Hong Kong: Night Hike

Date: September 11, 2018

On Friday I went for a night hike up the Peak. I love this hike. It is right at my backyard. There are a variety of trails so I can decide how long or far I want to hike. I just need to make this part of a daily routine. #lifegoals

T-10: super typhoon Mangkhut

Date: September 11, 2018

Well the weekend will be exciting! It looks like we have 2 typhoons headed our way. We are currently at a T1 rating. Let’s see what happens over the next few days. They are calling it a super typhoon Mangkhut and they are predicting that it will go up to a rating of a T-10.

Hong Kong: Storm Tracker

Date: Aug 14, 2018

I am back in Hong Kong and we have a typhoon warning. As you can see this one is going in circles. It started on the weekend with a T1 warning and then it went up to a T3 warning as it turned and headed towards Hong Kong. Luckily today the warning has been removed as the typhoon has blown away from Hong Kong.

Okavango Delta

Date: Aug 29, 2018

Can you spot me? This photo makes me laugh. We were at the Okavango Delta and going on a boat trip with our local guide.

Highlights Of Summer

Date: Aug 20, 2018

I have been home for 3 weeks and time is going quickly. It’s still fun to look at my photos and remember my adventures. I started downloading all my photos from my camera this weekend so I will try to share more photos soon.

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park: Bird Watching Tour

Date: Aug 15, 2018

I went on a 2 hour hike in Zanzibar to look for birds. I saw many birds with the help of my guide. He was an excellent spotter. However, I was only able to get a handful of photos. Many of the birds were very small and others were in flight.

Here is a list of the birds I saw:

1. Sunbird
2. Crowned Hornbill
3. Cattle Eagret
4. Sombre Greenbul 
5. Little Bee-eater
6. White-browed Coucal
7. Lilac-breasted Roller
8. Black-headed Weaver
9. Black-bellied Starling
10. African Paradise-Flycatcher
11. Pale Batis
12. Square-tailed Drongo
13. Scarlet-chested Sunbird
14. ​Bronze Mannikin
15. Forest Weaver
16. ​Collared Sunbird

Spot Me If You Can

Aug 15, 2018

I was at the camp ground office to ask for the WiFi code - a precious gift when traveling - when I looked up. It took me a minute to spot this guy. I don’t know what kind of gecko this is but he was hanging out near the lights trying to grab some bugs. I thought he was very successful at looking like a log.

Zanzibar Beauty

Date: Aug 15, 2018

This is the east side of the island. As you can see the tide goes out for a kilometre. The shallow water creates this beautiful colour. The local women walk out and fish. The tide stays out all day and returns water to the beach in the late afternoon. I was surprised how fast the water comes in with the afternoon tide the ocean changes colour and the water comes right up to the hotel.

Overland Adventures

Date: Aug 12, 2018

This is our ATC truck. I spent 26 days traveling in the truck. Somewhere around 3,400km. It was a trip of a lifetime. I don’t know if I will ever get a chance to do that again. But I hope so. There are places to explore and things to see.

P.S.
A thank you to Nick - I believe this is his photo!

Chobe National Park

Date: Aug 11, 2018

Chobe National Park

We were on a game drive and we saw a family of 9 lions. It was just at sunset and the light was fading but so exciting. The family had many young lions. They were just laying around and relaxing. A few of the young ones were playing with each other. It was so special to sit in the jeep and watch. I was so excited to finally see lions close to the jeep. I hope the photos on my camera - with the zoom turned out. I was able to snap this photo with my phone.

Hippo!

Date: Aug 10, 2018

South Luangwa Zambia

On our game drive we went past a river with hippos! They were hard to take a photo of as they were staying under the water but occasionally they would pop their head up.

South Luangwa Zambia: Elephants

Date: Aug 9, 2018

South Luangwa Zambia

We went on a game drive with fantastic results. I was hoping to see a lion but we only saw tracks in the sandy road. We were lucky with elephants and even babies! This little guy was wondering around and feeling confident to leave his mom’s side.

Getting Water

Date: Aug 9, 2018

For many families in East Africa getting water is a chore. We visited a village in Zimbabwe and we learned that the villagers had to come to this community water pump to get water to use. There is no running water in the village. Usually this duty falls to women or children. Our guide showed us how the ladies carry the buckets of water on their head. As you can see we also tried to carry some buckets of water. It was surprisingly difficult! 

Of course the bucket is heavy and that is a challenge but the other issue is keeping the bucket straight so no water spills when you walk. It’s moments like this when you realize how much we take water for granted in Canada. It just runs out of the tap in the kitchen! We are lucky. Something to remember...

Game Drive

Date: Aug 8, 2018

The best way to see animals is to take a game drive through a National Park. You roam around in this open air jeep and look for animals. I have been nominated by my group as a top animal spotter. I am good at seeing animals in the bush. As you can see in the photo it is cold here in Zambia. It’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere. But if you bundle up it’s no problem. I will keep you posted with what animals I spot.

Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey

Date: Aug 5, 2018

As stated on Wikipedia “The Zanzibar red colobus is a species of red colobus monkey endemic to Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, off the coast of Tanzania.” I was lucky to visit the national park on the island and spot some monkeys. The guide told me that there are about 5000 monkeys in the park. Their only dangers are dogs and people. Some locals still hunt them. The monkeys eat locals crops so they are seen as a pest. But to me they were so cute!

Zanzibar

Date: Aug 2, 2018

I went to visit friends on the east coast of Zanzibar. The tides went out for 1-2 km so you couldn’t swim at this beach as you would have to walk way out to the sea. But the shallow water creates this beautiful light blue water as far as you can see. It was really pretty. The local women go out into this shallow water and scoop up small fish with nets.

Spice Tour

Date: July 29, 2018

We went on a tour around a spice plantation just outside of Stone Town. It was really interesting and informative. We saw coffee, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, chilli, pineapple, banana, jack fruit, mango, cassava, vanilla and durian.

Zanzibar: Dinner Party

Date: July 29, 2018

My ATC Overland Tour is finished. We have arrived to Zanzibar. It has been an amazing 26 days. I have made new friends and made countless memories. Here we are at the goodbye dinner on the beach under the full moon. I am in the middle of giving my goodbye speech so probably I am using my hands to illustrate my point which would explain why I am burry.

Country Count: #47

Date: July 7, 2018

Today we crossed into Botswana! Country #47. Very exciting. I am riding in this big rig! We can seat 30 people but luckily there are only 10 people on the tour at the moment.

South Africa: Game Drive

Date: July 7, 2018

I went on a game drive and had the chance to see these 3 white rhinos! It was incredible. I was so lucky as they were just on the side of the road. I was so happy as I was hoping to see a rhino. The guide told us that at one point the poaching was so bad that 3 rhino were killed each day. So sad. I wish there was something that could be done.

Zebra

Date: July 3, 2018

In Etosha we saw many zebra. They are always together in small or large herds. They are so interesting to look at. They are the size of a small horse and they are usually curious to watch you as you stop your car. This guy was close to the road so I was able to get a good photo!

Etosha National Park Adventures

Date: July 3, 2018

I was watching several bull elephants at the water hole. They were making rumbling noises and pushing each other around. Then as they moved away from the water hole I saw a rhino. He was hiding at the back quietly getting a drink of water. He looked so tiny compared to these giants. If you look closely at the photo you will spot him in the dark.

Warthogs

Date: July 3, 2018

Here is a family of warthogs crossing the road! They are so cute. When they are alarmed they run with their tails pointing up in the air.

Etosha National Park: The Water Hole

Date: July 3, 2018

This is an amazing experience - wildlife viewing at the water hole. I am kicking back my heels and watching the sunset. It is winter here in Namibia and the temperatures start at 8C in the early morning and rise up to 28C as the sun gets higher in the sky.

Windhoek, Namibia: Happy Canada Day!

Date: July 3, 2018

Happy Canada Day! I am enjoying the view of Windhoek, Namibia. It was a quiet Canada day with arriving back to the city from a road trip through the north of Namibia. I had the chance to see a variety of animals. There was limited WiFi at the game lodge so I’ll try to get some photos posted.

Country Count: #45

Date: June 23, 2018

I love to travel and I am counting my countries so I was excited to visit South Africa for country #45. I missed the 45 by 40 plan so I’ll have to make a new target for 45 I guess!

South Africa: The Farm Inn

Date: June 23, 2018

Today we visited the Farm Inn which is a hotel and game reserve. It was a chance to see some animals and enjoy the African sun. I was excited to see my first giraffe!

The Farm Inn is a privately owned Country Hotel and Conference Centre on the eastern outskirts of Pretoria, just 20 minutes from Central Pretoria, 45 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport and 50 minutes from Johannesburg. The Farm Inn is a great getaway, an ideal conference venue or the perfect setting for your wedding.

Since 1982 the Farm Inn has grown exponentially, but hasn’t lost its personal touch. The hotel boasts 83 bedrooms, 17 function venues, 2 chapels and 3 bomas - one of which provides an intimate venue amongst the roars of the lion enclosures. If you prefer something more formal, the hotel’s Tugela à la carte restaurant is open 7 days a week.

https://www.roomsforafrica.com/establishment.do?id=9053

Hong Kong: Amah Rock

Date: June 22, 2018

This is amah rock in Kowloon. I hiked out there with my friends. It was a easy walk from Lions Rock. The story is that during the second war world there was a fisherman that didn’t come back and his wife would carry their daughter up to this look out spot everyday to look for him. The fisherman did not return and the woman and her daughter were turned into stone to forever keep watch.

Hong Kong: Sunset At Instagram Pier

Date: June 22, 2018

Here is a sunset from Hong Kong at the instagram pier. I snapped this photo to share the huge red sun that was reflected on the water. I was lucky to be at the harbour at the right moment to watch the sun go down. I am looking forward to seeing some African sunsets during my time here in South Africa.

Lattee Please

Date: June 22, 2018

I arrived to South Africa and was treated to brunch by friend Jenny. We went to a local restaurant to enjoy the view and sip lattes. It was fun to catch up and laugh about shared memories of Vancouver.

New Hiking Trail

Date: June 18, 2018

I went out for a hike and I found a new trail and. New peak! It was by accident that I ended up on this trail and I was going to turn back because the trail was overgrown and I was afraid of spiders. But I decided to be stubborn and continue since I had already committed to the the trail and I was rewarded with a great view.

Third Beach in Sai Kung

Date: June 19, 2018

I went out to the beach at Sai Kung. It is well worth the 1 hour bus ride. The beach was gorgeous. The water was so clean and clear. I will come back to this beach for sure.

Plastic In The Ocean

Date: June 19, 2018

The other day I was waiting for my friends to arrive from Macau so I was waiting outside at the ferry terminal. I saw this fisherman collecting plastic out of the sea. I have never seen this before. He had a long net and he was scooping up bits of trash. It was lovely to see someone cleaning the Victoria harbour.

Junk Boat Party

Date: June 18, 2018

One of the great things about summer in Hong Kong is Junk Boat season. The warm weather allows us to rent a junk boat and head out of the city in search for a beach and a chance to spend the day in the sun. Here are a few photos of the view and the junk boat.

Spider

Date: June 18, 2018

Their back! The warm weather has brought out the spiders. I was on a hike today and I spotted many along the trail. I made sure I kept my hat on and my head down. I snapped this photo as this was one of the bigger ones we saw today.

Street Art

Date: June 18, 2018

I was out walking in Sheung Wan and I came across this street art in progress. It is fun when people are creative and make beautiful images on the walls. I look forward to seeing the finished design.

Hong Kong Trees

Date: June 18, 2018

This is a tree in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. It is beautiful. I love the way it is growing out of the wall. I like having breakfast at this little coffee shop and this is the view. I get to sit and stare at this tree and roots winding down to the earth. It feels like this tree won't give up and it wants to survive what ever it takes.

Hong Kong Community of Sai Yung Pun

Date: June 18, 2018

This is a painting inside an MTR station. I snapped a photo of it as it made me look twice. These scene really shows the stories of my neighbourhood. I see the garage collectors in the early morning going along the street. Sweeping and pushing a cart. I see trees like this with long, windy roots pushing down to the ground.

Typhoon

Date: June 18, 2018

Its typhoon season here in Hong Kong. This means that you have to keep an eye on the weather and the warnings. This typhoon took a few interesting turns and twists. We got to a T3 here in Hong Kong but besides a ton of rain we didn’t have any problems from this one.

7/11 Snacks

Date: June 18, 2018

I saw these snacks at 7/11. I snapped a photo because it made me laugh. I am not brave enough to try these snacks.

Dried Seafood Market

Date: June 18, 2018

This is a common sight as I walk along the sidewalk. In fact the street is named “dried seafood” as there are many shops in this area that sell seafood products. I snapped a photo as it was fun to see squid. Often I see things laid out on traps but I don’t know what they are. Mystery items. Could be mushrooms or some sea creature. The smell can sometimes give you a clue, but not always.

Bamboo

Date: June 18, 2018

Here in Hong Kong all scaffolding is made out of bamboo. It’s a cheap material that is available everywhere. It is amazing to watch the construction workers move around and climb up the bamboo.

Wild Boars in Hong Kong

Date: June 18, 2018

I was running the trails around the Peak and I came across a wild boar. I tried to give this wild animal some space as he crossed the trail. I had spotted wild boars ms before hiding in the bush but never one so large and out in the open. I wondered how much territory this animal needs and how he manages to avoid all the dogs that are walked on this trail.