tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-222912932024-03-05T18:32:50.806+02:00ReijsverhalenOur Egypt and Ozz storiesJurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-33757553703152624352012-01-31T05:24:00.002+02:002012-01-31T05:34:14.214+02:00Luka's fiets avontuurEindelijk kunnen we met Luka fietsen. We hebben een echt Nederlands fietszitje voor voorop de fiets. En Luka vindt het geweldig! Hij heeft zelf zijn helmpje uitgezocht.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukYRbJR6WM0YB5VIEg1dQOZ0eaPi9FTufPRUNsD8hgcnBd3tn6uWrOuYkHjTQaOSHbZNFG92u3i68zdVrJ_PQO-41w7ZemRmiuKo19YxLXHdUQQ6SmKyoZMSShadO2E-GVl1c/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukYRbJR6WM0YB5VIEg1dQOZ0eaPi9FTufPRUNsD8hgcnBd3tn6uWrOuYkHjTQaOSHbZNFG92u3i68zdVrJ_PQO-41w7ZemRmiuKo19YxLXHdUQQ6SmKyoZMSShadO2E-GVl1c/s320/IMG_1211.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703632863496829634" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Eerste dag voorop de fiets...</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKfEcf1pGMzEgakoH6s4DFH1J688N3ED0wxGYK_PhWAyzrCLEj6u8d4txHaqjJz58wrpiAh8Ry4BIJ0WY15QKX75Lky1ivr9loJf1NIQisNtrUkC4e_xZKhsbgL5qT7OkBeWy/s1600/IMG_1212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKfEcf1pGMzEgakoH6s4DFH1J688N3ED0wxGYK_PhWAyzrCLEj6u8d4txHaqjJz58wrpiAh8Ry4BIJ0WY15QKX75Lky1ivr9loJf1NIQisNtrUkC4e_xZKhsbgL5qT7OkBeWy/s320/IMG_1212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703634072784145954" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ha!</span></span><br /></div><br />Na fietsen op de Oma-fiets uit Nederland, zonder versnellingen, past hij nu ook op mama's mountainbike. Fijn, want Perth is in tegenstelling tot Den Haag, helemaal niet vlak...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_rL8Oj2fjRT4DN2ZAmmJkP4p7VIcn6fOLZ-T0hD_VD3X4ps3jK6Wu4yywta3DedVFRA9kYGuNc5bEyCq9hBJPUuXEQ_tQW6qCMNX2mfuqEO9JXjuByPnMMAObRGgfv4FI_oa/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_rL8Oj2fjRT4DN2ZAmmJkP4p7VIcn6fOLZ-T0hD_VD3X4ps3jK6Wu4yywta3DedVFRA9kYGuNc5bEyCq9hBJPUuXEQ_tQW6qCMNX2mfuqEO9JXjuByPnMMAObRGgfv4FI_oa/s320/IMG_1222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703633463517669218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Met papa op de fiets</span> </span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-56435522327795618132011-12-03T07:08:00.012+02:002011-12-03T16:27:20.981+02:00Sinterklaas is aangekomen in Perth! / Sinterklaas has arrived in Perth!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_NiZI64K2xgDaWewRNNuwnbvnllI447c-FK3WCz2FhPV42EVcdiOSuD_sjLgMmfrsgcLarvNNPoGWPsghxIsNrZoQhxGum67qZUWyamoVGjAzmZg-69Ow5rWVlDqeLP32k83/s1600/DSC_0885.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_NiZI64K2xgDaWewRNNuwnbvnllI447c-FK3WCz2FhPV42EVcdiOSuD_sjLgMmfrsgcLarvNNPoGWPsghxIsNrZoQhxGum67qZUWyamoVGjAzmZg-69Ow5rWVlDqeLP32k83/s400/DSC_0885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681767057941389714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Vandaag is Sinterklaas met vele Zwarte Pieten aangekomen in Perth. Hij kwam met de boot en meerde aan bij de steiger van Claremont vanmorgen.<br /><div><br /><i>Today Sinterklaas arrived in Perth with many Zwarte Pieten. He came by boat and landed at Claremont jetty this morning.</i><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeT4589v90FI7J2es1DqVv1ny7OZX-ks7fBoHtwOWxCK8KWaZRNKFzTxLl8jOIodSqrf1NHtFG7l-C0q3rayZwO6QF3DTjvCWsTKw5VM5euGWFIiSo4TZcchkR0njFm8YeJtJ/s400/DSC_0887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681767555028291026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>Luka vond het nog een beetje spannend om pepernoten van een echte Zwarte Piet te krijgen. Maar pepernoten van papa en mama vond hij heel lekker. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Luka was slightly apprehensive to take pepernoten directly from Zwarte Piet. But pepernoten from mom and dad he really enjoyed!</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN44yalVTPDqW6zxUDAD2lzr_9ZvOJmxFcjuB8nY1ar9JonPKFPekdKfkkyXStNXaZlyPkWq1qWek8cOfc0DWMsri5Kgsw0HV_xGZssX0XAjF33MSd5xYoX4yqbdnKyVDdoFAs/s400/DSC_0894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681767982088552210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Luka kreeg zelfs zijn eigen zwartepietenpet met zijn naam erop.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i>Luka even got his own Zwarte-Pieten cap with his name on it.</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J7_-VELQkKFjhJV4RDMtv6nmIbR6UDbZ7_MyCDOpUkruVjx5JBE-j3Dbqdmb_D9XEuUyGpds0o4jhrg-Vhyphenhyphen9o1eL6jytINjHltWhEDxUs0gscs5IJDrB66eGWxIIsxApanD4/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J7_-VELQkKFjhJV4RDMtv6nmIbR6UDbZ7_MyCDOpUkruVjx5JBE-j3Dbqdmb_D9XEuUyGpds0o4jhrg-Vhyphenhyphen9o1eL6jytINjHltWhEDxUs0gscs5IJDrB66eGWxIIsxApanD4/s400/DSC_0899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681858980749238690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a>En hij mocht op de foto als Zwarte Piet (met papa als Sinterklaas).</div><div><br /></div><div><i>And his picture was taken as a Zwarte Piet (with daddy as Sinterklaas)</i><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-3yLF-QQoYFO_TaRgUKMmMO4H7QJ7z2L4LpjTD77vDTKiwncNo73YdTTyF2e_Gie5_L7iUR6LuCrQkrqO9FqSCDlcTEyDKpRAnWBh6kJRwgr8JGEUOy26K8EmX1S0c3cCFQT/s400/DSC_0907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681861432879110722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div>En 's avonds z'n schoen zetten en sinterklaasliedjes zingen bij de open haard. Nu nog hopen dat Sinterklaas en Zwarte Piet langskomen vannacht en dat er morgenochtend wat in Luka's schoen zit...</div><div><br /></div><div><i>In the evening Luka put his shoe at the fire place with a carrot for Sinterklaas' horse. Let's hope Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet will pay a visit tonight and Luka will find a present in his shoe in the morning...</i></div></span></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GI4FQI1oLUejVAxGa82f-rXNeZqcU_YePX9FsfMeZ4C6sdT4gH6N2Hzy5mW64tKyA60uF40jpbIIdXXDo-Hj0CbKuThc7a4f79bp-fXBLXXPJ7Y6ucsZpEkQh_3xwE-UFKrY/s400/DSC_0911.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681908041384397090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-84395516642104927162011-10-05T14:33:00.022+02:002011-12-05T15:07:04.088+02:00Rotto<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof:yes;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSecti</style><br /><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Het is winter in Perth, maar we besloten het erop te wagen. Om Jurriaan’s verjaardag te vieren besloten we een lang weekend naar “Rotto” (of te wel Rottnest Island, vlak voor de kust van Perth) te gaan. We hadden geluk en het was een weekend met mooi winter weer wat betekent dat het vergelijkbaar is met menige zomerdag in Nederland. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We gingen erheen met de snelle veerboot, wat voor Luka al dikke pret was. Overal boten, opspattend water en vogels. Geen walvis of dolfijn maar dat mocht de pret niet drukken.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We hebben er heerlijk uitgewaaid, en veel op en bij het strand gespeeld met schelpjes en zand en gewandeld met Luka. Er waren ook mooie speeltuinen voor Luka en ondanks de winter kon pootje baden in zee ook al.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUHvuXLROSw2UZ1MIVZFBzrWs1vEwipEZ9TioNS3cy1YMlJ0DJOW6IezSsoEjayYMFx6egtH1BAs03ex8tz7j0jQ7XJ0AyX6yjxt5FwnpamL8Sm8LWDe4PpOPc7o526IyMCIN/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUHvuXLROSw2UZ1MIVZFBzrWs1vEwipEZ9TioNS3cy1YMlJ0DJOW6IezSsoEjayYMFx6egtH1BAs03ex8tz7j0jQ7XJ0AyX6yjxt5FwnpamL8Sm8LWDe4PpOPc7o526IyMCIN/s400/DSC_0039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659987014953843042" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Schelpjes verzamelen<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZadoDXsml4MPqk-MjR13WOwnAzh4dtfjTKGw-Zf0i-tKZJpLXx_6ueIobU5rdfcZJGfmhHJBgyXoFOAT05aGJVtTfGDFFIqFzJ_EzxKDowm4LI3v-iv09rqX61zTgCc0Tpj8/s1600/DSC_0052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZadoDXsml4MPqk-MjR13WOwnAzh4dtfjTKGw-Zf0i-tKZJpLXx_6ueIobU5rdfcZJGfmhHJBgyXoFOAT05aGJVtTfGDFFIqFzJ_EzxKDowm4LI3v-iv09rqX61zTgCc0Tpj8/s320/DSC_0052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682625948407011730" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Turen naar het water</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh102edwGBjv0_6pf8k1mGN4FXG5ZkkRtW67lE245ani4sd0pVTBOsvMhnvi1ELatuWpd_DqruMJoPHA8Z1Z-JW6FlVLxPU0DgXSxFc-Ddb9yDIKDAQW8SnlfHMvyr5su7NIlnW/s1600/DSC_0058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh102edwGBjv0_6pf8k1mGN4FXG5ZkkRtW67lE245ani4sd0pVTBOsvMhnvi1ELatuWpd_DqruMJoPHA8Z1Z-JW6FlVLxPU0DgXSxFc-Ddb9yDIKDAQW8SnlfHMvyr5su7NIlnW/s320/DSC_0058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626109016886194" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Racen met Luka's wagentje</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0A9VRVrQFwAm1RONaDHjDOIDd1-gJ5MX3LRUElFQoc0Qe-_c_zM4ivg5d0mP5hMcSoyujubQvfKWaYKfQ2ja1CYhZCPqlip8yjZu5lHvlY2rrlkRZeFHNmSOhcyc15kgVldX/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0A9VRVrQFwAm1RONaDHjDOIDd1-gJ5MX3LRUElFQoc0Qe-_c_zM4ivg5d0mP5hMcSoyujubQvfKWaYKfQ2ja1CYhZCPqlip8yjZu5lHvlY2rrlkRZeFHNmSOhcyc15kgVldX/s400/DSC_0069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661857997582970834" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Heerlijk spelen in de speeltuin</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXq5PR_S5-x7G4B1cEFcJ_qKjpQxuAQiKbXM35Z_0Toj83E79nram9YHLw1VbeEiv6I9IhmlWU5g1-lbT9cLhMdvh359oXeLVnw0gSuD-j2ydVzglK0IwnB2fH_4qAWqShNw8/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXq5PR_S5-x7G4B1cEFcJ_qKjpQxuAQiKbXM35Z_0Toj83E79nram9YHLw1VbeEiv6I9IhmlWU5g1-lbT9cLhMdvh359oXeLVnw0gSuD-j2ydVzglK0IwnB2fH_4qAWqShNw8/s320/DSC_0075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626263860920994" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Wandelen over het eiland</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9Ghqgcr_DjWgkdHwSNgWUWcv2m2Dj4Yp8oWYcgCBw5lwLgrWgaRaf1k9EpBd0SrVeouUY9tra_8HzDH4nWK5rvG_WCNgPwURwny1DpMmN4JPmdTm2zpgisRuDUdxACZb68jZ/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9Ghqgcr_DjWgkdHwSNgWUWcv2m2Dj4Yp8oWYcgCBw5lwLgrWgaRaf1k9EpBd0SrVeouUY9tra_8HzDH4nWK5rvG_WCNgPwURwny1DpMmN4JPmdTm2zpgisRuDUdxACZb68jZ/s320/DSC_0077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626347006630354" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ontmoeting met een "quokka"</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyeXQIeHVlsZGZVowXYlqjXQfirFFRwc8NR_r2yMaNN6bNDvWgkfbGW_mC-au9zgM8k-fUHG2Mg1Wx8hkljGiSFTo8e7fgHR8Q-Cq0quOnxr3juhha9mHB-hVVEw1TuubVlr0/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyeXQIeHVlsZGZVowXYlqjXQfirFFRwc8NR_r2yMaNN6bNDvWgkfbGW_mC-au9zgM8k-fUHG2Mg1Wx8hkljGiSFTo8e7fgHR8Q-Cq0quOnxr3juhha9mHB-hVVEw1TuubVlr0/s320/DSC_0085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626416492134018" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Zwaaien en "hi"</span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN_Bp9BmRC8EVqDV0FYn1B3PKkRSuEeyrOxgFXuzKsfZKACFlMa2i3gbiVTbYQaoh2HeNkXo-yoref1O-1stq84KRtP-mZTzagsKJv1eH2wnw7cxWQHJ6Wuw2CsHTUsXZ-j46/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN_Bp9BmRC8EVqDV0FYn1B3PKkRSuEeyrOxgFXuzKsfZKACFlMa2i3gbiVTbYQaoh2HeNkXo-yoref1O-1stq84KRtP-mZTzagsKJv1eH2wnw7cxWQHJ6Wuw2CsHTUsXZ-j46/s320/DSC_0092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626610867664370" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Schommelpret</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19t8tqo5HaLdP9KDnZlqULpqflIhwYEwrmTQ-OtyrYoZMVu_74fJYJxx88Bg86tY2SSHBz6dbOlcgcXWZbz_pXjwfqlY2vvyXcNBvCXRCj7q4jczmnz7xLqPdGAmBHPj2UTy4/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19t8tqo5HaLdP9KDnZlqULpqflIhwYEwrmTQ-OtyrYoZMVu_74fJYJxx88Bg86tY2SSHBz6dbOlcgcXWZbz_pXjwfqlY2vvyXcNBvCXRCj7q4jczmnz7xLqPdGAmBHPj2UTy4/s320/DSC_0095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626701335010178" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Spelen in de branding aan het eind van de dag<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp1EGj1jQUMpS3M1hdoR6Zyu-FlaefoxftOoxGlRQRwlV-Po_AYyJDz9olUK5zaFxsJLRZ-S98ZXJIWfQ08-NSlhXtgEBwEx7ylXyE2mX6vIRGvXyw9qmXZ56MmYzA5GHhNoB/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp1EGj1jQUMpS3M1hdoR6Zyu-FlaefoxftOoxGlRQRwlV-Po_AYyJDz9olUK5zaFxsJLRZ-S98ZXJIWfQ08-NSlhXtgEBwEx7ylXyE2mX6vIRGvXyw9qmXZ56MmYzA5GHhNoB/s320/DSC_0110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626775734194578" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp1EGj1jQUMpS3M1hdoR6Zyu-FlaefoxftOoxGlRQRwlV-Po_AYyJDz9olUK5zaFxsJLRZ-S98ZXJIWfQ08-NSlhXtgEBwEx7ylXyE2mX6vIRGvXyw9qmXZ56MmYzA5GHhNoB/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg"></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcekmgVVsVpDhwqrp76pk3bukTpUaCuMCxgf0_SEIJdlg5H2pq6gJUeO3oVYUEMGLEvJia-zs95tqKLS81gAvfOwDdZGQazYGu0C7HnVOeouud3iiuae0vLK0gmz30aiZ6to2/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcekmgVVsVpDhwqrp76pk3bukTpUaCuMCxgf0_SEIJdlg5H2pq6gJUeO3oVYUEMGLEvJia-zs95tqKLS81gAvfOwDdZGQazYGu0C7HnVOeouud3iiuae0vLK0gmz30aiZ6to2/s320/DSC_0167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682626848381878642" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Slapen in mama's armen op de boot terug...</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Kortom een heerlijk weekend en iets wat vaker willen gaan doen!</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-59568183704259949672011-04-03T02:25:00.016+02:002011-04-03T04:41:00.202+02:00Luka at the Zoo<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bVo5i23z_3WaEnxqjwBAeNawzfdZvoERG3X4Ab_kHP95BQPjyKhFTbrVn1XYcJKlVaPpuVeYy6VwJumFWQnQoy57pCxv1eXrJ_ebO7U_Yj49bC3t37iCGRscHOJZmjnMxGQM/s1600/DSC_8921.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz3zPsDfvMFkZX6CTkmITW6AXekq1lCbt6akjraEBgnHyaMzR1ZFiEdkB2Vfgc_xmIgIWhJB8ChHTCe_1FOd8N11ddtpCMUEf6xD7jcjKB3EZkEleT36tz-2VxqkDBXvWgwU3/s1600/DSC_8907.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7ILXoDem8Nowd5yMpucFHJ7cNZs1hx2w-XZceWo4DrGpISQyLVEQ16NXXTSDD7H4BvvJxPhKQzz1P2I0Ot_FDTEMFMh0h1JcyZL0i9FET4rDtqjp01LE4FKg4inEBvD1ydLu/s1600/DSC_8900.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k1jvhw6YPb4fmnQSGJwJruMaE3Q6-KNYQ8dg49LK2QhXh_PzI6mPtn9wInEYZCkswEVPLClDYRoH8OvFlgTfjPeksF9H1mlqCfClgl0xHzdFvepSqhE5FJQyRiZVP0u7q7pI/s1600/DSC_8901.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5hE7fpJPq-s-owa-q9sFmVNKVQ29OxyqI1xYYD3F67AH63HH7bIdoybZ_VBshEL0qpHXRKTJ3iysxGCPV2jVAdEBpSTlhBfN4-6uRLgPryLmVdBsFFkYCm-jRNxyolN5piyi/s1600/DSC_8915.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Yesterday Luka went to the Zoo. He met Giraffes, Lions, Cheetahs, Meerkats and an Elephant last time and he was ready for some new animals. He was very interested in crows, ibises, and little kids too, but we have those in public parks.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5hE7fpJPq-s-owa-q9sFmVNKVQ29OxyqI1xYYD3F67AH63HH7bIdoybZ_VBshEL0qpHXRKTJ3iysxGCPV2jVAdEBpSTlhBfN4-6uRLgPryLmVdBsFFkYCm-jRNxyolN5piyi/s320/DSC_8915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591155314057718274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>For more exotic wildlife we went to the African Savannah section to see Giraffes, Zebras and Rhinos.<div><br /></div><div>In the Asian Rainforest section Luka saw his first Orang Utangs climbing up and down the pylons. </div><div><br /></div><div>But we could not stay long there as the Asian Elephant demonstration started soon. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k1jvhw6YPb4fmnQSGJwJruMaE3Q6-KNYQ8dg49LK2QhXh_PzI6mPtn9wInEYZCkswEVPLClDYRoH8OvFlgTfjPeksF9H1mlqCfClgl0xHzdFvepSqhE5FJQyRiZVP0u7q7pI/s320/DSC_8901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591155951749041602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">We saw an elephant painting pieces of art, an elephant carrying tractor tires and an elephant squirting water over us.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7ILXoDem8Nowd5yMpucFHJ7cNZs1hx2w-XZceWo4DrGpISQyLVEQ16NXXTSDD7H4BvvJxPhKQzz1P2I0Ot_FDTEMFMh0h1JcyZL0i9FET4rDtqjp01LE4FKg4inEBvD1ydLu/s320/DSC_8900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591158140949663330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>We went on to the Sumatran Tigers. Real tigers are a little scarier than Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, but Luka liked them a lot. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz3zPsDfvMFkZX6CTkmITW6AXekq1lCbt6akjraEBgnHyaMzR1ZFiEdkB2Vfgc_xmIgIWhJB8ChHTCe_1FOd8N11ddtpCMUEf6xD7jcjKB3EZkEleT36tz-2VxqkDBXvWgwU3/s1600/DSC_8907.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz3zPsDfvMFkZX6CTkmITW6AXekq1lCbt6akjraEBgnHyaMzR1ZFiEdkB2Vfgc_xmIgIWhJB8ChHTCe_1FOd8N11ddtpCMUEf6xD7jcjKB3EZkEleT36tz-2VxqkDBXvWgwU3/s320/DSC_8907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591158691643225938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div>We took a break for an ice cream and coffee while Luka played in the grass and walked around...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bVo5i23z_3WaEnxqjwBAeNawzfdZvoERG3X4Ab_kHP95BQPjyKhFTbrVn1XYcJKlVaPpuVeYy6VwJumFWQnQoy57pCxv1eXrJ_ebO7U_Yj49bC3t37iCGRscHOJZmjnMxGQM/s320/DSC_8921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591159093895659042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>When we left, Luka got a fridge magnet with a tiger as a souvenir. Now he points at the fridge at home when we ask him about tigers. </div></div></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-80113248967687049402011-02-20T17:00:00.020+02:002011-02-26T06:36:53.744+02:00Luka is 1<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA_6TClNQX7rfEYJSDCwNevKaneqXmUhf4eD38Sx6A81hG0rzNj8NKquU9BU2AIFpM26r2b1YaoOOJp_8u0ooBMZwF12JAi9qWdKCauF2do5SpVrNm_q2rdwWrKQjjEse-Pau/s1600/DSC_8743.JPG"></a>Sunday we celebrated Luka's first birthday in <a href="http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park">King's Park</a>. Luka is 8 hours younger than his best friend Jan. So we celebrated Jan and Luka's birthdays together. Together with Jan's parents, Fem and Hans, we set up a picknick.</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA_6TClNQX7rfEYJSDCwNevKaneqXmUhf4eD38Sx6A81hG0rzNj8NKquU9BU2AIFpM26r2b1YaoOOJp_8u0ooBMZwF12JAi9qWdKCauF2do5SpVrNm_q2rdwWrKQjjEse-Pau/s320/DSC_8743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577832166228125058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Corine, Fem, Hans and Jurriaan prepare the 'adult' table...</span></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYFOYhsDTyZhIrfGk6L5CtL5iciHFZ3H29g3JOhViqX1cRfQTRe140flPXJVf6xxnvX8HQMS4BoI0ToLx101QheJuOOWEOXx-jhvYPM6UHhSRuIEsW3ytd47c53KPZYX_7yGW/s320/DSC_8740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577834270550227634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbuFuU3cKGOQUCoExMLILKAM5ViZl7XgUNtKGrBxTCHAPlKTW7kAl1hGNJpu6_CrLlN57667r1wXB9ux0-NzJI_ef8o_D_F3pwdifnKIlmOFHkw5FZKU6gI_LIzRONf6zjIrV/s320/DSCN8985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577835117044902114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...while Luka and Jan take care of the children's table</span></span></div></i></span></div></span></i></div></span></i></div></span></i></div></span></i></div></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We were lucky with the weather. Over the last weeks it had been </span><a href="http://www.climatetemp.info/australia/perth.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">hot</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (35-40 C) in Perth with high humidity and strong sun. But today it was cloudy with a comfortable 29 C. Ideal for Luka and Jan to play on the lawn of the park.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NCv3YLe_kEnXfxfdS8scT6ggQKMJRy-vqIIf42fz9FRU-nyfD6IHZbPz_b8-WT9WXTHD478DE9Mm2wZJtAlUPXC2Xl7AOSTSVWgcwDPHbU2DdNNuxfz1Y1X-69x_pAcUO1Hl/s1600/DSC_8752.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NCv3YLe_kEnXfxfdS8scT6ggQKMJRy-vqIIf42fz9FRU-nyfD6IHZbPz_b8-WT9WXTHD478DE9Mm2wZJtAlUPXC2Xl7AOSTSVWgcwDPHbU2DdNNuxfz1Y1X-69x_pAcUO1Hl/s320/DSC_8752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577833841665526850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jan and Luka play on the lawn with Oma Geer</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In true Aussie style a picknick involves a bbq with lots of food, beer and bubbly wine.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAzGydcj6oAyhYk8mBBoar6Ib4heSrlrOjeTaaknSUeI30UvV4csdphbesk7UP_oDdvkzlWHYTDQU9KO8TkBzpyBlHNpjQIdYEt3JSZARJ_MmYqHF7ZkF5yCggNmq3BOsAPT-/s1600/DSCN8937.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAzGydcj6oAyhYk8mBBoar6Ib4heSrlrOjeTaaknSUeI30UvV4csdphbesk7UP_oDdvkzlWHYTDQU9KO8TkBzpyBlHNpjQIdYEt3JSZARJ_MmYqHF7ZkF5yCggNmq3BOsAPT-/s320/DSCN8937.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577836650109786898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hans and Kim working on the bbq</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We sang the Dutch birthday song " Lang zal hij leven".</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jqajQZnzP3WM6-aNvCUrwfVOyDvSMJDOo2MNijBvL8zaPTmGZb2CnYcddqa1SUYp5F8-me57CbMdljl95zatKwYOk2nN-4i3f95YGo69HhzCau-nzTIufxNjmKNbxN_7Dm16/s320/DSC_8805.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577839808738008786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hieperdepiep Hoera!</span></i></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And a true birthday party comes with a cake and candle. </span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We just had to make sure the wind did not blow out the candle before the birthday boys could.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaHRNu5cMaVCx19tlcIXtdcHpY2JID5TbO0Cs1slhgvpEclbxFagZZsyGQzxeRbMKnaNhywtQFFyn-Q4ph3cUv4XhqwwyfAs1ikK4iiR25x5FmvbwAQEoAWGlC2gXTt3_oPq5/s320/DSC_8802.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577837565962163250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Careful ...keep the candle lit...</span></i></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh76Ep1YFofZ-MUuPn36DuCv3UGzIQ-0UjWVCg6Y6h41x1HGvloMd7qfYSZJs2_gxNFzygftdBZYgpJ5rHT0YuzNlE_6TJX50QeNkCWQyQioX2WoSPaoRo-LqycHnzr1JtXGhk/s320/DSCN8948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577838083116764738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...and now blow out before the wind does...</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBjCuCq7mcyZIWLd4NOjBJhS5JYt4BABHTKv5rzmh0_KvfX4-fh_4I629MJSgjQdWECaSk58xijOKbhLAN85-9kwOD2nylhaBOKIOU5pWp9a4kD0PHnHkuuZ04fdzOWjl3tgs/s320/DSCN8949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577838539513043730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...the finally the best part.. eating</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Many of Luka's friends came and he got many presents.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvFFvrpgxmhAh4XTU1Y0WuoUsnGjmPfSV1zwKjAfXQkfTuXC_w3TtXak77f0YMsya2G4Wns-vVeEIu2msvXeN_AC_oWkEWAxQ4YGW1p9jPdKvvSGcDoxoJO7Shojt-LuuRijv/s320/DSC_8798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577844024256326818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Birthdays are fun!</span></i></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFamaL_ocJ-SWK32xwFTGdOVXbnCCY-o5hlAEit-DW2NC1NuaVNog8jS10QIrUT2gxpJ5DlsTGAVmO4Qk08yzZoR3-Wudo_0C99H-irR-3q7qkE1hdXaNAkXJ05ru88oxi8dJ/s1600/DSC_8767.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFamaL_ocJ-SWK32xwFTGdOVXbnCCY-o5hlAEit-DW2NC1NuaVNog8jS10QIrUT2gxpJ5DlsTGAVmO4Qk08yzZoR3-Wudo_0C99H-irR-3q7qkE1hdXaNAkXJ05ru88oxi8dJ/s320/DSC_8767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577840767479998386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Luka's first real Aussie rules football</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei2Lkf_mIa_Lqf5ZWVmhp_90PXWjyPYTlCjBI2ue0VHwyjzDYhDfhjDSgyf13-wk6FXwaHuF6T42JlXvXPQO6eOfpWZ5GS7BroI78RfRdt1JQHHpcNTVfOSkVH-fOK6wJruLf/s320/DSC_8753.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577843150217283666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And a present from Jan...a mighty dumptruck</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And Luka could play with Monica's dog.</span></span></i></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiaZuK8-KCzAgw7fe37wHG4FoaTBxQP7-vI2w72YVQuoxuKyuH_mwM1bhO74LdkwwvwM8Xf608bQ1IIZknCDS2LUqEbMW83zfdkn3_-lweKTG0ezPrDnVDecMn08_wBtrHLuW/s320/DSC_8776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577841818098447650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...A dog is a little scary, but very exiting</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nog een keertje! One more time we sang Luka's birthday song: Hieperderpiep...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7kEzom0N4aVOnHvOVtXo5MfpC8_kXBbWOvdK1XBjYeDrYI6DHeoNJmfl9rtkDNIWjfovrnPAIkRfLMMHrrL5nDibD8h7ziYoizIpSjYyQ7fSVpy-tXQa6Rbf7ULkofnBR0IY/s320/DSCN8954.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577844853970205810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hoera!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-70648170486653506602010-08-01T07:15:00.033+03:002010-09-27T16:26:59.793+03:00Yellowstone<span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Part of our around the world trip this summer, eh winter, involved trekking through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This has been one of Corine & Jurriaan' s desired holiday destinations already for a long time, and with this opportunity traveling to the states we realised this wish. Luka was luckier, as he managed to go there on his first holiday!<br /><br />We rented a small (on the US scale, i.e. pretty big) camper van for our trek.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkKUCq__14wKTq5XH612oGwwuY4iC4cvxpC1iMabaM6tLBqxtu17Sd2mwdR0k2bZ1UedXEMI5wDniQoC-EKL20O6Yk-8PWWtt0mJxsxTxEzX27FIlr6Af0-xQuCgSXGiz7t_r/s1600/DSC_6859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkKUCq__14wKTq5XH612oGwwuY4iC4cvxpC1iMabaM6tLBqxtu17Sd2mwdR0k2bZ1UedXEMI5wDniQoC-EKL20O6Yk-8PWWtt0mJxsxTxEzX27FIlr6Af0-xQuCgSXGiz7t_r/s320/DSC_6859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521443643397434210" border="0" /></a> We started in Jackson Hole and drove via Grand Teton National Park to Flagg Range campsite. On our way we saw our first bear crossing the road. We were not really prepared as our cameras was still packed deeply in our luggage. It turned out that this was the only bear we saw this holiday: so, unlike us, always have your camera ready!<br /><br />From our first camp we drove north to the southern entrance of Yellowstone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZPzUMpFIQ1zDeXnVRFP2tX_Wi0jFkuGJBQD7coYbdRpSGHuiSJF3a_HurYPBC6dks424B7mp_BLOtywKT3VhUcdZG85ZFiX9-YTfvSpMegvTcdoZV7FT5vI8aUQ-h7m7Obo5/s1600/DSC_7618.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZPzUMpFIQ1zDeXnVRFP2tX_Wi0jFkuGJBQD7coYbdRpSGHuiSJF3a_HurYPBC6dks424B7mp_BLOtywKT3VhUcdZG85ZFiX9-YTfvSpMegvTcdoZV7FT5vI8aUQ-h7m7Obo5/s320/DSC_7618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521444726687431426" border="0" /></a>We started to explore the Upper, Lower and Midway Geyser basins from our first "base camp" at the Grand village campsite. We made many day trips with our mobile home, and Luka felt at home quickly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP_jkW5dsxH4CTdmrytpm6PtdlsHYAsYeLgJc0N3TQWeeadIjGrkrriS2tM4nIcc9k9u6nwCwn5E78Is-o4QaM4Tz8D0_tgMQkM8JnoEDH7I87axUR3b11-eSyLP_hvK5zVoF/s1600/DSC_6875.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP_jkW5dsxH4CTdmrytpm6PtdlsHYAsYeLgJc0N3TQWeeadIjGrkrriS2tM4nIcc9k9u6nwCwn5E78Is-o4QaM4Tz8D0_tgMQkM8JnoEDH7I87axUR3b11-eSyLP_hvK5zVoF/s320/DSC_6875.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521446306891415282" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Lower Geyser Basin</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:Times;font-size:130%;" >In the Lower Geyser Basin we saw our first geysers. White Dome Geyser’s beautifully shaped cone is many centuries old, and is still growing with each eruption. For hundreds of years, thermal water has been building the cone that you see today – one of the largest in Yellowstone. We were lucky enough to see White Dome Geyser erupt the moment we arrived there...</span><!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOotoYABmu8g2fJFHb9lObfgjioe9zcVQC0b_dFBXsEy3BpF8XQF42rW2QK-7Y3IUZTciFyO2o9FNPhXrEz4kzrr7i790NaZndIB2l4snA2O2feph3Xbg3aPiEy7OmV969aQmW/s1600/DSC_6909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOotoYABmu8g2fJFHb9lObfgjioe9zcVQC0b_dFBXsEy3BpF8XQF42rW2QK-7Y3IUZTciFyO2o9FNPhXrEz4kzrr7i790NaZndIB2l4snA2O2feph3Xbg3aPiEy7OmV969aQmW/s320/DSC_6909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521448298629644642" border="0" /></a><br />Apart from geysers we saw beautiful blue-coloured hot springs such as Silex Spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVW_kUzBqQPTSTBQqCN-Y5zwPL7aBapWi05HTQbbofbfG1tzPEEnvF1cAZF3Xp0_RJgo_G2CW58SLQQJ-ayn_ISmPNF4OWi_youcL94Vbz53lmzF3DfyFV6i9ttZOiUOm5MqP/s1600/DSC_6924.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVW_kUzBqQPTSTBQqCN-Y5zwPL7aBapWi05HTQbbofbfG1tzPEEnvF1cAZF3Xp0_RJgo_G2CW58SLQQJ-ayn_ISmPNF4OWi_youcL94Vbz53lmzF3DfyFV6i9ttZOiUOm5MqP/s320/DSC_6924.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521451245759690066" border="0" /></a>At the fountain paint pots in the Lower Geyser Basin you can see hot mud bubbling up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigJ16Y27L8aWmQ7v1neKKkf99ZaJlFfMoNAz-cN59gan-mqwqEKU54WUudJivpUzohadCjkbf_0yy_eGnhAuq5YNAF4E_8A1IzAvQofxjWlqBoGjJmY-3YjV231W9faygomdb/s1600/DSC_6930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigJ16Y27L8aWmQ7v1neKKkf99ZaJlFfMoNAz-cN59gan-mqwqEKU54WUudJivpUzohadCjkbf_0yy_eGnhAuq5YNAF4E_8A1IzAvQofxjWlqBoGjJmY-3YjV231W9faygomdb/s320/DSC_6930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521452050458273218" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:Times;font-size:130%;" >This vat of bubbling mud contains the perfect mix of ingredients to create mud pots: heat, gases, water, volcanic rock, minerals, acid, and even living organisms! Heat loving thermopiles consume some of the gases and help convert them into sulfuric acid. The acid breaks down rock to form clay; clay that mixes with water in mud pots.</span><!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Midway Geyser Basin</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >One of the more spectacular sights in the Midway Geyser basin was Excelsior Geyser.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIptsoMNw96oUUwVB-LBuk9lUpfHvmMCSh9L4diofeNPEmK8NIcHRxkkvi7MMT5JwE6sDIK-psc3Jw7QyEM6Jatmu8xhkTlMWDnScPxicZJRvzNkDBvwE8LjvHBXEPoRDXu4-q/s1600/DSC_6968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIptsoMNw96oUUwVB-LBuk9lUpfHvmMCSh9L4diofeNPEmK8NIcHRxkkvi7MMT5JwE6sDIK-psc3Jw7QyEM6Jatmu8xhkTlMWDnScPxicZJRvzNkDBvwE8LjvHBXEPoRDXu4-q/s320/DSC_6968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521446744306669330" border="0" /></a><br />In the 1880s Excelsior Geyser erupted in bursts 15-100 meters high. The thermal violence formed the jagged crater and apparently ruptured the geyser’s underground system, causing eruptions to cease after 1880.<o:p></o:p> On September 14, 1985, Excelsior Geyser roared back to life with forty-seven hours of major eruptions. It is impossible to predict when this dormant but powerful geyser’s next eruption will occur. We were lucky it did not decide to erupt when we were there!<br /><br />Though eruptions have been erratic the geyser’s outflow is nearly constant, pumping more than 15,000 litres of boiling water per minute over the carter rim into the Firehole River.<br /><br />But the most impressive sight of the Midway Geyser basin was Grand Prismatic Spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8q-BRG5YRr-UIwEATPtH8ro2cZYtyLwjCJypEwmERdn69ftVMixWpJndDKu1BHY163KmA7394KudmeiQO0K6MozTeRTUyEbJt-v4bTYbfVGU3EdhZ0zpXs2YUP6OvzfmDCu0O/s1600/DSC_6985.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8q-BRG5YRr-UIwEATPtH8ro2cZYtyLwjCJypEwmERdn69ftVMixWpJndDKu1BHY163KmA7394KudmeiQO0K6MozTeRTUyEbJt-v4bTYbfVGU3EdhZ0zpXs2YUP6OvzfmDCu0O/s320/DSC_6985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521472683660190818" border="0" /></a><br />Deep beneath us, magma from an active volcano heats water that rises to the surface through fissures in the rock. The result is a hot spring that pours almost 2,000 litres of hot water each minute into the Firehole River. Minerals dissolved in the hot water are deposited and gradually build the gracefully terraced shoulders of this feature.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEtBn1bfTZ8RByHBZGpv72BaK7l3Y7ld-ULOckG1D9g9JBpE3DsFij76-kYfouBaHomrB2-NNbT4s3Eh8AQxYUsdXPkkjGGZP_3RJVMqEHBNJGawoe4uzZ_zSsOb7djwREzuF/s1600/DSC_7007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEtBn1bfTZ8RByHBZGpv72BaK7l3Y7ld-ULOckG1D9g9JBpE3DsFij76-kYfouBaHomrB2-NNbT4s3Eh8AQxYUsdXPkkjGGZP_3RJVMqEHBNJGawoe4uzZ_zSsOb7djwREzuF/s320/DSC_7007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521447678362932642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The yellow, orange, and brown colors encircling the hot spring and lining the runoff channels are caused by thermophiles – heat-loving microorganisms. These microbes contain colorful pigments that allow them to make energy from sunlight and thrive in the harsh conditions of hot springs.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Upper Geyser Basin</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />Across the Firehole River is Riverside Geyser, one of he most predictable and consistent geysers in Yellowstone with eruptions taking place every 5.5 to 7.5 hours. Beginning an hour or two before an eruption, water pour over the cone’s edge, and splashing and bubbling become more visible. Then, water and steam arch over the river to heights of 225 meters. The eruption will last about 22 minutes.<br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-OXANyeGUAWDcjBi9xWvfUkP2uH5FwQGARiRudQJCbuJxBvj8ht0ejSqnxnqWzrxiUzrmkXwHzKetk5GIMPZh02B0U6cDomYVjSDZTZSFcZ1IVEcnawZ7TWvW-kDenpFLFa9/s1600/DSC_7040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-OXANyeGUAWDcjBi9xWvfUkP2uH5FwQGARiRudQJCbuJxBvj8ht0ejSqnxnqWzrxiUzrmkXwHzKetk5GIMPZh02B0U6cDomYVjSDZTZSFcZ1IVEcnawZ7TWvW-kDenpFLFa9/s320/DSC_7040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521452662845323746" border="0" /></a></span><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><o:p></o:p>Beehive Geyser<o:p></o:p> is named for its 1.2-metre high cone, resembling a beehive. Though its cone is modest by comparison to others in the Upper Geyser Basin, Beehive is one of the most powerful and impressive geysers in Yellowstone. The cone acts as a nozzle, directing a column of steam and water to heights of up to 60 meters. Typically Beehive’s activity is not predictable, but when eruption cycles start, intervals between eruptions can range from 10 hours to 5 days. An average eruption lasts approximately 5 minutes. When we entered the visitors centre in Old Faithfull a ranger was kind enough to inform us that Beehive was about to erupt, and we were just in time to see the event...</span><!--[endif]--></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j2aQf5SVryXzynxY3aFPfQYRvZVo2nfTbJAHWkpbFZLfz0E7-Awa9ycyo-I82lWXuxhpmruHvXiVRd5Vq8EzebLl02xagb9x7AmTINNL15rG8yhuV6DjebXB4GzxQrid9XuO/s1600/DSC_7081.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j2aQf5SVryXzynxY3aFPfQYRvZVo2nfTbJAHWkpbFZLfz0E7-Awa9ycyo-I82lWXuxhpmruHvXiVRd5Vq8EzebLl02xagb9x7AmTINNL15rG8yhuV6DjebXB4GzxQrid9XuO/s320/DSC_7081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521454678539833458" border="0" /></a><br /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>Towards Lake village on our way north we started to see more wildlife. Elk and bison were sometimes very near the roads and villages. This elk we saw near Lake Village.<br /></span><!--EndFragment--></p><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnSAShbii3xvIOykgg6zZMJP22x1aG0-lSjAHvSnAHCobKkKMO54y_LPuZCocnZPJd-SUafy8pi1balPGwm-U6sSjVsXnmder889fe2fp_H9fCKHnaKYkrPpMxStn5q3bNoOY/s1600/DSC_7255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnSAShbii3xvIOykgg6zZMJP22x1aG0-lSjAHvSnAHCobKkKMO54y_LPuZCocnZPJd-SUafy8pi1balPGwm-U6sSjVsXnmder889fe2fp_H9fCKHnaKYkrPpMxStn5q3bNoOY/s320/DSC_7255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521458231609584610" border="0" /></a><br />Further north in the Hayden valley we saw a spectacular herd of bison creating traffic jams when crossing the road, giving us plenty of time for photos!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSosGHrkPCSfHeAXe88dxONFbA81oeHSec-kmBMbrTN_Ow_gzzfiqSi0V0x8jYhB45a0sKovSazkmVku9AmGyueFvEgqfIY5pbcbObUpqgMJtzLkwY3AJN-9FchphCjvlVGkL/s1600/DSC_7422.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSosGHrkPCSfHeAXe88dxONFbA81oeHSec-kmBMbrTN_Ow_gzzfiqSi0V0x8jYhB45a0sKovSazkmVku9AmGyueFvEgqfIY5pbcbObUpqgMJtzLkwY3AJN-9FchphCjvlVGkL/s320/DSC_7422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521457000912195330" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />Canyon</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />Near our campsite at Canyon Village, the Yellowstone River cuts a deep canyon into the ryolite rock. The canyon starts with the spectacular Upper and Lower Falls. The Lower Falls with the colourful surrounding rock make beautiful scenery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnrdvLVWR5ToAkaxHYjGf57xoBywDneD2FpNy9j84T0lFxMkIg-idrXN3XPGlvniUKE7MTWiWWV6wP3dLtWTQoCbkM7Lwno7k_AFpANf10twAmK9rQJOvWM2UHSkXXQGfbBoD/s1600/DSC_7260.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnrdvLVWR5ToAkaxHYjGf57xoBywDneD2FpNy9j84T0lFxMkIg-idrXN3XPGlvniUKE7MTWiWWV6wP3dLtWTQoCbkM7Lwno7k_AFpANf10twAmK9rQJOvWM2UHSkXXQGfbBoD/s320/DSC_7260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521455481661317122" border="0" /></a>Via a steep footpath you can climb down to the brink of the lower falls and see the water roar down into the canyon.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMCRv8OyKxHSftbkR8shQMtUAkfN9f-5qDFvLwPbVsPj43dav2HONP5Fy6DqUK4DOzBcC6YwEpy67UnZ4weJwF-a_wPcTST23R00IrjXB-qIIYLMMWlVRxYCs2HPzjTjfuWvJ/s1600/DSC_7474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMCRv8OyKxHSftbkR8shQMtUAkfN9f-5qDFvLwPbVsPj43dav2HONP5Fy6DqUK4DOzBcC6YwEpy67UnZ4weJwF-a_wPcTST23R00IrjXB-qIIYLMMWlVRxYCs2HPzjTjfuWvJ/s320/DSC_7474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521458601175889522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eVeNEyuDlqzreI4hA4Y_hIzqNhe8pNTu_u-vwfDv3fUHW5G86PyMipW6ilScq3byBWdkfO3aauX5aJg6W_411LJhouZp9tHuRepYyspi-bCWeYPP0qW8MAM2bR7WCs24NOdZ/s1600/DSC_7470.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eVeNEyuDlqzreI4hA4Y_hIzqNhe8pNTu_u-vwfDv3fUHW5G86PyMipW6ilScq3byBWdkfO3aauX5aJg6W_411LJhouZp9tHuRepYyspi-bCWeYPP0qW8MAM2bR7WCs24NOdZ/s320/DSC_7470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521459826868934034" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Mammoth Hot Springs</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />From our "base camp" at Canyon Village we explored Mammoth Hot Spring in the North. We first walked up to the main terrace, where Canary Spring resides.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRzaH18-OKZPZG4bWwNeFb32KPi1WNQPbt0Am71tJKd9KucdlM-L5UXXyz5rWWylgdzRMOkCfGAzVC8_VKD-gowLAHz5lUGu0RifrZheTDEdcyO8k58GXok_r-HTqDd4E0TVf/s1600/DSC_7348.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRzaH18-OKZPZG4bWwNeFb32KPi1WNQPbt0Am71tJKd9KucdlM-L5UXXyz5rWWylgdzRMOkCfGAzVC8_VKD-gowLAHz5lUGu0RifrZheTDEdcyO8k58GXok_r-HTqDd4E0TVf/s320/DSC_7348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521460427709598994" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />Hot Spring waters of Canary Spring cascade down from the terrace forming colourfull terraces of travertine.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE81nYEqf21l2WSsYLcIoQHz4XDGwVnHSKvHmBg7UEuHYlc0pE5Ax9Pp9OLiA7uWiB41nm8UFoRc_t_D7fc1Mkc9J8Wam9NlvQ2Fh0e1G9rVmPMDLpT9jqA6g5dGmv8Ceu6ARd/s1600/DSC_7358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE81nYEqf21l2WSsYLcIoQHz4XDGwVnHSKvHmBg7UEuHYlc0pE5Ax9Pp9OLiA7uWiB41nm8UFoRc_t_D7fc1Mkc9J8Wam9NlvQ2Fh0e1G9rVmPMDLpT9jqA6g5dGmv8Ceu6ARd/s320/DSC_7358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521465885652707442" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:Times;font-size:130%;" >Shimmering at Pallete Spring is a living palette of colour. Billions of heat-loving microorganisms called thermophiles carpet the spring.<br /><span style=""> </span><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyNPDICUoA4o5VhiI2Bl_MLGLufq85dR48dxZ2WS2b_mJFXqzqySGCNuDtTdMUWQGCTxPaXs-SgWZ7j9sV_Pu5wqD3i8Slu3fqQvFEKehrOWxM34oU8is7gVyo9wsO1wMEocZ/s1600/DSC_7404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyNPDICUoA4o5VhiI2Bl_MLGLufq85dR48dxZ2WS2b_mJFXqzqySGCNuDtTdMUWQGCTxPaXs-SgWZ7j9sV_Pu5wqD3i8Slu3fqQvFEKehrOWxM34oU8is7gVyo9wsO1wMEocZ/s320/DSC_7404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521466860259500626" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:Times;font-size:130%;" >As you look at the spring’s patchwork of colors, you are looking at a world of thermophiles. Many species flourish here, each in a unique niche created by subtle differences in the spring. Temperatures vary – spots too hot or too cool for some are perfect for other thermophiles. Gases, most potent at the vent, are nutritious for some, but deadly for others. Swirling water or calm pools create different living conditions. The formations’ miniature hills and valleys capture light and cast shadows – habitats, for sun or shade loving thermophiles.</span><!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />On our day trip there we could not resist to drive to the northern boundary of Yellowstone crossing the 45th parallel and the Wyoming to Montana state boundary.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0U5m8j6BpOi65e2aF6bpI4ssJBtQWZVIgnATqHNVo6I76gnvFAR3e7YsFYAERYXwGWA1il5IZG15IhHdTFN_ernOTCwQ5-FZVffVZ0_hy5JnVJ3gwQpxps-thKOurxa2XVRW/s1600/DSC_7290.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0U5m8j6BpOi65e2aF6bpI4ssJBtQWZVIgnATqHNVo6I76gnvFAR3e7YsFYAERYXwGWA1il5IZG15IhHdTFN_ernOTCwQ5-FZVffVZ0_hy5JnVJ3gwQpxps-thKOurxa2XVRW/s320/DSC_7290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521582588594584722" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Norris Geyser Basin</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />The last day trip before heading south back to the airport at Jackson Hole, was west to the Norris Geyser Basin consisting of the Back Basin and the Porcelain Basin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh2kqrsvztfM2pfsR6GUXAPkRXZhfOLXWoWQvZT1viZ0E54xYA-Lc4u761mFn1TFiA6oe9AddSVfCiwCuGerRt1tQspSrY8k968NOLWSKIki5Be6msAKpq6HtVmOu0Y5sTm8v/s1600/DSC_7574.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh2kqrsvztfM2pfsR6GUXAPkRXZhfOLXWoWQvZT1viZ0E54xYA-Lc4u761mFn1TFiA6oe9AddSVfCiwCuGerRt1tQspSrY8k968NOLWSKIki5Be6msAKpq6HtVmOu0Y5sTm8v/s320/DSC_7574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521466256499741666" border="0" /></a><br /><o:p></o:p></span> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In this raw, acidic land full of iron and arsenic, thermophiles and extremophiles (microorganisms that live in heat and other extremes) inhabit geysers and hot springs.</span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIGeo1jtPfBJAF1diKHZc5v7c4459PTlOjaY6IdZOi-Q9dpIDudR5oLYpUn6isHIxx-YDWR_ZpcaACa5hR7DprZySY0OHd5vZxl1SbonXd98Ep3JXMOyybDOgTSMfUz_a0_ry/s1600/DSC_7598.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIGeo1jtPfBJAF1diKHZc5v7c4459PTlOjaY6IdZOi-Q9dpIDudR5oLYpUn6isHIxx-YDWR_ZpcaACa5hR7DprZySY0OHd5vZxl1SbonXd98Ep3JXMOyybDOgTSMfUz_a0_ry/s320/DSC_7598.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521462903485700818" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:Times;font-size:130%;" >Many pools are opalescent or cloudy. Murky waters are caused by silica in the water. Colloidal Pool is a perfect example.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaqMBFS9EOJ8m8_P3iK8LRONkx7M9zoW357ErDBwhGBJw9CbMgmqFs56dDiQDwoCvQHfOHWXpOnVuf1eIiA8ItJ1fZHG_KmfeVXd5yHy-bVo2cD8Z9enFmfPYOCwPGUQbH2nO/s1600/DSC_7592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaqMBFS9EOJ8m8_P3iK8LRONkx7M9zoW357ErDBwhGBJw9CbMgmqFs56dDiQDwoCvQHfOHWXpOnVuf1eIiA8ItJ1fZHG_KmfeVXd5yHy-bVo2cD8Z9enFmfPYOCwPGUQbH2nO/s320/DSC_7592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521462506598080946" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:Times;font-size:130%;" >Our trek ended where it started, back at Jackson Hole. We had a great time!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcNx2SKkisAfUopqsx5sxejyobd1EI2XovG2we04wmvIfNU8sAqWcPDA5zKooIzNmGtJF5wMn41YCg2mr1zTkHWKLM-wHvvO-obn9sqYV4MBJC3uWSpVWsA-C4tONQUAAI57Q/s1600/DSC_7386.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcNx2SKkisAfUopqsx5sxejyobd1EI2XovG2we04wmvIfNU8sAqWcPDA5zKooIzNmGtJF5wMn41YCg2mr1zTkHWKLM-wHvvO-obn9sqYV4MBJC3uWSpVWsA-C4tONQUAAI57Q/s320/DSC_7386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521467672493276338" border="0" /></a><br /></span>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-16788255313512464382010-05-24T12:20:00.028+03:002010-05-30T09:07:18.802+03:00Our son Luka<div style="text-align: left;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Four <span style="">days late and just before his arrival would have been induced, our son decided to arrive on his own terms - he was born just past midnight after a speedy delivery and was put in Corine's arms. It was amazing to finally meet him and hold him in our arms. So tiny and so perfect. He started looking with his big blue eyes from day one. He is a very relaxed baby, quite happy to look around and explore his new surroundings. He sleeps well allowing his parents to get quite a bit of sleep. He loves his milk. And skin peeled all over his body as he was “overcooked” in Corine’s bump. Here are some photos of his first week.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bLJQds7KLm4EKGO_yEdj_P_GI6Mhqb37XzbQq0tn2AS6Zv_iVEVvYJEFGLedqC3qgjWugQUKQwvNWxdFlWhdF1KO-3xYdfPnP27n4GulpezgIbEW421zhc0Pd1XATFuaZ-1M/s1600/IMG_1640.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bLJQds7KLm4EKGO_yEdj_P_GI6Mhqb37XzbQq0tn2AS6Zv_iVEVvYJEFGLedqC3qgjWugQUKQwvNWxdFlWhdF1KO-3xYdfPnP27n4GulpezgIbEW421zhc0Pd1XATFuaZ-1M/s320/IMG_1640.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474766640311876002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Luka back in Corine's arms </span><span style="font-style: italic;">approx. 1 hour after birth</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UA522Cl9W81UhCait37wd7IrU0POFZ5OVQRWGxyNCsrOupLFFuec8yRBCC2H7Tlhac33zKHRAAuGFE_oZY1-_Zc4PvsYz0STe9_QymY9T8tyXlhrGWN8YWjrE2xKCt50HbZQ/s1600/IMG_1647.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UA522Cl9W81UhCait37wd7IrU0POFZ5OVQRWGxyNCsrOupLFFuec8yRBCC2H7Tlhac33zKHRAAuGFE_oZY1-_Zc4PvsYz0STe9_QymY9T8tyXlhrGWN8YWjrE2xKCt50HbZQ/s320/IMG_1647.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474766779311342418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Luka in Jurriaan's arms</span></span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_3eayBm1UQe5EhRwxguKrTDT4o1JOqwTRMfhcHo_a4-lEiVs8cRQDgGAgPEcJKm-VTLT_6Xd3hf2kIdXkbSDe5Rc91b-kQvIfBnHqfVsq9jlikV7czwjUocKBOTvHxHUBv07/s1600/IMG_1676.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_3eayBm1UQe5EhRwxguKrTDT4o1JOqwTRMfhcHo_a4-lEiVs8cRQDgGAgPEcJKm-VTLT_6Xd3hf2kIdXkbSDe5Rc91b-kQvIfBnHqfVsq9jlikV7czwjUocKBOTvHxHUBv07/s320/IMG_1676.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474767325179783986" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUD-kUdihRz0b1jBTnRRHv1BRzKWgwc6X7lSDDASe70jDPVC84JZAIXT-w3U6qThsOapJHuchJVKljbignSJ68eVRnNPT2YXIertGtUTiAAKdDZ_svHW6d76qRXRXpUkvoBmq/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUD-kUdihRz0b1jBTnRRHv1BRzKWgwc6X7lSDDASe70jDPVC84JZAIXT-w3U6qThsOapJHuchJVKljbignSJ68eVRnNPT2YXIertGtUTiAAKdDZ_svHW6d76qRXRXpUkvoBmq/s320/IMG_0028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474768895265592434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sound asleep</span><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5N7YIcXHDH9AhwmsHNJiLLupZ45Q3YBVlGS8qjSYNsGdwARFJSjoMkIA0w6JwvfUGPN25Qj_83bJtRz8jtpvKcSpU3QtNsW78Wx7h3y7fVCxQ9NWtuQe2guLSM36lkX44_p3/s1600/IMG_0031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5N7YIcXHDH9AhwmsHNJiLLupZ45Q3YBVlGS8qjSYNsGdwARFJSjoMkIA0w6JwvfUGPN25Qj_83bJtRz8jtpvKcSpU3QtNsW78Wx7h3y7fVCxQ9NWtuQe2guLSM36lkX44_p3/s320/IMG_0031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474770633488462130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Already with open eyes</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UUwE6ZeezMZFQjcNgErn7V2-BLKHSWgcWkmEqE9iVGpxsC5BWssoMDGOhAqpjqeicxIWfVYuWDTcwo5MP8txrzAtwLqivw9fKEweeP_uAmLxAoHmG7pDQZI7HbX8IZOLs6LF/s1600/IMG_0032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UUwE6ZeezMZFQjcNgErn7V2-BLKHSWgcWkmEqE9iVGpxsC5BWssoMDGOhAqpjqeicxIWfVYuWDTcwo5MP8txrzAtwLqivw9fKEweeP_uAmLxAoHmG7pDQZI7HbX8IZOLs6LF/s320/IMG_0032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474770733007332722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">After Corine's first shower and Luka ready to be the "bath demo baby"</span></span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFop-cMCn9eGCM4EopIy8FRZbaynL6GQumk5Z8fPOz3knO76adQOQz1zn4qmZ1dM3IpuV_94-w0PpFK9lQjsxliW92e3m5weA9HtsxHdTibRDZzcAPfe3xRmKUxQsz_tuWuZB9/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFop-cMCn9eGCM4EopIy8FRZbaynL6GQumk5Z8fPOz3knO76adQOQz1zn4qmZ1dM3IpuV_94-w0PpFK9lQjsxliW92e3m5weA9HtsxHdTibRDZzcAPfe3xRmKUxQsz_tuWuZB9/s320/IMG_0033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474770833876571954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Asleep</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> after his first bath</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho248H9k2rvNgz0inQZeVaQiWuJzJr-7LE0UYkATSPQD-bGKKkPTCGU26xaDfMxshcH6JdE41dEUujw8_7-eb7YspHzCYgNwVxpLPxztZ7k6yhIEFjitnB_e4eFM5ABPnreCBW/s1600/IMG_0035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho248H9k2rvNgz0inQZeVaQiWuJzJr-7LE0UYkATSPQD-bGKKkPTCGU26xaDfMxshcH6JdE41dEUujw8_7-eb7YspHzCYgNwVxpLPxztZ7k6yhIEFjitnB_e4eFM5ABPnreCBW/s320/IMG_0035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474771319198192930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Looking around</span><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSBgbw9wJi5IHm8w6UMCJJNRQI9NPqodDsW41WCyub-xviP5Urauj08vc8S_RrZEyX73a7bAXV11922pGUuqdVHA_rNHZl2pO4gmSxp1PjR7oHfZI7P8DOp76zw0l4O5UVV6h/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSBgbw9wJi5IHm8w6UMCJJNRQI9NPqodDsW41WCyub-xviP5Urauj08vc8S_RrZEyX73a7bAXV11922pGUuqdVHA_rNHZl2pO4gmSxp1PjR7oHfZI7P8DOp76zw0l4O5UVV6h/s320/IMG_0062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476939679662845362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jurriaan & Luka (day 2)</span><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkNhPs1tefQ0wkv3eRbudlChz5uwDRT_QxE4cgAyjpxADFc8NZ39xCKM61k7M7kfxR_xCtfYTpf6bh8hWSasb94EYrzyervy6E_CPjLplnJhMYCfoFe7Qe9Mvszt1GXWpI7C4/s1600/IMG_1760.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkNhPs1tefQ0wkv3eRbudlChz5uwDRT_QxE4cgAyjpxADFc8NZ39xCKM61k7M7kfxR_xCtfYTpf6bh8hWSasb94EYrzyervy6E_CPjLplnJhMYCfoFe7Qe9Mvszt1GXWpI7C4/s320/IMG_1760.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474838376370311970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Luka content after his feed (day 7)</span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Unf5vux-O14s56N3HFsdq1CFhy6DHdcVF4QN0yFZXWvlvPr98A6fyMbmJMdZicvHJiUNP-PgrW6-CgnO4O8cFySa_nQqK5XjAk9rNdqaJsZ5dSdUi4d4XsPAvTOybTrAFRY/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Unf5vux-O14s56N3HFsdq1CFhy6DHdcVF4QN0yFZXWvlvPr98A6fyMbmJMdZicvHJiUNP-PgrW6-CgnO4O8cFySa_nQqK5XjAk9rNdqaJsZ5dSdUi4d4XsPAvTOybTrAFRY/s320/IMG_0071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474838441016214034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">On our way home (day 8)</span></span><br /></div><br /><!--EndFragment--> </div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-52938773149621258132010-02-06T02:50:00.007+02:002010-02-06T05:07:29.178+02:00Opening of Perth International Arts Festival<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday the Perth International Arts Festival opened in the Supreme Court Gardens in downtown Perth. The opening event started with Noongar elders welcoming audiences and artists from around the world. This ceremony included didgeridoo and dance performances.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The main event was an open air performance of La Fura Dels Baus, a Catalan theatre group. Jurriaan had seen them once over 20 years ago in Holland and was impressed. Since then they were most famous for a spectacular opening of the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. So we had high expectations. Before the main performance started, safety announcements told us that we would have to stand and move during the performance. The performers walked right through he audience and took somebody right next to us, strapped him a 'fly suit', and hoisted him right above us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87gEt_joSN5phaQMamXEBOPfuxdWzJ3gH-9Vpt9aReGQ1DVlxrg0P7dCtDGsSeb_G4gA6U6VvPWxNlKQXbzhj7E4_v2Kq-yaWRPf6zZA62rZ9tHnzPa7fLgwaENmrpxKtCygp/s1600-h/IMG_0016.JPG"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4VDpGzdFhZkDsMlN8N9XekRdrS6o6cVs83U3Z1UAGMauhy_3GVoJzIihRWYCFSNqfGeAS58j306Tk5vUXZQ0iW-RV-pXt6IwB_osglX21P-j43u-A0yvKqpAi3V3XEsMRwIm/s200/IMG_0029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434960081387461474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-d7C_UxuUPhmiI4u-WK-bQix4KxVVe2QgUgjmZT8AO2o6bHTv_MgvL_IUgm1ZDQWhhCw1HBj0afDen36OxViycSKSew4jhZWuAyEJMMu0Z7uMspc5JbG-7mSimaEMLNm8E-i/s1600-h/IMG_0010.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-d7C_UxuUPhmiI4u-WK-bQix4KxVVe2QgUgjmZT8AO2o6bHTv_MgvL_IUgm1ZDQWhhCw1HBj0afDen36OxViycSKSew4jhZWuAyEJMMu0Z7uMspc5JbG-7mSimaEMLNm8E-i/s200/IMG_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434927939322617330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Fly-man flying above us</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>In a later phase of the show, actors strapped to a giant treadmill descended from the sky. The treadmill was attached to a chariot. The climbing, walking and hanging actors in the treadmill push the chariot forward straight though he audience.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VXs5rCcDVVBTkrTrD13tvtFp5FSIWiwFb883WOIW1dPfJOxYp9z5mbCVdgyA52Rgazr6VKJj9-9dbLpNPC2NNZMNdu5c1NtQe1mNuyryNKo980dmeLsAXI3XLYATxOnGzRtt/s200/IMG_0038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434961525459295890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87gEt_joSN5phaQMamXEBOPfuxdWzJ3gH-9Vpt9aReGQ1DVlxrg0P7dCtDGsSeb_G4gA6U6VvPWxNlKQXbzhj7E4_v2Kq-yaWRPf6zZA62rZ9tHnzPa7fLgwaENmrpxKtCygp/s200/IMG_0016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434928457093062178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Treadmill moving through the audience</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>In the finale, performers in white suits were hoisted high above us. The movements with the backdrop of the evening sky, the light show and the fireworks made this a visual spectacle.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJYFrN7GZWrUXbXS3Vm4igZKDDGmQd17oFBbrNW-0vJmb-_-plf_ZkihDqWqpk1ZSDpcBT2_tSErIz4EASW5oVXWIWkitn8TPdemfegnLM1lVnUpTMYbeWRjQpzteNXwx1lRz/s200/IMG_0040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434960398125451970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFOGatFt6MQnItaiZ6MBDiNiXYbVOiG1j9Un12PxE0-W5mrMJGjyjXBdXqQIREcSbeTS_37rUTfWLU3GApIKq-wJQj2dJRciCG567LKVrSrPfpCitn5gNHs3ViqpHeRqFnLHY/s200/IMG_0020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434928181793204450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The finale with performers flying above us</span></i></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-69942678283777783882010-01-10T18:00:00.004+02:002010-01-24T04:12:57.060+02:00Windsurfing on Swan River<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After lots of windsurfing at Moonbeach in Egypt, we have windsurfed surprisingly little since we live in Perth. Many of the beaches have too much surf for us to get comfortably in with water with board and sail. But Pelican Point is on the the shore of the Swan river close to our house and is a good windsurfing spot. Corine called the windsurf rental of Pelican point and organised a windsurf session for Sunday afternoon. Due to her pregnancy she can not surf right now, but she can make pictures of Jurriaan from shore.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefFOGAMsjX8ziM5ubbHKshamxKgelkzg10yF2bmdXHym1B7-Z8FoDKg6YNJ05cf54GGMjJk3aXHB8R7zdJq-1KTQlIehmz2Cp2rB2bQSBwRhC5znA8OTJG4EQS_voM7eL9uU1/s320/DSC_5850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430120024326385762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jurriaan preparing for a beach start</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>That afternoon turned out to be very windy (15 kts). After 1.5 year without practice we were wondering how Jurriaan would go. But nothing was forgotten and got in poistion for a beach start and just went.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM1zpRF-UVoW9aWEgB6rfqX0dWn5g3YtjXYD9ejvzVXklMd3Y4GL9XF7HXhdZWeHqwXeIyaQo0B5mGRn5FIIMme1UmlnQ0VIht4fQGabalttoT4b1MeMKA1TTm_lyMOo1qw6l/s320/DSC_5854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430120904724382834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Jurriaan surfing on a windy and choppy Swan River</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div>The river is shallow and most of the time you can still feel the riverbed when you happen to end up in the water in stead of on the board. There are also lots of weeds in the water that can be awkward. There are lots of surfers on the water, and there is a good atmosphere. We will be back! We just need to buy a board...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhSrE6Kun6D6GF3oiweU0ZmUwZNMQKVvMpJm9m64xJ0cHAF6u_4r0ytKHWBfDCufehMx8YcOVE3EJaWkSeNdC6prrB4JMg-y8wRt0x6w9aJm8eXNqWS-MTnhOvgNVq7zvPQoa/s320/DSC_5860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430122293437941074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 193px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Jurriaan on his way back to Pelican Point</span></div><div><i><br /></i></div></span></span></div></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-66330513665583875932010-01-01T11:37:00.003+02:002010-01-10T05:12:07.873+02:00Christmas in WA<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN9bDoKw9AfDS4CJastA_xKeey0eE3mehMDgjPGrnP6yP8rURccyhgn0UzrD_6TkMzf14nmG1PPYQQmm-GaHNk5j8OEhRojOLYpIRW-TczglpmwseFl04VhsXMENlXyVB_2NP/s1600-h/DSC_5774.JPG"></a>This year we choose to have our Christmas holiday closer to home in Pemberton, Myalup and Perth. Corine is too pregnant to travel far.<br /><br />In Pemberton (still somewhat far at 4hrs drive) we stayed in a lovely house on the shore of Donnely lake. Our house was well-equiped with a kayak for the lake, a spa on the veranda and a BBQ. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa6RcMagI4HVvtGi0aMf9OEInzf7EhFhvspH7GbLlIksyHD0gh_-T7z26Z8Tc7DMu0K3X68Vie3U0dfMoJpxGwoHlSKPr5Y6Ej-r-vU_Gu79Sp02MxvpLWt_aBDPZ7uCblyrP/s320/DSC_5677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424933430397009058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">L</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ive is good</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>The idea was to catch trout in the lake with our rented fishing gear and put that on the BBQ. We tried a couple of times, but we were happy that we always had a back-up meal in case they would not bite. They must have bitten sometimes as we lost bait from our hook, but these trout were very skilled in eating bait without getting hooked! So we ate sausages and kangaroo instead, which fitted nicely with the good local Pinot Noir.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDqyOKyK4_OSbdXEtwigzt72mfOYdMLp2wwzl4sNRq5q3XrSeSFlqNY5n_Xo-mwMPHJ911rQ5pv9jOXh7NeAl0sPZRgyAqdjh2_QgiSZ1hnRVYtirBwkAcekhlDqqBfxBFDiV/s320/DSC_5708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424927141788597282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jurriaan trying to catch trout on Donnely Lake</span></span></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">The area around the house had lots of bird life, nice walking tracks and in the evening lots of kangaroos.</span><br /></i></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw7_Xen4rOzGwRKRl1OnP_GQsXLh6-OeLgepK9EPm92eXfhdeds3CSKkwaEcLcHHOsHTI6RwlR_iGInYPg46hyRGnSXugtrUZVtufjQEHhTsp5z8WXBGUkKsymyXCUTpTEPRu/s320/DSC_5700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424932905155678418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Kangaroos at sunset</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div></div><div>We visited some of our favourite local wineries in the area. One winery let us taste straight from the barrel how they Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz were developing. When these are released in bottle in a year or so we should be back. On our way back to our cottage we explored an easy offroad track to Lake Jasper, a natural lake filled by groundwater. The track continued to Black Point, one of only 2 places in West Australia where basalt rock comes to the surface. But the track became sandier and we were not prepared with offroad recovery gear, so we decided to head back. On the way back some of the easy track was now uphill. Uphill sand appears a lot softer than downhill, so we were forced to lower our tyre pressure to be able to drive back.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfdH-v6NU6AwO3FV_mjtGnVm6x6OU06Fnngol45zj1teT_4dBUqURiiloj7CkorNrhyphenhyphenHpbz7xYaoCjn9G6wY61KgPL6yYBgtHQK9D5T_m24_o0FywhzuFkE8_QryRltcHgAx7/s320/DSC_5669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424931080991342914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Corine driving Jansz over a river on the Lake Jasper track</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>The next day we were in for more serious offroad driving. Corine organised a tag-along tour in D'Entrecasteaux National park. A guide lead the way through the sand and we followed in our own car. The first serious dune and beach driving in Australia for us. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3SzHmfy9AwTIJ3bGLS-th-UY4Su_Smm25RR4W2qkjKWCNcb_5lCjbuEVx1pon0obqrLVsKb7rQjQeUB3rU7Xd4ylZkOFPi_Llohu14cSvhqI8C9TfSkZgs_0DKvjhFmzclwf/s320/DSC_5731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424924894218014802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pregnant Corine with our car Jansz on top of a white sand dune</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div>We had a lot of fun, and the sand driving skills we picked up in Egypt came back quickly. For one dune ascent we needed to lower our tyre pressure a bit more than normal to make it. But our car, Jansz, performed very well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1B3BV_sMdBL7qq4_jeXZDrVZAd0NeOtYjjvxPK-lQalvsh1wAzyxUYEV2QXFxzvd1AHni9gckeNPmKVn0dP1MFjwHQL5pvO8dvhIFU3cabnbEolSmI6wSnptYmiE4I7u1H1Y/s320/DSC_5752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424925600216676866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></i></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jansz on the beach of D'Entrecasteaux National Park</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>In Myalup, a beach town 1.5 hrs south of Perth, we spent the second part of our holiday. We stayed at a beach shack overlooking the Indian Ocean. A great location to watch the sunset. Christmas on the beach.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76LbBJfQ8zca5p9XJYNylGya8LIDYNMD8_Hj3eajtBdXUNU984jKBjTq6Rru6pdjm7G2XMzp4EGH0rQ0Ggeav0H1VO8ekrebieMX5For2x65ZlpnLQFQEOYQhweaZt9F_YwBi/s320/DSC_5760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424921623292530178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pregnant Corine enjoying a mocktail on the veranda overlooking the ocean</span></span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>It was also a good place for several water sports and national park exploration. Jurriaan recently bought a body board and practiced in the waves of Myalup beach. In Binningup, 10 km south, a small reef protects the beach from the surf, making it a good place to snorkel. We saw some nice angelfish.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H9kuazK35qZ-yVkTR_8GNs7qfHkbDnh-PN-812hLbO23HrSkrU3g4Xqa2VzniFeZPF9zjHV4wh2BYz1TZR4_jFIHpbGvuXg8FLODTSdV35REqjzeRfgfJG8xhtHTDWWadj_L/s320/DSC_5792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424923246289337858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pregnant Corine in wetsuit after our snorkel</span></span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>In Bunbury, a large town 40 km South, we had signed up for a dolphin snorkel tour. Unfortunately it was boxing day with many people out in their powerboats chasing the dolphins away. We saw a lot from a distance, but no snorkeling together this time. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKCVvfdPwwSnx-lv2IkNs8Wjn5e1JGU2lYzlXvkgChUk0oudHwL-HKtRlH_BEOiLMDxC620iiNGAsHwvUSnxZ2huMJqQwJIJs1C2Nhp4VkuUPPGWXdNxkm3cvfs1Eovce8L6q/s320/DSC_5800.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424922858151156834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dolphins in front of our boat</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div></div><div>The next morning we visited the Dolphin Discovery Centre again. We were lucky that a mother and calf visited the shore several times, swimming a metre or 2 away from us standing in the water!</div><div><br /></div><div>Bunbury is also the second location (after Black point) where basalt come to the surface.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN9bDoKw9AfDS4CJastA_xKeey0eE3mehMDgjPGrnP6yP8rURccyhgn0UzrD_6TkMzf14nmG1PPYQQmm-GaHNk5j8OEhRojOLYpIRW-TczglpmwseFl04VhsXMENlXyVB_2NP/s320/DSC_5774.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424919547623447970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pregnant Corine on the black basalt rock in Bunbury</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>The last days of our holiday including New Year's eve we spend at home in Perth, writing christmas cards and getting the babyroom ready. And we finally ate very nice rainbow trout from the fishmonger.<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-89027607640861958112009-09-28T13:39:00.013+02:002009-10-04T17:32:00.673+02:00Long weekend at the Porongurups<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">The Porongurups are a small mountain range of granite formations of up to 670 metres, a 4 hours drive south-west of Perth. It’s peaks offer magnificent views of the Stirling Ranges on one side and the Southern Ocean on the other. During wildflower season, the Porongurup and Stirling Range National Parks are full of spectacular and unique wildflowers. Although only 20 km apart, both have a very different biodiversity. We rented a chalet as our base for hikes. Conveniently, there are some nice wineries dotted along the mountains. The Porongurup and Stirling Ranges were formed by 1.1 billion year old granite intrusions during the collision of the Antarctic and Australian continents forming the super continent Gondwana.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">It was the first real spring weekend this year, with two consecutive days of solid sunshine. We drove past endless yellow fields of canola (“koolzaad”) plants in bloom.<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQs3WEFYN9T1t3ZQjXm9zUlkJnQKcgaZlcMEuZrMXXPyFfKIvsaL8lYhSxNfrH2-nW8mdM2R0x0SFhweb_AKRnbC8xigtCdRilEK3K-bxe3SsWY4EyAs2GFRJfJaICn1UNEb_F/s1600-h/DSC_5143.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQs3WEFYN9T1t3ZQjXm9zUlkJnQKcgaZlcMEuZrMXXPyFfKIvsaL8lYhSxNfrH2-nW8mdM2R0x0SFhweb_AKRnbC8xigtCdRilEK3K-bxe3SsWY4EyAs2GFRJfJaICn1UNEb_F/s320/DSC_5143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388709052645194338" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;"></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;"><p style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Canola Fields</span></span></p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;"><p style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSI42BJL6EPCxW11N0w9suiBG_ddXmxyFv4L6OtGRthRDPdzAcYH9uBdEhcs_BBhX8UhL_-3P2ulB1rrxldTzg1PGAtxHwRjWhSz-CzlKzP0kSH0Yc89TMyMSL3e2_eYfsqmm/s1600-h/DSC_5146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSI42BJL6EPCxW11N0w9suiBG_ddXmxyFv4L6OtGRthRDPdzAcYH9uBdEhcs_BBhX8UhL_-3P2ulB1rrxldTzg1PGAtxHwRjWhSz-CzlKzP0kSH0Yc89TMyMSL3e2_eYfsqmm/s320/DSC_5146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388715950180799586" border="0" /></a></span></p><br />In the Porongurups are many Marri trees. These trees can grow up to 60 metres tall and are unique to Western Australia. They are also commonly known as Red Gum trees not because of the colour of the wood, but because of the colour of the sap or gum. When the bark of the tree is injured, it seeps a red gum and looks as if it is bleeding.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Aboriginals used the red gum, or "kino" to sprinkle onto wounds to prevent bleeding or mixed with water as a mouthwash or disinfectant. The tannin has antiseptic qualities. Large quantities of the powdered gum was also used to tan kangaroo skins.</span></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Red Gum Tree </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In the Porongurups we walked the Nancy’s Peak Circuit, a beautiful ridge walk, passing 3 peaks. The first was Hayward Peak (610m), named after Seybert Hayward who was Western Australia’s first director of tourism (1921-1942). The views to the Stirling Ranges were beautiful. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;">Then came Nancy's Peak (670m) with views both to the Stirling Ranges and the Southern Ocean and Albany.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdqp77NtNDRrg79Kyg6_V8G8ZojruJyVpRyXkhwX8odnwAiDX0uQzkHP4vOurAV75MvLMEsvnoLrqHgqTpQeWYz723GrqnUPPL5o_IrYjg4gcaOIN2EVXFM4C7aevyi_KVoPv/s1600-h/DSC_5182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdqp77NtNDRrg79Kyg6_V8G8ZojruJyVpRyXkhwX8odnwAiDX0uQzkHP4vOurAV75MvLMEsvnoLrqHgqTpQeWYz723GrqnUPPL5o_IrYjg4gcaOIN2EVXFM4C7aevyi_KVoPv/s320/DSC_5182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388747936971852322" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">View to the Stirling Ranges</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w1Pqg9YK7sK2INy0y_BEATi4kZ0IjgqGP4Ghfa2h7jYpbVYU-7eue14SFiF47VRl3tBCLc-BSZwoVuIQiE7o-KIPAVWFKWnq-QEAZmxhEG7jBzXhhu25WNstk3xiB1lE4mfX/s1600-h/DSC_5179.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w1Pqg9YK7sK2INy0y_BEATi4kZ0IjgqGP4Ghfa2h7jYpbVYU-7eue14SFiF47VRl3tBCLc-BSZwoVuIQiE7o-KIPAVWFKWnq-QEAZmxhEG7jBzXhhu25WNstk3xiB1lE4mfX/s320/DSC_5179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388714027698441682" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrXdd_3X8Aj8LlQGLnyhF9Hr91rPsCj8bFg0USB0H4zZsZli-I3D9VUGRrtH-RBwaZtR-pA9R0__kDaxkkD4f2AnAeKPfAxZhIby1Ly0hNSfvdl0KvGbckqrshDpVQvj9kDIN/s1600-h/DSC_5181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrXdd_3X8Aj8LlQGLnyhF9Hr91rPsCj8bFg0USB0H4zZsZli-I3D9VUGRrtH-RBwaZtR-pA9R0__kDaxkkD4f2AnAeKPfAxZhIby1Ly0hNSfvdl0KvGbckqrshDpVQvj9kDIN/s320/DSC_5181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388714309918216978" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;">The last peak was Morgan’s View (585m), named after Alfred Edward Morgan, Premier of Western Australia for one month during 1901. Morgan owned land to the south of the range.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After a late lunch at Jingalla winery, we drove to the eastern side of the Porongurups. Flower colours changed from many purple and yellows, to more reds.</span><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcX_2TcLzrpgIAmaWxm7XdWGN5iLrJ-ccTkDOebHf4UAp1FjJg7W2tw9GCc650TWGTqa8VQ1SiVMj-bfb1eHwHGzpAy7ItKzwXzy-gYUCTvo_qJVimlJeJhgF0AJJRgpSNDCm/s1600-h/DSC_5239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcX_2TcLzrpgIAmaWxm7XdWGN5iLrJ-ccTkDOebHf4UAp1FjJg7W2tw9GCc650TWGTqa8VQ1SiVMj-bfb1eHwHGzpAy7ItKzwXzy-gYUCTvo_qJVimlJeJhgF0AJJRgpSNDCm/s320/DSC_5239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388750020323692770" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAJ5-J9Dt1_93Up9C6zs9YRvWee1jHvU1xkFf-EXjs687QlI21e-WcJpslAzzuDpzhu6s-BLOEUXVSD-JYrb7CFOwu0ROIHptaoUWmvuQ7SR9vvvxcV47OqgQtFG7AapVDsVu/s1600-h/DSC_5199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAJ5-J9Dt1_93Up9C6zs9YRvWee1jHvU1xkFf-EXjs687QlI21e-WcJpslAzzuDpzhu6s-BLOEUXVSD-JYrb7CFOwu0ROIHptaoUWmvuQ7SR9vvvxcV47OqgQtFG7AapVDsVu/s320/DSC_5199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388748572248453538" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We walked the Castle Rock Trail to Balancing Rock. Here we saw the Southern Cross flowers. The flowers resemble the Southern Cross constellation, a symbol of Australia.</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMht1WRQ5c79-K5jy7yAPvnDCis4yMl9zO12Fzr2Zd7-wP8_7khIB1nedkl2-XZ8Z4fAEt012POrZTNhSgHcbbKWtPfqBZ-uEWkxwdDkSJWeLpwS8sLlGfuVeif6yLVKCtvWq/s1600-h/DSC_5206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMht1WRQ5c79-K5jy7yAPvnDCis4yMl9zO12Fzr2Zd7-wP8_7khIB1nedkl2-XZ8Z4fAEt012POrZTNhSgHcbbKWtPfqBZ-uEWkxwdDkSJWeLpwS8sLlGfuVeif6yLVKCtvWq/s320/DSC_5206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388748718485839266" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Southern Cross flower</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">We reached a massive rock called, quite appropriately, Balancing Rock<o:p></o:p>. Constant weathering of the Porongurup Range over millions of years has left the harder granites exposed as bare domes or gigantic perched boulders. Balancing Rock is 6.4 metre high and has a 16 metre girth. Estimated to weigh around 186 tonnes, it rests perfectly balanced on a 1.21 square metre base.</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlCpk61ioByt5RY8tZB0qh7D3ddUhP31JNa1LHRQcnATnNp9MyCUbx0uBXm9rPkxbOpYV-wjjTTf-MvmpCO3Oi-WRBc5Df_Eclr4W4G1T2N_1GEPoCS2wuoyFq7ZVuV1bHWci/s1600-h/DSC_5210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlCpk61ioByt5RY8tZB0qh7D3ddUhP31JNa1LHRQcnATnNp9MyCUbx0uBXm9rPkxbOpYV-wjjTTf-MvmpCO3Oi-WRBc5Df_Eclr4W4G1T2N_1GEPoCS2wuoyFq7ZVuV1bHWci/s320/DSC_5210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388749040779533362" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Corine balancing on Balancing Rock</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A little further, we climbed </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Castle Rock (570m). <o:p></o:p>This rock was found and named Alfred’s Castle by Alfred Meadows Gillam (1846-1930), who was the first European to have climbed this monolith. The construction of a ladder, walkway and viewing platform on Castle Rock enabled us to enjoy the magnificent vista. The ladder was reached by scrambling over some 2 metre boulders. As usual we saw the appropriate warning sign: “please take care – your safety is our concern but your responsibility”.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkxqg4VU9HA17zdPolwcwIfv1WHDQcSl4R_HzFOHX3OtAaJmsrmhNfFcF9WEmv7JaG9vARM30GNwOgty5k9xQSWQzZyLr3ZwEh_7ltwOs8vM0r-8dZLwRgMq6768EIC71ostP/s1600-h/DSC_5215.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkxqg4VU9HA17zdPolwcwIfv1WHDQcSl4R_HzFOHX3OtAaJmsrmhNfFcF9WEmv7JaG9vARM30GNwOgty5k9xQSWQzZyLr3ZwEh_7ltwOs8vM0r-8dZLwRgMq6768EIC71ostP/s320/DSC_5215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388749330406275826" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;"><p style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">View from Castle Rock</span></span></p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;"><p style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7vL6UHfDSCogo-tSXLJwE44mH-xnDQEMcLJ43d4_lgyDiuHlR5bMAzd91qqCSGwWXp2RKcORKvUu3xqRPPMHAq0X2r_iyaPc5-mn4Vg7exZW3X4Grq-Qm55Ji6ycUrjHF69t/s1600-h/DSC_5220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7vL6UHfDSCogo-tSXLJwE44mH-xnDQEMcLJ43d4_lgyDiuHlR5bMAzd91qqCSGwWXp2RKcORKvUu3xqRPPMHAq0X2r_iyaPc5-mn4Vg7exZW3X4Grq-Qm55Ji6ycUrjHF69t/s320/DSC_5220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388754539936556178" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Another flower we saw all over the Porongurups, was a particular blue flower. We saw these along the ridge and thought that half of each flower had been blown away by the strong winds. But as we saw this flower in the dense undergrowth of the tall trees, we realised that it is a flower supposed to look like this. It never had been a round flower, but always "half"...</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAaXBOqrontHWdsIkOsKZzFnGcNLQAkm3JSMoKIrbzAWtV51AUtOXOIEzXRSlLmAfb9UJ7UqzD7z0HNMim6duZ2VvkYTcwnlIyRUZSrsAUTAM_ENmngplsceazF9_ezyuAKmy/s1600-h/DSC_5233.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAaXBOqrontHWdsIkOsKZzFnGcNLQAkm3JSMoKIrbzAWtV51AUtOXOIEzXRSlLmAfb9UJ7UqzD7z0HNMim6duZ2VvkYTcwnlIyRUZSrsAUTAM_ENmngplsceazF9_ezyuAKmy/s320/DSC_5233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388749672316761666" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We drove back through the Stirling Ranges on Monday, with dramatic clouds.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="times new roman"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjXL6yShLCIOyFS0rrB0RyqX7KYYfLrB9JGTAMJJ-KDRW6nYn7yNG4lSB85ASji0hOakBn_WAw2SB8mdA4gpYpsoBNXsJaC5NO0VuhDVDysE2XBsj1VLkwse5D-lLPxmiz2By/s1600-h/DSC_5266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjXL6yShLCIOyFS0rrB0RyqX7KYYfLrB9JGTAMJJ-KDRW6nYn7yNG4lSB85ASji0hOakBn_WAw2SB8mdA4gpYpsoBNXsJaC5NO0VuhDVDysE2XBsj1VLkwse5D-lLPxmiz2By/s320/DSC_5266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388755302868994066" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Both the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges are famous for their many species of orchids. At the beginning of our journey, we made a bet who would find the most species of orchids, however, we never got further than one, a cowslip orchid.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="times new roman"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDO6bLw2ltyzW8AjnJv910TI-o50m86DCSQWjJGJ84QHot0zjVtfmI6a_Tvo6YE_6MeKjWnVi8Y3cBRhTP6a90h-skAwyFaWk-2YhD8lbNqxHtJyn8MCCEc_wp5a7BqzKtYDQz/s1600-h/DSC_5281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDO6bLw2ltyzW8AjnJv910TI-o50m86DCSQWjJGJ84QHot0zjVtfmI6a_Tvo6YE_6MeKjWnVi8Y3cBRhTP6a90h-skAwyFaWk-2YhD8lbNqxHtJyn8MCCEc_wp5a7BqzKtYDQz/s320/DSC_5281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388755532401406738" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cowslip orchid</span></span><br /><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="times new roman"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--></span></p>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-18648710909882664672009-09-12T11:55:00.031+02:002009-09-15T16:11:27.836+02:00Wildflower festival in Kings Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4FIgP4YJD09g8Qa4pZ0kYOHWxwdFjM7x1_e9byi-XGgGrNsTD0xAVS6g1pPObJzJMHEqmN1-R6hjHeVxxPeP2ZIXuD0dKTN1UTnxkJ6DftTeD0WyeIAuO7rQ-1TB-z8yGLdX/s1600-h/DSC_5091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4FIgP4YJD09g8Qa4pZ0kYOHWxwdFjM7x1_e9byi-XGgGrNsTD0xAVS6g1pPObJzJMHEqmN1-R6hjHeVxxPeP2ZIXuD0dKTN1UTnxkJ6DftTeD0WyeIAuO7rQ-1TB-z8yGLdX/s320/DSC_5091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381680468774045362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvxOLrGM7x-CHEXw9qoHExV_B9i121Eqy04XvMx2WHkcErFyWgh6hxGbFDVI0rxfzCKOWj5GWZGMm_laP1ysDvJLmSNkGEkO6Zg7eB37-uExFCM7J6mvbWxBBIR44o52Eg1-V/s1600-h/DSC_5131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvxOLrGM7x-CHEXw9qoHExV_B9i121Eqy04XvMx2WHkcErFyWgh6hxGbFDVI0rxfzCKOWj5GWZGMm_laP1ysDvJLmSNkGEkO6Zg7eB37-uExFCM7J6mvbWxBBIR44o52Eg1-V/s320/DSC_5131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381680816121671378" border="0" /></a>September is wildflower season in Western Australia, and the 400 ha Kings Park close to our house hosts the Wildflower Festival with guided tours through its botanical gardens and nature walks. Today started sunny so we went out to see what was flowering...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The south west of West Australia is Australia's only Global Biodiversity Hotspot and one of the twelve botanical hotspots in the world. Of the 25,000 plant species in Australia, 12,000 are in Western Australia. Nearly 80% of the plant species in the region are found nowhere else on earth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pink and white Everlasting flowers</span></span><br /><br /><br />We took a tour of the botanical garden. Our guide was very knowledgable not only about all the flowers, but also about the many different trees that we have here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-yuhjGwhBO0nOI9IsgFjpxz935VTsvF1YBN2IR4r8GxzlCInuFESr_thDWy8uOJXBPwrodxnE5Vl2MbLljbbDxUXzxGUAzzun_s5SL5zYYFpN5Tv_Or4m7pNuDDJeeFzrGy2/s1600-h/DSC_5081.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-yuhjGwhBO0nOI9IsgFjpxz935VTsvF1YBN2IR4r8GxzlCInuFESr_thDWy8uOJXBPwrodxnE5Vl2MbLljbbDxUXzxGUAzzun_s5SL5zYYFpN5Tv_Or4m7pNuDDJeeFzrGy2/s320/DSC_5081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381690055247749074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Our tour group under a beautiful peppermint tree</span></span><br /></div><br /></div>Most flowers in WA need birds rather than bees to transport pollen and germinate. There are some native bees in in Australia but they do not occur in swarms and honey was therefore not known in Australia until European bees were imported.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFNqVgOVGO2tEz09lU9pO9rY60kSFwtnBiFlwPV8G_utCh-z0bdysrf-eCTaqqiMQ_xrEVlRO1vwgddYcPdVPjHhjcVo_PZupMQV0aytc3XTsf8lbd-pSxjR5CHvm8qrBZW66/s1600-h/DSC_5078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFNqVgOVGO2tEz09lU9pO9rY60kSFwtnBiFlwPV8G_utCh-z0bdysrf-eCTaqqiMQ_xrEVlRO1vwgddYcPdVPjHhjcVo_PZupMQV0aytc3XTsf8lbd-pSxjR5CHvm8qrBZW66/s320/DSC_5078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381677790647722370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A bee germinating a Buttercup flower<br /></span></span></div><br />Not surprisingly, there are also numerous birds in the park, sometimes easier to hear than to spot. We spotted many Red Wattle Birds this time around, who were feasting on the blooming flowers of the Parrot Bushes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32MxDYDF-mYDfsmraUkHD0fL7LCYYBjU6z_ydaaBGbG79G2HvvOCck8QEaNJFvlYeW_LwRE1lkaLIy96_igp1WQ7yi-VOF9TBbLqvFGofEcaRCI9recrg6heXlK9uKSIx9SQY/s1600-h/DSC_5120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32MxDYDF-mYDfsmraUkHD0fL7LCYYBjU6z_ydaaBGbG79G2HvvOCck8QEaNJFvlYeW_LwRE1lkaLIy96_igp1WQ7yi-VOF9TBbLqvFGofEcaRCI9recrg6heXlK9uKSIx9SQY/s320/DSC_5120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381678263747535842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Blooming Parrot Bush flower</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4gAYti6_MUqK7FOYh58l_AfigWih_lHw_GefPKJ0L0iTwtZXTy-kWH4-nmOBoKlnrIkqPp4fu8KxUP_t_1xhs9uHjw905LhQOP6RJpH2MhgAQtSz2V_1APt4fmG9Yw91jmtq/s1600-h/DSC_5125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4gAYti6_MUqK7FOYh58l_AfigWih_lHw_GefPKJ0L0iTwtZXTy-kWH4-nmOBoKlnrIkqPp4fu8KxUP_t_1xhs9uHjw905LhQOP6RJpH2MhgAQtSz2V_1APt4fmG9Yw91jmtq/s320/DSC_5125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381678063974532290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Red Wattle Bird</span></span><br /></div><br />In Kings Park are 60 orchid species. This is more than can be found in the whole of Europe!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfcpvlxRP44WO_jHhcFAAIFx_oS6UlbjGfB86VtIMh7InRq7Vvus49EAd_J7sJ73lUIPXAODUvt3c8pKusxhTjQ9e3isqmpTbA-qeeuwxbV7qnhutH4JlulSBtkLEcfKACmTp/s1600-h/DSC_5076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfcpvlxRP44WO_jHhcFAAIFx_oS6UlbjGfB86VtIMh7InRq7Vvus49EAd_J7sJ73lUIPXAODUvt3c8pKusxhTjQ9e3isqmpTbA-qeeuwxbV7qnhutH4JlulSBtkLEcfKACmTp/s320/DSC_5076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381684183039806578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pink Fairy Orchid<br /><br /></span></span></div>There are 76 Banksia species, and all but one occur naturally only in Australia. Banksias were named after Sir Joseph Banks, who, in 1770, was the first European to collect specimens of these plants. South western Australia contains the greatest diversity of banksias, with 60 species recorded.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r-sJJ8ykN0O0wVQ_zV3pc29bkHCCaqOrm_TRGB55Y5YPxZUCSLEf1AfeM9ld5e9e-q5_r7Vl1WiGuEVVSFfWpqb4GEtzzGhvgpnzCa5ScZulVP4PGiUGufMhocK0LSbOMWJX/s1600-h/DSC_5127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r-sJJ8ykN0O0wVQ_zV3pc29bkHCCaqOrm_TRGB55Y5YPxZUCSLEf1AfeM9ld5e9e-q5_r7Vl1WiGuEVVSFfWpqb4GEtzzGhvgpnzCa5ScZulVP4PGiUGufMhocK0LSbOMWJX/s320/DSC_5127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381683456683968882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Banksia<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Many flowers have very different shapes and colours than what we are used to see in Europe.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCabdKrJTAA7a6Jbw-XX2evl-lB9ruuvK1oATPROZNpuoV3abGs83eRcH3TlO6Ny7r5T2tySzLHBD2gcEQLGO6dF1zYNsRpPA6hAWQmJbOWMB8z8Kzvcnd2Tu8f4Lj6yOJVMrM/s1600-h/DSC_5084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCabdKrJTAA7a6Jbw-XX2evl-lB9ruuvK1oATPROZNpuoV3abGs83eRcH3TlO6Ny7r5T2tySzLHBD2gcEQLGO6dF1zYNsRpPA6hAWQmJbOWMB8z8Kzvcnd2Tu8f4Lj6yOJVMrM/s320/DSC_5084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381684497605061090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Example of an atypical flower<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpzpiVFoL1rdPSNOQuxvNU045xy6W3Xj1VIur6VAa2Jr08Ia5c8CguVwICPWLy6vPDIHJ_tTlT2NLhfHddkMllIj5WlUNxcx4brQMCtnpWvrhHRXlMTb-xNNZCCgRCvUeUbVO/s1600-h/DSC_5129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpzpiVFoL1rdPSNOQuxvNU045xy6W3Xj1VIur6VAa2Jr08Ia5c8CguVwICPWLy6vPDIHJ_tTlT2NLhfHddkMllIj5WlUNxcx4brQMCtnpWvrhHRXlMTb-xNNZCCgRCvUeUbVO/s320/DSC_5129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381684905642968626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Impressionist picture </span></span><br /></div></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-28062641563473838962009-09-06T13:13:00.012+02:002009-09-15T14:50:12.964+02:00Birthday girl finally becomes pilotFor her last birthday Corine's present was a trial flight with the Royal Aero Club at Jandacot Airport. Today was the day that this dream became reality. Corine was assigned an intructor, Graham and a plane, a Cessna 152 single engine two-seater. Her plane was the VH-TNO: Tango-November-Oscar.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yRNw7ZP8asDKsRTC4r5Z9stAYEvCB6chJ1e8r0sFAe1Wfxy08aU3wAQ-xpaQ22ewFEZl8BaBFGpFh50SBon9tMzi3FPq56m45jqhJC_9KKCbeUMDSVF_JL85xOfeeK62wntU/s1600-h/DSC_5032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yRNw7ZP8asDKsRTC4r5Z9stAYEvCB6chJ1e8r0sFAe1Wfxy08aU3wAQ-xpaQ22ewFEZl8BaBFGpFh50SBon9tMzi3FPq56m45jqhJC_9KKCbeUMDSVF_JL85xOfeeK62wntU/s400/DSC_5032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381675506749092594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Corine and her Tango-November-Oscar</span><br /></div><br />The plane was to take off in formation with a vintage orange Tiger Moth.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIjHrdqkqTyenRELCpVvVV5jbK_lqfs3QP5ifhRrUNe9772_K8I06Ye6v-ajzHeCvhhvBbTJVLrdJbwtaLP1Uad-g_eahlaET6SMpznb1bewQErm5JBLzc3lQolmbfKcGvob0/s1600-h/DSC_5036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIjHrdqkqTyenRELCpVvVV5jbK_lqfs3QP5ifhRrUNe9772_K8I06Ye6v-ajzHeCvhhvBbTJVLrdJbwtaLP1Uad-g_eahlaET6SMpznb1bewQErm5JBLzc3lQolmbfKcGvob0/s400/DSC_5036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378313816931864178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The orange Tiger Moth</span></span><br /></div><br />And Corine would control the take off of her Tango-November-Oscar!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsyDSKnItcLZcbyFdcqasasA5IXwJbr_oBlhnpiLxqUf-oEqODIpLaGPl1z2uxIdNg0IwxEdPpO8gQi3erdFEcGzRBsZmqO7Kmu9RzFc5K-sRmVTLOZZ2BZkWc0KfPL-kHwSF/s1600-h/DSC_5035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsyDSKnItcLZcbyFdcqasasA5IXwJbr_oBlhnpiLxqUf-oEqODIpLaGPl1z2uxIdNg0IwxEdPpO8gQi3erdFEcGzRBsZmqO7Kmu9RzFc5K-sRmVTLOZZ2BZkWc0KfPL-kHwSF/s400/DSC_5035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378314480295133842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Corine in control</span></span><br /><br /></div>They would fly in formation to the coast, just south off Fremantle. The Tiger Moth would then split from the formation and each would go their own way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHc5KYE5sTPLbUhHDrbpQ08TUF9aVrbrWDRKYZqLd6RrUnluzao1feSeo2fTbDZF0Sdn_d4Xq9QZQvH0Ji4l0s-qC1ezc7N3RYu7tgyp3iQciO6ZDImKtGK0rWBCKsbK_vweP/s1600-h/DSC_5046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHc5KYE5sTPLbUhHDrbpQ08TUF9aVrbrWDRKYZqLd6RrUnluzao1feSeo2fTbDZF0Sdn_d4Xq9QZQvH0Ji4l0s-qC1ezc7N3RYu7tgyp3iQciO6ZDImKtGK0rWBCKsbK_vweP/s400/DSC_5046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378315896839916834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">...And we have lift off</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIhGbfjUAzgMCIWmdNdB9BEYfwMN_8Jl8-uvK7V4Dqsd67lYsuqQyzEa6Mue96SGRIQXFEkpkPJQ8ko5_Cfw58oN0cE5OCuOCVY-A8U7fu5OEMBts77PXNEYyLWTXPtZCK2mV/s1600-h/CSC_5054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIhGbfjUAzgMCIWmdNdB9BEYfwMN_8Jl8-uvK7V4Dqsd67lYsuqQyzEa6Mue96SGRIQXFEkpkPJQ8ko5_Cfw58oN0cE5OCuOCVY-A8U7fu5OEMBts77PXNEYyLWTXPtZCK2mV/s400/CSC_5054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378316544664558786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">on her way to the coast</span></span><br /></div><br />Corine would fly along the coast to Fremantle, Cottesloe, Scarborough, and Hillary's Boat Club. and meet the Tiger Moth after an hour to land in formation. Unfortunatly Tango-November-Oscar just missed the Tiger Moth for the formation landing. Corine and Graham landed the plane safely a minute later, and they taxied to the Royal Aero Club platform.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoyuIBj-IiU6KZ7VNwWEVGIupBVHLzMvKfQXeBeOZdejTSF6Bkdw3P5rtK4h6TQX68ze22eXLY0bHi16qtNhOXc4h3OvMt-DYtjuJ7PqA37cjNchUyiGb4pV9L_U4D0rdah1z/s1600-h/DSC_5061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoyuIBj-IiU6KZ7VNwWEVGIupBVHLzMvKfQXeBeOZdejTSF6Bkdw3P5rtK4h6TQX68ze22eXLY0bHi16qtNhOXc4h3OvMt-DYtjuJ7PqA37cjNchUyiGb4pV9L_U4D0rdah1z/s400/DSC_5061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378318236557953378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >the eagle has landed</span><br /><br /></div>That was an unforgetable experience, and it certainly put a smile on her face!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFYZhzCJEW-mjQPchxJ6OYiG0epfVfuVP58kYbRfHZsh8-0QS5T5Gu499YftGQIf6uKGkDs0C8TQ9dfA6G5sPBLgRiIe5g5cnJcy4m0XiyH9SoYrOkUKBO38obFXNLJx-QTd6/s1600-h/DSC_5065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFYZhzCJEW-mjQPchxJ6OYiG0epfVfuVP58kYbRfHZsh8-0QS5T5Gu499YftGQIf6uKGkDs0C8TQ9dfA6G5sPBLgRiIe5g5cnJcy4m0XiyH9SoYrOkUKBO38obFXNLJx-QTd6/s400/DSC_5065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378319247463651042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Smiling Corine and her instructor</span><br /></span></div><br /><br />In Dutch we would say: "Nog een keertje!"Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-38558787217797414712009-04-15T06:47:00.015+02:002009-09-13T14:29:30.734+02:00Easter in SydneyWe took the opportunity to make the long Easter weekend a bit longer and make the 5 hour flight to see Sydney in New South Wales. This is a longer distance than the flight from Cairo to Amsterdam we used to make regularly!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS6yUx2zQTW0hKhACyFtrtIjqmss5rM6l-DDEXY_-PXHeubBoEnnqQ6Y-vQb5zkpsc81nUNhTd5FLSObOx1ei-5DZDQWcbPW5S6yvjS5GFn4_ekBzEXP2-UuHIAJz0v8cwZUn/s1600-h/IMG_1465.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS6yUx2zQTW0hKhACyFtrtIjqmss5rM6l-DDEXY_-PXHeubBoEnnqQ6Y-vQb5zkpsc81nUNhTd5FLSObOx1ei-5DZDQWcbPW5S6yvjS5GFn4_ekBzEXP2-UuHIAJz0v8cwZUn/s400/IMG_1465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380833376360220466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">During the flight we overtook slowly another plane!</span></span><br /><br /></div>We stayed near Darling Harbour, close to the maritime museum and metro and monorail stations. The Maritime museum had an exhibition on Darwin's exploration journeys (it is after all the Darwin year) and the permanent collection had a vintage submarine, a replica of James Cook's Endeavour and a restored schooner.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriyatQqi1Ar6QLaJjbH66xa1IaPBCMeDhcC6hijuqBrkNY_q_DcldjbRwMdQoN0nskJeJBWlJk5KF3moWgOkGT23jaM8LrQ3maFE6tZFOD32lnvOzqtZMufB9gfS745qnhn0y/s1600-h/IMG_1490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriyatQqi1Ar6QLaJjbH66xa1IaPBCMeDhcC6hijuqBrkNY_q_DcldjbRwMdQoN0nskJeJBWlJk5KF3moWgOkGT23jaM8LrQ3maFE6tZFOD32lnvOzqtZMufB9gfS745qnhn0y/s400/IMG_1490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380834220581436450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">James Cook's Endeavour with the Sydney skyline backdrop</span></span><br /></div><br />We liked the area of the Rocks and Circular Quay a lot. It has nice harbour views, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.<br /><br />There is usually lots of traffic on the water, and often an enormous cruise ship is parked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. There are many restaurants here with good views and atmosphere. Also the Museum of Contemporary Art is here, where we saw an interesting exhibition of Yayoi Kusama.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp9hqHiGFTVbXoFIR-GkeI09Wr8VUlmF2T9WEP8zc31gxL9qwMkXbQo9S-Kh5q7RMkcnvaNJKrvIg2rZRH0TDXLrKgiXiGZPFBXuWMuEM7Od2xVPM0GrriCj5lokNDol4dR3t/s1600-h/IMG_1590.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp9hqHiGFTVbXoFIR-GkeI09Wr8VUlmF2T9WEP8zc31gxL9qwMkXbQo9S-Kh5q7RMkcnvaNJKrvIg2rZRH0TDXLrKgiXiGZPFBXuWMuEM7Od2xVPM0GrriCj5lokNDol4dR3t/s400/IMG_1590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380835268907116354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sydney Harbour Bridge from the Rocks</span></span><br /></div><br /><div>We took the opportunity to see the Sydney Dance Theatre on our second night.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQvxCVqlDqq1IiYNr64HH0gyJjLaBxu1CV3U93DoRbsiXV2nujEMSCGFbLt0WC9V9t5zycFgQzDUTxiDW1_dUwjoEcbbmPaRl-7FOzN-0nQENmLBw9GUQ90YAq69hLlPLN5DT/s1600-h/IMG_1562.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQvxCVqlDqq1IiYNr64HH0gyJjLaBxu1CV3U93DoRbsiXV2nujEMSCGFbLt0WC9V9t5zycFgQzDUTxiDW1_dUwjoEcbbmPaRl-7FOzN-0nQENmLBw9GUQ90YAq69hLlPLN5DT/s400/IMG_1562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380837670598134418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sydney Opera House from a distance</span></span><br /></div><br /><br />After seeing the Opera House from a distance from the Rocks we had to visit it too. It is an impressive building with nice views on the city skyline, harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcYZMgfVuiufQ00Ox1HxkX0Jj8TCnoRmEgx0bZyk_M3eKy2_BwbLUMmZLI_dJj5T2i0nqKb_kB-o7cTJtAp7SYxFnOqwpb1XThFWOpbBRzvdIsEZRFbqRb4QnSLqTiOrLoFJb/s1600-h/IMG_1548.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcYZMgfVuiufQ00Ox1HxkX0Jj8TCnoRmEgx0bZyk_M3eKy2_BwbLUMmZLI_dJj5T2i0nqKb_kB-o7cTJtAp7SYxFnOqwpb1XThFWOpbBRzvdIsEZRFbqRb4QnSLqTiOrLoFJb/s400/IMG_1548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380837231207159746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sydney Harbour Bridge reflecting in the Sydney Opera House</span></span><br /></div><br />We learned that the architect Jorn Utzon was not able to finish the building the way he liked. The interior is therefore not everywhere as impressive as the exterior. Only one room was in Utzon style. Currently his son is helping to restore the building in his father's style.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzTY8f8Q4JPobTncQKUhSX__IC9JOIboV_flrGr8c_5hABmWYHGQU1rV1klSqM0JmDra1KPUT-PWCRMRdlLRBC37MLdo9Qw1YFZIDTDG9EMXfEzYhBqfKWV7VtxeHeTW5B1A2/s1600-h/IMG_1518.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzTY8f8Q4JPobTncQKUhSX__IC9JOIboV_flrGr8c_5hABmWYHGQU1rV1klSqM0JmDra1KPUT-PWCRMRdlLRBC37MLdo9Qw1YFZIDTDG9EMXfEzYhBqfKWV7VtxeHeTW5B1A2/s400/IMG_1518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380837371083621058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Corine admiring Utzon's design</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div><div><br /></div>Sydney is surrounded by water, and many places can be visited by ferry. We took a ferry tour from Darling Harbour sailing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, stopping at Circular Quay, The Opera House, Fort Denison, the Zoo and some of the outer suburbs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFjVWWYV8c2CIo24GYkp1sDWm7wYS9VhyyApc2E24X_4IWPSB0avjfVXEUMJ4QD6_ZqNqXK2DVy_8oYErrXJo3OMzQCYoeOQfT-bG2msPAPqyO2yOVmp3FXdJhYrKVTpsS3z3/s1600-h/IMG_1618.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFjVWWYV8c2CIo24GYkp1sDWm7wYS9VhyyApc2E24X_4IWPSB0avjfVXEUMJ4QD6_ZqNqXK2DVy_8oYErrXJo3OMzQCYoeOQfT-bG2msPAPqyO2yOVmp3FXdJhYrKVTpsS3z3/s400/IMG_1618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380840815992816610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Fort Denison with the Sydney skyline backdrop</span></span><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sydney is an impressive city with many iconic landmarks and a more cosmopolitan feel than Perth.<br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JbN3QcNzHK-fh2jnMI-cTb2ofzrRJstCbp5J1rwH5VOVGXb4pBvn6gVxfLOzXIRhJEr_dTW1bGpfLWy5mPN7ltnUOrm_JMtH-KR5Q3t23WaZ_2qz_-qTSCCfoZK7cADDriF6/s1600-h/IMG_1615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JbN3QcNzHK-fh2jnMI-cTb2ofzrRJstCbp5J1rwH5VOVGXb4pBvn6gVxfLOzXIRhJEr_dTW1bGpfLWy5mPN7ltnUOrm_JMtH-KR5Q3t23WaZ_2qz_-qTSCCfoZK7cADDriF6/s400/IMG_1615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380838868539157282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Looking back from the ferry</span></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-11718688516139562192009-01-26T07:11:00.008+02:002009-09-15T16:12:55.336+02:00Australia Day<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>January 26th was Australia day in Perth. We had just returned from a Margareth River long weekend to see the spectacular fireworks on the Swan River and from the rooftops of the CBD skyscrapers. We cycled to Kings Park with our camera to have a nice overview of the fireworks. The rest of Perth was there too, so it was a bit tricky to take pictures without people in it.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaUkaaOe96qlcHlmLjNgmuwbTyQfellaB4g0ZgWWsJUGVyNG4FFotz9v2HKxe6TuwV4vXqTD2d2ydMrdIdprtRROD2XkcBpPCjcQK6_3N1xiH48zeU7_LlmXdSoAhqFGG1-2e/s400/DSC_4230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380514961143952594" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Spectacular fireworks from the CBD rooftops</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegUePRjsQh-tusv7BLRX903qU6gWwwxSoAwTpF8Ve935B6DJxHiOO6W9WBSoVwc0TsE2dhp4tAQJ4ye6Zp1D6oGLGF_cQMhQoq4O_30ptct60kW9gsscnUM7e66TKKdd5nLeX/s400/DSC_4214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380516118956408498" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Spectacular fireworks above Swan River</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksa6ZRYlz0UU3nuwV5q1eOu3eCKnCYHTqBFJ-6wi7er5S6x0iLOAvwc2NH00XwJp-wbjfRYOLBo5Z4J6tMDGnn6uDF4zALkVqT6OwNMIcS49qorXD6YNLaVO_GDJNahUMQib6/s1600-h/DSC_4260.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksa6ZRYlz0UU3nuwV5q1eOu3eCKnCYHTqBFJ-6wi7er5S6x0iLOAvwc2NH00XwJp-wbjfRYOLBo5Z4J6tMDGnn6uDF4zALkVqT6OwNMIcS49qorXD6YNLaVO_GDJNahUMQib6/s400/DSC_4260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380516438207141650" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Perth by night</i></div></span></i></div></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-63119706164395694342008-11-07T05:08:00.009+02:002009-08-15T19:21:40.816+03:00Driving North along the west coast<div>In November 2008 (yes we have been slow posting to our blog..) we did our first long trip in Australia. To get a feel of distances we drove to Exmouth and back in a week (3400 km driving). This is a trip that deserves more time really, so we will have to come back. But it gave us a good feel what is there to see and how easy it is to do long distance trips here. It also shows that in a week with a lot of driving, you still only cover a very small part of Australia!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CdswkEeVXAYz2mCbssrvM9MHDInopbDHL1e9iLwiyqIcOsGqrhYiSStZgnT8Ut0p31JHK7KMXWWBWkEJc2CqBr2t185yF_vdkXTzDUpaDylUb5i3JrucbBcqdEhTtgb2f-T_/s400/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370028654694826418" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our GPS track on the Australia </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Satellite</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> image</span></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CdswkEeVXAYz2mCbssrvM9MHDInopbDHL1e9iLwiyqIcOsGqrhYiSStZgnT8Ut0p31JHK7KMXWWBWkEJc2CqBr2t185yF_vdkXTzDUpaDylUb5i3JrucbBcqdEhTtgb2f-T_/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></div></a><div><b>First stop: Kalbarri<br /></b>The first stretch of our trip was the drive to Kalbarri, a small village facing the Indian Ocean, 589 km north of Perth.<br /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAipkUtKHcy5Fdqz8gzmxP-r11LVjUvsDSd2bWRV7qyp1xhnmViB-BlobkgtZXHVoQpxgjLTIa1kdTUZyTWlQRmn8fCUsrmJC4wkN8c53gTAsCX8Oh6cUOfzD6rM-dzZoqs7r/s1600-h/DSC_3431.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAipkUtKHcy5Fdqz8gzmxP-r11LVjUvsDSd2bWRV7qyp1xhnmViB-BlobkgtZXHVoQpxgjLTIa1kdTUZyTWlQRmn8fCUsrmJC4wkN8c53gTAsCX8Oh6cUOfzD6rM-dzZoqs7r/s400/DSC_3431.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370200937582113570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Indian Ocean view from Kalbarri<br /></span></span></div><br />Kalbarri itself was not our main goal, but the Kalbarri National Park offers great views on the Murchinson river canyon, even through Nature's Window (if you do not sit in it to block the view). The wildflowers were still in season and added some nice colour to the scenery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZNq1AYQKqhPENILHmdCptoClU7kLn6IEfUvXyvB01255pE-4xJ0692MA_xh3aSxIwdVtW8ZoNSkF7HiFHM1L2oaJLP1wet0vrIYHc5iDDmPyiT17yDjNWflBSsDqiaSgRx3E/s1600-h/DSC_3457.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZNq1AYQKqhPENILHmdCptoClU7kLn6IEfUvXyvB01255pE-4xJ0692MA_xh3aSxIwdVtW8ZoNSkF7HiFHM1L2oaJLP1wet0vrIYHc5iDDmPyiT17yDjNWflBSsDqiaSgRx3E/s400/DSC_3457.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370201186827090722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nature's Window with Corine and Jurriaan blocking the view on Murchinson River Canyon</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLgAdohrPHn5zVhZ3CL92a2jA5UzeqU9fGSA4je-SYsYrN6njaHKGK7VwKHleyJk5mTEJccIByFkqYE_WLzrxEwK90wj1vkq1jL7_wy3iqA2iLN_SLLuyRM4jWA1WeldBcvaC/s1600-h/DSC_3443.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLgAdohrPHn5zVhZ3CL92a2jA5UzeqU9fGSA4je-SYsYrN6njaHKGK7VwKHleyJk5mTEJccIByFkqYE_WLzrxEwK90wj1vkq1jL7_wy3iqA2iLN_SLLuyRM4jWA1WeldBcvaC/s400/DSC_3443.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370201088876354306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wildflowers in the Kalbarri</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> National Park</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br /><br /><b>Second stop: Shark Bay World Heritage Site</b><br />On the highway from Kalbarri to Exmouth we turned off to visit the Shark Bay world heritage site, a great wilderness area with several spectacular sites to visit. One of the attarctions was Monkey Mia, where bottlenose dolphins come to shore to catch fish they get fed. This tradition started many years ago when fishermen threw fish waste over board. Dolphins stuck around, and people kept feeding them to the point that they forgot how to catch fish themselves. Now it is strickly regulated and only a small percenatge of the daily food intake is fed. This allowed us to stand in the water a metre away from dolphins. A bit touristy, but spectacular nonetheless.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiblshnkJ-9jRxzr0138M5GIsT9Usjklms7WqhUfv4hF7SgQkN427orOtdcgGKS_mpBL1yfRTHFaMLYo-hqURqKjo45SkXl37JaCM9H5j08oBccEeuxTW8iixGu5DcC9WsCds/s1600-h/DSC_3557.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiblshnkJ-9jRxzr0138M5GIsT9Usjklms7WqhUfv4hF7SgQkN427orOtdcgGKS_mpBL1yfRTHFaMLYo-hqURqKjo45SkXl37JaCM9H5j08oBccEeuxTW8iixGu5DcC9WsCds/s400/DSC_3557.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370201583775384562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >A bottlenose dolphin catches his fish</span><br /></div><br />North of Denham and Monkey Mia is the François Péron National Park, a sandy peninsula with beautifull coastlines. This was a good opportunity for a first test on the off road capabilities of our car. No recovery techniques were required, so he passed the test (for now). The reddish sand provided beautifull contrast with the turquois blue ocean, dark green bushes and aquamarine sky.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTujTUs923e6Kzm7I1n8R3uA61o-l-1MKTr7SBEpEz7sw2PZcNsG2BuBBW4J3XPo9WJMJKRsk5kJwXP_2EmV4Y3gAilv8fkBfORHfVOQYpsNm3a2jAQsiXElQ_SZvOSwhXVTK/s1600-h/DSC_3566.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTujTUs923e6Kzm7I1n8R3uA61o-l-1MKTr7SBEpEz7sw2PZcNsG2BuBBW4J3XPo9WJMJKRsk5kJwXP_2EmV4Y3gAilv8fkBfORHfVOQYpsNm3a2jAQsiXElQ_SZvOSwhXVTK/s400/DSC_3566.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370201708947337090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The colour spectrum of the François Péron National Park</span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Remote</span><br />After a day in the Francois Peron National Park in West Australia we arrive in the sleepy town of Denham, low on fuel, tyre pressure, food, water and sunscreen. No shortage of red dust though.<br /><br />In the local petrol station we buy fuel, water, juice and ice cream. "Are you having a party?", asks the guy behind the counter. "Maybe a very small one", I reply. "Not for our standards, it isn't", he replies, and after a short pause he continues: "Not much is happening here".<br /><br />Since we were looking for more food than just our ice cream, we were looking for a supermarket. Corine points to the local map and asks the guys what Murphy's market sells. "You don't want to know", the guys replies. After a short pause he confesses: "It is a junk yard".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...Luckily Denham was not as bad as it sounds: we found our supermarket where we stocked up for the 800km journey the next day to Exmouth....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Driving on</span><br />On our way out of the area we had to stop at Hamelin Pool, where Stromatolites are still thriving in a unique habitat of hyper saline water. Stromatolites a colonies of cyano bacteria, one of the oldest lifeforms on earth. Stromatolites feed on carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Billions of years ago this process may have provided in the oxygen we breathe now on earth. However, the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool are only 3000 years old. It is the largest population of stromatolites on the southern hemisphere.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoAPjCE6FBmrluF8jGjYc7fTQUqw2Dga8vs_UyPl0wAMg_ywTtyXUEj5tYzQ67F4d1pcAwADCqfeDgkbZme-MNgA9B9BdnOGClF-85gDUs1v7jocbyu8hbj7zct2fbhAtAgkc/s1600-h/DSC_3595.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoAPjCE6FBmrluF8jGjYc7fTQUqw2Dga8vs_UyPl0wAMg_ywTtyXUEj5tYzQ67F4d1pcAwADCqfeDgkbZme-MNgA9B9BdnOGClF-85gDUs1v7jocbyu8hbj7zct2fbhAtAgkc/s400/DSC_3595.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370201944148916034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stromatolites at Hamelin Pool</span></span><br /></div><br /></div><div><b>Third stop: Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range national Park</b></div><div>Our journey continued to Exmouth, the gateway to Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park. After a long drive, we camped just outside the entrance of Cape Range National Park. At night we wanted to spot turtles laying eggs on the beach. We drove to a beach entrance at no more than 20 km/h, because the road at night was littered with hundreds of Kangaroos. On the beach we found a quiet spot to wait for a turtle to come. Just when we were about to give up and started walking back we nearly stumbled on a turtle digging a hole. We hid ourselves behind a dune to avoid distracting her. The turtle was quite serious about her hole. After digging for a while she decided this was not "The Hole" and moved to a better spot to dig again. Very special to see, just us and this enormous animal. After an hour we gave up waiting for the right hole to see the eggs (this may take 6 hours).<br /></div><div><br />The next morning we drove into the park. We stopped at Turquoise Bay to snorkel Ningaloo Reef. Beautifull pristine waters with nice coral heads to explore. We saw our first reef shark here.<br />Ningaloo offers many snorkel and dive spots, but on our short long-distance journey, we have only time for one. We will be back!<br /><br />To avoid driving the same road back to Exmouth we liked to try an off road route along the coast to Coral Bay. And it provided another test for our car... The only hurdle was to cross Yardie Creek at low tide. A place were tourists have been known to require expensive towing assistance after a failed attempt.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4sFE5NEYUtfLzGHYrYLhyy6cylOik8djv2zrhyphenhyphenD2cHsXXKP3kMB9ZPrgjmsrodj5vseLKBXtB4dhgiBWD4F8rZgcKYTd351TOXkrYIjQlU91aipQSCBHC9Mv_syxDRa-zPoU/s1600-h/DSC_3611.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4sFE5NEYUtfLzGHYrYLhyy6cylOik8djv2zrhyphenhyphenD2cHsXXKP3kMB9ZPrgjmsrodj5vseLKBXtB4dhgiBWD4F8rZgcKYTd351TOXkrYIjQlU91aipQSCBHC9Mv_syxDRa-zPoU/s400/DSC_3611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370202217502432738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The access track to the Yardie Creek crossing</span></span><br /></div><br />We waited for the lowest tide and we walked, or actually, waded the crossing to see if ground was firm and flat. At the low tide point a Landcruiser came from the other side and crossed without a problem. We already heared from the locals how to do it, so we were confident that our car was up for it. And it was... Although it may not have liked the salt water on its chassis, but that is also part of the initiation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXXd6z2GanubVEfur7yg3JHap5QRjwjurraMmQRVQQkPq0a2A47eApVN_gXAb3gcKkL-IyN0-eTDLVL645Vj1CX6bnSe1mAlE4kYHiQqQXguuvG9v4980BmqjcAjYiz5xeuJ9/s1600-h/DSC_3610.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXXd6z2GanubVEfur7yg3JHap5QRjwjurraMmQRVQQkPq0a2A47eApVN_gXAb3gcKkL-IyN0-eTDLVL645Vj1CX6bnSe1mAlE4kYHiQqQXguuvG9v4980BmqjcAjYiz5xeuJ9/s400/DSC_3610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370202130886310578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Yardie Creek crossing</span></span><br /><br /></div></div><div>The track to Coral Bay was sandy but firm so easy to continue. It offered beautifull views and many kangoroos stopped along to road to see who was passing by.<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham92RZCWKOzsAWehCaowBRXxevBgt3K9wZKzbTwc6UG8uqmDNMrMgYHZK5lyBg4KLSqD9wuL8Jc6OflA8yhDcTSAM2-f2FeVXr0A-Xd1mCZ4Obp5W_Hrq4AVyJXboFvn6MgET/s1600-h/DSC_3628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham92RZCWKOzsAWehCaowBRXxevBgt3K9wZKzbTwc6UG8uqmDNMrMgYHZK5lyBg4KLSqD9wuL8Jc6OflA8yhDcTSAM2-f2FeVXr0A-Xd1mCZ4Obp5W_Hrq4AVyJXboFvn6MgET/s400/DSC_3628.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370202443701999458" border="0" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kangaroos watching human wildlife</span></span><br /></div><br />We also saw our first Emus. A mother with two chicks.<b><br /><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ6gQh3zr49FLyYoHsCjgo-TiD8RYW67qlZd0RItcowaK75yYy85mLlDY_nHdmPy4MTGXQ2JmAy5A4W44G7LiTGuLIvYGeGDLoTPplaWRzjeyf4606fyah21aA6vWc0Cv66Ep/s1600-h/DSC_3642.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ6gQh3zr49FLyYoHsCjgo-TiD8RYW67qlZd0RItcowaK75yYy85mLlDY_nHdmPy4MTGXQ2JmAy5A4W44G7LiTGuLIvYGeGDLoTPplaWRzjeyf4606fyah21aA6vWc0Cv66Ep/s400/DSC_3642.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370202516038067522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Emus in Cape Range National Park</span></span><br /></div><b><br />On the way back: Geraldton<br /></b>After a night in Coral Bay, we only had to drive back. We drove in one go to Geraldton, a medium size coastal town 424 km North of Perth. Geraldton has an interesting Maritime Museum where stories of Dutch shipwrecks of the 17th century were nicely told. Many did not make it to Indonesia. The story of the Batavia that shipwrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos islands was particulary interesting. It involved mutiny and murder. After months on the islands the remainer of the crew decided to build a small boat from the leftovers of the Batavia. In this boat they managed to sail in four weeks (!) to Batavia, some 3000 km.<b><br /><br /></b>The next day we reached Perth, looking back on an intense journey. We know we like to go back to many of the places we visited. We have a good feel of West-Australian distances now: they are large.<b><br /><br /></b></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-54908747122127016752008-11-03T15:58:00.001+02:002008-11-03T16:24:56.201+02:00Air Race above Swan LakeLast weekend, the finals of the world cup air racing 2008 were held in Perth. During the week Jurriaan already heart and saw the practise rounds in his office. So we had to go and look.<br />We don't know anything about air racing but we got excited quickly. We cycled and watched first from King's Park and later from the shores of South Perth with the beautiful backdrop of the Perth skyline.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmX5nbnET7EGBXiH7i-yzjODLtWeWu4WwXyFv6ldZDm7SdPYxeJJf9L-KZ4gOsk639c8y8Qzxa__jMrNURbT_Bjvs_typJR-6TdE2jievuMlesiYQKRT9HmyEpiziY21D49oV/s1600-h/DSC_2963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmX5nbnET7EGBXiH7i-yzjODLtWeWu4WwXyFv6ldZDm7SdPYxeJJf9L-KZ4gOsk639c8y8Qzxa__jMrNURbT_Bjvs_typJR-6TdE2jievuMlesiYQKRT9HmyEpiziY21D49oV/s400/DSC_2963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264430750528712498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccw9pfitkk17nZbiNH1CPGHOAmfN0AbOK0PlsdgL1-0rfwpRFps-CcQU5ubE9KQzJdHJvbm38VpgAC0ctty-Hwn58PkJIsg9mkN_AAb7uLQmGyEn3toxyt3pyoAl7eKYKpOtD/s1600-h/DSC_3155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccw9pfitkk17nZbiNH1CPGHOAmfN0AbOK0PlsdgL1-0rfwpRFps-CcQU5ubE9KQzJdHJvbm38VpgAC0ctty-Hwn58PkJIsg9mkN_AAb7uLQmGyEn3toxyt3pyoAl7eKYKpOtD/s400/DSC_3155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264430779336713762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr8CF30mqJL-wjY3bJvey9uvJ-1X-qvFQbGGzCtqwg1kIJ8wpx4o2Uv1I4x8GSV3gUvfyLd2W3JdQhqNpHLpcvzV9b5khr9535fp3cmXcedbriDTGDSX37ctRkQzV6Ob9uJg3/s1600-h/DSC_3288.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr8CF30mqJL-wjY3bJvey9uvJ-1X-qvFQbGGzCtqwg1kIJ8wpx4o2Uv1I4x8GSV3gUvfyLd2W3JdQhqNpHLpcvzV9b5khr9535fp3cmXcedbriDTGDSX37ctRkQzV6Ob9uJg3/s400/DSC_3288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264431156409170226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc94tiTfLIPe1MG_MVs7gH0aG5mVwCaIvIg4KAbhtyIVNBD6SWPNigPZx4Dj2KWc-XNRvv6c7kYDTRjNMfZ97lGLpBgwhnPo6TCkPAy1wD4ceecKyNjIsAnAD6D2BMea4dCBhO/s1600-h/DSC_3054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc94tiTfLIPe1MG_MVs7gH0aG5mVwCaIvIg4KAbhtyIVNBD6SWPNigPZx4Dj2KWc-XNRvv6c7kYDTRjNMfZ97lGLpBgwhnPo6TCkPAy1wD4ceecKyNjIsAnAD6D2BMea4dCBhO/s400/DSC_3054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264430761921896018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1Pti3-1kuyH7PwDuoJkDtg62prMXEPq4jKn4XF4Pm-1yqqE1N6X2AE1Ja5pa8nwbBwFoWWlaeXZlt-FKnNBLNkcihxF1J9w52il50T9aQy_WsIf4zZJX4RBKbSjGGOB8N9lK/s1600-h/DSC_3276.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1Pti3-1kuyH7PwDuoJkDtg62prMXEPq4jKn4XF4Pm-1yqqE1N6X2AE1Ja5pa8nwbBwFoWWlaeXZlt-FKnNBLNkcihxF1J9w52il50T9aQy_WsIf4zZJX4RBKbSjGGOB8N9lK/s400/DSC_3276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264431148412108962" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the pilots cut it quite close, sometimes too close, as one flew through a pilon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnIWCViNs23GkWNMQcEsV-lmJB7VDhENNDqFZ2m0fSxQ8vkPxXEv2bD8O64FEjJD_WiytrzwSf6jyZIRsln3FO1Ggp9vKStdz5cDCeZ-zojg7vgr1GQvBALtSxqGBr1VOSfq_/s1600-h/DSC_3211.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnIWCViNs23GkWNMQcEsV-lmJB7VDhENNDqFZ2m0fSxQ8vkPxXEv2bD8O64FEjJD_WiytrzwSf6jyZIRsln3FO1Ggp9vKStdz5cDCeZ-zojg7vgr1GQvBALtSxqGBr1VOSfq_/s400/DSC_3211.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264430786195598194" border="0" /></a><br />In between the races the RAAF stunt team, "the Roulettes" gave demonstrations of formation flying with only 3 meters between the individual planes. Only the formation leader apparently navigates, the other five are just trying to keep the 3 metre distance!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LCFNwyk1HGH4uiokr4uzeUpS7SXI8c6Dsz05pcKuHdy2Z2snbP09iYeJrWAfq7hujqdIsL1uZbWvZKYBzR7qT9psdsOQ0IKntBPimhIqM9aCTwzSFQa-piUrRgCBg1iYxDYi/s1600-h/DSC_3343.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LCFNwyk1HGH4uiokr4uzeUpS7SXI8c6Dsz05pcKuHdy2Z2snbP09iYeJrWAfq7hujqdIsL1uZbWvZKYBzR7qT9psdsOQ0IKntBPimhIqM9aCTwzSFQa-piUrRgCBg1iYxDYi/s400/DSC_3343.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264431169920498690" border="0" /></a><br />Other RAAF pilots gave a demonstration of David and Goliath where a large plane and a small double decker showed their acrobatics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGh5Fj6U7zLhLcxsL3HSKKwfTM5K8MDgUJUdQMyK8bjygJIi7_oDGN_cuZhwK8-541NRbjtSGBEg7ie-AvlcCpv_yzDvSghlA6CC4CbE9huoHSOStV1uWXKZbILvh_anzSZ4_/s1600-h/DSC_3230.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGh5Fj6U7zLhLcxsL3HSKKwfTM5K8MDgUJUdQMyK8bjygJIi7_oDGN_cuZhwK8-541NRbjtSGBEg7ie-AvlcCpv_yzDvSghlA6CC4CbE9huoHSOStV1uWXKZbILvh_anzSZ4_/s400/DSC_3230.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264431136643035474" border="0" /></a><br />And a blue glider plane made beautifu patterns with orange smoke coming from its wingtips.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pRfefkxeF_J4HGZGJpas5YHik7efLzHHBbq84fT1U5u1QTNavM4kvVLLH3h1o7vM2b8I7CC-K0ui5C37dwx5wD_Bc58ycHkhPkFlTBe6Yk6O_AvpEQiv6XSYjmK5JSY06ioh/s1600-h/DSC_3125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pRfefkxeF_J4HGZGJpas5YHik7efLzHHBbq84fT1U5u1QTNavM4kvVLLH3h1o7vM2b8I7CC-K0ui5C37dwx5wD_Bc58ycHkhPkFlTBe6Yk6O_AvpEQiv6XSYjmK5JSY06ioh/s400/DSC_3125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264430768673291138" border="0" /></a><br />The final blast was a demonstration from the F18 Hornet. It didn't go through the sound barrier but for our ear drums it felt the same. Unbelievable what noise these planes make and very impressive the sheer amount of energy that's handled. The plane left vertically from a few hundred to twenty thousand feet in a matter of seconds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDRiyrvO3L8dALYusbpPkCM9KK2GQK4vA5NGUJyNcirU5HXP86wzIrMfBV8L-5ucNpB_MDnrcnLo3XM8MSxIBK47v8QPiQPZFjrH_hJIyM4kOa0q_4mvcZ0Aa1RTK-QSAoPAf/s1600-h/DSC_3373.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDRiyrvO3L8dALYusbpPkCM9KK2GQK4vA5NGUJyNcirU5HXP86wzIrMfBV8L-5ucNpB_MDnrcnLo3XM8MSxIBK47v8QPiQPZFjrH_hJIyM4kOa0q_4mvcZ0Aa1RTK-QSAoPAf/s400/DSC_3373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264431178478860146" border="0" /></a>We were very impressed but we didn't sign up as airforce pilots.Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-73192464012171679402008-10-15T04:30:00.001+02:002008-10-15T04:51:32.023+02:00Wildflowers and birds at Kings ParkThis weekend, we went for a walk in Kings Park, a big park with botanical gardens just 5 minutes walking from our front door. There are lots of trees, wildflowers, birds and great views over Swan Lake and Perth. Pics are on our <a href="http://gallery.me.com/jurriaan.corine">Mac Gallery</a>.Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-26925040823724890972008-09-30T08:34:00.005+02:002008-09-30T09:51:22.574+02:00Spectacular Humpback Whales off Cape NaturalisteThe Queen’s birthday was celebrated in Western Australia last weekend, and we headed down south to Margaret River. This area is famous for its vineyards, the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, magnificent surf beaches and last but not least, whales.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We drove straight down to the Vasse Felix, the oldest vineyard in the region along the river Vasse. Vasse Felix tried falconry to deter birds that ate their grapes, however, the first trained falcon flew away upon first release. They gave up falconry, but the falcon is still the logo of Vasse Felix wines. We enjoyed their excellent restaurant with a nice fusion of European and Asian tastes.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pEANV3DIzJYJJ3vhCMTRGkURfrh3Ha4tGw0_CTx7QFrLgpT8qNGlzhCd2aEfC6NMyKgF0fJMwuhttqATwHWm3dd1aLpkyDV1bYg_dg7HX7sb_bM3Fl6xgre0j3eESUrZMuU8/s1600-h/DSC_2659.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pEANV3DIzJYJJ3vhCMTRGkURfrh3Ha4tGw0_CTx7QFrLgpT8qNGlzhCd2aEfC6NMyKgF0fJMwuhttqATwHWm3dd1aLpkyDV1bYg_dg7HX7sb_bM3Fl6xgre0j3eESUrZMuU8/s400/DSC_2659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251715941291075330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Entry lane of Vasse Felix</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErSpQodRFlGFl_enKvLdfPVN9tM_JqopfQPfCbxznd_w4iyr7s64ruM1QmPd9rHD96mPRWJqy4sAt7vnk9eY4829SkpGoqzIRmg6_43C8hw18xp83skY1-cg1ucBhadm3eWB4/s1600-h/DSC_2660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErSpQodRFlGFl_enKvLdfPVN9tM_JqopfQPfCbxznd_w4iyr7s64ruM1QmPd9rHD96mPRWJqy4sAt7vnk9eY4829SkpGoqzIRmg6_43C8hw18xp83skY1-cg1ucBhadm3eWB4/s400/DSC_2660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251714813951169410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The vineyard</span> </span></div><br /><br />The whole coast, Cape to Cape, is magnificent. We couldn’t get enough of watching the waves breaking on the coast. Hopefully, one day, we’ll be able to ride these waves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgw-_VdsL2M0DDO1VGvhrLUss7JrgjAC1NqDYyCMw0grNMmHNcNftvs44SUVjb5Z2SvapEBL6VpPPElt4Z7VMd5ax9IdVMOy32AaVDZbMV_gTkm61nWNA0wdCzh_6qwkZP3ST/s1600-h/DSC_2670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgw-_VdsL2M0DDO1VGvhrLUss7JrgjAC1NqDYyCMw0grNMmHNcNftvs44SUVjb5Z2SvapEBL6VpPPElt4Z7VMd5ax9IdVMOy32AaVDZbMV_gTkm61nWNA0wdCzh_6qwkZP3ST/s400/DSC_2670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251700878841551554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jurriaan looking at the waves<br /></span></span></div><br />From September to November, Humpback -, Blue -, and Southern Right Whales come close to shore at Cape Naturaliste on their annual migration. We decided that we wanted to see these whales and booked a boat tour. We were lucky – very lucky, to see Humpback Whales up close. Even the boat crew got very excited. Apparently, this only happens once or twice each season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQpk2ztaYhMabBcSpx71VMp6grzRzBu__dKErEBLZ2_Md1PLdnZHq7eo113p8ewCHMKm5l02ZOYOzcei0h1qchysvffVm7lKVtYvaEeLA6_wtwZu3h3wmqPFFDyhISomWEK8y/s1600-h/DSC_2687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQpk2ztaYhMabBcSpx71VMp6grzRzBu__dKErEBLZ2_Md1PLdnZHq7eo113p8ewCHMKm5l02ZOYOzcei0h1qchysvffVm7lKVtYvaEeLA6_wtwZu3h3wmqPFFDyhISomWEK8y/s400/DSC_2687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251714823392135314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Whale breathing</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsfnhXlJ4cWRq8zs0KV-sReQet7zTZbW8qEN_t9qrjHSFebQwKV9q1PDMKUtdFbv9IFwhiMlUiqdC0XFk7DynkBELhG7e7atwRy8ta_3g-z3HNQHUjgeY7Q920Vo7QXDHe5DN/s1600-h/DSC_2689.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsfnhXlJ4cWRq8zs0KV-sReQet7zTZbW8qEN_t9qrjHSFebQwKV9q1PDMKUtdFbv9IFwhiMlUiqdC0XFk7DynkBELhG7e7atwRy8ta_3g-z3HNQHUjgeY7Q920Vo7QXDHe5DN/s400/DSC_2689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251714827372814754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Two alongside</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU11n0FwJIEnCEPDMqnfx_R4PMR-Sj51u0NY_bLS_564TbOmCwnrxqJe1hr_SUG2VCQf8u3Pbx82UNJTlt85LhNp7uDB0RABhr1qgDWv8hU4B0v2Um639C-DgzMmLmQAqTQVET/s1600-h/DSC_2738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU11n0FwJIEnCEPDMqnfx_R4PMR-Sj51u0NY_bLS_564TbOmCwnrxqJe1hr_SUG2VCQf8u3Pbx82UNJTlt85LhNp7uDB0RABhr1qgDWv8hU4B0v2Um639C-DgzMmLmQAqTQVET/s400/DSC_2738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251714830365798930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ocXaC9izy027CsxraIFEMo6XdK4uXUazVof5rp5sBU3FnUZe_ByWEyfGY2fhmCLcUhf-j-Kv7WlD5_3waE6chPIhWbXmd04YAOYZaBlPIgNDyzSeIv4k6EZRzk7f-olXDGSA/s1600-h/DSC_2747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ocXaC9izy027CsxraIFEMo6XdK4uXUazVof5rp5sBU3FnUZe_ByWEyfGY2fhmCLcUhf-j-Kv7WlD5_3waE6chPIhWbXmd04YAOYZaBlPIgNDyzSeIv4k6EZRzk7f-olXDGSA/s400/DSC_2747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251714837468555874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Playing and watching</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rHStleV4vy8ViZp0hSFzZ9xcv18R5fYtPkFBukBhyphenhyphenYKUKaV0zCMwYtxZiPUEvu9lkW8PHsKqyT9atzZjUzuNdRp8abeUYAi7vRYoEihk5wsXPxvaaKLtxt0mRyp_T1k5BjlL/s1600-h/DSC_2780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rHStleV4vy8ViZp0hSFzZ9xcv18R5fYtPkFBukBhyphenhyphenYKUKaV0zCMwYtxZiPUEvu9lkW8PHsKqyT9atzZjUzuNdRp8abeUYAi7vRYoEihk5wsXPxvaaKLtxt0mRyp_T1k5BjlL/s400/DSC_2780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251715944659890226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_ypp-lAOJgK8_KuIPmuz-1yK6qbB0fxVKZ4FuT6_WoQKt5t9csX473X54tHc-lGvyMEJSx9FALI1ZSRMC8kPKX3BXh0HBBwCgWIl0BuECL9Rl72cXMFkzmNKFOwJ84AYlnhC/s1600-h/DSC_2792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_ypp-lAOJgK8_KuIPmuz-1yK6qbB0fxVKZ4FuT6_WoQKt5t9csX473X54tHc-lGvyMEJSx9FALI1ZSRMC8kPKX3BXh0HBBwCgWIl0BuECL9Rl72cXMFkzmNKFOwJ84AYlnhC/s400/DSC_2792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251715948955801346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZtlvpWYF5YF6tfVpIpW05qpIQZPBQcWBBxdxeXAtdqd7v44hZEUoCspMnr9fICXDTXLW5lSbadVv7JUgX-nK-r1J9WNmYsAZgMsDXipmu3sgGON5gE2HfjElZEFDFWxXvQIZ/s1600-h/DSC_2816.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZtlvpWYF5YF6tfVpIpW05qpIQZPBQcWBBxdxeXAtdqd7v44hZEUoCspMnr9fICXDTXLW5lSbadVv7JUgX-nK-r1J9WNmYsAZgMsDXipmu3sgGON5gE2HfjElZEFDFWxXvQIZ/s400/DSC_2816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251702556595774930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Tail of Humpback Whale<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjdJlTbv-tiSoVyfhow9M1LXANgzgkjGQ2XeUJoKoQvRCUMCx9RonlKv23jgoS8n5pLeEcnV0k7mp4dWOIxXKjsLbNJDNYQAY6DNOEWHsc9-bancXDryy7bDX-w6UnWuV_5pP/s1600-h/DSC_2845.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjdJlTbv-tiSoVyfhow9M1LXANgzgkjGQ2XeUJoKoQvRCUMCx9RonlKv23jgoS8n5pLeEcnV0k7mp4dWOIxXKjsLbNJDNYQAY6DNOEWHsc9-bancXDryy7bDX-w6UnWuV_5pP/s400/DSC_2845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251702824724171074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Humpback Whale sticking its head out of the water<br /><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhabMWut6y-wV15Pwh3bmn8_f3Jc2l7ti4jcKlBPam1d3Qq0DkbU9kNwrVpz4ZHfIlNLzD5ZOQLhrlxZTLVa_PpD6N4UVOmLmkn8VbdHpCeOSF64w_SXKRvGTPrfRZVk64B0N/s1600-h/DSC_2863.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhabMWut6y-wV15Pwh3bmn8_f3Jc2l7ti4jcKlBPam1d3Qq0DkbU9kNwrVpz4ZHfIlNLzD5ZOQLhrlxZTLVa_PpD6N4UVOmLmkn8VbdHpCeOSF64w_SXKRvGTPrfRZVk64B0N/s400/DSC_2863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251715949895546098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is how close we were</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7ShtkJ80_ui1Co7eRKs_kpohufejKkHtFvuTkKXpuDURqjqdKej66j53ydzdw-s9EytF5wU6TsMqURGqeLsHJY8DWn8BNBjvE9U9_YjU6kRLLnXpJ7U_j1TQyvHypzhmn0Wi/s1600-h/DSC_2900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7ShtkJ80_ui1Co7eRKs_kpohufejKkHtFvuTkKXpuDURqjqdKej66j53ydzdw-s9EytF5wU6TsMqURGqeLsHJY8DWn8BNBjvE9U9_YjU6kRLLnXpJ7U_j1TQyvHypzhmn0Wi/s400/DSC_2900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251715952857630130" border="0" /></a><br />They are truly magnificent creatures. It is hard to describe in words how special it is to see such a big animal so close. They seemed entirely happy to play with us and just as interested to see us as we were to see them. It is hard to believe but it felt like there was an atmosphere of mutual respect. Just a perfect day.<br /><br />The next day we went for a short hike at Cape Naturaliste near the Victorian lighthouse to see the beautiful nature, during the wildflower season. In the back of our mind we hoped for some more whales, which you may see from shore here at the Whale Lookout. We saw their splashes from a distance, but realised once more how special it was to see them from just a few metres away. On our way back a large lizard crossed our path and was happy to be photographed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG-m3DUnvdfCuwG1eLsPlEwNOmPwhWLsa6cImEFc-1qyetGB_p2B3N9tKcmsnGhVmEdTBpxDQKHtrFI3haCloaAFGuC0XaDN363xGCjTGJsU8yJ3vfV9CS8V7dyGRe-ou1yfp/s1600-h/DSC_2911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG-m3DUnvdfCuwG1eLsPlEwNOmPwhWLsa6cImEFc-1qyetGB_p2B3N9tKcmsnGhVmEdTBpxDQKHtrFI3haCloaAFGuC0XaDN363xGCjTGJsU8yJ3vfV9CS8V7dyGRe-ou1yfp/s400/DSC_2911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251703649783157490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9dLY4414d6wmwwojYAy4UWvz0iwUVp69jxL8FTTx9u8f15OGGyoAuVCbmRNNeVlWkiVVpHwbpIT4ltOlMm7U3wbRZlAG_uO4heHA9AS-TAp28fQTH6vj1GdcpZzJbYa0nn13/s1600-h/DSC_2905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9dLY4414d6wmwwojYAy4UWvz0iwUVp69jxL8FTTx9u8f15OGGyoAuVCbmRNNeVlWkiVVpHwbpIT4ltOlMm7U3wbRZlAG_uO4heHA9AS-TAp28fQTH6vj1GdcpZzJbYa0nn13/s400/DSC_2905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251717020693281234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kzYWIqWKzGxYU2ppgFq16Vp82Kzb4YlXYNpVAI3s2PUxBFMWeDMIF3HaYRNrXm9GwmOnVDrSFZ72oYamGwtkxrQZ17BXl2vRFs8E2a3CkjD8PWLIfC5Kn3bnN0qO5JalNaMO/s1600-h/DSC_2908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kzYWIqWKzGxYU2ppgFq16Vp82Kzb4YlXYNpVAI3s2PUxBFMWeDMIF3HaYRNrXm9GwmOnVDrSFZ72oYamGwtkxrQZ17BXl2vRFs8E2a3CkjD8PWLIfC5Kn3bnN0qO5JalNaMO/s400/DSC_2908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251717026420352418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">From the shore we could still see the whales breath </span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioD1iApyegAyrrb7e6-9mJ5XWMwJvPRQ0BLUutzNUFsRjHGs97DTOR1qWCCLQebEzK09MEzu1rP46wGi7RdrwWesqxyMyfhz6j_HhcOqNguBIiAWMir4TuIiZ72i4RjozXp0v_/s1600-h/DSC_2914.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioD1iApyegAyrrb7e6-9mJ5XWMwJvPRQ0BLUutzNUFsRjHGs97DTOR1qWCCLQebEzK09MEzu1rP46wGi7RdrwWesqxyMyfhz6j_HhcOqNguBIiAWMir4TuIiZ72i4RjozXp0v_/s400/DSC_2914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251717030231993730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lizard</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICRrikcU4I686firdO-5V5J37Qfd0viyRVTsQLSuhp19T-atYi789aqLaF9Q4TX_bykw-3GDPI7Gy7U7HbREj6fHNMRjS-9uga53hzRxNcs2wLTvUP5LLixGkzemOcGhcOYys/s1600-h/DSC_2916.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICRrikcU4I686firdO-5V5J37Qfd0viyRVTsQLSuhp19T-atYi789aqLaF9Q4TX_bykw-3GDPI7Gy7U7HbREj6fHNMRjS-9uga53hzRxNcs2wLTvUP5LLixGkzemOcGhcOYys/s400/DSC_2916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251717030862439442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wildflowers</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-51451493166538249142008-09-07T14:51:00.001+02:002008-09-07T15:24:05.709+02:00Exploring greater PerthWe are 2 weeks in Perth now. Only 2 weeks. We are getting more settled in by the day - no house yet but we bought a car this weekend! In Scarborough Beach, people were board surfing on pretty impressive waves - probably not a good beach for windsurfing as it will be nearly impossible to get over the surf with board and sail. Certainly there are other beaches more suitable for windsurfing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u5epPTztcuLgSWgCdoAmaHkVgqC5H-0BORIq-thGkn9yk1eB3Nt2XDuORGRRWLV7sPf960MXdUCB4lGyZS7P7XvBYidAEFIKg4XenTZiLyG9H9sZJOz-yac_XnOBE9_enq_u/s1600-h/IMG_1469.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u5epPTztcuLgSWgCdoAmaHkVgqC5H-0BORIq-thGkn9yk1eB3Nt2XDuORGRRWLV7sPf960MXdUCB4lGyZS7P7XvBYidAEFIKg4XenTZiLyG9H9sZJOz-yac_XnOBE9_enq_u/s400/IMG_1469.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243266657340529826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Scarborough Beach </span> </span></div><br />We drove to the Swan Valley with many vineyards along the Swan River. After seeing vineyards in Burgondy and Champagne last month, we were surprised for a second to see no leaves or grapes - but hey, it's winter here! And the grapes are spaced more widely than in France, so here they use normal tractors rather than the typical narrow ones we saw in the European vineyards.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WTDRR1oi5R2vDen9xxFV5aq6o4gxISHUo6-9uoRskR5wGaw1r106Q58U_vxGHLjeUp8MPiyb2Xl_KcuSD6inL31t2BKOoRtmNgUoTsAKjbfIWQWZFlICMbo7SdD1MPXTEv8n/s1600-h/IMG_1471.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WTDRR1oi5R2vDen9xxFV5aq6o4gxISHUo6-9uoRskR5wGaw1r106Q58U_vxGHLjeUp8MPiyb2Xl_KcuSD6inL31t2BKOoRtmNgUoTsAKjbfIWQWZFlICMbo7SdD1MPXTEv8n/s400/IMG_1471.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243267091852566114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Swan river with bare vines</span><br /></span></div><br />Another beautiful spot near Perth is Fremantle. This is the harbour where our container should arrive. It is very lively with lots of cafe's, restaurants and shops. Many restaurants face the Indian Ocean and are surrounded by yachts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTMiCEwd4I5AnfyU5cDfdO1Havlv7TRYGTiR9efEpK_UypRSbkpPbqn53UOKDk5rRibZ58A3f6LXBKcg6-4TDZpc8nbDCZniL0asVVJPZo973mlWh9ksp1ILDVbrwBjj4A9o_/s1600-h/IMG_1479.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTMiCEwd4I5AnfyU5cDfdO1Havlv7TRYGTiR9efEpK_UypRSbkpPbqn53UOKDk5rRibZ58A3f6LXBKcg6-4TDZpc8nbDCZniL0asVVJPZo973mlWh9ksp1ILDVbrwBjj4A9o_/s400/IMG_1479.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243268724461813106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Corine in Fremantle Harbour<br /><br /></span></span></div>Near the harbour is the <a href="http://www.creativecourses.com/">Kidogo Art Centre</a> which runs painting and drawing classes in a beautiful old seafront building. We also found the <a href="http://www.metropolisfremantle.com.au/multimedia/metropolisNew.swf">Metropolis</a> concert venue where Supergrass is playing next month.<br /><br />And just like in Scheveningen, everybody with a restored oldtimer or a sports car is parading along the streets of Fremantle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IvuMayDu9nZqq22JrhEfRYgdsuqNL-0FAnWGM23oi-kLDmF_ehPdSPb-iKLa8Y5ykniuSj_tBRNx6EW5TgJ8GlVeLhvTw_fzMo_-mWSeKxBq7fRtZq1GtqqJsaFuKlIsidKY/s1600-h/IMG_1476.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IvuMayDu9nZqq22JrhEfRYgdsuqNL-0FAnWGM23oi-kLDmF_ehPdSPb-iKLa8Y5ykniuSj_tBRNx6EW5TgJ8GlVeLhvTw_fzMo_-mWSeKxBq7fRtZq1GtqqJsaFuKlIsidKY/s400/IMG_1476.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243267824728559890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Oldtimer in Fremantle</span><br /></span></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-80422504892083422162008-08-24T10:40:00.003+03:002008-09-09T09:23:22.422+02:00We are in Perth!Yesterday we landed in Perth after a long flight with a 3 hour delay at Schiphol, due to technical problems. Luckily we still made our connection at Kuala Lumpur. We are in a temporary apartment for one month, right in the centre of Perth. The first morning we were quite jetlagged, but that was where this day was intended for. We just made it in time to pick up our rental car before closure of the office. After that we strolled along the highstreets and sat down outside for lunch and a perfect cappucino enjoying the lovely sunny weather. In daytime, it is 20 degrees and still winter - warmer than Holland this summer, though the evenings are chillier than in Holland. Downtown is very lively on a Sunday afternoon, quite a few street musicians, and a lot of people. It took quite a while at the grocery store queue. The grocery store - Woolworth's - looked a lot like the ones in London so we felt at home.<br /><br />Yesterday evening we went to the restaurant area at Northbridge. Many diffent restaurants there: a lot of different Asian restaurants, Italian, Turkish, pub food, nice wine bars, and many Dutch 'eetcafe' style restaurants. We settled for kangaroo steaks, Australian cheeses and Western Australian Shiraz at a nice wine bar. We think we can get used to this life...<br /><br />For pictures please go to our new <a href="http://gallery.me.com/jurriaan.corine">Mac gallery</a>. We will post more pictures on this gallery these coming weeks.Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-45768595431105395082008-01-12T19:08:00.000+02:002008-01-25T13:56:35.642+02:00Camping in the dunes<span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Believe it or not, this weekend in January was the first time this season we went to the desert. Apparently, we were to busy in the autumn with work, travel to Somalia and offshore and windsurfing at <a href="http://reijsverhalen.blogspot.com/2007_10_17_archive.html">Moon Beach</a>.<br /><br />We wanted to find a new route from the escarpments north of lake Qarun to the Wadi el Hitan area and to traverse the dune belt south of the Wadi Ryan lakes West to East.<br /><br />The first leg of the route went fast. We followed tire tracks that we spotted before on the satellite images. When we came at the top of the final escarpment we had a beautiful view. It was pretty windy and cold at the top, and this was midday. We expected a cold night.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5GogkWfnqRGg-jcfB2JXKl1o01CCM64ggkXqDiPM-yU6Cb-faOIEF3UGH6dIeZh-C4mPrG4t6Sb-cZg_aLj65WrRZ6OD6w0pTOLIl9t0kpWhXHvUs1IdYvkfrBeGnFdvy1xY/s1600-h/2007.12.29.076IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5GogkWfnqRGg-jcfB2JXKl1o01CCM64ggkXqDiPM-yU6Cb-faOIEF3UGH6dIeZh-C4mPrG4t6Sb-cZg_aLj65WrRZ6OD6w0pTOLIl9t0kpWhXHvUs1IdYvkfrBeGnFdvy1xY/s400/2007.12.29.076IMG_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157978379606157778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >A view from the escarpment with the sharp transition from desert to the Fayum oasis. </span><br /></div><br />But finding the way down was not easy. We tried several wadis, but most of them were a dead end. In one wadi, a dune had made the route down easier. We also saw tracks of people that tried before. The tricky part was that you had to decent a steep dune, but you could not drive straight on as you would hit the large rocks on the wadi floor. After a controlled descent you would have to made a sharp right and drive out of the wadi along a narrow passage between the large rocks and the dune. But it looked doable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnguD5gKe9MP1QdLyT0x8qnSWlAVdoSVxg7isaGgq3nzdEswlp1HX5BlAHmC4CGY5Uvdylf5KKRYVwtXO6jH4rPLwe6x4aMpJviAzlWvZJdvjkPzMXDJw5WCJ3SR2hkXA3TsH/s1600-h/2007.12.29.077IMG_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnguD5gKe9MP1QdLyT0x8qnSWlAVdoSVxg7isaGgq3nzdEswlp1HX5BlAHmC4CGY5Uvdylf5KKRYVwtXO6jH4rPLwe6x4aMpJviAzlWvZJdvjkPzMXDJw5WCJ3SR2hkXA3TsH/s400/2007.12.29.077IMG_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157979152700271074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >At the top of the dune we were deciding if the route was doable.</span><br /></div><br />Ramses was the first to try.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtkdm5GiLId9VKBG6aEmUXHP11G0HGXCgLK49wLS1i7sfScjDrBACR7gvjk3LMyyJIl4yInggPZNkbo_AjfCUTgGy8fHeT6USNMsGYD-BrYkyuSG5w-TNSL9eIDJBFoSpC5YU/s1600-h/2007.12.29.078P1070181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtkdm5GiLId9VKBG6aEmUXHP11G0HGXCgLK49wLS1i7sfScjDrBACR7gvjk3LMyyJIl4yInggPZNkbo_AjfCUTgGy8fHeT6USNMsGYD-BrYkyuSG5w-TNSL9eIDJBFoSpC5YU/s400/2007.12.29.078P1070181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157979680981248514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ramses descents the dune slope. </span></span><br /></div><br />The drive to the dune crest was easy, just a little slippery at the sharp turns in the sand. We turned down slope a bit too early and we headed straight for some rocks on the slope. Steering on the slope was difficult and we drove straight over the rocks. Fortunately they turned out to be pretty small when we came closer. We still had to make the sharp turn to avoid the big rocks. Once we stopped using the brake technique, we could steer again and we made it through the narrow passage without a problem. But we decided the route was probably better to avoid by the other three cars. We waited at the bottom of the valley for the other three cars that found pretty quickly a much easier route.<br /><br />All the escarpment business had taken a lot of time and we decided to head straight for the Wadi Ryan road to be in the dunes before dark. We found a nice secluded camping spot in the dunes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUJEYHnTYkaSdhtYwn4h7ss2uWtlZvNsXQtcRKb30yrQ_HhTvdF3E3RsPhvfqmHmob38XaRLEX6XPq7Yb6igAbsUZaUDfekDtuApJh_L7jo9r5kEgQNsM8Q_S4TedNVNxsaBQ/s1600-h/2007.12.29.079IMG_0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUJEYHnTYkaSdhtYwn4h7ss2uWtlZvNsXQtcRKb30yrQ_HhTvdF3E3RsPhvfqmHmob38XaRLEX6XPq7Yb6igAbsUZaUDfekDtuApJh_L7jo9r5kEgQNsM8Q_S4TedNVNxsaBQ/s400/2007.12.29.079IMG_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157980252211898898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Our campsite</span><br /></div><br />We pitched our tents before dark and got a fire going. The wind had gone completely and it was not as cold as we were expecting. We sat around the campfire till 11 sipping Siwan tea and wine.<br /><br />The next day we had a relaxing morning with a big breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes. Today we were going to do our traverse. We had let pressure of the tires and were ready to go.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq1KhhLDVzTJq8p0FuuxzXJJir-oGaZbwU-D14clZg-wTw30G1w3sHYH9hwpZJoP8aCO1TLC5tWYBdzXqvWEUC8BHeKkGvogaQQl3uLTxDX5rV5t0x-cDJQFCnbOcn-RwEk8D/s1600-h/DuneTraverse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq1KhhLDVzTJq8p0FuuxzXJJir-oGaZbwU-D14clZg-wTw30G1w3sHYH9hwpZJoP8aCO1TLC5tWYBdzXqvWEUC8BHeKkGvogaQQl3uLTxDX5rV5t0x-cDJQFCnbOcn-RwEk8D/s400/DuneTraverse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157980698888497698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >The West to East dune traverse we drove plotted on Google Earth</span><br /></div><br />We got several cars stuck at dune crests and soft patches and we made good use of the low gears, towropes, sand plates, shovels, and the air jack. Good fun playing in the sand.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcAeWYbd0foTLtQFDXmtZutM4LR7wRvB852lKvQm-mjrSbwLfnKIGbYUgokDogBt43y6gBpwrydzNe5De7NSSabWUv3UmQfsNvWHNkKDzucTlRy7x3d20CeYQOKG_cKc7_DQk/s1600-h/2007.12.29.080IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcAeWYbd0foTLtQFDXmtZutM4LR7wRvB852lKvQm-mjrSbwLfnKIGbYUgokDogBt43y6gBpwrydzNe5De7NSSabWUv3UmQfsNvWHNkKDzucTlRy7x3d20CeYQOKG_cKc7_DQk/s400/2007.12.29.080IMG_0021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157980969471437362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The wind blows sand off the dune crests.</span></span><br /></div><br />At lunchtime we realized we did only 1/4 of the planned route. It was quite windy and we had sand everywhere. Fortunately, after lunch dunes became easier, or our driving better or both and we finished the traverse to be back on the tarmac road at 3pm. Just in time to make it to Cairo before dark.<br /><br />Back home we noticed that sand kept coming out of our eyes for 2 days after we returned. But we are sand-free now… I think.<br /><br />More on this in Ivar & Kim's <a href="http://ivarenkim.blogspot.com/2008/01/weekeindje-zandhappen.html">blog</a> (in Dutch).Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-34952958244582829012008-01-02T15:00:00.006+02:002008-02-15T16:18:18.200+02:00Akhenaton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.egyptarchive.co.uk/html/luxor_museum/luxor_museum_frame.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.egyptarchive.co.uk/html/luxor_museum/luxor_museum_frame.html" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our favorite pharaoh is probably the 18th dynasty Akhenaton, who ruled 1364-1347 BC. Maybe it is because we already knew him before we came to Egypt from <a href="http://www.philipglass.com/music/compositions/akhnaten.php">Philip Glass</a>’ best <a href="http://www.chesternovello.com/DesktopModulesCustom/Soundclips/SoundclipPlayer.aspx?workId=7371&Soundclip=NAX56-2.wma&title=Philip%20Glass">opera</a> with the same name. Maybe it is because he was the pharaoh that started a new monotheistic religion worshipping only the sun god Aten. Maybe it is because the Egyptian art from the period he lived became very distinct with humans figures with exaggerated features, often very feminine. Or maybe it is because of the mystery surrounding him, his wife Nefertiti and his son Tutankhamen, the young pharaoh.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpSgWI8DV9l26wisH20aTSR_F_cEIQhAut3RHQM1i1lMUaOr9s9_o86nAikWDyEQX6NN_CnpPpxySjnSoE8O7ciH4Fzlmbtzz3SrgYMccLgrG48dnucYkKBRKlzq0FQsSpUl4/s1600-h/Akhnaten.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpSgWI8DV9l26wisH20aTSR_F_cEIQhAut3RHQM1i1lMUaOr9s9_o86nAikWDyEQX6NN_CnpPpxySjnSoE8O7ciH4Fzlmbtzz3SrgYMccLgrG48dnucYkKBRKlzq0FQsSpUl4/s400/Akhnaten.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167198433667761362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Colosal head of Akhenaten in a double crown</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span> (Luxor Museum)<br /></span></span></div><br />Akhenaton started as Amenhotep IV and changed his name to Akhenaton when he started the religion of the Aten. He also transferred the capital of Egypt from Thebes to Amarna. This is how he tried to stop the influence of the powerful priests of Thebes. He only ruled for 16 years followed but only 2 years (?) of his wife Nefertiti and his son Tutankhamen, by a minor wife, ruled for 9 years as the 11th king of the 18th dynasty. Under Tutankhamen the religious transition was reversed, the old temples were reopened and Egypt’s fortunes were restored after the disaster of his father's reign.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClMIvb4SATq3fg0FfjnCuNURxn-dGjgLKAqNEwiUi83sBdEO28o1LuNvlJvtNi_wfuECDjcrRrJ_VA2jlRfGGUmir2owNpKvHX2RA17XHCkDbDVub7zcaweHf8F_Vebl4mRuW/s1600-h/DSC_1229_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClMIvb4SATq3fg0FfjnCuNURxn-dGjgLKAqNEwiUi83sBdEO28o1LuNvlJvtNi_wfuECDjcrRrJ_VA2jlRfGGUmir2owNpKvHX2RA17XHCkDbDVub7zcaweHf8F_Vebl4mRuW/s400/DSC_1229_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164866730282501234" border="0" /></a><br />Much of Akhenaton’s legacy was destroyed and erased. Many ancient pharaoh lists and historic accounts omit Akhenaton and the Amarna period completely. His name is often erased from buildings or overwritten with the name of a later pharaoh. This is why Akhenaton is surrounded with mystery and much of the art from this period is lost.<br /><br />The interesting aspect of the art in the Amarna period is that it is radically different from the “classic” Egyptian style of art of the periods before and after the Amarna period. Statues and murals exaggerate human features and feminine forms. Typical are the big skulls, fat lips, wide hips and often a belly. The exaggerated feminine forms, displayed on both male and female figures, and equally on figures of Akhenaton himself inspired some controversial speculation that Akhenaton could be gay.<br /><div style="text-align: right; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Amarna style statues with feminine forms<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZuhdN28PK4e_gfe_gQhGGRb9YBnnxYKL1-MYJLI1A7KVeP3Qaod_v-h8YyQFs0ruYpXWaHjgQejSvU6jaNs4_YS2inwll8crTzYYNS_CUnWk42RhRyKmNt9FAbCqxHhcu_MG/s1600-h/DSC_0771.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZuhdN28PK4e_gfe_gQhGGRb9YBnnxYKL1-MYJLI1A7KVeP3Qaod_v-h8YyQFs0ruYpXWaHjgQejSvU6jaNs4_YS2inwll8crTzYYNS_CUnWk42RhRyKmNt9FAbCqxHhcu_MG/s400/DSC_0771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164865819749434466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Before we visited <a href="http://www.amarnaproject.com/">Tell al Amarna</a> we had already seen some of this Amarna style art at the tombs of the Nobles on the west bank of Luxor a few days before on December 29th. The <a href="http://www.osirisnet.net/tombes/nobles/ramose/e_ramose.htm">tomb of Ramose</a>, who was a governor under Amenhotep III and Akhenaton, showed some of the typical Amarna style sun god murals. Where the sun (god) is displayed with sunrays with little hands at the end of the ray. Ramose's tomb at Thebes was never finished as he decided to follow Akhenaton to Tell al Amarna.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Entrance to Tomb of Ramose</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br />The Luxor museum also boasts impressive Amarna art. There is an enormous wall made of sandstone blocks, named talatat or threes (probably because their height and length was abound 3 hand lengths), with scenes from the Amarna period. About 40,000 of these blocks where only found in the sixties as a filler inside the 9th Pylon of Karnak. It shows how everything was done in the periods after Akhenaton to erase his legacy. The partially reassembled wall shows Akhenaton and his wife Nefertiti and scenes of temple life in the typical Amarna style.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBN10tK65FlAtL_Bxw1MS5TKIkXasdKWCJM5cW6SdY4LjjXTm2m9n_fdexX0ZIJzqT5yQ6xczEv6E-OmSX38Cnbgek6bAupkgvI6khAAixemUhXvW2ZuSHDABQFQLIZL-hB01_/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBN10tK65FlAtL_Bxw1MS5TKIkXasdKWCJM5cW6SdY4LjjXTm2m9n_fdexX0ZIJzqT5yQ6xczEv6E-OmSX38Cnbgek6bAupkgvI6khAAixemUhXvW2ZuSHDABQFQLIZL-hB01_/s400/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167199812352263394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Part of a wall from the Temple of Akhenaten at Karnak<br />Removed from the interior of the Ninth Pylon where the blocks or 'talatat' had been used as rubble core<br />(Luxor Museum)</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmSGN1QOcQzqmwaV-hzbfVBZNPtpt4cJ6QWUpqEigZ18JX4kRhVPGuoGLBT6e-fH9LOaHMSxR9AZXKCtyoBcZ8ITb7KM3JMO_T5tf7h7NmLHBZTqe-1I8hZoAouMm9FCIL5bT/s1600-h/AmarnaGoogleEarth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmSGN1QOcQzqmwaV-hzbfVBZNPtpt4cJ6QWUpqEigZ18JX4kRhVPGuoGLBT6e-fH9LOaHMSxR9AZXKCtyoBcZ8ITb7KM3JMO_T5tf7h7NmLHBZTqe-1I8hZoAouMm9FCIL5bT/s400/AmarnaGoogleEarth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164865609296036946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tell al Amarna site on Google Earth</span></span><br /></div><br />Tell al Amarna is the area where Akhenaton started the new city of Akhetaten (Horizon of the Aten), which served as Egypt's capital for 14 years. It is situated in a wadi plain on the east bank of the Nile. The once glorious city of palaces, temples and residences was completely surrounded by a high cliff in the east and the Nile in the west. The buildings are now largely destroyed, but the necropolis of 25 tombs hewn in the Cliffside is still there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhskmmMlhpmUFDYeoiqW-O4MGHKkw8VrFp5dVFTn4q5zgJm6orbRrV_l-E5JTI2FJcjjyVVzKKvHS1wmvUlUarXLdM35RXZKdWvqw4t2K6ZOnkj4r6si7vRc-kJqVkoZUI6gsN/s1600-h/DSC_1230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhskmmMlhpmUFDYeoiqW-O4MGHKkw8VrFp5dVFTn4q5zgJm6orbRrV_l-E5JTI2FJcjjyVVzKKvHS1wmvUlUarXLdM35RXZKdWvqw4t2K6ZOnkj4r6si7vRc-kJqVkoZUI6gsN/s400/DSC_1230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164868418204648594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The wadi plain where the now largely destroyed city of Akhetaten was situated<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We reached Tell Al Amarna, following our police escort, via small agricultural roads and a ferry crossing. A small ferry sailed us and our car Ramses, together with donkey carts and other cars, across the Nile.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6I1a7i5rQUZz9rQdXZThrIzwvxRvI7_1rOWQgiyxY3dF3lkru2_ZtRjWlhG0IsdscXplXTCSlBCLI3OMbu5Wj-gKV6eUTLTfPmS5aXm-ZIuULwQrJzq9oeLxq7W1vcf8et3U/s1600-h/IMG_1071.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6I1a7i5rQUZz9rQdXZThrIzwvxRvI7_1rOWQgiyxY3dF3lkru2_ZtRjWlhG0IsdscXplXTCSlBCLI3OMbu5Wj-gKV6eUTLTfPmS5aXm-ZIuULwQrJzq9oeLxq7W1vcf8et3U/s400/IMG_1071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164868611478176930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Nile ferry crossing</span></span><br /></div><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div>Not all tombs are open to the public. We visited 8 tombs, and we where not allowed to take pictures inside. We started with the <a href="http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/royal_tombs/index.shtml">royal tomb</a> of Akhenaton himself 13 km into the Wadi Darb al Malek (Arabic for valley of the king’s road) that cuts into the cliff. This was the most remote tomb.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh954WtIy87_DyZncYuUZ9fxFCqA-45bAqwe3WF2eZnm9U1iSYFIygI7AJbK0Lrb3JUiiu_LTJCYDw9GLTylg5r-hXriJ9Y249r6qXdMMDp-Yc9LAe1WSkMxObE_KuVzaSGIeCS/s1600-h/IMG_1074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh954WtIy87_DyZncYuUZ9fxFCqA-45bAqwe3WF2eZnm9U1iSYFIygI7AJbK0Lrb3JUiiu_LTJCYDw9GLTylg5r-hXriJ9Y249r6qXdMMDp-Yc9LAe1WSkMxObE_KuVzaSGIeCS/s400/IMG_1074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164868757507065010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The road to the Royal tomb, in the most remote part of the wadi<br /><br /></span></span></div>Many of the murals show the sun (Aten) with sunrays with little hands on the end that hold the Ankh, sign of life, or the sign of power.<br /><br />We went to see the 6 <a href="http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/north_tombs/index.shtml">northern tombs</a>; the tombs of Huya, Meryre II, Ahmose, Meryre I, Panahesy and Mahu. Near the northern tombs we also saw one of the 14 large stone <a href="http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/boundary_stelae/index.shtml">stelae </a>that marked the boundary of the royal city.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPoPT9NuqbEXhm7BKcBmHSx1Cm98AUbTpekYz9ULIwIohy0VQpVUkfBBjTqeeRRmm4WmJwP0KOiZduCLOIGVLFDxXL-9oZ_AZH2UHf88NMHOM4KfK-fs4WgBt0_baKbsLo8Kx/s1600-h/DSC_1229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPoPT9NuqbEXhm7BKcBmHSx1Cm98AUbTpekYz9ULIwIohy0VQpVUkfBBjTqeeRRmm4WmJwP0KOiZduCLOIGVLFDxXL-9oZ_AZH2UHf88NMHOM4KfK-fs4WgBt0_baKbsLo8Kx/s400/DSC_1229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164868263585825922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">One of the 14 stelae that mark the boundary of the royal city<br /><br /></span></span></div>In the <a href="http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/south_tombs/index.shtml">southern necropolis</a> we saw the tomb of Ay. Ay’s title was fan-bearer on the king’s right hand and he was never buried here. He became a pharaoh after Tutankhamen and was buried in the west valley beside the Valley of the Kings at Thebes.Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-49304462695390166462007-12-27T15:08:00.000+02:002008-01-25T16:00:39.450+02:00Mons ClaudianusOn our way from Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gouna</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Luxor</span> we had to join the compulsory convoy with police escort at 9 am at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Safaga</span> checkpoint. We tried in our best Arabic to convince the police that we could drive to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Luxor</span> alone, but they did not give in. Them we asked them if we could see Mons Claudianus, a famous mountain with a Roman quarry and fortress complex, about 15 km off road in the Eastern desert. The police was very accommodating and we got the permission, we only had to take a police agent in the car for when we would leave the convoy. We are normally not very keen on having police in your car, but we really liked to see Mons Claudianus and we found it difficult to refuse.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCBZaZmvV7nO6xGHLyXmLJpkLgAVDcm4wWZ8NgEVeeZbRi3_7SCP44w1siVj6MJklJWp8tbKb-MDmG829vXYc_HzUQGCMoasTxI9AvaxsKQZDskIZhqoUcYozXCTlnXkXjqzX/s1600-h/Google+Mons+Claudianus+groot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCBZaZmvV7nO6xGHLyXmLJpkLgAVDcm4wWZ8NgEVeeZbRi3_7SCP44w1siVj6MJklJWp8tbKb-MDmG829vXYc_HzUQGCMoasTxI9AvaxsKQZDskIZhqoUcYozXCTlnXkXjqzX/s400/Google+Mons+Claudianus+groot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159400697049416674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >The mountains around Mons Claudianus on Google Earth. The red line in the bottom right is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Safaga</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Qena</span> road. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">line from</span> the bottom right to the upper left is our off road track to Mons Claudianus.</span><br /></div><br />We drove off with the convoy and we left the road after about 40 km. At a small roadside <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">cafe</span> we picked up a local guide to show us the way. It was not that easy to find, so we were glad we had our guide.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTA_JJ3LQ6PrgECjXTiSg4m7lzTtuNxoXcFiDv6w7_ft_y_WsdfuGqaiAM25mYgUc2guUW1m18Eq0gqDsGx9RKnnohiDqU9wYxpbI9siL5bDDR7GYia-paIzAjGkcxB6Rnl26/s1600-h/2007.12.29.084DSC_0613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTA_JJ3LQ6PrgECjXTiSg4m7lzTtuNxoXcFiDv6w7_ft_y_WsdfuGqaiAM25mYgUc2guUW1m18Eq0gqDsGx9RKnnohiDqU9wYxpbI9siL5bDDR7GYia-paIzAjGkcxB6Rnl26/s400/2007.12.29.084DSC_0613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159402878892803090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">An overview of the fortress</span></span><br /></div><br />At the side, there was a fortress and the desert floor was full off broken pottery and pieces of quarried granite. You still could see many pieces with the original holes for the wooden wedges. Romans and Egyptian used a technique where they would hammer wooden wedges in a row of small holes they cut in the rock. By poring water on the wedges the wood would expand and break the rock. We had seen similar holes at the quarry of the broken Obelisk in Aswan.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bnlEnVP2pH69NzvuRbr8vQeJwc7sXdYyMCkwl71bndWUzMatZj_Mt-goIHeaxEmPpw-XXukwMVvnxSkVpPRSSpX4sa5BhRyWTXp_m0YnUlDRxbde1NYhTqEyiYLAAFyCdinI/s1600-h/2007.12.29.086DSC_0629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bnlEnVP2pH69NzvuRbr8vQeJwc7sXdYyMCkwl71bndWUzMatZj_Mt-goIHeaxEmPpw-XXukwMVvnxSkVpPRSSpX4sa5BhRyWTXp_m0YnUlDRxbde1NYhTqEyiYLAAFyCdinI/s400/2007.12.29.086DSC_0629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159404575404885042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A pillar base with the markings of the wooden wedge technique</span></span><br /></div><br />The landscape here is beautiful, but very remote and desolate. Roman prisoners were used to hack the granite out of the mountains and it was a hardship post for the Roman soldiers who guarded them. The enormous granite blocks and pillars quarried here were transported over 180 km of desert and mountains to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Qena,</span> where they were put on boats and shipped to Rome and other places. The walls of the fortress and houses of the complex were made up of irregular pieces of granite that where probably not good enough to be shipped to Rome.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzt57xq-VQc0ha4pQ0B4lZ527FylZqPSEYgDhLWVXnmvLNXh90qaO71B9BtjI6fCG8splI-x5C5nCMxaF745U6ytXAbBQb6uDLF-3IPrPzI7CssIpZoh-bQGui_4RM654Zqvg/s1600-h/2007.12.29.085DSC_0606.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzt57xq-VQc0ha4pQ0B4lZ527FylZqPSEYgDhLWVXnmvLNXh90qaO71B9BtjI6fCG8splI-x5C5nCMxaF745U6ytXAbBQb6uDLF-3IPrPzI7CssIpZoh-bQGui_4RM654Zqvg/s400/2007.12.29.085DSC_0606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159403965519528994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Corine at the door of one of the Roman houses made of quarried leftovers</span></span><br /></div><br />A short car drive further we saw an enormous broken pillar, probably left where it was broken 2000 years ago.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoAyKp_CjSXLSQCEwOf3JjdqLOzZHlZw4vvCm0Y1yu795x7estirYN02iSs6IqiTGYKR7SzYgArcQtA5OzwDwK_DOM3oWG36Xz6cOttB9CgY3N0ytU6PzKNtRTP_kBQaBhw67/s1600-h/2007.12.29.082DSC_0630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoAyKp_CjSXLSQCEwOf3JjdqLOzZHlZw4vvCm0Y1yu795x7estirYN02iSs6IqiTGYKR7SzYgArcQtA5OzwDwK_DOM3oWG36Xz6cOttB9CgY3N0ytU6PzKNtRTP_kBQaBhw67/s400/2007.12.29.082DSC_0630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159400873143075826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Jurriaan</span> tries to lift the 2000 year old broken pillar<br /><br /></span></span></div>Our guide showed us some old water wells where Bedouins were filling up their water tanks, after which he led us back to the main <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Safaga</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Qena</span> road. We dropped him at the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">cafe</span> and continued our journey to the Nile. We had a tea and lunch break with our police officer at a small roadside <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">cafe</span> just before the checkpoint about half way between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Safaga</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Qena</span>. When we continued our journey our police officer asked us to drop him off at the checkpoint and we could continue our drive to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Luxor</span> alone. We were very happy, but we still do not understand why the convoy is compulsory for foreigners if this police agent let us off so easily. Anyway, we had our freedom back for the rest of the day!<br /><br />On the way we saw many mini <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">buses</span> with ornamental leaves on their roof rack, sometimes combined with white flags and big loudspeakers. We learned later that these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">buses</span> were returning pilgrims from the Haj. The pilgrims take the boat back from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Jeddah</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Safaga</span>, and then continue their journey with buses across the eastern desert. We had never seen this in Cairo around the time of the Haj. Apparently, it is tradition in Upper Egypt to recite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Quran</span> verses through the loudspeakers and to carry the leaves and white flags.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzn5wCISItAFzZgpAtyUvOrJmyENPeMcb8-bWdJ8N08uyV3OkeSJGqsxj27mI8mKGmwjNm5sU5JaeIbPuokuZT4-2chuXQS1hdxD8KisDMBgt_b5ZK11qsNpXLetBkqMLSlJ6/s1600-h/2007.12.29.083IMG_0905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzn5wCISItAFzZgpAtyUvOrJmyENPeMcb8-bWdJ8N08uyV3OkeSJGqsxj27mI8mKGmwjNm5sU5JaeIbPuokuZT4-2chuXQS1hdxD8KisDMBgt_b5ZK11qsNpXLetBkqMLSlJ6/s400/2007.12.29.083IMG_0905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159401375654249474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Pilgrims returning from the Hajj</span><br /></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22291293.post-9479949161803289362007-12-21T11:48:00.000+02:002008-01-25T15:53:43.048+02:00Qalaat al Gindi<span style="font-size:100%;">Towards the end of the year it turned out that </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jurriaan's</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> work offshore had progressed better than expected and that we could take a few weeks holiday around </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Eid</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">al</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Adha</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">, Christmas and New Year. We decided to start with five days surfing at <a href="http://reijsverhalen.blogspot.com/2007_10_17_archive.html">Moon Beach</a>, followed by Christmas at Al </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gouna</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">, New Year in </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Luxor</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">, and driving back to Cairo along the Nile. More on the rest of this trip later.<br /><br />We borrowed wet suits from friends, as it can get a bit nippy in the Gulf of Suez in December. One day the weather was bad for beach and surfing: no wind, no sun and the occasional drizzle, so we decided to explore the Sinai. We went to <a href="http://touregypt.net/qalaatgindi.htm"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Qalaat</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">al</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gindi</span></span></a>, the ruins of the 12</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> century Fortress of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Salah</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" style="font-size:100%;">ad-</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Din or Saladin, built in strategic location where three </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" style="font-size:100%;">caravan</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> routes converge. The fortress was </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" style="font-size:100%;">originally</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> built to protect </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" style="font-size:100%;">pilgrims</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> making their haj from Africa to Mecca and trade caravans from Africa to Asia. Saladin had planned to use the fortress as a base to launch attacks on the crusaders who had reached Jerusalem at the time. However, Saladin managed to chase the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" style="font-size:100%;">crusaders</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> out of Jerusalem before the fortress was finished.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTcn2RDQugDbcSKtJE2XImBb773peiFnMBqU2XA8m2xZ4aWMOe9MUX8n6uFi8s9jaxhB46J5QFhNBSWUAswBz7VogjKHr9inMVCZrer3FgylB82Rn-DvM24vApejgRogNA8EI/s1600-h/QalaatopGoogle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTcn2RDQugDbcSKtJE2XImBb773peiFnMBqU2XA8m2xZ4aWMOe9MUX8n6uFi8s9jaxhB46J5QFhNBSWUAswBz7VogjKHr9inMVCZrer3FgylB82Rn-DvM24vApejgRogNA8EI/s400/QalaatopGoogle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159349681427874706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Qalaat</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">al</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Gindi</span></span> on Google Earth<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We knew about it through a <a href="http://home.hetnet.nl/%7Elilian_jan_schreurs/news/Qalaat.htm">website</a> of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">colleague</span>, who had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">left</span> Egypt before we arrived. This is actually the second attempt to go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Qalaat</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">al</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Gindi</span></span>. In February 2007 we went also, but is was rainy and the paths were too slippery to go up safely. This time it was dry (only just), and we climbed up the steep route (bottom middle on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Google</span> Earth picture).<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00hDdaG5z3nK3_DXvUgV91PFPU-l5zk82ka-UXVVnIAjK9PmDwxYPHmQX8DECP7DxG7paEiPEfaWD1JeV6kwIjqzt7nJUApkzmhQjga5BWDRN_wWzKkrwNCoTDYiiFtktMnJ3/s1600-h/2007.12.29.081Merged_DSC566-568.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00hDdaG5z3nK3_DXvUgV91PFPU-l5zk82ka-UXVVnIAjK9PmDwxYPHmQX8DECP7DxG7paEiPEfaWD1JeV6kwIjqzt7nJUApkzmhQjga5BWDRN_wWzKkrwNCoTDYiiFtktMnJ3/s400/2007.12.29.081Merged_DSC566-568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159350364327674786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >panorama shot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Qalaat</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">al</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Gindi</span></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When we reached the top of the plateau there were more ruins to see than we expected. We saw some old Arabic texts cut in rock.<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFXKpkMb6wZa27w03AOHUzJZbrrOltAMcTyv6qVBShopaIdWA6dF7spn6ciz2J4WPQPuxUxK_I2cBpU246SuiUNMv5Oy16tPqvWplZUOF_cE3uxMTOt4TS4GLmvSDZBdUQYk5/s1600-h/2007.12.29.081DSC_0514.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFXKpkMb6wZa27w03AOHUzJZbrrOltAMcTyv6qVBShopaIdWA6dF7spn6ciz2J4WPQPuxUxK_I2cBpU246SuiUNMv5Oy16tPqvWplZUOF_cE3uxMTOt4TS4GLmvSDZBdUQYk5/s400/2007.12.29.081DSC_0514.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159350909788521394" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >old Arabic text above a window arch<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;">Even though it was not such a clear day we had </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" style="font-size:100%;">beautiful</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> views all around from this strategic location. Most of the walls and some large vaulted rooms are still standing.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF9Sl7Y9gn8s-5bD2nJSvDCiddnkJ17FaOgL-082ivKzrWGKk81JGU2zGzFm4iproxLHLBj_RWDAd4hysDqS5UZt2bJ7EtLGIriX-FuDkRsbOii4Sz6HyZxU22hQiNW4sA0Ud/s1600-h/2007.12.29.082DSC_0533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF9Sl7Y9gn8s-5bD2nJSvDCiddnkJ17FaOgL-082ivKzrWGKk81JGU2zGzFm4iproxLHLBj_RWDAd4hysDqS5UZt2bJ7EtLGIriX-FuDkRsbOii4Sz6HyZxU22hQiNW4sA0Ud/s400/2007.12.29.082DSC_0533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159351511083942850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Corine enjoying the view on the impressive outer wall<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;">We walked around the outer walls to get a good feel for the scale of the complex.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLm5oTTRY2p7FRU780qHiEvheNTDNDrR808jqrFTgbAe9vHD50iVWci9toVO9iogIRMQ3CZueku24UHHmLb05IYqIEh4zQu9x0A6XdYrEe6P9aB2OidFqdBH_3d3x198gT4d-Y/s1600-h/2007.12.29.083DSC_0559.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLm5oTTRY2p7FRU780qHiEvheNTDNDrR808jqrFTgbAe9vHD50iVWci9toVO9iogIRMQ3CZueku24UHHmLb05IYqIEh4zQu9x0A6XdYrEe6P9aB2OidFqdBH_3d3x198gT4d-Y/s400/2007.12.29.083DSC_0559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159352370077402066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Jurriaan</span></span> walking around the the northwestern wall of the complex</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>The next day the weather was sunny and windy again and we enjoyed the last surfing of the year.<br /></span></div>Jurriaan, Corine & Lukahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16724454207255631423noreply@blogger.com0