq94QeD0r/s400/IMG_1812.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LQV2_NlAnFWa0mAVHDoAt5QrJKpCsohpSb4rSsthoDRnivVjywWagTw6aB43PoNPU7MrsWGuBH1W3StNSZNYJtOQipX3hxwEJVTPR8vk2qhCBxStTH6RCXxg_oYRcS7vRYZ6rdYTcf3H/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LQV2_NlAnFWa0mAVHDoAt5QrJKpCsohpSb4rSsthoDRnivVjywWagTw6aB43PoNPU7MrsWGuBH1W3StNSZNYJtOQipX3hxwEJVTPR8vk2qhCBxStTH6RCXxg_oYRcS7vRYZ6rdYTcf3H/s400/IMG_1818.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Turns out - not at all! It was clear that she was there to take no prisoners. So as she thrust her pelvis, tore off her shirt, and licked the microphone, it occurred to me - damn, I am watching Madonna! It was 100 degree night and she put on a Broadway worthy stage production with the vigor (and the dance moves) of someone half her age. She worked hard for her fans, and she was adored in return. She was awesome!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE53Og_aZUEe-VUwhne_SzGhyphenhyphenRAmzIdn-AkIivr-vubAucIRzO7Zno_982hk05m38P_wd0J9YhIgN7afKt4BdDQN40h_Yp-N9x_J0miiBicCJ9Pgp6mlyxhg7659aOIIDJIHmOMZT6WEW/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE53Og_aZUEe-VUwhne_SzGhyphenhyphenRAmzIdn-AkIivr-vubAucIRzO7Zno_982hk05m38P_wd0J9YhIgN7afKt4BdDQN40h_Yp-N9x_J0miiBicCJ9Pgp6mlyxhg7659aOIIDJIHmOMZT6WEW/s400/IMG_1840.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
The complex stage numbers and interludes were nothing short of incredible, for 2 hours you're in her world and you're glad to be there! As I jumped up and down to "Vogue" and reminded myself that I am looking at a living legend who is a mother, author, actress, director, and pop star I was filled with respect for her and how hard she works. So if you get the chance to Madge, you'd be <i>mad</i> to miss it!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gTyWx7RFFqA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1UhPgJF5mTGcfq6r7BieeaQnB7BoQC5VynrQk9SFNpJZiHTh9pOq8BKx-YfVeZ6fX7_yyH1Dvgj8CEa-7QJR7wXnKOymOvkrFCUu3OtURPQRSDn5uXkWzaD0aK__VIiXTZhOKEBt8tuh/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1UhPgJF5mTGcfq6r7BieeaQnB7BoQC5VynrQk9SFNpJZiHTh9pOq8BKx-YfVeZ6fX7_yyH1Dvgj8CEa-7QJR7wXnKOymOvkrFCUu3OtURPQRSDn5uXkWzaD0aK__VIiXTZhOKEBt8tuh/s400/IMG_1855.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh and did I mention she performed "Like a Prayer"? Yup, my life is complete.<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2F0Znoub55g" width="560"></iframe></div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-72734042307722564992012-06-02T14:58:00.000+04:002012-06-02T14:58:57.054+04:00DXB - IAD: Coming Soon to a Tarmac Near You!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Breaking news has emerged from the international travel world, in the new few months both Emirates and Etihad (Abu Dhabi's airline) will be launching direct routes to Washington Dulles International Airport. I know that we are really becoming adults when we are able to get really excited about direct flight routes, other things that currently jazz us are low interest rates for refinancing, and a day with no rain to stain the deck of our home in PA. Sigh. Adulthood.<br />
<br />
However, if you were to take as many 14 hour flights as we have taken over the last five years you'd see just why we are so grateful. Current options for traveling home include 4 hour layovers in London which come with a courtesy frisking from the extremely zealous Heathrow airport security personnel, or a direct flight to New York city accompanied by a 100% money back guarantee of a screaming baby and then courtesy traffic from JFK to Penn Station to board a 2 1/2 hour train , or the delightful 'garden route' which involves a rental car and the NJ Turnpike - enough said.<br />
<br />
I'm exhausted just thinking about it! So the thought of stepping on to a plane in Dubai and directly off it in Washington into the waiting arms of the Mueller family welcome party within minutes of deplaning sounds pretty darn good!<br />
<br />
So we were happy to oblige Emirates airlines with the filming of a promotional video for the launch of their new route. Their marketing department contacted the American Business Council to seek Americans who hailed from DC and could talk about how the new route would impact them personally, as task that obviously wouldn't be to hard for Matt and I! <br />
<br />
So for the second time in six months we welcomed a camera crew into our home for an interview - fun times! We might be in a video in an Emirates flight near you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdcJXzHdIB8BEAymA4PLMoGV6mUT1AcMe2nJoGJM-ACZe6Q5Zsr5W3Q-8-wc8pRgf6o-FG8-a3DETgn-omWqk5sPSabXURASO-dgCFKapdMftaDS-hMixpF_gN92twnANaWXFm8p0mEO9/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdcJXzHdIB8BEAymA4PLMoGV6mUT1AcMe2nJoGJM-ACZe6Q5Zsr5W3Q-8-wc8pRgf6o-FG8-a3DETgn-omWqk5sPSabXURASO-dgCFKapdMftaDS-hMixpF_gN92twnANaWXFm8p0mEO9/s400/IMG_7761.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trying to be as fascinating as possible!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYDNu-RM1fpMFyYJ7P71w5Fyf8NXCuX8q4hibITCMjEiqQxPG9nkcwGI2o8A8LUaDC6acaCBXk1uTHksUbtafVJzBLEi_4Jpy1Vvt27dH8mfMjlytRXZjwhPoCbT38gq8zdsf_Igok1eW/s1600/IMG_7764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYDNu-RM1fpMFyYJ7P71w5Fyf8NXCuX8q4hibITCMjEiqQxPG9nkcwGI2o8A8LUaDC6acaCBXk1uTHksUbtafVJzBLEi_4Jpy1Vvt27dH8mfMjlytRXZjwhPoCbT38gq8zdsf_Igok1eW/s400/IMG_7764.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Signing away the rights to the footage - at least Matt didn't call me his "property" in this one!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6sI-kZq4k6TCgqNDgfFZRzw9LMHI13ovymMDrua1TBZ0kTwh0B8epAb7j4Io372yG4Z7ONFYEaUkTKhSwyMok8QfbsiUWqs6JV0JbJeQzBPUAu5CtUM_MWIaMfFmVjZnSYB7z9uny23P/s1600/IMG_7766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6sI-kZq4k6TCgqNDgfFZRzw9LMHI13ovymMDrua1TBZ0kTwh0B8epAb7j4Io372yG4Z7ONFYEaUkTKhSwyMok8QfbsiUWqs6JV0JbJeQzBPUAu5CtUM_MWIaMfFmVjZnSYB7z9uny23P/s400/IMG_7766.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt looks camera ready in his new Knot Standard blazer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecshZLFxpNELNeizInD3_QJT9Uj9v_zmtDPXbwzSosstceH9uY3VuOJ-ZtaIoA0CztpwEDPCRH3cJRv8PcEp2lbdLza6nZr0XeXX1bnJIy1WHpqedp-VEQJoBW1qFq3e4UcAeUgL1wevp/s1600/IMG_7767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecshZLFxpNELNeizInD3_QJT9Uj9v_zmtDPXbwzSosstceH9uY3VuOJ-ZtaIoA0CztpwEDPCRH3cJRv8PcEp2lbdLza6nZr0XeXX1bnJIy1WHpqedp-VEQJoBW1qFq3e4UcAeUgL1wevp/s400/IMG_7767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd buy an Emirates airline ticket off this guy - wouldn't you?</div>
</div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-56839274785565099622012-05-26T20:19:00.000+04:002012-05-26T20:19:09.320+04:00We Came to Party!Music video TV might be on the outs in the US, but it seems there is at least one video keeping the fledgling and video market alive in Dubai and we just had the (mis?) fortune of being introduced to this home grown classic.
Any song that starts with a line like "We just came from the mall..." has got to be questionable.
If you like to find a song that has managed to create a rhyme including every famous Dubai landmark, here is it for your viewing pleasure:
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e-af-NhXyXs" width="400"></iframe>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-27108475963476250182012-04-28T21:50:00.000+04:002012-04-28T21:50:07.966+04:00Mom and Dad in Dubai: Part Deux<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its been a month since Mom and Dad were visiting us in Dubai and it still feels like just yesterday - hence my tardy posting of their vacation highlights - Dubai has a way of moving time forward unlike any place I've ever lived. You've seen them at the World Cup and at Chocol'art but that wasn't the only fun that we got up to during their visit to the desert destination, there were all kinds of new experiences that beckoned.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK587ePgTr26wUql6shyphenhyphenf2lsfYcGADTD53yusI8HIv2oKibU2U1jWGdxpcpwBNDiYiYAGi8EpzCv0H8ilr7F4ULcPYtKT1FNFITBrqs_a_HyrHT8XEHVLZw6UmDKz3xEffGNKc7y5LBUJ/s1600/wade+%2526+matt+Palace+Hotel.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK587ePgTr26wUql6shyphenhyphenf2lsfYcGADTD53yusI8HIv2oKibU2U1jWGdxpcpwBNDiYiYAGi8EpzCv0H8ilr7F4ULcPYtKT1FNFITBrqs_a_HyrHT8XEHVLZw6UmDKz3xEffGNKc7y5LBUJ/s400/wade+%2526+matt+Palace+Hotel.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taking a stroll around the neighborhood is a great way to get oriented, it changes every time they visit!</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46WM07_hZCB8VHKjZxg5j0lc1782XOnqXjL_jB5O3UvqXDh8KnEaLP92yLYjJRkJHAcTtQClG2B-RnqG3OhZpEogRUwB7GqJJbo9skjvPgr2dZ9TwHakFz-isu8HPSxvDs6SoyPUl57Oj/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46WM07_hZCB8VHKjZxg5j0lc1782XOnqXjL_jB5O3UvqXDh8KnEaLP92yLYjJRkJHAcTtQClG2B-RnqG3OhZpEogRUwB7GqJJbo9skjvPgr2dZ9TwHakFz-isu8HPSxvDs6SoyPUl57Oj/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The pros and cons of living on Burj Park, you've got front row seats to every event! Whether you like it - or not.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_zovOzXGFSypr5ZGMgYunwABCcez_WAUAAm-EWKycWyIp2jzp_h10F-3dWQb8os6FnQiTY9_zU7p5_n6eoKEzKFpJg_WEgbYLxhujAXWN1prrpDVu9Mz4HWEqnuWoOd7u_-l_3dopAqJ/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_zovOzXGFSypr5ZGMgYunwABCcez_WAUAAm-EWKycWyIp2jzp_h10F-3dWQb8os6FnQiTY9_zU7p5_n6eoKEzKFpJg_WEgbYLxhujAXWN1prrpDVu9Mz4HWEqnuWoOd7u_-l_3dopAqJ/s400/IMG_0180.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think Mom had to lay on the ground to get the whole Burj in this shot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5RRPEZf73n68cou6dYdfAqiizyrkkStxC9YSHcXOJURRuBsWC6OrMieiTT-fseEywW79qWrZ_MGImf5eQjEIiAbtiCCSwsO49xUBh8gloyNW7o4Pq2TUxBioxxEO50QGh3Hw8sf2uboY/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5RRPEZf73n68cou6dYdfAqiizyrkkStxC9YSHcXOJURRuBsWC6OrMieiTT-fseEywW79qWrZ_MGImf5eQjEIiAbtiCCSwsO49xUBh8gloyNW7o4Pq2TUxBioxxEO50QGh3Hw8sf2uboY/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Mohawk Building aka Address Hotel Downtown</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB69XYrze2CadwihRXwGgBrONEomCHldm8vBOXtH4tWZzwb-1pIa9JGIUb-vhyphenhyphengvTn8Hek0BJK3YMdBcfMiKVimCmr78bAC12caEwvx-YaaVtwkQ3yKEGOnVtQ6KwiNrUkJqvw19mbFOg/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB69XYrze2CadwihRXwGgBrONEomCHldm8vBOXtH4tWZzwb-1pIa9JGIUb-vhyphenhyphengvTn8Hek0BJK3YMdBcfMiKVimCmr78bAC12caEwvx-YaaVtwkQ3yKEGOnVtQ6KwiNrUkJqvw19mbFOg/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After a quick jaunt around the neighborhood we went to the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club with friends Karen and Bruce. There we ran into our buddy Khalifa who took quite a liking to Mom. I personally think she is great third wife material. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgX47f_4Ux1vW0f5mU578jexlc2aAjdEgOjtgtBxhZ8Yl4iNm1-fsE1cE99uGcxoU2Pn7J0NW7weVOfogvJk8ShUdHm5gwNKexM8W_Le6YtnrdZBibOsB3veYmJaqWLtVft0ulRJJ54vm/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgX47f_4Ux1vW0f5mU578jexlc2aAjdEgOjtgtBxhZ8Yl4iNm1-fsE1cE99uGcxoU2Pn7J0NW7weVOfogvJk8ShUdHm5gwNKexM8W_Le6YtnrdZBibOsB3veYmJaqWLtVft0ulRJJ54vm/s400/IMG_1650.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just when you think you are far from home...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KIT-OFJbJ8zKyyKubhNXZEzHTJ03QG0OGzwkWJ7eDdUJ6E9jdyt7_u5y4vEfM-2kIGys9v0T6Z28EK6pzzbz6FwjjjA_5fdhGU0_UWz5-sZPtjhPog6KiKiR5egryuwrguIJTOelZ582/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KIT-OFJbJ8zKyyKubhNXZEzHTJ03QG0OGzwkWJ7eDdUJ6E9jdyt7_u5y4vEfM-2kIGys9v0T6Z28EK6pzzbz6FwjjjA_5fdhGU0_UWz5-sZPtjhPog6KiKiR5egryuwrguIJTOelZ582/s400/IMG_1631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A hazy day in Dubai, no surprise there! But we managed to get most of the downtown skyline in view from the Jumeirah 1 beach.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuJtVXi_qVPZcmhwoQml5Vj7QM4e-OIc4iOdvr_jI5YHpwIMxe8_CxwujLI3Cnd8HfIIp-Dcpttm4ojtyI15o4cMSiZDNukpkbS-WzIEgjO6UHg9dztknMlaP1nTqj9RzpSShI29ODWM2/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuJtVXi_qVPZcmhwoQml5Vj7QM4e-OIc4iOdvr_jI5YHpwIMxe8_CxwujLI3Cnd8HfIIp-Dcpttm4ojtyI15o4cMSiZDNukpkbS-WzIEgjO6UHg9dztknMlaP1nTqj9RzpSShI29ODWM2/s400/IMG_1658.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No snow storms here, but we've lived through a sandstorm or two. On my birthday Mom and I headed to the spa while Matt and Dad went to conquer the desert - I think I chose the better half of that equation. The weather turned worse and worse as they drove out into the sandy abyss.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0V1eke2YMDYKjMuZNPFOYQlBl95FLehbvk8YQJYxeGSVhyqlLBDGLFANt2O9GSPCK3zTTSMHe8ftEeKOOlnMi0z9YrTqrdCxNZK3WBsGEtKiRtgmpCnFxhdKGgbS0X0ZqalAI6zXZTBm/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0V1eke2YMDYKjMuZNPFOYQlBl95FLehbvk8YQJYxeGSVhyqlLBDGLFANt2O9GSPCK3zTTSMHe8ftEeKOOlnMi0z9YrTqrdCxNZK3WBsGEtKiRtgmpCnFxhdKGgbS0X0ZqalAI6zXZTBm/s400/IMG_1662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Undeterred, Dad suited up and got ready for battle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN5K4sfdiknY9Se3mkG1-ZVogEv16smcRr-BDuCbfZM6_zUD_OBdUHuaDotws3luSxkTlUDXLMQYcksyiJ9xQFmOIRUgZzIqn_MVGyzI8WxGjWClrrElDfU1Ua_cylzLVRibPb2-yEEDg/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN5K4sfdiknY9Se3mkG1-ZVogEv16smcRr-BDuCbfZM6_zUD_OBdUHuaDotws3luSxkTlUDXLMQYcksyiJ9xQFmOIRUgZzIqn_MVGyzI8WxGjWClrrElDfU1Ua_cylzLVRibPb2-yEEDg/s400/IMG_1665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt captained the dune buggy while Dad and he were blasted with sand - looks like we both were getting exfoliated!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTLpHk0laBnDNWmm679siy78pAfQQ7nBgbO5oKdyUoDTYIFmcFKLF5eQYvjbPqK4j0lRvp_rmhjx9-QWvRaK7tLTDG8FD0FNI-IW87qFB4eduFr4Xd86ofeS9AOoZrG5GM83mx2d4gQGr/s1600/IMG_1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTLpHk0laBnDNWmm679siy78pAfQQ7nBgbO5oKdyUoDTYIFmcFKLF5eQYvjbPqK4j0lRvp_rmhjx9-QWvRaK7tLTDG8FD0FNI-IW87qFB4eduFr4Xd86ofeS9AOoZrG5GM83mx2d4gQGr/s400/IMG_1668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But when he finally reached the top of the dunes, he was King of the World!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiixIgqKfCaTgkY-0Gx8n0jrhxVPVHHH1FKSbLh3u0_vX17WI0vpVrSJaPxoRGyoVmXwzPerPLHEAqloLnJ3LjTGUrx_P3Cw1qlia8UwgehwzgXXDUWBdqEKgn9P3KqAfcjIPZpu_t8J7N/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiixIgqKfCaTgkY-0Gx8n0jrhxVPVHHH1FKSbLh3u0_vX17WI0vpVrSJaPxoRGyoVmXwzPerPLHEAqloLnJ3LjTGUrx_P3Cw1qlia8UwgehwzgXXDUWBdqEKgn9P3KqAfcjIPZpu_t8J7N/s400/IMG_0249.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also decided to try out the new segeway tours on offer in our 'hood. Having been on a segeway tour before I was really game. They are awesome. However, wearing a helmet not so awesome. No matter how much I love wearing a hat I don't think I can work the cannonball-head look.</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MZOuPbFYo-4" width="400"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ride 'em cowboy! Dad encounters a little resistance on the segeway his first time around, but he gets the hang of it pretty quickly!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTGfwZqgQ-BvRRSwU64t3vet23OoJnKFJooBJwgS66K-NPfjNBmia_oW8NN5RqHEeoUMWiFe38Upzc3XHr7SYkz_4ln7BvoRwMauY3J4ciD4YJSJgk4rN8ZBsTabDIuPxje7QKlnWJR6W/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTGfwZqgQ-BvRRSwU64t3vet23OoJnKFJooBJwgS66K-NPfjNBmia_oW8NN5RqHEeoUMWiFe38Upzc3XHr7SYkz_4ln7BvoRwMauY3J4ciD4YJSJgk4rN8ZBsTabDIuPxje7QKlnWJR6W/s400/IMG_1720.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It doesn't matter how nerdy you look, because once you are gliding along you don't have a care in the world!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1WL7BQfKRQnQ_82kkoL6LVR62aA6n-ZwCDZF1vG9UwXoD5dy04XZNkk_5BdruISLTHn2VbXEufkYrdElZ08QBe7kZJOriEmTEPDeznrjrHXkcb4BdKhV2IsX2JBo3ISqUKZd5yIKSs3W/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1WL7BQfKRQnQ_82kkoL6LVR62aA6n-ZwCDZF1vG9UwXoD5dy04XZNkk_5BdruISLTHn2VbXEufkYrdElZ08QBe7kZJOriEmTEPDeznrjrHXkcb4BdKhV2IsX2JBo3ISqUKZd5yIKSs3W/s400/IMG_1762.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />The city of the future? Maybe. But I won't be wearing a helmet!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-35973330297820274702012-04-21T17:25:00.001+04:002012-04-21T17:26:31.957+04:00The Birthday Bash<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Abraham Lincoln famously said that “...In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Well said sir, and if I have anything to say about it I'm going to cram a lot of life into these years! Lucky for me I'm surrounded by people who are willing to help me stuff a lot of life into each minute, and my birthday was no exception. <br />
<br />
For the grand occasion of easing my transition into the next decade I was feted by friends and family and showered with lots of love - and chocolate - you guys know me too well! The festivities started with the arrival of an edible arrangement from Lisa and Basile, and moved to Refletts for the creme de la creme of dining experiences. Not only did I cram a lot of life in, but also a lot of delicious food!<br />
<br />
The following day it was time to party down and we enjoyed the atmosphere at Horizon Bar until the wee hours of the morning. It was great to have so many friends there, and super special to have my parents there for the event. It was a nice reminder that we are connected to so many wonderful people on both sides of the pond! Another year older, another year wiser, and another year happier. Here's to always making sure there's plenty of life in each year!<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiQ1aJ9vozpZKand-Nlu1DSpgN_Drk9hk60JwAnVPVo4G0we5N7YkRGtccGvVn9O2BD0KRrT8hooAkaBKLX3fgpnnoP6ao8b3fjoX5P3nm5wMOc22zoVoz8eXk7O3gm61smaAcJwRy9Ef/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiQ1aJ9vozpZKand-Nlu1DSpgN_Drk9hk60JwAnVPVo4G0we5N7YkRGtccGvVn9O2BD0KRrT8hooAkaBKLX3fgpnnoP6ao8b3fjoX5P3nm5wMOc22zoVoz8eXk7O3gm61smaAcJwRy9Ef/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A beautiful arrangement to start the festivities. I'm partial the fruit with chocolate on it, naturally. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVWsVe5O9t8G5WNOw43XH_UyNW6fmDUJ9gfbD9SIWplsoHcGnD1lCeXoHI8YYVQruHGB-gjZJrLDcpj7hI0QNJdOHvAFJuorKbWY82LZGjvqhQBiIgarMk3OVJJiY_qmIM9gViqSjaqHA/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVWsVe5O9t8G5WNOw43XH_UyNW6fmDUJ9gfbD9SIWplsoHcGnD1lCeXoHI8YYVQruHGB-gjZJrLDcpj7hI0QNJdOHvAFJuorKbWY82LZGjvqhQBiIgarMk3OVJJiY_qmIM9gViqSjaqHA/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our way to Refletts</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuyPB_C75VigPKwoP_75CQ_3QmrwUkDPff0KCpcebYxFY5RmvuCnht2-R5ncfxxOTup7A5wBCfR834BPDkqnM4s7sdx51Lcdk0zodIWm78ntQfSAzI1TmRhgnDnKF3ExU5ZqcTPxH4iKa/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuyPB_C75VigPKwoP_75CQ_3QmrwUkDPff0KCpcebYxFY5RmvuCnht2-R5ncfxxOTup7A5wBCfR834BPDkqnM4s7sdx51Lcdk0zodIWm78ntQfSAzI1TmRhgnDnKF3ExU5ZqcTPxH4iKa/s400/IMG_0103.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgn0P0iHIAdtebwuqcsyzu4z41Ak0m1F29GhAngNq6bep5fymyKVgfw6K8UQmHHg9_DCw_Akm4j4kvCbBoc71HnpOmzJsaEcTfu7v9H6sWMzB6NcwJSLmHIXmDwxnDxdUF1usyXrM7NNO/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgn0P0iHIAdtebwuqcsyzu4z41Ak0m1F29GhAngNq6bep5fymyKVgfw6K8UQmHHg9_DCw_Akm4j4kvCbBoc71HnpOmzJsaEcTfu7v9H6sWMzB6NcwJSLmHIXmDwxnDxdUF1usyXrM7NNO/s400/IMG_0106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the top French restaurant in Dubai and Dad tried everything - it's a birthday miracle!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL7meGAFYcppYwQZOKZPu7CgZpye6l46guS9Rx0Ns04hAl2DE52cqED2toWWkZ3d9SmrxrEb3EUW_vrM4ASuKf2UNZx0L709TB88hj8eQOXDkAf3A1TLfe9x12nT8fOPCy3f2LOKZHY2G/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL7meGAFYcppYwQZOKZPu7CgZpye6l46guS9Rx0Ns04hAl2DE52cqED2toWWkZ3d9SmrxrEb3EUW_vrM4ASuKf2UNZx0L709TB88hj8eQOXDkAf3A1TLfe9x12nT8fOPCy3f2LOKZHY2G/s320/IMG_0148.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Katie" would have been just fine?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKoYU-M9On48oD7w9-eGwjnZML2hPjsZa8JgeJNeQi-yaaHtRB1OhZMVIzgP-vyQHsVGmhhQoPWeVJ5GKZ1WzJKCACtxqvxVaybCq5LZxQMfxQoXd6dmfxuUxXMNTkp3PtiB6gGgiGxLq/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKoYU-M9On48oD7w9-eGwjnZML2hPjsZa8JgeJNeQi-yaaHtRB1OhZMVIzgP-vyQHsVGmhhQoPWeVJ5GKZ1WzJKCACtxqvxVaybCq5LZxQMfxQoXd6dmfxuUxXMNTkp3PtiB6gGgiGxLq/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" width="266" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Party animal, Wade Shaver.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkidAnuQ8InJv5LRIXGNVVvkEurLb5gNxWbcXtzf2tdN22eTAwXY7i7xvYJnzTtdUIDhM-fyfBPs7jFm-bvjDom_RgIbwR6JrHMidJtD82dcZjZlgznjlPLY-J1SR4cvrhkgrS6Xkwywt/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkidAnuQ8InJv5LRIXGNVVvkEurLb5gNxWbcXtzf2tdN22eTAwXY7i7xvYJnzTtdUIDhM-fyfBPs7jFm-bvjDom_RgIbwR6JrHMidJtD82dcZjZlgznjlPLY-J1SR4cvrhkgrS6Xkwywt/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With great friends Gemma and Maurice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8YCZlq5QyO0r4OJUo82ZiA02m0YgMm9tT9GMWJqeuapA8FSqUR-xUzvVyK9wXze-ZScjk47yubL7EjThpuEKSnbjGTZbfeyAlFu7hncOkQcFOZLf_JvxQFyWZm2LcsDh1JwNK6gA20rp/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8YCZlq5QyO0r4OJUo82ZiA02m0YgMm9tT9GMWJqeuapA8FSqUR-xUzvVyK9wXze-ZScjk47yubL7EjThpuEKSnbjGTZbfeyAlFu7hncOkQcFOZLf_JvxQFyWZm2LcsDh1JwNK6gA20rp/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the many perks of being a birthday girl, an official cake feeder.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R8QP7sUj_2x4CdUAaoS6XxPZeXSiZpDuxHr3_zp5JpW194sGAAiSbwIUsvfmLlkkwJjxfZpJgcwlmoJJ-Qn5UIQRYzTP6PFehkS85YfzSi6CyyPUYeE9KQ-ysLjW3HxrmiqAu6cCKpIa/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R8QP7sUj_2x4CdUAaoS6XxPZeXSiZpDuxHr3_zp5JpW194sGAAiSbwIUsvfmLlkkwJjxfZpJgcwlmoJJ-Qn5UIQRYzTP6PFehkS85YfzSi6CyyPUYeE9KQ-ysLjW3HxrmiqAu6cCKpIa/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf75HRV9JTn2HYHni5fODpTyXqayR421F1qj6FIV2dQ4T1m2EVADvoOux9iI4-NLo_g84EHuJxFCOIEB4IFoULi7CO7H8m96ObOz3YrnBcBlAkmOtchTgzNsRdKz3o5lfukdAHkHHiMa8/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Two of my very favorite ladies!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf75HRV9JTn2HYHni5fODpTyXqayR421F1qj6FIV2dQ4T1m2EVADvoOux9iI4-NLo_g84EHuJxFCOIEB4IFoULi7CO7H8m96ObOz3YrnBcBlAkmOtchTgzNsRdKz3o5lfukdAHkHHiMa8/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf75HRV9JTn2HYHni5fODpTyXqayR421F1qj6FIV2dQ4T1m2EVADvoOux9iI4-NLo_g84EHuJxFCOIEB4IFoULi7CO7H8m96ObOz3YrnBcBlAkmOtchTgzNsRdKz3o5lfukdAHkHHiMa8/s400/IMG_0218.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lucky number 7. The 7th birthday Matt and I have celebrated together!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG7aBAg80NcDsyxaIn1CkGBJ_yFX0Za4ob9GrvW4rdkESOtV8TXxt27V598twhnJjscpHmo_Gnima1ZxRV2nZBZJtBJgi9tI3yWTZ_F0OGDCh-M1pZv1GcegxDoitPHrybpU8ISu81UH9/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG7aBAg80NcDsyxaIn1CkGBJ_yFX0Za4ob9GrvW4rdkESOtV8TXxt27V598twhnJjscpHmo_Gnima1ZxRV2nZBZJtBJgi9tI3yWTZ_F0OGDCh-M1pZv1GcegxDoitPHrybpU8ISu81UH9/s400/IMG_0222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Great showing from the LivingSocial team!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6j1RhaNnb_kykBLLob5NFZJjOjseOoCD8BJ9YvEgHrOBnUsrNbKsES6bZYBgo84nZhRrTzOWcuiWSWgQFLd1JOz_YRkKg25qubFBn4a4Wbe81gjPDQ61SQQkbBs-DcwiyX8eNqQZ_4wj/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6j1RhaNnb_kykBLLob5NFZJjOjseOoCD8BJ9YvEgHrOBnUsrNbKsES6bZYBgo84nZhRrTzOWcuiWSWgQFLd1JOz_YRkKg25qubFBn4a4Wbe81gjPDQ61SQQkbBs-DcwiyX8eNqQZ_4wj/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My love of chocolate may only be second to my love of flowers - life is good!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTM8vuX2ieri4H7OJEvjGaGkA2LtJFpWYtgSvVutTSlKT9hm5XsoPSkMeRyZ8_fVFdQUebRJ3Dbxehbw4aCjaqUViLFbwlDnZeGL3KgURga9W_zo6jrGNhY4QefRTvI3f7lm6eMnXEdeu/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTM8vuX2ieri4H7OJEvjGaGkA2LtJFpWYtgSvVutTSlKT9hm5XsoPSkMeRyZ8_fVFdQUebRJ3Dbxehbw4aCjaqUViLFbwlDnZeGL3KgURga9W_zo6jrGNhY4QefRTvI3f7lm6eMnXEdeu/s400/IMG_0235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey Mom, did you think 30 years ago you'd be celebrating my birthday in Dubai?!</div>
</div>
</div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296625765853177525.post-31404554539989424552012-04-14T22:35:00.000+04:002012-04-14T22:35:19.916+04:00Chocol'art: Charity and Chocolate a Sweet Combination<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span id="goog_2082423280"></span><span id="goog_2082423281"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are some combinations that are just made for each other: cookies and milk, peanut butter and jelly, and pretzels and ice cream (is the last one just me?), but we had a new sweet combo added to the palette with the introduction of charity and chocolate through the Chocol'art event held at the Emirates Towers last week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From the same social entrepreneurs that brought Dubai Nutella Nights (see our posts from <a href="http://mattandkatiedubai.blogspot.com/2008/05/everyones-favorite-creamy-chocolately.html">2008</a> and <a href="http://mattandkatiedubai.blogspot.com/2009/01/nutella-nights-white-party.html">2009</a>) and combined Nutella consumption with a silent auction to benefit various charities, comes Chocol'art, a socially conscious event that supports local artists while supporting the Make a Wish Foundation. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
At the intersection of the sweet addiction inspired by cocoa, the warm
fulfillment of charity work, and the radiant promise held in innocent
children comes a new concept in a socially-responsible excuses to
party…Chocol’art!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="text_exposed_show">Galleries, artists and designers across Dubai were invited to create spontaneous and unique works during the event,
all inspired by and related to the theme of chocolate. </span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We enjoyed a beautiful night at the Emirates Towers with Mom and Dad while Matt spent the night manning his table for the silent auction. Knot Standard generously donated two custom made suits for the evening's events! The night featured a movie star theme and loads of chocolate of course!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M99gDq87nxDc5RW8B3mdaODh8jL_eQter59c3EgM2sDjK-D5XDoqB8UyYTGnCuKNtNwFe6iLGW2Q4tqK0TPL1IjNYTJKoEFyTkEbQ7XnDTVzyK4JtFZQd9HnEpjdLFd3b05ngsSsifiA/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M99gDq87nxDc5RW8B3mdaODh8jL_eQter59c3EgM2sDjK-D5XDoqB8UyYTGnCuKNtNwFe6iLGW2Q4tqK0TPL1IjNYTJKoEFyTkEbQ7XnDTVzyK4JtFZQd9HnEpjdLFd3b05ngsSsifiA/s400/IMG_0291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt with Knot Standard's biggest investors...(of love).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWSiWGsluSyUAodECIGc-p3tJAkt76I23HYkzj5hwObVo1IoKpCOYQsv2Vvevkr74F6KjGDVLyXMs7aNXlf_QVCmDqO_GE-QOdBseTSAvz2MrNzgOWhylLVev_NzSFoUPv8U8W3NvNhTb/s1600/IMG_0393-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWSiWGsluSyUAodECIGc-p3tJAkt76I23HYkzj5hwObVo1IoKpCOYQsv2Vvevkr74F6KjGDVLyXMs7aNXlf_QVCmDqO_GE-QOdBseTSAvz2MrNzgOWhylLVev_NzSFoUPv8U8W3NvNhTb/s400/IMG_0393-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a wonderful night for the open air venue, and this well dressed lady was my hot date!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0RA8N8GOAkLGnv1YuZxfIZAS_qaxKOY_odHtAyf5bC-riQ1OVNMva3AZm1_aSGs9c5xtlto1smTTAeY_Z0fqSawzwytgotglC00pZpCGlIHNjek75cZ3YZBtPhfF-f9PrgsgC67s0FH2/s1600/IMG_0305-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0RA8N8GOAkLGnv1YuZxfIZAS_qaxKOY_odHtAyf5bC-riQ1OVNMva3AZm1_aSGs9c5xtlto1smTTAeY_Z0fqSawzwytgotglC00pZpCGlIHNjek75cZ3YZBtPhfF-f9PrgsgC67s0FH2/s400/IMG_0305-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Crepes for dinner? Yes please.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNAXj5jufYaooSUXlzjG6R14wKERBrgVkZiCr8w-3hOHRPAHcMZR0WUe49C74aEpHbErg105UomP4SaZ33CdkF91jkykLQVviuumXt2ufGJRmjO1xby3TNCqgwLIAVL0imh96s5jmc1lc/s1600/IMG_0306-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNAXj5jufYaooSUXlzjG6R14wKERBrgVkZiCr8w-3hOHRPAHcMZR0WUe49C74aEpHbErg105UomP4SaZ33CdkF91jkykLQVviuumXt2ufGJRmjO1xby3TNCqgwLIAVL0imh96s5jmc1lc/s400/IMG_0306-001.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Even giants love chocolate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8czIwi9J4z2T2RGT3F6SMgkVDK8BTz6Pc2TsFxAhHED_aRfLX-oTjFdExHPL2xuGSlU27bZYWucf9IF4cLBcIlDCG1ck4ItlxvqknPIIILEWWLGe39lpSo-N4HqvYPQi8s3sTRNS2phj/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8czIwi9J4z2T2RGT3F6SMgkVDK8BTz6Pc2TsFxAhHED_aRfLX-oTjFdExHPL2xuGSlU27bZYWucf9IF4cLBcIlDCG1ck4ItlxvqknPIIILEWWLGe39lpSo-N4HqvYPQi8s3sTRNS2phj/s400/IMG_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
BMW featured a live drive in movie theatre on the promenade, you were welcome to pop into the cars and enjoy the movie.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1NwLyal5WwAMZvt-8kT5Mv1mXzvcrUDZ1MDvNpJ-HdtHZyhsnuYVzkDo5Sg7voNnpeahwe1ySXVRPX8mZ2_3w3g8Pl5QFcDMSDGg5nEhskJW7JqkZLZXN4H_IWJ0UoLONCSI6FzgAr5U/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1NwLyal5WwAMZvt-8kT5Mv1mXzvcrUDZ1MDvNpJ-HdtHZyhsnuYVzkDo5Sg7voNnpeahwe1ySXVRPX8mZ2_3w3g8Pl5QFcDMSDGg5nEhskJW7JqkZLZXN4H_IWJ0UoLONCSI6FzgAr5U/s400/IMG_0304.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll take them! 8.5 please.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK8nsB_pRA15WzgOn0KBaE9Qz0m_GQqdz3otJ4EH5HZ0ui1hoxKo1e2kq_Pyi6Pt-UK5D27k1Q6JUZy4up8wyUweGHCFr3RPBxXjkH9Typa9314fsbU8JDFy84_UuoBII3Ih3lLPh5lcQ/s1600/IMG_0323-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK8nsB_pRA15WzgOn0KBaE9Qz0m_GQqdz3otJ4EH5HZ0ui1hoxKo1e2kq_Pyi6Pt-UK5D27k1Q6JUZy4up8wyUweGHCFr3RPBxXjkH9Typa9314fsbU8JDFy84_UuoBII3Ih3lLPh5lcQ/s400/IMG_0323-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Knot Standard booth had a great location - you couldn't miss it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsfbwnorNCXOZPlIdQ5Fp9d-br3guDwaJjaT3iQDV7KKz3pzLWrklx3CZcG2Com_qGGO-MGMiNECAYeKeAInVbt7yMrCew0azpvkGlSW_ZvBGU7qi35JlnsbXqLXS11pXuMyAp3EowQsI/s1600/IMG_0324-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsfbwnorNCXOZPlIdQ5Fp9d-br3guDwaJjaT3iQDV7KKz3pzLWrklx3CZcG2Com_qGGO-MGMiNECAYeKeAInVbt7yMrCew0azpvkGlSW_ZvBGU7qi35JlnsbXqLXS11pXuMyAp3EowQsI/s400/IMG_0324-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dad got photo bombed by Marilyn Monroe and friends.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoBqWnpZf4hwRIyz5C-McIJ4oQ1LszMjfcCAGJ0ShGVbEksO7Mc-PEYz8AemK9XzA15I3Ol1WvsBxvJn-VcYCWltka-Zmg1z8B7PFjINWRyOfH6bx2Uyx1soOG0SkkcVqy59GcYGMFtV5/s1600/IMG_0384-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoBqWnpZf4hwRIyz5C-McIJ4oQ1LszMjfcCAGJ0ShGVbEksO7Mc-PEYz8AemK9XzA15I3Ol1WvsBxvJn-VcYCWltka-Zmg1z8B7PFjINWRyOfH6bx2Uyx1soOG0SkkcVqy59GcYGMFtV5/s400/IMG_0384-001.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Morgan Freeman?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnTuU-TXu-64cVgJz0S3IuExdSL9r7A7oozAT0LTu9RWPm1GsB_bw1tvbmqW7xlkH2DlVa1JvgBUVbjmDWHqhPQ9Bo88TC8hXC7DdG_aiTsNmyX2OeW1PB6WpHfoBz1BHcdIsDJ6Gawym/s1600/IMG_0405-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnTuU-TXu-64cVgJz0S3IuExdSL9r7A7oozAT0LTu9RWPm1GsB_bw1tvbmqW7xlkH2DlVa1JvgBUVbjmDWHqhPQ9Bo88TC8hXC7DdG_aiTsNmyX2OeW1PB6WpHfoBz1BHcdIsDJ6Gawym/s400/IMG_0405-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The art I was most interested in - alas none came home, I was out bid!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS1AIihiEXTl31oA3Laabujj6Gq58LJ_zGSzbUFnwb2GzhvLgOz7UoeK4RvaodMYkcX6KMtK4XNdYc3tVoSxRtUfxziVgCWOomoR8AbjNitIVB-FcRZ1Es7v-csuCCKTfXgTKqcCl5b-f/s1600/IMG_0409-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS1AIihiEXTl31oA3Laabujj6Gq58LJ_zGSzbUFnwb2GzhvLgOz7UoeK4RvaodMYkcX6KMtK4XNdYc3tVoSxRtUfxziVgCWOomoR8AbjNitIVB-FcRZ1Es7v-csuCCKTfXgTKqcCl5b-f/s400/IMG_0409-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hardest working guy in the bespoke business.</div>
<br /></div>
<br />
Matt also got pulled from the crowd to speak on stage about Knot Standard!<br />
</div>Katie Shaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410816336493882307noreply@blogger.com1