Travel Notes – Travel Blog – Page 3 – ► Blogging About Travel

January 20, 2016April 28, 2016

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls in full flow; as seen from the Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi River, in southern Africa.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

With a width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres Victoria Falls is the world’s largest sheet of falling water and forms the natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The spray from the falls can be seen for miles around and the constant roar of water crashing down a series of basalt gorges is truly thunderous; so much so that the Kololo tribe living in the area referred to this natural wonder as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, or ‘Smoke that Thunders’.

Waterfalls.

January 19, 2016April 28, 2016

Tea in Tashkent

A young boy watches an old Uzbek woman, probably his grandmother, put a steaming hot glass of tea to her lips; in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Tea in Tashkent

The youngster holds a pot aloft and offers the woman, with a red woolen scarf over her head, another refill.

It is a sunny April day, in Central Asia, but far from warm.

Uzbekistan.

January 18, 2016April 28, 2016

Stonehenge – UNESCO World Heritage

Located in Wiltshire, about eight miles north of Salisbury and two miles west of Amesbury, Stonehenge was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Stonehenge

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, we usually see these ancient monumental stones photographed in a circle; and often appearing relatively small in the frame.

In this picture I wanted to give a true feel of the stones; a sense of their great size, perceived weight, awesome power, and possible healing energy.

Landmarks.

January 17, 2016April 28, 2016

Lake Titicaca – Puno, Peru

Visitors to Lake Titicaca can take boat trips out to the totora reed islands, where the Uros people live.

Lake Titicaca

Boats leave from Puno, on the Peruvian side of the lake.

Of the forty small islands on Lake Titicaca, tourists are ferried to the main island of of Santa Maria, where they can hire reed boats to get a closer look at the fish.

Peru.

January 16, 2016April 28, 2016

Skiing In Aspen, Colorado

Skiing Ruthie’s Run in Aspen, Colorado; one of the classic Downhill runs in North America.

Skiing in Aspen

Aspen Mountain, known locally as Ajax, was founded in 1946; as the first ski area venture of the Aspen Skiing Company.

In 1987, on a warm, sunny spring day in the mountains of Colorado, Switzerland’s Pirmin Zurbriggen (already the overall winner for the Ski World Cup series) made history in Aspen; by winning both the men’s downhill and the giant slalom.

Snow.

January 15, 2016April 28, 2016

Kota Bahru Indoor Market, Malaysia

Overview of shoppers and market vendors at the colourful indoor vegetable market in Kota Bahru, Malaysia; some in traditional Malay dress.

Kota Bahru Indoor Market

Muslim woman sell fresh vegetables from a seated position on the floor; while others watch the rituals of Kelanten daily life, from above.

Visiting a food market on our travels is a great way to gain an insight into the local culture and a taste for the main ingredients that go into the regional dishes.

Culture.

January 14, 2016April 28, 2016

Hermitage Staircase – Moscow, Russia

One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, the State Hermitage in Saint Petersburg was founded by Catherine the Great, in 1764, and has been open to the public since 1852.

Hermitage Staircase

The Jordan Staircase of the Winter Palace leads up to the exhibition rooms.

Although badly damaged by fire in 1837, the original plans from architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli were used for the reconstruction of this grand state entrance.

Russia.

January 13, 2016April 28, 2016

Samarkand, Uzbekistan – Old Silk Road

Old man in contemplation by the Domes at the Avenue of Mausoleums (Shah-i-Zinda) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan; one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, along with Bukhara.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

An Islamic centre for scholarly study, Samarkand prospered from its position on the Old Silk Road; described in ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ as ‘a very large and splendid city’.

UNESCO added the city to its World Heritage List, in 2001; as Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures.

Blue.

January 12, 2016April 28, 2016

Plaza de Ponchos – Otavalo, Ecuador

Famous for its alpaca wool textiles, the Plaza de Ponchos in Otavalo is one of the largest Indian markets in Ecuador.

Plaza de Ponchos – Otavalo, Ecuador

A weaver in the traditional costume of Otavaleño men – white pants, poncho, and black felt hat – proudly displays his Ecuadorian textile art.

Otavalo was originally a market town for the region’s farming communities, but with the growth of tourism, the Saturday market is now supplies foreign tourists with handicraft souvenirs of their visit to Ecuador.

Ecuador.

January 11, 2016April 28, 2016

Helping Mum in Mozambique

Mother and daughter strolling home from the market in Maputo, Mozambique with tins of Lion Lager on their head.

Helping Mum in Mozambique

It is not uncommon to see women carrying things on their head, but this is the first time I saw a little girl help her mother take the beer home, presumably for her father.

Usually the children carry water, or firewood.

Mozambique.