tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78761314378270154452024-03-13T04:40:18.709-04:00The One SavageAn epic travel blog where I will post pics...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-47097707399060852602015-04-11T16:45:00.000-04:002015-04-12T04:46:58.773-04:00Fushimi Inari and UjiToday was a "free" day, but Keiko offered to guide us to two local sites to visit and paint, and most (all) of the group took her up on the offer.<br />
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We first visited a nearby shrine, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-taisha">Fushimi Inari Shrine</a>, which was just two train stops south. The shrine sits at the foot of Inari mountain and is famous for its thousands of red torii, which wind up the trail up the mountain. The shrine included many depictions of foxes (kitsune), which are known as messengers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the shrine from the Inari train station -- quite close!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitsune in front of the shrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another kitsune in front of the shrine building</td></tr>
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We had about 1.5 hours at the shrine, so I was able to follow the path of torii only partway up the mountain (the full hike would take 2 hours just to get up). Not sure how many gates I walked through, but it was really cool and the surrounding forest was beautiful. Along the way, and especially along the path back down the mountain, I saw many "mounds" for private worship, called tsuka.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the tsuka</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street food!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those are octopus balls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More dango</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish-shaped pastries to fill with sweet things</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sort of...pancake?</td></tr>
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After Inari, we headed further south to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uji,_Kyoto">Uji</a>, which is actually where Keiko's mom lives. Uji is known for its high quality green tea. As the train got closer to Uji (maybe about 2-3 stops away), we started to notice field of tea growing along the train tracks, with tea hedges living happily under protective tents. Remember that shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (who lived in the Golden Pavilion)? He encouraged the cultivation of green tea in Uji in the late 14th century, and its been known for its tea ever since. We had heard that the whole town smells like tea, and it definitely did as we walked off the train -- a nice smell. I certainly smelled it when we entered the tea shop "district", where tea was being ground and made and sold. The best part was when we got back on the train home and I realized the smell had permeated my hands and hair!<br />
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Uji was the setting for parts of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_Genji">Tale of Genji</a> (said to be the world's first novel). The story, written by the Lady Murasaki, which is pretty impressive for that time. Keiko explained that it is the tale of a handsome aristocrat who basically becomes a bit of a player, and so it is a romance, which is perhaps surprisingly graphic, considering it was required reading for her as a high-school aged student. <br />
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Some of the group visited the local shrines and shops first, but we joined Keiko for lunch under the cherry blossom trees along the Uji River and then settled in to try to do some sketches and painting of the local scenery. Afterwards, we made our way to the tea shops, a <a href="http://furoshiki.com/techniques">furoshiki</a> shop, and then back to the train.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lady Murasaki </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View along the Uji River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lunch spot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lunch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end result</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim sketching under the trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the path as we walk toward the tea part of town</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grinding up the green tea to make matcha</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street of tea shops!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matcha for sale</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And sencha</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05vSYJ2rJdc/VSnx728OQCI/AAAAAAAAPEc/Rq4JKDe7Dow/s1600/DSC03760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05vSYJ2rJdc/VSnx728OQCI/AAAAAAAAPEc/Rq4JKDe7Dow/s1600/DSC03760.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a perfect parking spot for Jettas</td></tr>
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Dinner in Kyoto was ramen -- sort of an adventure to order, as we had to figure out the system. You first select and pay for your meal in an automatic machine, then you get a meal ticket, then you stand in a long line and wait your turn. Eventually you are invited to come sit at the ramen-eating-bar and presented with a huge bowl of ramen and all the necessary accompaniments. We got regular pork ramen and some gyoza, but you can order special toppings, like hard boiled eggs, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZClaf_cqwP-saslCm6RvsZHEPXFRPImehPurRFatuPgkQWJ_jHnM4XCxeSRBXg9tBB62BsSb0xNSkXBC7BMTbE9V8IX-F8RYmm8cE3H_Z1fbm-0SpCa3MANy13TZyWlabjki7whSGBk/s1600/20150411_210432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZClaf_cqwP-saslCm6RvsZHEPXFRPImehPurRFatuPgkQWJ_jHnM4XCxeSRBXg9tBB62BsSb0xNSkXBC7BMTbE9V8IX-F8RYmm8cE3H_Z1fbm-0SpCa3MANy13TZyWlabjki7whSGBk/s1600/20150411_210432.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My giant bowl of ramen (actually size "medium")</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEUAxlamSXlSoehw3rlwmNmCFyYV2IT-IKVieap2egvhxq0aq7vG5IvDi9SnH3BmASQ7cVoaAUU8c5dHj3VmzDH2ReEmsSz7jmfWiuk6FjX6yexGdU4B3nNOTH6rziTzhsq1Y5yk2yhY/s1600/20150411_210456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEUAxlamSXlSoehw3rlwmNmCFyYV2IT-IKVieap2egvhxq0aq7vG5IvDi9SnH3BmASQ7cVoaAUU8c5dHj3VmzDH2ReEmsSz7jmfWiuk6FjX6yexGdU4B3nNOTH6rziTzhsq1Y5yk2yhY/s1600/20150411_210456.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim with her ramen and cold oolong tea. <br />
She won the ramen eating contest and was actually the only one to finish the whole bowl.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-17518347171369958712015-04-10T11:20:00.000-04:002015-04-10T11:20:22.872-04:00Value sketches and Miyako Odori<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4TWhTqH9XnM/VSfYDKtk8PI/AAAAAAAAOx4/xgyZRRk44Ng/s1600/DSC03587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4TWhTqH9XnM/VSfYDKtk8PI/AAAAAAAAOx4/xgyZRRk44Ng/s1600/DSC03587.JPG" height="140" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful garden at Gion Kobu</td></tr>
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Today was mostly a stay-in-and-paint day. Keiko did two demos and we then worked off of pics from yesterday (Ine/Miyama scenes). We started with making basic value sketches (noting dark and light values throughout the scene), and then onto making a color-version of the same. I didn't get to that point, though, because we had to leave a bit early to attend a show (!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpSzOPHMvKJlcR94qPQGLOmhPYr12xDqwLmYKMHlaIvHZjEp4hXTMHnOiSko0uU8M2DRw5kgA-Lz-ykn9-tga2G9KOfZdurWV6iu_Lc-XnXXFiCwpj8qQS14BV_LufKi0Ax6GIZePLXY/s1600/20150410_121849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpSzOPHMvKJlcR94qPQGLOmhPYr12xDqwLmYKMHlaIvHZjEp4hXTMHnOiSko0uU8M2DRw5kgA-Lz-ykn9-tga2G9KOfZdurWV6iu_Lc-XnXXFiCwpj8qQS14BV_LufKi0Ax6GIZePLXY/s1600/20150410_121849.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my value sketch, though...(don't mind the hotel carpet borders)</td></tr>
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We had tickets to the seasonal performance of the Geisha of Miyako Odori, which celebrates the beginning of spring. The whole thing started with a brief "tea ceremony", but it was more of a "get rushed through drinking a cup of tea in 2 minutes in a giant room with about 100 other people while you can sorta see a geisha doing something if you get a good angle in between other peoples' heads". The tea was tasty, though! And I got a ceramic plate to take home :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMnmOnWppUE/VSfXkhTA79I/AAAAAAAAOxI/ye7Vr0_yRB0/s1600/DSC03581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMnmOnWppUE/VSfXkhTA79I/AAAAAAAAOxI/ye7Vr0_yRB0/s1600/DSC03581.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim, my mom, and Kari in front of Gion Kobu (where the show is performed)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55rJuZsAp1w/VSfXqsoHP_I/AAAAAAAAOxQ/SylWqWrhF1I/s1600/DSC03582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55rJuZsAp1w/VSfXqsoHP_I/AAAAAAAAOxQ/SylWqWrhF1I/s1600/DSC03582.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the ticket office</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tea and rice-cake thing (maybe daifuku?)</td></tr>
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The show was really awesome in a lot of ways -- bright colors and very pretty costumes/kimonos, crazy but kind of amazing music (instruments and vocals), and beautiful dancing and performing by maiko and geisha. If you want a taste of the intense visual and auditory experience, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm--yxNLMFU">here</a>. If you are more interested in the details and history of this performance (which started in 1872), then click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpHcUOPutLQ">here</a>. Sadly, no pics allowed during the performance, but if you just want to see some pretty pics taken by someone else, click <a href="http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/miyako-odori">here</a> and <a href="http://www.unmissablejapan.com/events/miyako-odori">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ySmFv8Awqmnk2pKgIQ8KuVxYsLE_8ieCLgMm78V846DeH8eBQ-gePDvIECjRnCe9YeDU-23b4C9d7fRjv7C29-cegPNZRVy_LAI2BqMefkRUszUfFNlmkXfkT0c8Mj4u0Gs4wK7wko8/s1600/20150410_164255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ySmFv8Awqmnk2pKgIQ8KuVxYsLE_8ieCLgMm78V846DeH8eBQ-gePDvIECjRnCe9YeDU-23b4C9d7fRjv7C29-cegPNZRVy_LAI2BqMefkRUszUfFNlmkXfkT0c8Mj4u0Gs4wK7wko8/s1600/20150410_164255.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did take a pic of the pretty stage curtain before the show started.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVnru-PMD4piVBf6Q0JhXJ8KId-Z4GzRJ6jvsIqKyZGiSKJcI3GoO7IKRcDKicyXPRf0EZO3rOYbbJJU71CVh0DqolDlVId2QrQuOQWeGZAh119kdr6hk_kISAot6gZnUSJOQueihK4U/s1600/20150410_164321_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVnru-PMD4piVBf6Q0JhXJ8KId-Z4GzRJ6jvsIqKyZGiSKJcI3GoO7IKRcDKicyXPRf0EZO3rOYbbJJU71CVh0DqolDlVId2QrQuOQWeGZAh119kdr6hk_kISAot6gZnUSJOQueihK4U/s1600/20150410_164321_Richtone(HDR).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice, right?</td></tr>
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Anyway, the show was cool. We had tempura for dinner at the top of a huge eleven-story mall, Our meal came with sakura ice cream (tasted a bit like Cherries Garcia).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-47002367152151060262015-04-09T18:58:00.001-04:002015-04-09T19:59:54.876-04:00Miyama and Ine<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8E8F8Ta2Ng0/VScGx5kTXeI/AAAAAAAAOmc/rtDXxzN8tQo/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8E8F8Ta2Ng0/VScGx5kTXeI/AAAAAAAAOmc/rtDXxzN8tQo/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" height="172" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Miyama -- great shot by Kari!</td></tr>
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Today we spent a lot of time on the bus, traveling to the north of Kyoto and viewing lots of cherry blossoms along the way. Also, the weather improved dramatically -- chilly and rainy yesterday, bright and sunny and breezy today. <br />
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It was about 2 hours to our first stop, the rural village of <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3985.html">Miyama</a>. This village is special because it is one of the only places to see houses with a type of traditional thatched roofs, called kayabuki, the majority of which are still being used as homes. The village was pretty small, but very pretty. Lots of picturesque photo opportunities, so we all wondered around trying to find some material to use for a painting later in the workshop. Thanks to a tip from another traveler, I found my way in one house which apparently doubled as a "cafe"/gallery/studio for a lovely lady named Maki Mitsuko. She had lots of her own beautiful art on display, and some from her deceased teacher. I couldn't resist getting some. She and the little old lady in her shop spoke very little English (and I speak pretty much no Japanese), so it was a challenge, but it was fun to have her show me her art.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9-60D1xy_E/VSbnLAn-U6I/AAAAAAAAOg0/FM2-C2gaKjo/s1600/DSC03460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9-60D1xy_E/VSbnLAn-U6I/AAAAAAAAOg0/FM2-C2gaKjo/s1600/DSC03460.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Miyama</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the moss? Really cool thatching. Little things growing all through it... :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJOSCC20bS0/VSbnOX7ZiKI/AAAAAAAAOhM/f7fB0Xrsdko/s1600/DSC03477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJOSCC20bS0/VSbnOX7ZiKI/AAAAAAAAOhM/f7fB0Xrsdko/s1600/DSC03477.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Maki's cafe/studio!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhG2nCY2kU0/VSbnWBaaWDI/AAAAAAAAOic/g8bD1B_UZFw/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhG2nCY2kU0/VSbnWBaaWDI/AAAAAAAAOic/g8bD1B_UZFw/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry blossoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj1DdgtxYAQ/VSbnXLaFo2I/AAAAAAAAOik/Nwi34e6s15I/s1600/DSC03509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj1DdgtxYAQ/VSbnXLaFo2I/AAAAAAAAOik/Nwi34e6s15I/s1600/DSC03509.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More cherry blossoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XbZPvg2cN0/VSb1x35OYKI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/oiGdTlw-Mww/s1600/DSC03574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XbZPvg2cN0/VSb1x35OYKI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/oiGdTlw-Mww/s1600/DSC03574.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the painting i got that was made by Maki's teacher. <br />
Maki pointed out her house is the bright red roof toward the back right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBB73SaDmeI/VSb_Xd6zH2I/AAAAAAAAOl0/EZEbb7U5ZPo/s1600/DSC03577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBB73SaDmeI/VSb_Xd6zH2I/AAAAAAAAOl0/EZEbb7U5ZPo/s1600/DSC03577.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maki's work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K224CxWQNAc/VSb_R8KUWVI/AAAAAAAAOls/sOaRzYj-cN8/s1600/DSC03576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K224CxWQNAc/VSb_R8KUWVI/AAAAAAAAOls/sOaRzYj-cN8/s1600/DSC03576.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More from Maki</td></tr>
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We had about an hour in Miyama before we hopped back on the bus and moved on to our next stop, a coastal village called Ine. On the way, we enjoyed beautiful bento boxes full of interesting things, including dango and Kyoto style pickles and lots of semi-identifiable things. My mind flashes <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3TeRtMa9Dc">here</a>, but actually I enjoyed almost everything in the little box (even though I suspect some of it was fishcake), and ended up very full.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTh8oShWgCM/VSbnX6IQzXI/AAAAAAAAOis/axsi6q4-yJs/s1600/DSC03513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTh8oShWgCM/VSbnX6IQzXI/AAAAAAAAOis/axsi6q4-yJs/s1600/DSC03513.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bento box!</td></tr>
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As we got closer to Ine and the Japanese seaside, we passed one of Japan's three "most beautiful views" or <a href="http://www.japanesewanderer.com/nihon-sankei-or-the-most-beautiful-views-of-japan/">nihon sankei</a>, called ama-no-hashidate. This sandbar is said to be the fallen ladder of one of the deities who created Japan. One day, he fell asleep instead of returning up his ladder to the heavens, and the ladder fell, creating this sandbar. Our guide, Aki, explained that visitors are supposed to stand on the sandbar and look upside-down through their legs, and doing so they will be able to see a view of both heaven and earth, just like that deity did.<br />
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As we neared <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ine,_Kyoto">Ine</a>, our bus maneuvered through narrow, winding streets with houses and buildings pressed so close it seemed like we'd hit someone as they walked out their front door. Ine is located along the Sea of Japan, on the tip of the Tango Peninsula, and it is known for its distinctive <a href="http://japan-web-magazine.com/en/kyoto/ine-no-funaya">funaya</a> architecture (wooden boathouses in which the lower level is a sort of boat garage, and the upper level(s) is the residence or shop). It was a very pretty spot -- lots of interesting material for a painting! Keiko did an amazing demo, going from a basic sketch to a completed painting in less than an hour. We all took lots of pics and then headed back to the bus for the long trip back home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some info about Ine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3Ui0Wkf1Ng/VSbnbYpBoNI/AAAAAAAAOjM/vLopZLUdXYg/s1600/DSC03526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3Ui0Wkf1Ng/VSbnbYpBoNI/AAAAAAAAOjM/vLopZLUdXYg/s1600/DSC03526.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic Ine boathouses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EshfHv1U4qw/VSbncGjjdHI/AAAAAAAAOjU/rMYIs4XQ-SY/s1600/DSC03531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EshfHv1U4qw/VSbncGjjdHI/AAAAAAAAOjU/rMYIs4XQ-SY/s1600/DSC03531.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and on the other side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNi_n9ZHSpU/VSbndNqAlCI/AAAAAAAAOjc/lcVN3SdrxZ8/s1600/DSC03535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNi_n9ZHSpU/VSbndNqAlCI/AAAAAAAAOjc/lcVN3SdrxZ8/s1600/DSC03535.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keiko with the start of her painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOkKg5ggVj8/VSbneVx_VwI/AAAAAAAAOjk/WXny21lJ1OI/s1600/DSC03538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOkKg5ggVj8/VSbneVx_VwI/AAAAAAAAOjk/WXny21lJ1OI/s1600/DSC03538.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the water -- she is known for her skill at creating water and reflections</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XcqqMHYT8o/VSbnfKZhVjI/AAAAAAAAOjs/2_g-ntZ2Jr4/s1600/DSC03543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XcqqMHYT8o/VSbnfKZhVjI/AAAAAAAAOjs/2_g-ntZ2Jr4/s1600/DSC03543.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some final touches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kG0sNKHrQI/VSbnf6bAz8I/AAAAAAAAOj0/bIKD3JoBzdA/s1600/DSC03548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kG0sNKHrQI/VSbnf6bAz8I/AAAAAAAAOj0/bIKD3JoBzdA/s1600/DSC03548.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view the painting captures</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SEK1VTGM18/VSbngyN-D5I/AAAAAAAAOj8/Dodngu24jzQ/s1600/DSC03549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SEK1VTGM18/VSbngyN-D5I/AAAAAAAAOj8/Dodngu24jzQ/s1600/DSC03549.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed painting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbExo44W5sY/VSbnjyldYQI/AAAAAAAAOkc/rfoYhq8lsP0/s1600/DSC03567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbExo44W5sY/VSbnjyldYQI/AAAAAAAAOkc/rfoYhq8lsP0/s1600/DSC03567.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from the bus window....about to fall in the Sea of Japan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsdGhBqfftQ/VSbnka4W_KI/AAAAAAAAOkk/Oh26DSf5iZw/s1600/DSC03568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsdGhBqfftQ/VSbnka4W_KI/AAAAAAAAOkk/Oh26DSf5iZw/s1600/DSC03568.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More views from the bus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6bB6FTL55c4/VSbnlBolUeI/AAAAAAAAOks/2gIBXP_Hznk/s1600/DSC03570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6bB6FTL55c4/VSbnlBolUeI/AAAAAAAAOks/2gIBXP_Hznk/s1600/DSC03570.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-74511608957243593582015-04-08T18:13:00.000-04:002015-04-10T18:15:14.955-04:00Japan!We made it!<br>
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After a long journey via LAX and Seoul, we made it to Osaka, Japan and from there onto Kyoto. Customs was ridiculous, possibly because this is a busy time of year for tourism in Japan -- cherry blossom season. </div>
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Btw, my Amazon expedition retro-blogging (which I left hanging about a year ago) will stay on hold for a bit probably, as I try to capture this trip.<br>
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So, it's technically EARLY Thursday morning here (but its Wednesday afternoon in Boston). We arrived in Kyoto Tuesday evening, and spent yesterday visiting the beautiful <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html">Kinkaku-ji</a> (Golden Pavilion). This was originally the villa of the shogun <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashikaga_Yoshimitsu">Ashikaga Yoshimitsu</a> (a samurai and leader of the Japanese government at the time). Yoshimitsu was a successful and prosperous leader, appreciator of the the arts, and Buddhist. Upon his death, the pavilion was renovated into a Buddhist temple at his request. <br>
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The pavilion is covered (inside and out) in 20 kilos (~44 lbs) of gold leaf and it sits at the foot of a mountain, reflected in a pond called Mirror Pond. So, it's beautiful. We wandered around the pavilion and its surrounding temples and structures and gardens. It's freezing here, by the way. And I thought I could leave my Boston gloves and scarf at home :( <br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAsnRs-wMxY/VSWkKhRnaaI/AAAAAAAAOfc/QyTUGm47Fxs/s1600/DSC03442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAsnRs-wMxY/VSWkKhRnaaI/AAAAAAAAOfc/QyTUGm47Fxs/s1600/DSC03442.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinkaku-ji reflected in Mirror Pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlWlOxdQ9c0/VSWkJ_hAq8I/AAAAAAAAOfU/4dMSmW5REk4/s1600/DSC03436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlWlOxdQ9c0/VSWkJ_hAq8I/AAAAAAAAOfU/4dMSmW5REk4/s1600/DSC03436.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and me posing with the pavilion (as we do...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21b-z-UX9wE/VSWkLbxUA9I/AAAAAAAAOfk/IpjzF9ET5VE/s1600/DSC03448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21b-z-UX9wE/VSWkLbxUA9I/AAAAAAAAOfk/IpjzF9ET5VE/s1600/DSC03448.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view -- can you see the golden-ness?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nU9KcRiXJMg/VSWkMIMovMI/AAAAAAAAOfs/tKCN6qpCx9I/s1600/IMG_20150408_102518_hdr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nU9KcRiXJMg/VSWkMIMovMI/AAAAAAAAOfs/tKCN6qpCx9I/s1600/IMG_20150408_102518_hdr.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryumon-taki (Carp Rock) -- said to look like a carp swimming upstream, about to turn into a dragon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s67627vtGCg/VSWkNFxUCJI/AAAAAAAAOf0/o_SnJ653_rc/s1600/IMG_20150408_103107_hdr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s67627vtGCg/VSWkNFxUCJI/AAAAAAAAOf0/o_SnJ653_rc/s1600/IMG_20150408_103107_hdr.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lookin up at the Sekka-tei Tea House. Sekka-tei means "place of evening beauty". <br>Evidently a good place to have your late afternoon tea with a great view down onto Kinkaku-ji.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEAHvo6JTUs/VSWkN7WU9dI/AAAAAAAAOf8/uzGuXZ-JnSg/s1600/IMG_20150408_104320_hdr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEAHvo6JTUs/VSWkN7WU9dI/AAAAAAAAOf8/uzGuXZ-JnSg/s1600/IMG_20150408_104320_hdr.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down toward the pavilion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uI-0V0fliqc/VSWkOmPy5OI/AAAAAAAAOgE/NbonoX_n3R0/s1600/IMG_20150408_112721_hdr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uI-0V0fliqc/VSWkOmPy5OI/AAAAAAAAOgE/NbonoX_n3R0/s1600/IMG_20150408_112721_hdr.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighting incense and ringing the bells in front of one of the surrounding temples.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJGq80fFgd8/VSWkPZMgcKI/AAAAAAAAOgM/sHFQUzerZfM/s1600/IMG_20150408_112815_hdr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJGq80fFgd8/VSWkPZMgcKI/AAAAAAAAOgM/sHFQUzerZfM/s1600/IMG_20150408_112815_hdr.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These seemed to be little prayer tablets. <br>People wrote messages on them about what they were hoping for and hung them here in front of the temple.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbHGY4Z9kAA/VSWkQBKdj7I/AAAAAAAAOgQ/5Z5XbYJ5a_Q/s1600/IMG_20150408_112922_hdr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbHGY4Z9kAA/VSWkQBKdj7I/AAAAAAAAOgQ/5Z5XbYJ5a_Q/s1600/IMG_20150408_112922_hdr.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer candles. We thought about buying one for Jack to "find employment" ;)</td></tr>
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As we reached the end of the site, we encountered lots of kiosks and shops selling sweets, especially green tea flavored sweets and special seasonal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom">sakura</a> leaf flavored sweets (traditional during cherry blossom season). By the way, <a href="http://sakuraofamerica.com/brands/gelly-roll/pen-gel/products/403">this</a> is what my mind used to think when I heard "sakura". Now it is this:</div><div><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmqp2IOZGdY/VSWbHPD9s2I/AAAAAAAAOe8/cYLZPiJ9EV4/s1600/kamo%2Briver%2Bkyoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmqp2IOZGdY/VSWbHPD9s2I/AAAAAAAAOe8/cYLZPiJ9EV4/s1600/kamo%2Briver%2Bkyoto.JPG" height="226" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keiko's beautful shot on the Kamo river (which she took a few days earlier)</td></tr>
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We spent some time sampling lots of rice crackers and various flavors of rice flour dough (mochiko) sweets, sometimes filled with red bean paste (yatsuhashi) or formed into balls dipped in black sesame paste (dango). Then, back to the hotel for our first class with Keiko (since we weren't allowed to set up and paint on site at the temple.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idHSEyL_vHI/VSWPlz9mH-I/AAAAAAAAOeI/hBsJMxb2AvY/s1600/20150408_110455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idHSEyL_vHI/VSWPlz9mH-I/AAAAAAAAOeI/hBsJMxb2AvY/s1600/20150408_110455.jpg" height="180" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea ceremony sweets with gold leaf -- special for Kinkaku-ji! <br>They are, of course, filled with red bean paste.</td></tr>
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As this was our first class, Keiko focused on showing us her process using a sketch she'd made at Kinkaku-ji that morning. Very cool and fun to watch her. We all took a shot at our own painting for the day based on our pics/sketches, but the real technique lessons will start today (Thursday) after our visit to two local towns: Miyama (known for its traditional thatched roofs) and Ine (a fishing village famous for its funaya (boathouse) architecture. More to come...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-84776515310925123812014-05-19T21:00:00.000-04:002014-06-17T01:03:55.720-04:00Sao Luis, the Kanamari, and a hike<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0keRDlsPrbg/U4UwLkSTZsI/AAAAAAAAItM/YfSHUx8mkQE/s1600/IMG_4643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0keRDlsPrbg/U4UwLkSTZsI/AAAAAAAAItM/YfSHUx8mkQE/s1600/IMG_4643.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari's early morning photo looking out of our cabin window. You can't see most of them, but the whole thing was covered in bugs. We both thought this one looked like a bird in flight!</td></tr>
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We awoke again today on the Rio Javari with plans for an actual hike. Until now, we've only explored via canoe, since we're surrounded by flooded forest, terra firma is a rarity.</div>
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Thanks to Everisto and our local <a href="http://www.survivalinternational.org/about/funai">FUNAI</a> representative, we were able to connect to a local tribe called the Kanamari. After breakfast, we hopped in the canoes and headed toward the nearby Kanamari village, Sao Luis. After a steep march up the clay riverbank (washed out and narrow in some places) we reached a flat open space with houses and even a building that looks like a clinic. It was disgustingly hot and very sunny with bugs everywhere! We were all already primed and ready for piums, with long sleeves and full pants, but Junior warned us about chiggers (omg. pants tucked into my socks!) and we discovered swarms of gnat-like things. Kari and I broke out the face nets and were at least able to breath without inhaling bugs. Others rocked the bandit look with bandannas over their faces.</div>
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The village was quiet, but full of families going about their business. Several pets (?) hung around the houses, including a coatmundi and some spider monkeys.</div>
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Led by one of the villagers (an older man wearing orange soccer shorts, big black rain boots, and a sort of wooden headdress), we walked through the village and into the nearby forest. Still hot and buggy, and also very muddy. Not far into the hike, Junior told us worriedly that the guide had extended an invitation for us to join the tribe for an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayahuasca">ayahuasca</a> ceremony, as they wanted to express how happy they were to have us visit. I knew only a little about this, but enough to know that it is a purifying ritual which involves drinking the ayahuasca, which causes projectile vomiting, followed by a period of altered perception, hallucinations, and enlightenment.* Not something I was eager to do, and certainly not in the middle of nowhere. Junior didn't seem enthusiastic either.</div>
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We did a lot of climbing over fallen tree trunks and narrow streams and sticky mud puddles, being careful not to grab onto the wrong tree for balance, since many were covered in ants or densely-packed, vicious-looking spines. The crew was with us, and they very kindly created little walking bridges and hand holds out of cut down palms. With a troop of us all crunching through the woods, taking turns walking the balance beam over giant mud pools, we moved loudly and slowly, so there wasn't much opportunity to observe wildlife, unfortunately. Our local guide explained to Junior that many hours ahead there was an area of the forest known as a canama -- a place know to attract many animals due a saltwater spring. However, with our pace, it wasn't likely we'd make it there within a day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hQ-jPMsKhE/U4Uw1myYelI/AAAAAAAAI3o/eCThIQsZaPg/s1600/DSC02928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hQ-jPMsKhE/U4Uw1myYelI/AAAAAAAAI3o/eCThIQsZaPg/s1600/DSC02928.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Kari with Mauri and Dave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZqWdPrUBHg/U45o9QhDH5I/AAAAAAAAJIE/7uV3Xw3t0Jk/s1600/IMG_3594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZqWdPrUBHg/U45o9QhDH5I/AAAAAAAAJIE/7uV3Xw3t0Jk/s1600/IMG_3594.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in a classic jungle pose. <br />
(Note the delicate grasp on the stick -- who knows what kinda bugs might crawl up that stick?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xx-pIk2qARE/U45o3ZPb4bI/AAAAAAAAJHQ/qSRN2-2WJZk/s1600/IMG_3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xx-pIk2qARE/U45o3ZPb4bI/AAAAAAAAJHQ/qSRN2-2WJZk/s1600/IMG_3597.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari making a mysterious jungle gesture or hand signal. <br />
What does it mean?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ero6ZrUAxbc/U45o48M4i9I/AAAAAAAAJHc/xlpai0AMRQs/s1600/IMG_3589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ero6ZrUAxbc/U45o48M4i9I/AAAAAAAAJHc/xlpai0AMRQs/s1600/IMG_3589.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caryn took a moment to get some dramatic glamour shots of Peter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwNGLsAZilY/U45o5XvtTTI/AAAAAAAAJHo/s6Jzh2WNgYs/s1600/IMG_3590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwNGLsAZilY/U45o5XvtTTI/AAAAAAAAJHo/s6Jzh2WNgYs/s1600/IMG_3590.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's clearly had practice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8R3hpGdvTZ8/U45o62MjvzI/AAAAAAAAJH4/FYDxwMrqmQM/s1600/IMG_3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8R3hpGdvTZ8/U45o62MjvzI/AAAAAAAAJH4/FYDxwMrqmQM/s1600/IMG_3592.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave waits patiently in background/mud.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkPFbyFo6aU/U45o8GpEkrI/AAAAAAAAJIA/7gf_NbYgALg/s1600/IMG_3593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkPFbyFo6aU/U45o8GpEkrI/AAAAAAAAJIA/7gf_NbYgALg/s1600/IMG_3593.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one more...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqTAY4BMYNU/U45o9yhIBsI/AAAAAAAAJIM/7ACU5vplr6c/s1600/IMG_3613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqTAY4BMYNU/U45o9yhIBsI/AAAAAAAAJIM/7ACU5vplr6c/s1600/IMG_3613.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! Junior found a frog (later determined to be a moustached jungle frog)</td></tr>
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Junior and our guide thought there were some monkeys in the nearby treetops at some point, but none us were able to spot them before they moved away.<br />
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After awhile, about a third of the group decided they'd experienced enough and headed back, while another chunk decided to go a little further, crossing through a wide stream. The rest of us (which included myself and Kari), hung around a bit and then decided to slowly make our way back to the village, taking some time to look more closely at the forest. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzjY4qWo8kA/U4lvL3CTw0I/AAAAAAAAJBA/F7rMdSQn19s/s1600/DSCN2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzjY4qWo8kA/U4lvL3CTw0I/AAAAAAAAJBA/F7rMdSQn19s/s1600/DSCN2713.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spotted this rhinoceros beetle... (and Mary took this pic)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w9gUNEAFBoo/U4lvNGm2RBI/AAAAAAAAJBI/DlE-tkYdE9U/s1600/DSCN2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w9gUNEAFBoo/U4lvNGm2RBI/AAAAAAAAJBI/DlE-tkYdE9U/s1600/DSCN2715.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and his lady beetle, I think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bkQSKGXrG8/U45o-q9xRtI/AAAAAAAAJIU/NdIqF7eOtog/s1600/IMG_3664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bkQSKGXrG8/U45o-q9xRtI/AAAAAAAAJIU/NdIqF7eOtog/s1600/IMG_3664.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this beautiful little tree frog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUzHSavoaow/U45o_0cWwyI/AAAAAAAAJIk/1QXweJhkL2M/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUzHSavoaow/U45o_0cWwyI/AAAAAAAAJIk/1QXweJhkL2M/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fly joined the shot to provide some scale. That is a normally sized fly (or bee?). <br />
The frog is about the size of the top digit of my pinkie finger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukVxP0-7_bA/U45o_fOdiyI/AAAAAAAAJIc/GYoKHZ1YdtU/s1600/IMG_3662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukVxP0-7_bA/U45o_fOdiyI/AAAAAAAAJIc/GYoKHZ1YdtU/s1600/IMG_3662.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elias went to a lot of trouble to actually capture some shots of this little guy (though you should know that these particular pics are actually Caryn's excellent work!).</td></tr>
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The frog was not just cute, but also super fast and sneaky, and he nearly got away a few times, hopping under leaves and branches. However, Elias was persistent. At one point, the frog hopped onto Elias' wrist and then up his forearm, forcing Elias to unbutton his sleeve and shake him out. We made sure Elias wiped his arm and rinsed it with water (since the frog's coloring suggested he might have some toxic defense mechanism), but it still swelled up not too long after -- just from a few hops! Later it was determined to be an Amazon poison dart frog.<br />
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We eventually made it out of the woods, back into a sort of open area where the tribe grew pineapples and bananas and other food plants, and we sat around waiting for the rest of the group to catch up. While we waited, I discovered a mysterious and disturbing rash or reaction on my arms -- deemed to be heat rash, because I am obviously not built for the local climate! Fortunately, we were soon joined by the rest of our group and we slowly made our way back through the village to the canoes and headed back to the boat.<br />
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After a very refreshing shower, I joined the group in the dining room where Junior was talking to the leaders of the Kanamari tribe and several other local Javari tribes. We learned that none of these tribes had ever had outside visitors like our group. Other than some of the FUNAI/government representatives from the closest Brazilian towns, they are pretty much isolated. They told Junior that they were very happy for our visit, and they were very excited to hear from him about the possibility of selling some of their local crafts, like the Ticuna do. Junior gave them some examples of the things other tribes make and sell, and they agreed that they could do the same and were very eager to do this. . <br />
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We later learned from Junior that Kanamari and other tribes have moved away from their traditional lifestyles enough that they are now dependent on modern things like gasoline (for motorized canoes), health supplies, and even TVs (and satellite dishes?), which we definitely saw in the village. However, even tribes like the Ticuna do not have good ways of making the money to support these needs, and so are mainly supported through government funding. They may make some income from crafts or fishing, but this is mostly through FUNAI intermediaries. And the Kanamari don't even do this right now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RG65j8dbGXA/U45pAR30xrI/AAAAAAAAJIw/J92eFQpsFc4/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RG65j8dbGXA/U45pAR30xrI/AAAAAAAAJIw/J92eFQpsFc4/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior is behind Cindy on the left, and Everisto and Francisco are on the right. The rest are leaders from some of the tribes of the Javari area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJBKMZER8R4/U45pBK50XPI/AAAAAAAAJI4/72XbEkrGf-0/s1600/IMG_3728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJBKMZER8R4/U45pBK50XPI/AAAAAAAAJI4/72XbEkrGf-0/s1600/IMG_3728.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior seemed to be in his element, learning about the tribes and exchanging ideas. <br />
(These two photos thanks to Caryn.)</td></tr>
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The end result of the meeting was a plan for us to return to the village in a few days for an evening celebration, including a chance to buy some Kanamari crafts and join them for a ceremony (including the ayahuasca!) as a way to demonstrate their happiness with our visit. Junior seemed worried about the ceremony, but Cindy said he felt an obligation not to decline and risk offending the tribe. So...sounds like we will be back Thursday night. It was nice to hear how happy the Kanamari were to have us visit, and nice to think maybe this is the start of a positive relationship between them and Junior's family and company.<br />
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Meanwhile, interested to see who (if anyone?) from our group decides to partake in this ceremony...<br />
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Kari and I both opted out of the night exploration. I was happy just to be clean and not covered in sweat, bug spray, or sunscreen for awhile. Plus, I've quickly learned that "night exploration" can be translated as "spider central". Not interested!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FG3et6dOpBs/U4lvN6mrl4I/AAAAAAAAJBQ/khpTtDhW17E/s1600/DSCN2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FG3et6dOpBs/U4lvN6mrl4I/AAAAAAAAJBQ/khpTtDhW17E/s1600/DSCN2786.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did miss this little guy, though.</td></tr>
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*Later learned a few more things relevant to the ayahuasca topic: 1) A <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2613804/Pictured-British-tourist-19-dead-remote-Colombian-road-tribal-drug-ritual-went-wrong.html">young British man</a> recently died as a result of a bad reaction to this; 2) Evidently, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/fashion/ayahuasca-a-strong-cup-of-tea.html">New York's hottest new club is "Ayahuasca"</a> (?!) Sounds like it's actually a trend among people in the US and around the world...crazy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-63659033581920855792014-05-18T20:54:00.000-04:002014-06-17T00:53:10.988-04:00Rio Javari and Igarape Irari<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The boat was moving most of the morning and finally stopped around midday along the Javari, near the Igarape Irari. Turns out, this area is plagued with piums*, which are teeny tiny black flies who don't care about bug repellent, and who leave behind a tiny pinprick of blood. The only way to avoid them is clothing, so everyone is covering up and avoiding the top deck. </div>
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(*<a href="http://www.letters4words.com/piums.htm">You're welcome, scrabble players!</a>) </div>
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In the afternoon, we loaded into the canoes for an exploration of the Igarape Irari. Kari and I ended up on a boat with Junior, Everisto, Mauri, Dave, Caryn, and Peter. We saw a pretty <a href="http://leesbirdblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/collared-trogon-trogon-collaris-by-reinier-munguia.jpg">collared trogon</a> (brown, red, and white bird), a sleeping ghost bat (white with orange ears), some monk saki monkeys, and some squirrel monkeys. We also encountered an old man who was carving an oar and soaking his manioc in the river. </div>
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(Here I am going to have to borrow from Mary and from Caryn and Peter, who captured some great pics. As always, you can click on each pic and then zoom in for a closer look, if you like.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0DfVlV1RNQ/U4lKhHb6_6I/AAAAAAAAI7g/v3TXpAVn9_0/s1600/DSCN2563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0DfVlV1RNQ/U4lKhHb6_6I/AAAAAAAAI7g/v3TXpAVn9_0/s1600/DSCN2563.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary's beautiful shot of a white-throated toucan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDiGhfDaf6w/U4lKidv0YCI/AAAAAAAAI7o/03GsPkRcju8/s1600/DSCN2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDiGhfDaf6w/U4lKidv0YCI/AAAAAAAAI7o/03GsPkRcju8/s1600/DSCN2485.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and her pic of a crimson-crested woodpecker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wK2sJH7frrQ/U4lGkLeblXI/AAAAAAAAI7I/lvG5qVZbAXA/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wK2sJH7frrQ/U4lGkLeblXI/AAAAAAAAI7I/lvG5qVZbAXA/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter and Caryn's shot of some scarlet macaws (zoom in to see how pretty!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zi5osSBZ8AE/U4lGl1gPlsI/AAAAAAAAI7Q/d8-Q5jIMNTk/s1600/IMG_3509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zi5osSBZ8AE/U4lGl1gPlsI/AAAAAAAAI7Q/d8-Q5jIMNTk/s1600/IMG_3509.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Monk Saki monkey posing for them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKLJBVib1AQ/U4lGfH0LiNI/AAAAAAAAI6o/BgcA4s2J1Aw/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKLJBVib1AQ/U4lGfH0LiNI/AAAAAAAAI6o/BgcA4s2J1Aw/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter and Caryn!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRB6E2J24hc/U4lGgnMNYcI/AAAAAAAAI6w/929qV5q61GM/s1600/IMG_3525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRB6E2J24hc/U4lGgnMNYcI/AAAAAAAAI6w/929qV5q61GM/s1600/IMG_3525.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old man, also posing for them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TpuBJfvm_Ok/U4lGh5fSyII/AAAAAAAAI64/u1WNAkrapQo/s1600/IMG_3529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TpuBJfvm_Ok/U4lGh5fSyII/AAAAAAAAI64/u1WNAkrapQo/s1600/IMG_3529.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a fun Where's Waldo challenge for you:<br />
Can you find the squirrel monkey?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kz46K6PGD5o/U4lGjA6rLGI/AAAAAAAAI7A/T4QIRVXk1kE/s1600/IMG_3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kz46K6PGD5o/U4lGjA6rLGI/AAAAAAAAI7A/T4QIRVXk1kE/s1600/IMG_3530.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How about now?</td></tr>
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In the evening, we returned to the same area for a later afternoon/evening exploration, and we saw many birds, including a plum-throated continga, a paradise tanager, and a very pretty hummingbird with a long quill-like tail -- later determined to be a fiery topaz hummingbird. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1iP100S2ws/U4UwMQygEVI/AAAAAAAAItY/KiBXZca7z9E/s1600/IMG_4625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1iP100S2ws/U4UwMQygEVI/AAAAAAAAItY/KiBXZca7z9E/s1600/IMG_4625.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We finished off the night by staying up with Junior learning to play Brazilian dominoes. I didn't even know non-Brazilian dominoes and I am hopeless at remembering games, but it was fun! It is worth mentioning that Junior was wandering around the boat in a pair of leggings that we suspected he got from Bia -- a fairly good indicator of how much even the crew hates those horrible piums!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-9063012624493392602014-05-17T20:54:00.000-04:002014-06-17T00:49:39.301-04:00Bom Intento, Benjamin Constant, and Lago Jatimana<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-clQAb4a51hI/U4lukzIYllI/AAAAAAAAI78/dl3NnUFqfLY/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-clQAb4a51hI/U4lukzIYllI/AAAAAAAAI78/dl3NnUFqfLY/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A water hyacinth, which grows on the water, like waterlilies. I took this one back to the boat and pressed the flowers. (Caryn took this pic)</td></tr>
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We stayed up "late" last night playing cards with Nancy and Dave as the boat began to move back upriver in the direction of Tabatinga, and also in the direction of our main focus, the Rio Javari. Nancy and Dave taught us a great game that they call <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4510231_play-card-game-up-down.html">Up And Down The River</a> (appropriate, right?), which is easy to learn and a good combination of luck and strategy. Staying up late actually meant staying up 'til around 8:30 or 9, in this case. But, since we've been up early each morning, it makes sense that most people are heading to bed before 10pm, at least. I have to admit I don't really know what time we are getting up, since I don't wear a watch and I've turned off my cell phone (gasp!), but it's early enough that we usually fit in an early morning expedition and breakfast before 8 or 9 am. For me that's insane. But, on the bright side, our morning wake-up call is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP_h2QoE9SE">this</a>.</div>
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Anyway, Nancy, Dave, Kari, me, and Caryn were the only ones still up when Caryn's husband Peter finally met up with us as we neared Tabatinga (escorted by Junior's wife, Jeanne, and our friend Francisco!). </div>
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We started out the morning today with an exploration of the flooded forest near a community called Bom Intento. Peter enthusiastically took over as our canoe's navigator/paddler and was fairly successful. We saw several birds, including a Gray hawk, some egrets, kiskadees, and kingfishers. Also, a tiny, adorable tree frog who jumped on Kari (who screamed a little!) and then onto my hand :) So cute! Turns out he is a pygmy hatchet-faced tree frog.</div>
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After the exploration, the boat set off again upriver, heading for the town of Benjamin Constant, where Francisco hopes to find our local Rio Javari guide. I decided not to get off the boat for Benjamin Constant, but I had a great view from the top deck, and watched all sorts of activity from there. Also, enjoyed the loud music and fireworks (or some other explosions?) which went off every ten minutes or so. Some of the group found a local Ticuna museum, which they said was excellent. Francisco was unable to find our guide. Also, it seems one of the boat's generators needed a replacement part, but the mechanic in Benjamin Constant who went off to retrieve the piece never returned and couldn't be tracked down, so we went on without it. There are two other generators, right?</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-AJE6-hYYE/U4UwOY7oV7I/AAAAAAAAIt8/rEpSV7lTmNo/s1600/DSC02864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-AJE6-hYYE/U4UwOY7oV7I/AAAAAAAAIt8/rEpSV7lTmNo/s1600/DSC02864.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the flooded forest from our canoe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ypO47NeFSM/U4kxwBkQEMI/AAAAAAAAI6M/SIdviAdR6uU/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ypO47NeFSM/U4kxwBkQEMI/AAAAAAAAI6M/SIdviAdR6uU/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little tree frog!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz6c6YMtdvs/U4kxwxvEpNI/AAAAAAAAI6U/r40znyRrztE/s1600/IMG_3258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz6c6YMtdvs/U4kxwxvEpNI/AAAAAAAAI6U/r40znyRrztE/s1600/IMG_3258.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a (blurry) pic of him on my hand, for scale</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbddhADCaVQ/U4UwOjQaoKI/AAAAAAAAIuA/nndvvfjMDAc/s1600/DSC02873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbddhADCaVQ/U4UwOjQaoKI/AAAAAAAAIuA/nndvvfjMDAc/s1600/DSC02873.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mauri's reading for the day....that name seems familiar...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwqKRGIMgHg/U4UwPNuhC0I/AAAAAAAAIuM/MMFC4tGrTAI/s1600/DSC02874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwqKRGIMgHg/U4UwPNuhC0I/AAAAAAAAIuM/MMFC4tGrTAI/s1600/DSC02874.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Benjamin Constant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZcHqI6q_qY/U4UwPoqzQAI/AAAAAAAAIuU/95VhS-XKhO0/s1600/DSC02875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZcHqI6q_qY/U4UwPoqzQAI/AAAAAAAAIuU/95VhS-XKhO0/s1600/DSC02875.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and another</td></tr>
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In the afternoon, we stopped further upriver at the town of Atalaia Do Norte, which is the last town on our route as we head into the more remote Rio Javari. Francisco tracked down a different local guide, Everisto (a member of one of the local tribes), and we were on our way up the Rio Javari and officially in the area of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vale_do_Javari">Vale do Javari</a>. Of note, we were given a specific warning to avoid an upcoming left turn, which would lead us down a river into the territories of the so-called Korubo tribe, one of the tribes that has no contact with outsiders and has demonstrated some violence in the past. So...we didn't make the left turn and instead stayed on the Javari.<br />
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We stopped in the late afternoon for an exploration of a nearby <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxbow_lake">oxbow</a> lake -- formed by what was once a hairpin turn in the river. This lake, called Lago Jatimana (but lovingly referred to as Lago Not-Yo'-Mama), was very smooth and pretty. We saw several birds and also a beautiful sunset. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UCD-gKSbow/U4UwP4j_SvI/AAAAAAAAIuY/MONQQM6e8Nc/s1600/DSC02885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UCD-gKSbow/U4UwP4j_SvI/AAAAAAAAIuY/MONQQM6e8Nc/s1600/DSC02885.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a mirror!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the other canoes, serious about their bird-spotting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boat was all about the pics -- even Canta Galo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3hhQDTO-8Q/U4UwRmWBMyI/AAAAAAAAIu8/GV80BI56QuY/s1600/DSC02913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3hhQDTO-8Q/U4UwRmWBMyI/AAAAAAAAIu8/GV80BI56QuY/s1600/DSC02913.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elias and Canta Galo did their Titanic impression... and then Elias explained in halting (and giggling) English that he was Jack and Canta Galo was Rosie. They made a cute, but ultimately doomed, couple.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAiXaZSMqzA/U4UwSh_4laI/AAAAAAAAIvM/MbllSPs5va8/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAiXaZSMqzA/U4UwSh_4laI/AAAAAAAAIvM/MbllSPs5va8/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5zQdBAZ_QA/U4UwSENYSOI/AAAAAAAAIvE/0aHBrLAJXq0/s1600/DSC02916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5zQdBAZ_QA/U4UwSENYSOI/AAAAAAAAIvE/0aHBrLAJXq0/s1600/DSC02916.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have about a hundred variations of this photo, but figured one was enough for now. <br />
Email me if you want to see them all!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-38103576210190174662014-05-16T23:10:00.000-04:002014-06-17T00:46:09.820-04:00Rio Tacana and Tacana village<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHjOaUxuV5I/U4lu-R1EoRI/AAAAAAAAI-w/13FJ1jCHiyo/s1600/DSCN1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHjOaUxuV5I/U4lu-R1EoRI/AAAAAAAAI-w/13FJ1jCHiyo/s1600/DSCN1843.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple snail (pic by Mary)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlfLUhn1yo0/U4lu_covViI/AAAAAAAAI-4/_AeI895qcPM/s1600/DSCN1844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlfLUhn1yo0/U4lu_covViI/AAAAAAAAI-4/_AeI895qcPM/s1600/DSCN1844.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another of the same</td></tr>
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I felt back to normal today! </div>
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We started the day with an exploration of a flooded forest near the Ticuna community of Nova Cruzador. We were joined by a boy named Saul, son of the the chief of a local Ticuna village called Tacana. (Normally his mother, Olympia, the chief or his older brother would help guide us, but his brother was stranded in another village and his mother was pregnant and due any day, so we got Saul, who was very cute.</div>
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We canoed through a channel in the forest, and spotted lots of creatures, including three lizards (a golden tegu lizard, a Northern Caiman lizard, and an Amazon crocodile tegu), a fer-de-lance (aggressive, poisonous snake), many birds, and various bugs, including a walking stick, a monkey spider, and butterflies. We also saw some apple snails, sleeping sac-winged bats, and a mysterious monkey which Saul said the Ticuna call a titi monkey.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwo9YaIwSTs/U4lvFjpec7I/AAAAAAAAI_0/1VP3hImfdT4/s1600/IMG_3062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwo9YaIwSTs/U4lvFjpec7I/AAAAAAAAI_0/1VP3hImfdT4/s1600/IMG_3062.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue and yellow macaws (pic by Caryn)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MHMAJGTxi8/U4lvGHVochI/AAAAAAAAI_8/Px3MO48wtSM/s1600/IMG_3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MHMAJGTxi8/U4lvGHVochI/AAAAAAAAI_8/Px3MO48wtSM/s1600/IMG_3084.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mealy parrot? I think... (another Caryn pic)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvLwSuG6S8Y/U4UwZtryWNI/AAAAAAAAIw0/NHozK6k0cTA/s1600/IMG_4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvLwSuG6S8Y/U4UwZtryWNI/AAAAAAAAIw0/NHozK6k0cTA/s1600/IMG_4491.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trunk of a Giant Kapok tree -- keep in mind, this is in water that is 10+ meters high. There were two bats sleeping within the "folds" of this tree trunk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXAuLHSJkkk/U4lvH7OtqkI/AAAAAAAAJAM/2aIlv-pUyas/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXAuLHSJkkk/U4lvH7OtqkI/AAAAAAAAJAM/2aIlv-pUyas/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See them? (pic from Caryn)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCXogcwKa3Y/U4lvG2qcGJI/AAAAAAAAJAE/dQSPxv1ysjM/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCXogcwKa3Y/U4lvG2qcGJI/AAAAAAAAJAE/dQSPxv1ysjM/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a close up (also from Caryn)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jYGBSfxSFQ/U4lu74abyBI/AAAAAAAAI-Q/ufP7a8Iydso/s1600/DSCN1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jYGBSfxSFQ/U4lu74abyBI/AAAAAAAAI-Q/ufP7a8Iydso/s1600/DSCN1794.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary's great shot of the fer-de-lance. If you look closely, you can see his face towards the left, middle.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEe7ElugzIQ/U4UwapaThSI/AAAAAAAAIxA/97Do0IFY9D4/s1600/IMG_4504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEe7ElugzIQ/U4UwapaThSI/AAAAAAAAIxA/97Do0IFY9D4/s1600/IMG_4504.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior took one of the canoes to try and encourage the fer-de-lance into a more photogenic position (using a stick). He wasn't successful, but Elias was with him and got some good shots, and neither of them died.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXtl98Zb51U/U4Uwa0O-fGI/AAAAAAAAIxM/8H5tLgSQVrE/s1600/IMG_4507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXtl98Zb51U/U4Uwa0O-fGI/AAAAAAAAIxM/8H5tLgSQVrE/s1600/IMG_4507.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nKo1y8L_Zsw/U4UwbsLUb6I/AAAAAAAAIxQ/aUxy0RE5gOM/s1600/IMG_4511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nKo1y8L_Zsw/U4UwbsLUb6I/AAAAAAAAIxQ/aUxy0RE5gOM/s1600/IMG_4511.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our lizards :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkmFCiwBCS0/U4lu8SVXfII/AAAAAAAAI-Y/oecU298-xjg/s1600/DSCN1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkmFCiwBCS0/U4lu8SVXfII/AAAAAAAAI-Y/oecU298-xjg/s1600/DSCN1814.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary's close-up...I think this was the....Amazon crocodile tegu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUsHadJUKOU/U4lu99D2zXI/AAAAAAAAI-o/g64K9ckq02s/s1600/DSCN1817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUsHadJUKOU/U4lu99D2zXI/AAAAAAAAI-o/g64K9ckq02s/s1600/DSCN1817.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's her pic of the Golden tegu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQO3kSeQsWU/U4Uwb85kpZI/AAAAAAAAIxc/fcXX7yvxNE4/s1600/IMG_4524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQO3kSeQsWU/U4Uwb85kpZI/AAAAAAAAIxc/fcXX7yvxNE4/s1600/IMG_4524.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty bromeliad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL1FUwX4yvY/U4Uwce3Fl0I/AAAAAAAAIxg/dsSuWj2X0AI/s1600/IMG_4532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL1FUwX4yvY/U4Uwce3Fl0I/AAAAAAAAIxg/dsSuWj2X0AI/s1600/IMG_4532.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary showing off a walking stick friend (and her Ticuna jaguar face tattoo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCtVGgT2bYE/U4UwdLYQKNI/AAAAAAAAIxs/RwfB3RNmd8k/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCtVGgT2bYE/U4UwdLYQKNI/AAAAAAAAIxs/RwfB3RNmd8k/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie was intent on capturing some great photos</td></tr>
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We then returned to Saul's village, where we had another opportunity to buy some local crafts and meet the people. As usual, the kids were shy by very interested in pictures. I made lots of friends, as they were all excited to look at the pictures of themselves and point out all the people in the pictures they knew. I even took some videos, which really amused them.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--auv27TItAc/U4lvJ703zHI/AAAAAAAAJAk/kMpFlvKwzpc/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--auv27TItAc/U4lvJ703zHI/AAAAAAAAJAk/kMpFlvKwzpc/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elias borrowed someone's pet squirrel monkey and brought him on board for a visit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UROkZGDf5Ig/U4lvJEruWeI/AAAAAAAAJAg/N5KJbzWkCLU/s1600/IMG_3210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UROkZGDf5Ig/U4lvJEruWeI/AAAAAAAAJAg/N5KJbzWkCLU/s1600/IMG_3210.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great shot by Caryn of the squirrel monkey, who LOVED Nikki. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cCGE5hJggY/U4lvKYnh-RI/AAAAAAAAJAw/PKhXZIz2zsI/s1600/IMG_3211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cCGE5hJggY/U4lvKYnh-RI/AAAAAAAAJAw/PKhXZIz2zsI/s1600/IMG_3211.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's her shot of him on Elias' arm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sP7R_lBaHI/U4lvBrcnqUI/AAAAAAAAI_I/mUpZKLAa7mM/s1600/DSCN1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sP7R_lBaHI/U4lvBrcnqUI/AAAAAAAAI_I/mUpZKLAa7mM/s1600/DSCN1900.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And back to Nikki (this pic and the next two from Mary)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBu6sPPnhEc/U4lvC928tUI/AAAAAAAAI_Y/JeA7AeCw150/s1600/DSCN1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBu6sPPnhEc/U4lvC928tUI/AAAAAAAAI_Y/JeA7AeCw150/s1600/DSCN1898.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure he was scared, but he seemed to feel safe with her (and Elias)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UfFhkdFs0eA/U4lvElr_hiI/AAAAAAAAI_s/yUybNgSTw60/s1600/DSCN1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UfFhkdFs0eA/U4lvElr_hiI/AAAAAAAAI_s/yUybNgSTw60/s1600/DSCN1908.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-KN1B1viaI/U4lvIiJQgSI/AAAAAAAAJAU/1253M7Bnw20/s1600/IMG_3201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-KN1B1viaI/U4lvIiJQgSI/AAAAAAAAJAU/1253M7Bnw20/s1600/IMG_3201.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, Caryn noticed some of the local kids were watching us from a nearby tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qBBks28HTY/U4UwWPahgCI/AAAAAAAAIv4/PPalFlpsXLE/s1600/DSC02813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qBBks28HTY/U4UwWPahgCI/AAAAAAAAIv4/PPalFlpsXLE/s1600/DSC02813.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my new friends (looking day-glo bright in my sun protective, bug repellent gear). <br />
No wonder they were a little wary of us.</td></tr>
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<br />
Junior had a brillant idea to start up a game of soccer, and it soon became clear that the Tacana village residents (and the crew of the Iracema) are very good at soccer. Junior decided to make it serious and proposed that the victors would earn some fuel from the losers. Then the Ticuna brought out their secret weapons: women! They ended up winning and got their fuel and everyone was happy. After the game, all the Ticuna kids jumped in the river for a swim, and some of our group followed their lead. The kids also started jumping into the river from the trees along the shore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5RTHJJHwmXk/U4UwWgIT6OI/AAAAAAAAIwA/pVwngtP75T0/s1600/DSC02815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5RTHJJHwmXk/U4UwWgIT6OI/AAAAAAAAIwA/pVwngtP75T0/s1600/DSC02815.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior -- after an amazing play</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9ZTpagD54s/U4UwXS12EII/AAAAAAAAIwE/xBpdgKQDC8w/s1600/DSC02822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9ZTpagD54s/U4UwXS12EII/AAAAAAAAIwE/xBpdgKQDC8w/s1600/DSC02822.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sat with the kids and watched until I was forced to participate. Not a very useful player, unfortunately.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpRTMsSXqSI/U4UwYD0U6CI/AAAAAAAAIwY/JUklePdBWjw/s1600/DSC02816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpRTMsSXqSI/U4UwYD0U6CI/AAAAAAAAIwY/JUklePdBWjw/s1600/DSC02816.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samantha, Mary, Savannah, and Nikki</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuDMc5OzpiU/U4UwXo2ws4I/AAAAAAAAIwQ/HhJ3mweOoCg/s1600/DSC02829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuDMc5OzpiU/U4UwXo2ws4I/AAAAAAAAIwQ/HhJ3mweOoCg/s1600/DSC02829.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fbEPS7DVCZ0/U4UwYvQXCpI/AAAAAAAAIwg/2dttSeQSVF0/s1600/DSC02851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fbEPS7DVCZ0/U4UwYvQXCpI/AAAAAAAAIwg/2dttSeQSVF0/s1600/DSC02851.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caryn, Savannah, and Kari, relaxing on the top deck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1jWKpDx9xI/U4UwZPgeo6I/AAAAAAAAIwo/ynWQzzfkMkk/s1600/DSC02861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1jWKpDx9xI/U4UwZPgeo6I/AAAAAAAAIwo/ynWQzzfkMkk/s1600/DSC02861.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another great sunset!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-9117606621105841712014-05-15T22:41:00.000-04:002014-06-17T00:41:56.641-04:00Ribeiro LakeSick today :(<br />
<br />
Not sure if it was the heat or the sun (I did get sunburned, somehow, despite long sleeves and sunscreen), or the motion sickness from last night, or something else (food? anti-malarial meds?), but I felt super nauseous and pass-y out-y today. Stayed on the boat and drank electrolyte water and watched a bunch of boto (pink river dolphins) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucuxi">tucuxi</a> (gray freshwater dolphins) swimming around the boat. No pictures and no explorations for me!<br />
<br />
Thanks to Mary, you can see some of the things I missed:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2y-_iKCB-o/U4lu3f71_7I/AAAAAAAAI9k/G58Jc3vap6w/s1600/DSCN1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2y-_iKCB-o/U4lu3f71_7I/AAAAAAAAI9k/G58Jc3vap6w/s1600/DSCN1474.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable baby three-toed sloth with its mom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDbnnsVBy_Y/U4lu4TRT4iI/AAAAAAAAI9s/kotaUidU-bI/s1600/DSCN1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDbnnsVBy_Y/U4lu4TRT4iI/AAAAAAAAI9s/kotaUidU-bI/s1600/DSCN1525.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the creature?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GAoPfglpkU/U4lu5GldgaI/AAAAAAAAI90/wf5T7GVmuQU/s1600/DSCN1524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GAoPfglpkU/U4lu5GldgaI/AAAAAAAAI90/wf5T7GVmuQU/s1600/DSCN1524.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViYZsn_ATwk/U4lu5lsksDI/AAAAAAAAI98/GWUEdNgsKW4/s1600/DSCN1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViYZsn_ATwk/U4lu5lsksDI/AAAAAAAAI98/GWUEdNgsKW4/s1600/DSCN1626.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just chillin'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YM2ja00ozQ/U4lu6acxJcI/AAAAAAAAI-I/GXGBRfEyPs8/s1600/DSCN1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YM2ja00ozQ/U4lu6acxJcI/AAAAAAAAI-I/GXGBRfEyPs8/s1600/DSCN1677.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every evening, Cindy and Junior led us through a checklist of birds and other creatures to document what we'd seen for the day. Clockwise from the bottom left: Mike, Junior, Barbara, Cindy, Caryn, Kari, me, and Charlie. (Mary is behind the camera, of course.)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-74722095830574325482014-05-14T22:34:00.000-04:002014-06-17T00:40:50.440-04:00Visiting the Ticuna -- Vendaval and Ribeiro villages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We started the day with a morning visit to the Ticuna village of Vendaval. Junior and his father have been working with the Ticuna for many years, and the plan is to bring them school supplies and other items, and also buy some of their handcrafts. Beforehand, the chief came on board to give us some info about the Ticuna, including a brief lesson in their language.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWLn5SWWlgY/U4Uwej3dNsI/AAAAAAAAIx8/wrA7iHcappA/s1600/DSC02720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWLn5SWWlgY/U4Uwej3dNsI/AAAAAAAAIx8/wrA7iHcappA/s1600/DSC02720.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into Vendaval</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RV-HQjm5OvE/U4UwfG1VyqI/AAAAAAAAIyE/Tk2orsBAeBM/s1600/DSC02725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RV-HQjm5OvE/U4UwfG1VyqI/AAAAAAAAIyE/Tk2orsBAeBM/s1600/DSC02725.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting off of the canoes</td></tr>
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Junior introduced us to a local fruit which is used by the Ticuna to dye their skin -- it contains iron and turns black after exposure to sunlight. Almost everyone lined up to get marked with some of the traditional "tattoos" (which we are told will wear off in a few days). I got some markings to represent the leopard on my hand, but they never really darkened. I guess I am just not meant to be anything but pale.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bp03-yM05f4/U4UwfvihXtI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/qrsbhcxLKzk/s1600/DSC02728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bp03-yM05f4/U4UwfvihXtI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/qrsbhcxLKzk/s1600/DSC02728.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior giving Caryn markings "to represent readiness for a a husband" (in preparation for meeting up with Peter in a few days).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4Yo8vQxTgg/U4UwgC7kH0I/AAAAAAAAIyY/oKsR5Pk3vSs/s1600/DSC02730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4Yo8vQxTgg/U4UwgC7kH0I/AAAAAAAAIyY/oKsR5Pk3vSs/s1600/DSC02730.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari got the markings representing a heron</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mj6TLzR-l0/U4Uwg790DxI/AAAAAAAAIyc/WRBRUqMNCOs/s1600/DSC02732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mj6TLzR-l0/U4Uwg790DxI/AAAAAAAAIyc/WRBRUqMNCOs/s1600/DSC02732.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids in the village were very shy, but curious and amused as they watch Junior and the chief draw tattoos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pmxImMG2rB0/U4UwhbkTRHI/AAAAAAAAIyo/AnAPlTIsNKE/s1600/DSC02743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pmxImMG2rB0/U4UwhbkTRHI/AAAAAAAAIyo/AnAPlTIsNKE/s1600/DSC02743.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The center of town was flooded, which seemed like lots of fun for the kids.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqv9nW2_aVg/U4Uwhp0PPFI/AAAAAAAAIyw/9ZmuPHe4evI/s1600/DSC02745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqv9nW2_aVg/U4Uwhp0PPFI/AAAAAAAAIyw/9ZmuPHe4evI/s1600/DSC02745.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PY2jtNF5e04/U4UwievipgI/AAAAAAAAIzA/aWyu09OV9XQ/s1600/DSC02749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PY2jtNF5e04/U4UwievipgI/AAAAAAAAIzA/aWyu09OV9XQ/s1600/DSC02749.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the local people was roasting manioc.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gneJ-hjBnPc/U4UwjdmcvXI/AAAAAAAAIzM/5ExPQd_5_1M/s1600/DSC02757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gneJ-hjBnPc/U4UwjdmcvXI/AAAAAAAAIzM/5ExPQd_5_1M/s1600/DSC02757.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior and Cindy brought school supplies, some medical supplies, and marbles for the kids -- a big hit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBJIc6oSzHs/U4Uwj37F2qI/AAAAAAAAIzU/d2w2GMuCHFc/s1600/DSC02765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBJIc6oSzHs/U4Uwj37F2qI/AAAAAAAAIzU/d2w2GMuCHFc/s1600/DSC02765.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a while, the kids got over their shyness and were eager to have their pictures taken (and then look at the images of themselves and their friends).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2NUqm2jKb4/U4Uwk8l79II/AAAAAAAAIzg/P_ZX_uZKwCg/s1600/DSC02767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2NUqm2jKb4/U4Uwk8l79II/AAAAAAAAIzg/P_ZX_uZKwCg/s1600/DSC02767.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was even able to learn some names! One little boy was curious about the whistle that was hanging off of my bag, so I gave it to him. Once I helped them figure out what to do with it, they made LOTS of noise, passing around the super-shrill whistle, so I felt a little bad for their parents. But they were having fun...</td></tr>
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We left town in the rain, but were joined by some of the leaders of the village, including the chief/president. Junior talked to them at length and translated as they told about the Ticuna culture and history. Meanwhile, several of the kids paddled canoes out and surrounded the boat, trying to catch our attention and giggling when they did.</div>
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In the afternoon, we headed toward a second Ticuna village, called Ribeiro, and brought more supplies and bought more handcrafts. This village was flooded throughout, and it was much smaller and less built up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqPh48ReoZ0/U4UwmgXCQ8I/AAAAAAAAIz0/Q1JUoPHLT6w/s1600/DSC02782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqPh48ReoZ0/U4UwmgXCQ8I/AAAAAAAAIz0/Q1JUoPHLT6w/s1600/DSC02782.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QU0fG3FWffY/U4UwlkvFsnI/AAAAAAAAIzk/5ek4BMw4wvM/s1600/DSC02777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QU0fG3FWffY/U4UwlkvFsnI/AAAAAAAAIzk/5ek4BMw4wvM/s1600/DSC02777.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children watching us leave from the window of their school house</td></tr>
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We finished the day with another night exploration. This time, we saw many huge spiders (various types of tarantulas), which I did NOT enjoy. We also saw a giant catydid, another Amazon tree boa, more three-toed sloths, an Amazon screech owl, a freshwater crab, a praying mantis, sac-winged bats, and another common potoo. With the combination of canoe motor exhaust, slightly rocking canoe, and trying to look at the moving images through my binoculars, I felt extremely nauseous by the time we returned to the boat and basically just collapsed and went to sleep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e52X4XHQhD4/U4lu2qPPIiI/AAAAAAAAI9c/FGfkyJi5YtU/s1600/DSCN1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e52X4XHQhD4/U4lu2qPPIiI/AAAAAAAAI9c/FGfkyJi5YtU/s1600/DSCN1434.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the Amazon screech owl. (Another nice shot by Mary.) He reminds me of the one in Milo and Otis. <br />
I think it's because of his scornful gaze.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-38094938994187428512014-05-13T22:05:00.000-04:002014-06-17T00:38:07.976-04:00Tabatinga and Santa Rosa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We started the morning with a sighting of our first (wild) bird, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Potoo">common potoo</a>.</div>
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Junior explained that we're hoping to get on our way downriver today, but the local officials in Tabatinga are giving us trouble and (evidently) trying to find reasons to prevent us from continuing -- all in the name of a process called "fiscalization". They've already boarded the boat multiple times, confiscated medical supplies, tried to argue that the boat isn't up to code, and required additional paperwork. As it stands now, Junior and the team are bending over backwards to meet their requirements, and we will all have to be extra vigilant about things like life jackets while we are in the port, as we don't want to give them any excuse to detain us.</div>
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While waiting for approval/permission, we spent the morning exploring Tabatinga and the nearby town of Santa Rosa, Peru (across the river). Tabatinga is similar to Leticia, but the markets seem nicer to me. Still lots of stray dogs and motorbike exhaust. Junior picked up a few necessary supplies and some food and we jumped back into the canoes. </div>
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We then headed toward Santa Rosa, which is smaller and quieter. There were scarlet macaws hanging around in an empty sort of shelter house, eating bananas and crackers and looking bedraggled. Lots of stray cats, who hung around as local families cleaned and prepared fish. Some of the group stopped to play pool, and the rest of us ended up in a nearby bar (hotel? restaurant?) along the water. The place was mostly empty, except for some cats and a large carved wooden statue of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_river_dolphin">boto</a> (pink dolphin) in the form of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encantado">mythical creature</a> which Mike told us about. (He's and expert on pink dolphins.) Evidently, Brazilian folklore has a mysterious character who originates as a boto, but dons a stingray for a hat, an anaconda belt, and fish shoes and transforms into a human-lookalike and seduces women.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens and guinea pigs in the Tabatinga market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locals enjoying watermelon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Santa Rosa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet macaws</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lx92vxy3usY/U4Uwp-QmSqI/AAAAAAAAI0s/8AV6u6KmRpI/s1600/DSC02620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lx92vxy3usY/U4Uwp-QmSqI/AAAAAAAAI0s/8AV6u6KmRpI/s1600/DSC02620.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This macaw was grabbing crackers, stepping up onto the edge of that bucket, dipping the crackers in the water, then stepping back down to eat the moistened crackers. No idea why, but it was funny to watch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtxOhYfDjls/U4UwqefDX7I/AAAAAAAAI0w/JLTMYF4peys/s1600/DSC02626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtxOhYfDjls/U4UwqefDX7I/AAAAAAAAI0w/JLTMYF4peys/s1600/DSC02626.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Peruvian Blazer-lookalike :)</td></tr>
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In the afternoon, we headed back to the boat (though we were stopped for the Brazilian authorities for a "safety check"), and then (finally!) left the port and headed down river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fD7EaQy63mM/U4UwrwNWv-I/AAAAAAAAI1E/lAtak_Ohx1Y/s1600/DSC02640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fD7EaQy63mM/U4UwrwNWv-I/AAAAAAAAI1E/lAtak_Ohx1Y/s1600/DSC02640.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie and Annette by the bananas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPQFvieLFzE/U4UwrL-j3rI/AAAAAAAAI08/pOm8SXvqOrg/s1600/DSC02634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPQFvieLFzE/U4UwrL-j3rI/AAAAAAAAI08/pOm8SXvqOrg/s1600/DSC02634.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful skies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vQoSVpQ49Q/U4UwsB5eoCI/AAAAAAAAI1I/fTZ79YVBPQw/s1600/DSC02641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vQoSVpQ49Q/U4UwsB5eoCI/AAAAAAAAI1I/fTZ79YVBPQw/s1600/DSC02641.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari is diligently journaling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UmjGf9dL1ks/U4Uwsh_FzeI/AAAAAAAAI1U/qSMZ8EQskxU/s1600/DSC02646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UmjGf9dL1ks/U4Uwsh_FzeI/AAAAAAAAI1U/qSMZ8EQskxU/s1600/DSC02646.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8K9gY4jVJUQ/U4UwtJN_YSI/AAAAAAAAI1Y/l-7Nt6yEHI4/s1600/DSC02647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8K9gY4jVJUQ/U4UwtJN_YSI/AAAAAAAAI1Y/l-7Nt6yEHI4/s1600/DSC02647.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bia brought us fried salted banana chips! (Delicious and not at all like those dried banana chips)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh4yjhH9xlI/U4UwtRD-PCI/AAAAAAAAI1g/jDzhI1fd0ug/s1600/DSC02651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh4yjhH9xlI/U4UwtRD-PCI/AAAAAAAAI1g/jDzhI1fd0ug/s1600/DSC02651.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the chips and the sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnGFwAQKCHs/U4UwuBYcQBI/AAAAAAAAI1s/5eKP8qkoPvY/s1600/DSC02653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnGFwAQKCHs/U4UwuBYcQBI/AAAAAAAAI1s/5eKP8qkoPvY/s1600/DSC02653.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birders are already up to their birding ways</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TiixqANbEmE/U4UwujqDgII/AAAAAAAAI1w/Y7e78etuMRQ/s1600/DSC02700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TiixqANbEmE/U4UwujqDgII/AAAAAAAAI1w/Y7e78etuMRQ/s1600/DSC02700.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful cloudy sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UWB9PxXFsU/U4Uwu__3FpI/AAAAAAAAI18/uyjDnqVI-R4/s1600/DSC02708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UWB9PxXFsU/U4Uwu__3FpI/AAAAAAAAI18/uyjDnqVI-R4/s1600/DSC02708.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Sorry, Oia. The Amazon has you beat.)</td></tr>
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After dinner, the boat stopped in an area Junior called Munguba (after the tree the boat was tied to), and we went on a night exploration into the flooded forest. This consisted of the canoes motoring along in the dark, with one crew member steering the canoe from the engine in the back, and another navigating, shining a spotlight out into the trees and waterline looking for reflections of eyes, and using the machete as needed to clear our way through the trees. Every time they spotted something, the canoes would congregate to check out the animal.<br />
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We saw some night birds, including more potoo (common and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Potoo">great potoo</a>) and a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauraque">pauraque</a>, an Amazon tree boa (yellow), a pretty tree frog (which we later identified as a convict tree frog), and an olingo (a type of slinky-looking raccoon with a long spotted tail), as well as a three-toed sloth. Also, something bit/stung Nikki's hand, and it started to swell up, but was determined to be okay (and did, in fact, go back to normal later).<br />
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*A note on animals: I didn't bring a fancy camera, but many people did. So rather than take a bunch of blurry shots of far distant birds from a moving canoe, I left that to the experts and their giant zoom lenses, since the plan is to share photos. So, I plan to post some of their excellent photos of some of the things we saw (giving appropriate credit)<strike>, but will have to do so in later posts or updates to these posts</strike>. The photos below are all thanks to Mary, who was amazingly diligent in her efforts to document all the cool things we saw.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDVyDvGT5x0/U4luxMevQkI/AAAAAAAAI8U/iw82FSeBzLk/s1600/DSCN1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDVyDvGT5x0/U4luxMevQkI/AAAAAAAAI8U/iw82FSeBzLk/s1600/DSCN1171.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cute little convict tree frog. He had a very loud, deep frog call, which we are laughing at, but then we found him and we were all just impressed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4slYJN3ONI/U4luyGJ27TI/AAAAAAAAI8k/Plnp1jj7x7k/s1600/DSCN1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4slYJN3ONI/U4luyGJ27TI/AAAAAAAAI8k/Plnp1jj7x7k/s1600/DSCN1149.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Trying to escape/escaping?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KT1dRvwukk/U4luylMBgwI/AAAAAAAAI8g/jDwQtrTne2Y/s1600/DSCN1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KT1dRvwukk/U4luylMBgwI/AAAAAAAAI8g/jDwQtrTne2Y/s1600/DSCN1186.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Amazon tree boa!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCf6gG11Hc8/U4luzJzVVSI/AAAAAAAAI8s/hJasL3Yl77M/s1600/DSCN1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCf6gG11Hc8/U4luzJzVVSI/AAAAAAAAI8s/hJasL3Yl77M/s1600/DSCN1190.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior tried to catch him, of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jUyPoGcg0Ew/U4lu1_bIOCI/AAAAAAAAI9Q/s5wQRo-wusg/s1600/DSCN1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jUyPoGcg0Ew/U4lu1_bIOCI/AAAAAAAAI9Q/s5wQRo-wusg/s1600/DSCN1202.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I felt right at home, thanks to living with KC for so long.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ5qGHaa_-s/U4lu0eC-dlI/AAAAAAAAI88/puaY5UJHZZc/s1600/DSCN1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ5qGHaa_-s/U4lu0eC-dlI/AAAAAAAAI88/puaY5UJHZZc/s1600/DSCN1195.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's escaping our view, after snapping at Junior and then moving out of reach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vpuqbVGids/U4luz4sxljI/AAAAAAAAI80/ni8iAh5G5pw/s1600/DSCN1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vpuqbVGids/U4luz4sxljI/AAAAAAAAI80/ni8iAh5G5pw/s1600/DSCN1193.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how strong he is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xsmRBnPDbCg/U4lu1CzlLhI/AAAAAAAAI9E/s3bZW-d21UA/s1600/DSCN1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xsmRBnPDbCg/U4lu1CzlLhI/AAAAAAAAI9E/s3bZW-d21UA/s1600/DSCN1199.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Also, pretty. His white underbelly was sort of sparkly.)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-17895068952305360022014-05-12T20:54:00.000-04:002014-06-17T00:34:30.195-04:00Arrival in Brazil -- Leticia and Tabatinga<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S46WisiIQSk/U4lurBUQ30I/AAAAAAAAI8I/UhgC_zTU9AA/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S46WisiIQSk/U4lurBUQ30I/AAAAAAAAI8I/UhgC_zTU9AA/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful cashew tree at the Policia Federal Tabatinga (photo by Caryn)</td></tr>
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We made it!</div>
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Today we finally made it to Brazil. We left our hotel in Bogota obscenely early and returned to El Dorado airport, where we met the rest of our travel group. Then we all flew on to Leticia, Colombia where our travel guide, Junior, was waiting for us. Junior quickly led us through customs in Leticia and we were driven over the border to Tabatinga, Brazil.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Deb, arriving in Leticia. The airport was even smaller than the Bangor airport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior overseeing the loading of our luggage. Can you spot my suitcase?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to go through Brazilian customs.</td></tr>
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Then we headed to the port where we met our boat, the Iracema. We boarded the boat, found our cabins (and our luggage!) and gathered for our first group meeting. Junior introduced the crew and explained the plans for the day, including an afternoon tour of Leticia. The crew includes: Junior himself (Amazon expert and biologist), Francisco (our guide to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javary_River">Rio Javari</a> and local tribes of that area), Bia and Eugenia (in charge of food, drinks, and taking care of all the odds and ends), "Moustache", "Canta Galo", Delfran, Valdo, James, and Elias (a professional artistic photographer). The traveling group includes Cindy (our organizer and expert from UHCL), Mike, George, Nancy and Dave, Mauri and David, Barbara, Deb and Phil, Caryn, four UHCL students: Mary, Nikki, Savannah, and Samantha, and Charlie and Annette. Plus Kari and me!</div>
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Leticia is a relatively small town, but very busy and colorful. Everyone rides motorbikes, so the smell of exhaust is everywhere. Junior led us through souvenir shops (full of tribal crafts) and markets, including food markets full of tropical fruits and fish and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassava">manioc</a> flour and non-food markets full of random clothes and sandals, odds and ends, and household goods. There were stray dogs and cats everywhere, most of them not looking great.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Iracema arrives!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esteban?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the end of the rainy season, so water levels are high. Obviously this town is used to living on the water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two gentlemen just watching the streets of Leticia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking up some fruit. See the manioc flour in the foreground?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset around 6pm, since we're close to the equator</td></tr>
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Then, back to the boat for the evening. We settled into our rooms (Kari and I sharing a bunk bed) and did some basic unpacking. The boat is really nice -- finished in 2011, all nice wood paneling and cabinetry. Tomorrow, we plan to explore Tabatinga and Santa Rosa, Peru and then depart for our expedition along the river. Basic itinerary: travel downriver along the Amazon (in the direction of Manaus) to visit some Ticuna tribes, then back upriver towards Tabatinga/Leticia and a town called Benjamin Constant, where we will pick up the final member of our group (Caryn's husband, Peter) and reconnect with Francisco. Then continue upriver along the Rio Javari with the hope of visiting some Matis villages (with help from Francisco).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-777K6Szu4xo/U4UwzlRyZ2I/AAAAAAAAI3M/JDxdsOGE4QE/s1600/DSC02600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-777K6Szu4xo/U4UwzlRyZ2I/AAAAAAAAI3M/JDxdsOGE4QE/s1600/DSC02600.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari's happy in her top bunk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for an adventure</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-85651957986114958922014-05-12T02:50:00.000-04:002014-05-12T02:50:14.844-04:00Bogota!I arrived in Bogota, Colombia yesterday night -- the first stop on my Amazon trip. Met Aunt Kari in Miami, as well as two new friends -- Charlie and Annette. The four of us will be meeting up with a larger group tomorrow morning and heading down to Leticia, Colombia/Tabatinga, Brazil. But, today we had a chance to explore Bogota. <br />
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We had a few major ideas on places to visit, and managed to get to most of them. We started with a trip up to the top of <a href="http://www.cerromonserrate.com/en/">Mount Monserrate</a> (elevation: 10,431 feet), which overlooks Bogota and the Andes. The view was pretty and impressive, and we got to enjoy the teleferico (cable car) trips up and down.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top, lookin over La Candelaria and the rest of Bogota</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Andes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initially is was pretty nice out...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then a giant rain storm moved in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back -- the whole top of the mountain is completely covered in clouds</td></tr>
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After descending, we wandered towards the area of town called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Candelaria">La Candelaria</a>, stopping on our way to check out some Colombian emeralds. Turns out Colombia is big into emerald mining. Also big in this region is gold. Actually, some of the legends about <a href="http://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/t7NjcAUeR3xW9xdgMbDZvWZO4PA.jpg">El Dorado</a> (the City of Gold!) seem to suggest it was near this area. The ancient people of the region did work with gold, and we visited an <a href="http://www.banrepcultural.org/gold-museum">amazing gold museum</a> which had everything from ceremonial crowns and breast plates to fancy nose-rings and decorative pieces.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know basically NO Spanish, but I think this man was probably trying to sell me this llama.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MMmmmm. Just making some corn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TmzdEakyaUJvt4-s5YQ4cLy1PRkRxHTf6AnwxI3QE_95fCItzf5KE31wPFD-5t1DijEJBT73-E9CvF1BtkQJeFZVQD-evdCV5QScTtWhprES3adhzn36KOzUNU8rWDIvL_zOKbzxHdE/s1600/DSC02490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TmzdEakyaUJvt4-s5YQ4cLy1PRkRxHTf6AnwxI3QE_95fCItzf5KE31wPFD-5t1DijEJBT73-E9CvF1BtkQJeFZVQD-evdCV5QScTtWhprES3adhzn36KOzUNU8rWDIvL_zOKbzxHdE/s1600/DSC02490.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of emeralds!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6HG5P6ihMauh4thmJpileW61sjvisFoTKqm87q6IVAwi6CoGhzMXpSg7p8uVpMfkyI4bpm0w7plQvjqH0xfa1mQcwobNAdfw4QFPEmk9lIjw23Uie25R0Au1fsRVCxuQvMRLFh6gtps/s1600/DSC02485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6HG5P6ihMauh4thmJpileW61sjvisFoTKqm87q6IVAwi6CoGhzMXpSg7p8uVpMfkyI4bpm0w7plQvjqH0xfa1mQcwobNAdfw4QFPEmk9lIjw23Uie25R0Au1fsRVCxuQvMRLFh6gtps/s1600/DSC02485.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT8fbnge6zWiOvFwKDiWzHU1aF1g1nwr2K5P5xIz_9H4AlP7EKXg6yNMMDYu6MpHu-0MR3o4ptIG6HO8dE3mdnXIPnsF6GaW39r_jkrorR334cgxqOkEI4CME5j0I-JQo9B2u7YrUQ24/s1600/DSC02506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT8fbnge6zWiOvFwKDiWzHU1aF1g1nwr2K5P5xIz_9H4AlP7EKXg6yNMMDYu6MpHu-0MR3o4ptIG6HO8dE3mdnXIPnsF6GaW39r_jkrorR334cgxqOkEI4CME5j0I-JQo9B2u7YrUQ24/s1600/DSC02506.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaguar-inspired mask</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj2OOejtR9mq_OmRfEiVDV7YOS_KTkCgWpgAfjpzSeJXXpfnJmrvPyTdPucRWeDoQ8tbDhaxLbrI3-vkce68x8FKoWyCSzd0XEUC8vo5II-JOFyxwU6h5QK7XR1zqXptNe5I2jyisE2Y/s1600/DSC02507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj2OOejtR9mq_OmRfEiVDV7YOS_KTkCgWpgAfjpzSeJXXpfnJmrvPyTdPucRWeDoQ8tbDhaxLbrI3-vkce68x8FKoWyCSzd0XEUC8vo5II-JOFyxwU6h5QK7XR1zqXptNe5I2jyisE2Y/s1600/DSC02507.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the nose ring in the middle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP0hRnAzz9SYAzb8n_Eg59PNRuVSO52YVGSMtyoimpntdKnLq0DMFy4x81qxmwPdVnJy3vG0fX770nzhnOm46I1J88Lmp7kNnvrWietD0QnYpavwFkUJXbfv695rNs6DQO2zkyNOPhqE/s1600/DSC02508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP0hRnAzz9SYAzb8n_Eg59PNRuVSO52YVGSMtyoimpntdKnLq0DMFy4x81qxmwPdVnJy3vG0fX770nzhnOm46I1J88Lmp7kNnvrWietD0QnYpavwFkUJXbfv695rNs6DQO2zkyNOPhqE/s1600/DSC02508.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of frogs, which made me think of Macy. All sorts of other creature too.</td></tr>
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We hunted down lunch (oddly difficult, but it was Sunday, so much was closed) and attempted to visit the supposedly awesome Botero museum, but that was also closed (which was very strange, since they are evidently open on Sunday and holidays, usually). Still, we stumbled upon a cool military museum and had a good time exploring the colorful streets of Bogota.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYRbXRL51b8Sa7gflVoUb8KWBs0qhlVSBVSYoEeXxsDX0Whkkuj_Gb6aURUfPN7CKN5vN-A77Arzdtpqhh7eBIMAEOZ0cNtVoTnN8VXi9fZy7smUr2_A4hg6EpTU0hDH8h-fiMMsiyrQ/s1600/DSC02526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYRbXRL51b8Sa7gflVoUb8KWBs0qhlVSBVSYoEeXxsDX0Whkkuj_Gb6aURUfPN7CKN5vN-A77Arzdtpqhh7eBIMAEOZ0cNtVoTnN8VXi9fZy7smUr2_A4hg6EpTU0hDH8h-fiMMsiyrQ/s1600/DSC02526.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, in case you were looking for a tank, some cannons, planes, <br />a printing press, a reactor and various missiles and whatnot....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KHRdObXovGMiUZq7pi3xl7V5siuGKZWjJuxCKLs4wj37c37ZBdPu9NVGBWhmUBsqdKS3R5Ej34sGE3BlKCODbTFg8S7Vp0QsXHO2zOwJo_tZDsCJpiuM7x4_tPFd07esz3AqjK6eKto/s1600/DSC02527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KHRdObXovGMiUZq7pi3xl7V5siuGKZWjJuxCKLs4wj37c37ZBdPu9NVGBWhmUBsqdKS3R5Ej34sGE3BlKCODbTFg8S7Vp0QsXHO2zOwJo_tZDsCJpiuM7x4_tPFd07esz3AqjK6eKto/s1600/DSC02527.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are right here in La Candelaria!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsaCtEdNCW7GCBmSG38q6gluWn8ryO6BEvWuCF_egSDmQFVUspcW7DcspO24kdU3LHlOIyfqksLhyphenhyphenI1Km0FLIZEWb7SLLjVxA_3SBau-fuiPeBpnhW5wfcrB55m4s6H3KRaRzaH0gF34/s1600/DSC02521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIJvdXdJ_MZNl9blfchl4L6gADz9vJ6TIuY3AB745r65EwOL72TerHXOorLz_hodsuCHa8FepAF7MQO5OtmxEmrkirPX3riZZvVvb9SkFnf87Vdx55IJ2vYfJX8Cu4I9RT6q6qh5LWTU/s1600/DSC02522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIJvdXdJ_MZNl9blfchl4L6gADz9vJ6TIuY3AB745r65EwOL72TerHXOorLz_hodsuCHa8FepAF7MQO5OtmxEmrkirPX3riZZvVvb9SkFnf87Vdx55IJ2vYfJX8Cu4I9RT6q6qh5LWTU/s1600/DSC02522.JPG" height="320" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsaCtEdNCW7GCBmSG38q6gluWn8ryO6BEvWuCF_egSDmQFVUspcW7DcspO24kdU3LHlOIyfqksLhyphenhyphenI1Km0FLIZEWb7SLLjVxA_3SBau-fuiPeBpnhW5wfcrB55m4s6H3KRaRzaH0gF34/s1600/DSC02521.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsaCtEdNCW7GCBmSG38q6gluWn8ryO6BEvWuCF_egSDmQFVUspcW7DcspO24kdU3LHlOIyfqksLhyphenhyphenI1Km0FLIZEWb7SLLjVxA_3SBau-fuiPeBpnhW5wfcrB55m4s6H3KRaRzaH0gF34/s1600/DSC02521.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then back to the hotel to relax and get prepped for our flight tomorrow morning. I likely won't be able to put any more posts up until after the trip, since there will be no internet in the rainforest. However, I still plan to post pics when I return.<br />
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So....I think I need to share a video. My dad got a new "bike". Here he is in a video taken by Aubrey:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kfy-ee9adSU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-15160679089359461692013-09-23T09:01:00.001-04:002013-09-23T09:05:26.575-04:00Delos and ChoraWe are currently on a ferry, on our way from Mykonos to Athens. I think we're expected to get there in the evening, around 8pm local time. Since the ferry has wi-fi, it seems like a good time to update and share some pics!<br />
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Yesterday, we toured the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delos">Delos</a>, which is said to be the birthplace of Apollo and his twin sister, Artemis. Back in the day, the island was a religious center and a center of commerce, with around 30,000 inhabitants. It was also the central location of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delian_League">Delian League</a>, the military alliance formed between Athens and other local powers following the Persian Wars. It was evidently an very diverse city, home to people of various countries and religions. The city even had designated spots for worship of these other religions (including a Temple to Isis and the oldest Jewish Synagogue in Greece). We took a tour of the <a href="http://www.mykonos.gr/images/site/100/633_delos.jpg">archaeological site</a>, which included the ruins of the agora (town square), high end shopping and residential district, amphitheater, portico, and three Greek temples. Cool things I learned: ancient Greeks had systems for public water as well as private, indoor cisterns, they had underground public sewer systems (which would be accessed from private homes), and they utilized arches (for functional purposes, not decorative).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje63Ufo03mqorKsaNDXGfWdnSQXQ5KsaOS0SlworHZly-3IioQ34efRaeQuq_DSbQ7gsduWXYFq-sH6pjVZI6CKp9mGUIzkZzfXiop64aP8jP8LBOdrZmdQqbdPxoDQLDkd3HsKggXfaw/s1600/DSC02097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje63Ufo03mqorKsaNDXGfWdnSQXQ5KsaOS0SlworHZly-3IioQ34efRaeQuq_DSbQ7gsduWXYFq-sH6pjVZI6CKp9mGUIzkZzfXiop64aP8jP8LBOdrZmdQqbdPxoDQLDkd3HsKggXfaw/s320/DSC02097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the ferry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGqAo6AmWNifRJm0iYlLkUYD5PnEHDmllzgGsx60Y8QCiuMYCTzE0fCZvBV-tOrmqn_6vfgr8a3x6GVCwCNjT6FrhzkfL8f_gWsiV-QacVVF7kRztf8by9eQukCVqp_RXQ7Ka0-orODM/s1600/DSC02099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGqAo6AmWNifRJm0iYlLkUYD5PnEHDmllzgGsx60Y8QCiuMYCTzE0fCZvBV-tOrmqn_6vfgr8a3x6GVCwCNjT6FrhzkfL8f_gWsiV-QacVVF7kRztf8by9eQukCVqp_RXQ7Ka0-orODM/s320/DSC02099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer view, with the House of Trident with the roof and columns toward the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSUJ-LJCc_aW-U5AC9OEtLBwhaR4Y5qLfSTUcycFYz331b_C6-g9qK9cVvyxfaD8zXQSnV-D0bo5tV-JoK-7PDdg2XkFr7DhAJve8vIQJaF0RMMDHVqjD-EvHKAmc3hyphenhyphenu54mColnH-_0/s1600/DSC02107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSUJ-LJCc_aW-U5AC9OEtLBwhaR4Y5qLfSTUcycFYz331b_C6-g9qK9cVvyxfaD8zXQSnV-D0bo5tV-JoK-7PDdg2XkFr7DhAJve8vIQJaF0RMMDHVqjD-EvHKAmc3hyphenhyphenu54mColnH-_0/s320/DSC02107.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the residential and shopping district</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhe2_2mIuhrNXn1UYAMmY3Nrcbi8WjV1aHhhtRXLc7zry0CgtNbPzb8pa6Ofp2Zn17Mxv2hMHsQfesN1QoFxgUsfkOZWcRKDH5_pRMoDm1S9z2w9kxgvrSalccy54LDepYxRoETGtwnU/s1600/DSC02110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhe2_2mIuhrNXn1UYAMmY3Nrcbi8WjV1aHhhtRXLc7zry0CgtNbPzb8pa6Ofp2Zn17Mxv2hMHsQfesN1QoFxgUsfkOZWcRKDH5_pRMoDm1S9z2w9kxgvrSalccy54LDepYxRoETGtwnU/s320/DSC02110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stone walls were all dry-stacked (no mortar or anything)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OaVDCK3oHi6_LjqeUb_RBvfC7KWcmlKU55iezFWSbrmfKqgkzU4BJTofW6BkDnTV6yddo3N4pSOJHeTA2yV9NZYv3WoEnfoWc9dno5B9QfJQUwRDOQdom4XXEIn2JVvfhQ1bRhS9Lls/s1600/DSC02113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OaVDCK3oHi6_LjqeUb_RBvfC7KWcmlKU55iezFWSbrmfKqgkzU4BJTofW6BkDnTV6yddo3N4pSOJHeTA2yV9NZYv3WoEnfoWc9dno5B9QfJQUwRDOQdom4XXEIn2JVvfhQ1bRhS9Lls/s320/DSC02113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of marble, most of it from the island of Naxos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88a0siN0jWZHw8_6-9ciiglCOFdNlgHNuNcwi7AZJpBKk7JVCQPXbCSektF29xW_JGTg01E9YLxaTN0hYb13sgT92c1Sx9iK-qASO2TIE_c1Mc4rcNSJra-ch0vLNzKt2uEFrxoT-2JQ/s1600/DSC02115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88a0siN0jWZHw8_6-9ciiglCOFdNlgHNuNcwi7AZJpBKk7JVCQPXbCSektF29xW_JGTg01E9YLxaTN0hYb13sgT92c1Sx9iK-qASO2TIE_c1Mc4rcNSJra-ch0vLNzKt2uEFrxoT-2JQ/s320/DSC02115.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atrium within the House of Dionysus. Evidently a VERY rich family, as they had a large house, <br />
beautiful mosaic floor, and a private indoor bathroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTemUEYmuBvw0YiUahL6tMPzgCerkLAInQvfR6ofr1byGICzaWbpruqIkWgJR-zm_XSYEFCrlRZ0rC4PKop_4ryXADVpog3Jy7r9b3U3KVQ9V1w8BwIWYW1YApaaWr_Tm61aQ-jgwwUkQ/s1600/DSC02129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTemUEYmuBvw0YiUahL6tMPzgCerkLAInQvfR6ofr1byGICzaWbpruqIkWgJR-zm_XSYEFCrlRZ0rC4PKop_4ryXADVpog3Jy7r9b3U3KVQ9V1w8BwIWYW1YApaaWr_Tm61aQ-jgwwUkQ/s320/DSC02129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Trident, apparently the home of some Phoenicians, <br />
based on the lion-heads on the columns.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEcFM2MFw2S2Bg8UfOF79iHvnRLhonBA_2bSXPAZKxRYu0StQjNyUSKYnUTZFvbF0I_xHo6sV4osbN9uqObGnwTO3iQsvdj-u7EAmcwutP-KXwb1UVy5zMAR6aLl3DAp_dsFbzvZ56oI/s1600/DSC02133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEcFM2MFw2S2Bg8UfOF79iHvnRLhonBA_2bSXPAZKxRYu0StQjNyUSKYnUTZFvbF0I_xHo6sV4osbN9uqObGnwTO3iQsvdj-u7EAmcwutP-KXwb1UVy5zMAR6aLl3DAp_dsFbzvZ56oI/s320/DSC02133.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public cistern, these arches (which were dry-stacked and had no keystone), <br />
would have been supporting a roof.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ_Yt5kOdc29O8_gCjqiEiT5SISyP6gylptwtmKs3ZDjUxqGg-CB607ieQGRhDpL6rgUT99DT0LfnB73otlneIB5tmzY52lG1ByCcf0BMpgbh1Rgw6bg9HBnjIra4NLFCSnSNNzH4K1E/s1600/DSC02134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ_Yt5kOdc29O8_gCjqiEiT5SISyP6gylptwtmKs3ZDjUxqGg-CB607ieQGRhDpL6rgUT99DT0LfnB73otlneIB5tmzY52lG1ByCcf0BMpgbh1Rgw6bg9HBnjIra4NLFCSnSNNzH4K1E/s320/DSC02134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remained of the amphitheater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuLl0rFlPoB1bJF1nP6E-yJu97CsHYQPKCASrF-5v4lbwOyEd5IVmXWwWZB9PZYTDl6XNlEtwWh5itNs-pKgkdXUstAPRBHSp4jScjophmd5R4DQQBR9cd8OG4BAPnbeveZmcWAk42uY/s1600/DSC02140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuLl0rFlPoB1bJF1nP6E-yJu97CsHYQPKCASrF-5v4lbwOyEd5IVmXWwWZB9PZYTDl6XNlEtwWh5itNs-pKgkdXUstAPRBHSp4jScjophmd5R4DQQBR9cd8OG4BAPnbeveZmcWAk42uY/s320/DSC02140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the propylaea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ1wLeBUnRXOdOPLiXeq0gHan01Zs_Yg3AZYz-kot3i2Mmtc5VOqasRCJale_RhWRkfoRSFQ6qZPmAov5V_5uP6wHtSH-mfkB6pAiOnbKOB9pcGnLcNqpgHc-9rVkUeqK2Liq9uysBiU/s1600/DSC02142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ1wLeBUnRXOdOPLiXeq0gHan01Zs_Yg3AZYz-kot3i2Mmtc5VOqasRCJale_RhWRkfoRSFQ6qZPmAov5V_5uP6wHtSH-mfkB6pAiOnbKOB9pcGnLcNqpgHc-9rVkUeqK2Liq9uysBiU/s320/DSC02142.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random cat, listening to the tour guide talk about the Naxian Lions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2X_yy_3T9qdOmoKytS9Vqu1JDqmTsIG2Hnmza9D0vr0M2cMaRYxm6koVQ5rs-Rr4-f3Jwdg-niZssUv9Xu7rDhYrLz1SP9tw-OYOIdxsNyli3a2eNPE9BXBORsDC2CgrbaYmNH0BNFY/s1600/DSC02146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2X_yy_3T9qdOmoKytS9Vqu1JDqmTsIG2Hnmza9D0vr0M2cMaRYxm6koVQ5rs-Rr4-f3Jwdg-niZssUv9Xu7rDhYrLz1SP9tw-OYOIdxsNyli3a2eNPE9BXBORsDC2CgrbaYmNH0BNFY/s320/DSC02146.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naxian lion (recreation)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUMFS-2_vm3zYoHhVPLOZqxnQot5MN_vgdWIQ8tsGE6yadgzPlC72sQRU1qEheWputa6kNyolDcXAsuYea6rvmgCPqSF4AHhfDFkT7gihRAzeh5qtiAAVVNtifT5mJvHwmj68R9hBzl4/s1600/DSC02147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUMFS-2_vm3zYoHhVPLOZqxnQot5MN_vgdWIQ8tsGE6yadgzPlC72sQRU1qEheWputa6kNyolDcXAsuYea6rvmgCPqSF4AHhfDFkT7gihRAzeh5qtiAAVVNtifT5mJvHwmj68R9hBzl4/s320/DSC02147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 of the 9 Naxian Lions. One was taken by the Romans and placed in front of the armory in Venice, <br />
3 were destroyed, and the 9th is out of frame.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HBYqQEBRmq_WrEq3Lv9g7JJNgNYg3hKo1T9p3ZhhdancAl_UjSyD4ukLs31vfwHT_wnW1tnGztA2gxRdgYwTYs9ayp2CuYxKJr7ean3BvYj_k_b4pPsKrcMzjh7aaHbW9RUqwDIq4AQ/s1600/DSC02149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HBYqQEBRmq_WrEq3Lv9g7JJNgNYg3hKo1T9p3ZhhdancAl_UjSyD4ukLs31vfwHT_wnW1tnGztA2gxRdgYwTYs9ayp2CuYxKJr7ean3BvYj_k_b4pPsKrcMzjh7aaHbW9RUqwDIq4AQ/s320/DSC02149.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm tree, planted near the site of the birth if Apollo and Artemis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We then visited the local Archaeological Museum of Delos, where many of the original statues, mosaics, and other artifacts are on display. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17NQTDQYLhMt8uZWyLEzFStsToYv7Cc9MQzZdif-1RbGxguXtBAd2e0SV7dlRsO4jkomOxonCsGI_8bMOUzafAlUEExtT03d0LZVxPvH_BYF0oD1pec89CEAjk8azKDy5FXyyfKneOEQ/s1600/20130922_130742_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17NQTDQYLhMt8uZWyLEzFStsToYv7Cc9MQzZdif-1RbGxguXtBAd2e0SV7dlRsO4jkomOxonCsGI_8bMOUzafAlUEExtT03d0LZVxPvH_BYF0oD1pec89CEAjk8azKDy5FXyyfKneOEQ/s320/20130922_130742_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic from the atrium of the House of Dionysus. The image shows <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysus">Dionysus</a> (god of wine/grape harvest)<br />
riding a tiger, presumably returning from his travels to India. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8yq5l2dYRGDj6yBNKU_Ky6ioOnal-vlmx782QFRnrPf4dU-yY5shWvGZXccjMbjPHIspdAvWHPmoWLGQacMACIxGWO4xGUE4KdLKf3XyZYLkGIldKCSlo4vVSF44G9AVRU_aA_ZkLEc/s1600/20130922_131023_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8yq5l2dYRGDj6yBNKU_Ky6ioOnal-vlmx782QFRnrPf4dU-yY5shWvGZXccjMbjPHIspdAvWHPmoWLGQacMACIxGWO4xGUE4KdLKf3XyZYLkGIldKCSlo4vVSF44G9AVRU_aA_ZkLEc/s320/20130922_131023_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naxian Lions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gZCbJbQ8fhajeghFIshspJ7hWfzCh6qwCw9QHje7rkIunQ7Tq7_uhclhhK2IskmDiFxDyDEgcBYKUjKEag_SGONV9godVUO6fUVejGJFHo1J_R-rnW7UTMfOneIWuWqqX5pVTpvXkgg/s1600/20130922_131102_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gZCbJbQ8fhajeghFIshspJ7hWfzCh6qwCw9QHje7rkIunQ7Tq7_uhclhhK2IskmDiFxDyDEgcBYKUjKEag_SGONV9godVUO6fUVejGJFHo1J_R-rnW7UTMfOneIWuWqqX5pVTpvXkgg/s320/20130922_131102_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(some info on those Lions)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iHHN2jkP9S1ZYuoGSqm1TWvZKpbvKFAqXJvLep_SmIwoOy-a0Hfv3ekIrMdF-D90yuQRf884DCDERg8bc9G7aoBQ6Sf8zqE6DTO59-0FZfrEzvZVXXKcE4bzCUeX2wo1PI1YLCkSgEs/s1600/20130922_131132_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iHHN2jkP9S1ZYuoGSqm1TWvZKpbvKFAqXJvLep_SmIwoOy-a0Hfv3ekIrMdF-D90yuQRf884DCDERg8bc9G7aoBQ6Sf8zqE6DTO59-0FZfrEzvZVXXKcE4bzCUeX2wo1PI1YLCkSgEs/s320/20130922_131132_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue from the top of the Temple of the Athenians, depicting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boreas">Boreas</a> <br />
(god of the north winds) kidnapping the princess Orithyia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWktk5tI_LsymYpB8IdhSp_T3-8l98fk2JeCKQaeI4fyzYI2wSbeWY1ga-9Vai88OQkMYXlt-700_n7dSEdfcVhZbTMyX2SCZIj82oY89_DAOpjOQa8kW2_guB2bbOC8ANPr8I2TSYjmo/s1600/20130922_131239_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWktk5tI_LsymYpB8IdhSp_T3-8l98fk2JeCKQaeI4fyzYI2wSbeWY1ga-9Vai88OQkMYXlt-700_n7dSEdfcVhZbTMyX2SCZIj82oY89_DAOpjOQa8kW2_guB2bbOC8ANPr8I2TSYjmo/s320/20130922_131239_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful sculptures (look of the folds!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm197zIeGV7hda9ug0LGKntrQxtr6HYAxvhdLGIQZvmjPB8m3_kDntQ7fs1Ih55l3RV0cE3GHrz9O8G9Q1hRn2oWbhIDwtay0OJGabBHXvecq40mYg9GkzsZwebqaXWKr5GKDnQquZms/s1600/20130922_131525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm197zIeGV7hda9ug0LGKntrQxtr6HYAxvhdLGIQZvmjPB8m3_kDntQ7fs1Ih55l3RV0cE3GHrz9O8G9Q1hRn2oWbhIDwtay0OJGabBHXvecq40mYg9GkzsZwebqaXWKr5GKDnQquZms/s320/20130922_131525.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis">Artemis</a> (goddess of the hunt), killing a deer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80E_zwGZsvSv2t5krd1e1mGkxIMj5hObmoM3JFp5EtN6LbGgo32C3_AAIXv4FZKtM-5ovmpuUmpSw-dnKipxwY4a17J-VDYxjodToTHaqPzaP6nJWnqN0KYqmVWNJu6qeiVbvA-LdMjA/s1600/20130922_131729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80E_zwGZsvSv2t5krd1e1mGkxIMj5hObmoM3JFp5EtN6LbGgo32C3_AAIXv4FZKtM-5ovmpuUmpSw-dnKipxwY4a17J-VDYxjodToTHaqPzaP6nJWnqN0KYqmVWNJu6qeiVbvA-LdMjA/s320/20130922_131729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what this is...some guardian lion, but it reminded me of Grellah for some reason :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The entrance to the museum was, once again, crowded with local cats, who were hungry enough to swarm around crumbs of some hard crackers. As we left, I had to stop and check them out -- shared some croissant and water. Very cute! Though, one of the bigger ones was pretty grabby as I tried to distribute the croissant...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJa-3G_eDariQUZgw-KqyKYYp5jdd_rvjDVC3ccAhPMRWX0mcOfJ6v3VABmtv_QzxiCH1nNQGtomydb_oFppvJvdwrnrf9ZE8Xl-W4q_T-aAQn3DJDinorNOHXV6WmyX2ZUW-LKfPWbI/s1600/DSC02152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJa-3G_eDariQUZgw-KqyKYYp5jdd_rvjDVC3ccAhPMRWX0mcOfJ6v3VABmtv_QzxiCH1nNQGtomydb_oFppvJvdwrnrf9ZE8Xl-W4q_T-aAQn3DJDinorNOHXV6WmyX2ZUW-LKfPWbI/s320/DSC02152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating crackers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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After Delos, we returned to the old port at Mykonos. Since we were near to Mykonos' main town, (called Chora), we stuck around for lunch, explored the shops, and grabbed a light dinner. Lunch for me was the delicious <a href="http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Shrimp-with-Tomatoes-and-Feta-Garides-Saganaki">shrimp saganaki</a> (recommended to me by Erin). Now I have to learn to make it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the port</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mykonos/Chora from the ferry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the section of town called Venetia (little Venice)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraportiani">Church of Panagia Paraportiani</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of sunset from the port</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-46911554629487325612013-09-21T17:55:00.000-04:002013-09-21T17:55:20.456-04:00Ano Mera and AgrariWe arrived in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mykonos">Mykonos</a> yesterday afternoon and spent the evening getting settled in and learning to area a little bit. Had a nice dinner at a local taverna. Today (Saturday), we rented a car and drove around the island. The roads are really narrow, windy, and steep in a lot of places. Most of the island seems to be arid, rocky hills and valleys. Lots of rock walls and shrubby ground cover.<br />
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Anyway, we headed toward the center of the island to a town called Ano Mera. Nearby is a place called Paleokastro, which is home to a monastery and the remains of an ancient castle. The drive up to Paleokastro was kind of crazy, but the view was nice, and the scenery of the drive was cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmCTTf-rhV3QJ6JB8Q7Wh0DMy62YDSIdVEh-e6NSyB7n1Tjp7w3i-8OhVDI6U6LJErRBtUszzLyJsnl-KSVUVkqRpyoVYm3J2rQybhzFppHNFfuNmvWdvDTiaIMkFrhLFmXbpYLOxfvc/s1600/DSC02051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmCTTf-rhV3QJ6JB8Q7Wh0DMy62YDSIdVEh-e6NSyB7n1Tjp7w3i-8OhVDI6U6LJErRBtUszzLyJsnl-KSVUVkqRpyoVYm3J2rQybhzFppHNFfuNmvWdvDTiaIMkFrhLFmXbpYLOxfvc/s320/DSC02051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bougainvillea near out hotel entrance. These were all over Santorini too! Really beautiful AND cool because the pink parts, which look like flowers, are actually modified leaves (bracts), surrounding tiny white flower clusters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmLg-GMJ9eQmVMc2AimAvnuOeJS4Hn2si5-JEvCGjSacDEXemFPG68S03I-5e1X3VSypcThufe3PRXQnzIbbpCtAnyAcWWXxiGgWe31JOLAB4olDsXjO9K4DjLvoywbiXeUeKFATvv5E/s1600/DSC02055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmLg-GMJ9eQmVMc2AimAvnuOeJS4Hn2si5-JEvCGjSacDEXemFPG68S03I-5e1X3VSypcThufe3PRXQnzIbbpCtAnyAcWWXxiGgWe31JOLAB4olDsXjO9K4DjLvoywbiXeUeKFATvv5E/s320/DSC02055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wider shot of the entrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roads of Mykonos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4cF03g5PJlv1mHGOBjw1BGaIP8KBZIdlnUgs75hrTEW-rvKdmEDINoU7InbXt1BU0z9QV1r62ON_WcweD3n8eKiY1hbzyAF8gjHCqnWg9H24TiJvEHAfO34YlvJvogfKOfazX8DsbIw/s1600/DSC02060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4cF03g5PJlv1mHGOBjw1BGaIP8KBZIdlnUgs75hrTEW-rvKdmEDINoU7InbXt1BU0z9QV1r62ON_WcweD3n8eKiY1hbzyAF8gjHCqnWg9H24TiJvEHAfO34YlvJvogfKOfazX8DsbIw/s320/DSC02060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Panormos Bay and Ftelia beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0zk6vNlWsTeg8_TDfd0zgHw3S3ZjBSb5ElU4zTFiq1ZLt42howjsK92ZZfS7tpTaJpseEegfgEZqHMb9pTgWvjoyXVbqoschyphenhyphenTAaYsVTMNMYUIzvI2FWxw8taTAdwzp9r5LKzxmC8J8/s1600/DSC02062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0zk6vNlWsTeg8_TDfd0zgHw3S3ZjBSb5ElU4zTFiq1ZLt42howjsK92ZZfS7tpTaJpseEegfgEZqHMb9pTgWvjoyXVbqoschyphenhyphenTAaYsVTMNMYUIzvI2FWxw8taTAdwzp9r5LKzxmC8J8/s320/DSC02062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of the old castle. The monastery is hidden on the other side of the hill.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz0-HzKffDz8eG8K3mPA6ZT8MjhXYpMpluTKp8EMl6n8NEQyeU5sY8MPuVY3_jyZLnQW4lDGo-By1p9FN0QtR3cDS1MzEoHMy10rHUjSIDzP9XY_6bzJ6EWlOTRVk3xmHKRj2aM_oDtk/s1600/DSC02063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz0-HzKffDz8eG8K3mPA6ZT8MjhXYpMpluTKp8EMl6n8NEQyeU5sY8MPuVY3_jyZLnQW4lDGo-By1p9FN0QtR3cDS1MzEoHMy10rHUjSIDzP9XY_6bzJ6EWlOTRVk3xmHKRj2aM_oDtk/s320/DSC02063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panaoramic, just in case :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once we'd had enough of old castle remains, we headed back down to the main square of Ano Mera and had a snack. Had something called <a href="http://kalisasorexi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_5993.jpg">ekmek</a> during lunch, which seemed to be a Greek version of the Australian "snot-blocks". (Tasty.) The town seemed to be crawling with little cats. At lunch, the waiter taught me a few Greek phrases, including "eisai gata", which means "you're clever/smart/cunning", but directly translates to "you're a cat". Makes sense to me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTj4xReQtZ-KRNZSM0FIF3zMZiFVtNf83G-9asbZrkTL6plazglUXOzn8VS3A5gOsuM_HM7ydmgO4XLfj8XcVjYErycHdEoLoDUMSi8J2oHw5yx54c5ZIzNUROrAnOlDRMCaK2hicpR8/s1600/DSC02069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTj4xReQtZ-KRNZSM0FIF3zMZiFVtNf83G-9asbZrkTL6plazglUXOzn8VS3A5gOsuM_HM7ydmgO4XLfj8XcVjYErycHdEoLoDUMSi8J2oHw5yx54c5ZIzNUROrAnOlDRMCaK2hicpR8/s320/DSC02069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a cat selling souvenirs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wc-co-hUkCcWCBjO3dvt9hzPIG9mjOHBmvYIPd1Pl_A1a7a8tNW2t0Cr0UeCzsMU2TY_RE_1C9wBXXen_CkGOfznLUocDXCE2j9ZgDbcMw-O4ysR_UJFxZryfcEl7_zs5K0Di-O0zLQ/s1600/DSC02071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wc-co-hUkCcWCBjO3dvt9hzPIG9mjOHBmvYIPd1Pl_A1a7a8tNW2t0Cr0UeCzsMU2TY_RE_1C9wBXXen_CkGOfznLUocDXCE2j9ZgDbcMw-O4ysR_UJFxZryfcEl7_zs5K0Di-O0zLQ/s320/DSC02071.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And being pet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9M489HR7auSklO-DMTU4AN_hLsyf46XLfh7io_-C2hH0IY0botloW7f19jL6O_Gs8iHEvxV6bmke9fbO1W2w6GunuxQam2LhRDZxIh3GpfDMxhRlB5SEFQ_ZMkNhO9Ulthrle5qY2BFc/s1600/DSC02075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9M489HR7auSklO-DMTU4AN_hLsyf46XLfh7io_-C2hH0IY0botloW7f19jL6O_Gs8iHEvxV6bmke9fbO1W2w6GunuxQam2LhRDZxIh3GpfDMxhRlB5SEFQ_ZMkNhO9Ulthrle5qY2BFc/s320/DSC02075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat sleeping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD6qPeO8au9H8Jeb9RHsvt-Tp69pSFQCkv4m-NqaY5448HR74sFyODaPW4o2xV17L8kofmmrh2nrPKA3gSAGNI_P8_N6WvExPn72A62aMWe4c613cLDUdrebI7GuaZCx34T1WiijGS78/s1600/DSC02078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD6qPeO8au9H8Jeb9RHsvt-Tp69pSFQCkv4m-NqaY5448HR74sFyODaPW4o2xV17L8kofmmrh2nrPKA3gSAGNI_P8_N6WvExPn72A62aMWe4c613cLDUdrebI7GuaZCx34T1WiijGS78/s320/DSC02078.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little church. Part of the nearby Panagia Tourliani monastery, I think.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWioRK-3EBAF87IwAy6CoJb20_s-nFOvN1RQXvC0_p-6TiTbhwWRdfeKCP0ZqZhqKAukJ2Um0G5UnDV02OhFufZJfZIzEU7zXZcIleOdxL7VCNfvkecPMEksKMmbnp3Q9zYI0fS4ALwg4/s1600/DSC02081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWioRK-3EBAF87IwAy6CoJb20_s-nFOvN1RQXvC0_p-6TiTbhwWRdfeKCP0ZqZhqKAukJ2Um0G5UnDV02OhFufZJfZIzEU7zXZcIleOdxL7VCNfvkecPMEksKMmbnp3Q9zYI0fS4ALwg4/s320/DSC02081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat sleeping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqgNIVDeKGMKdDCjSsSr_wpdpKR0i4_2hxy12VEZuIIrjEkH7oFGsJUasRhI7nKIKotsQ_SVsc69grn4pGamJpk8FbS8ZLyjAnaxJnn87X47VNH_i2cINbukZ-8lhKV-P7RpyBMS-eAs/s1600/DSC02082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqgNIVDeKGMKdDCjSsSr_wpdpKR0i4_2hxy12VEZuIIrjEkH7oFGsJUasRhI7nKIKotsQ_SVsc69grn4pGamJpk8FbS8ZLyjAnaxJnn87X47VNH_i2cINbukZ-8lhKV-P7RpyBMS-eAs/s320/DSC02082.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guarding the restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJ16hUWm7jXDJLHCY0G2Ew0F20VA2UrXeGgZ2WkQyQi12CY9JfHy2FBhSOhz55vLGgzCdhKU9o0HbXol3PRbE_vbWy-XCgmAljAf0WfRNz746pG4fo11hfCIiiYNq8BKcTUjqow3Ws8U/s1600/DSC02065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJ16hUWm7jXDJLHCY0G2Ew0F20VA2UrXeGgZ2WkQyQi12CY9JfHy2FBhSOhz55vLGgzCdhKU9o0HbXol3PRbE_vbWy-XCgmAljAf0WfRNz746pG4fo11hfCIiiYNq8BKcTUjqow3Ws8U/s320/DSC02065.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being cute</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpK0meE6RTeU1yeTX5Ft7er1_xGvdBo6xDkGYztAniOR-t0Lyr3q6eXCpjXGKF6KBa4tNPc6c-RZyLSPFsN6Imkmqx3tzkuX3gNdzg-PmEEknA0Ej6p82_270tugY6UozCaljK43RHJA/s1600/DSC02066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpK0meE6RTeU1yeTX5Ft7er1_xGvdBo6xDkGYztAniOR-t0Lyr3q6eXCpjXGKF6KBa4tNPc6c-RZyLSPFsN6Imkmqx3tzkuX3gNdzg-PmEEknA0Ej6p82_270tugY6UozCaljK43RHJA/s320/DSC02066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing their thing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After Ano Mera, we headed down to Agrari beach, which was a nice spot to sit and paint a little bit. Pretty water and a nice view of the surrounding hills.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmlWhcN0EaV54exPsQkaP2h9J75q1GdiqSTOk-cJBrXREtRqysDlK4TVPjub5rQJlwGvSw8Ag1Xn6dMRyA1RqNmQvwxxGSD1i1QobDMCYM_jbAGl4K3kIdGHwrAGQu2eoaI5gxRWG380/s1600/20130921_185759_Richtone(HDR).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmlWhcN0EaV54exPsQkaP2h9J75q1GdiqSTOk-cJBrXREtRqysDlK4TVPjub5rQJlwGvSw8Ag1Xn6dMRyA1RqNmQvwxxGSD1i1QobDMCYM_jbAGl4K3kIdGHwrAGQu2eoaI5gxRWG380/s320/20130921_185759_Richtone(HDR).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towards the end of the day, the sun is setting in the opposite direction, <br />lighting up this hill and making it very orange.</td></tr>
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<br /><div>
Tomorrow: a tour of nearby Delos island.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-36694358460365526802013-09-21T04:56:00.001-04:002013-09-21T04:56:06.538-04:00Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and a schooner cruiseThursday was mostly taken up with a volcano hike and boat trip. We started in Santorini's new port, Athinios, where we boarded a schooner called Afroditi and headed toward <a href="http://www.santorini.gr/index.php?/the-creation-of-nea-kameni">Nea Kameni</a>, the newer of the two volcanic islands in the middle of the Santorini <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldera">caldera</a>. For 2 euros, I hiked up and down the island, which was pretty barren (not surprisingly) with a bizarre mix of black, red, tan, and sulfur-yellow colored rocks and a few scrubby plants. Also very hot, with a few sulfur-y gas vents within the rim of the main crater of the volcano. I was't with a tour guide, but I eavesdropped on a nearby group and learned how, by digging a shallow hole in the gravely surface along the hiking path, you can feel the heat/hot gases produced by the volcano. There were several shallow holes created all around the crater rim, and everyone was sticking there hands, then pulling them out quickly due to the heat. I tried it and it was definitely hot. And smelly.<br />
<br />
I remember when we hiked the glacier in NZ, our guide pointed off to the distance on one side of the moraine and explained that we should avoid that area, because a sulfur vent had recently been disturbed and exposed, and it wasn't safe to get too close. Wonder why nobody seemed concerned about a similar set up on the volcano? Maybe less concentrated gases?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINhhpeVmzTDLjc7TlicnUe0-wcphmQy8cJmAhMbypNcklFnSAfBFlb7nZXTj_OsKZwjQmW47BISsUEq-53kx0yHsrc7uz4NrbdJF78JKe8jEhCBzI67OnueJ2z5X15odGmik_dwRQhVI/s1600/DSC01839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINhhpeVmzTDLjc7TlicnUe0-wcphmQy8cJmAhMbypNcklFnSAfBFlb7nZXTj_OsKZwjQmW47BISsUEq-53kx0yHsrc7uz4NrbdJF78JKe8jEhCBzI67OnueJ2z5X15odGmik_dwRQhVI/s320/DSC01839.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni from above Athinios port</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjW7eG2U917XkXdF9ZrZpXwlXIfqOV68lleVEyjJgMhoeRXFYdTv-DAYWO7wRw_Ow_fJJldXolrE1DZ6ZPXPpcxGj7VfrjoMgoUVg-wxv28x8SJmVbGBumeJIij89yggysTXEOhv3O50/s1600/DSC01849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjW7eG2U917XkXdF9ZrZpXwlXIfqOV68lleVEyjJgMhoeRXFYdTv-DAYWO7wRw_Ow_fJJldXolrE1DZ6ZPXPpcxGj7VfrjoMgoUVg-wxv28x8SJmVbGBumeJIij89yggysTXEOhv3O50/s320/DSC01849.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding the Afroditi</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Odb5B_J099Fyg8SKTT-yW_nfGebr9brqL6d_tkWXg5I6sX5A2FIghEvXy-7pRLJlInkqbP-mR6ujZZoo67LXcy03UY4_gveUy-gQWVZ2qNZI2diFzbqb7hZLik6qkYPWQOohYilCDp4/s1600/DSC01860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Odb5B_J099Fyg8SKTT-yW_nfGebr9brqL6d_tkWXg5I6sX5A2FIghEvXy-7pRLJlInkqbP-mR6ujZZoo67LXcy03UY4_gveUy-gQWVZ2qNZI2diFzbqb7hZLik6qkYPWQOohYilCDp4/s320/DSC01860.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coastline of Santorini</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXna8YcuVwpEllEwc-jDfHe1e9IBhSMgS8Y2s2N70smg4RxXVg4F4JqgiVN2jV9bPiWMpANMkOvk6hmwmiWuCzjWk5naz1kJv-MSCMNP_P2HU_aR-K5qQ7BqqeuAYuZ-r6HbcAPnc5Kbg/s1600/DSC01876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXna8YcuVwpEllEwc-jDfHe1e9IBhSMgS8Y2s2N70smg4RxXVg4F4JqgiVN2jV9bPiWMpANMkOvk6hmwmiWuCzjWk5naz1kJv-MSCMNP_P2HU_aR-K5qQ7BqqeuAYuZ-r6HbcAPnc5Kbg/s320/DSC01876.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping at Nea Kameni</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8M_FLwJbADcR9uQE9jx1t6l8ZngrTLZecIjF0nOgdRO_PRfRMmHkQVGKAsCqiXoCLGEdQhgR7w57czaCjKh7V9UFqL1mEOypNU6EaNex5bEGlcFWqanfbnObJpSEFI1Wj00Oe-uqi7I/s1600/20130919_153947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8M_FLwJbADcR9uQE9jx1t6l8ZngrTLZecIjF0nOgdRO_PRfRMmHkQVGKAsCqiXoCLGEdQhgR7w57czaCjKh7V9UFqL1mEOypNU6EaNex5bEGlcFWqanfbnObJpSEFI1Wj00Oe-uqi7I/s320/20130919_153947.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the main crater (click to see larger)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOl2oP2OYqqYF0ilu2RtpOrLNYPIVmcs7HFkMgE413_urk9IXc1hnU7Jt2BkZ6FuHhFQ7F1jEr6RIXpDGoKSCiOU3wQr_rSX-WPfwbF83kBiyBhslTht0nsIDHewxRkulsbWqfaf5pfk/s1600/DSC01878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOl2oP2OYqqYF0ilu2RtpOrLNYPIVmcs7HFkMgE413_urk9IXc1hnU7Jt2BkZ6FuHhFQ7F1jEr6RIXpDGoKSCiOU3wQr_rSX-WPfwbF83kBiyBhslTht0nsIDHewxRkulsbWqfaf5pfk/s320/DSC01878.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocks and shrubs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL78UdK3QNGNK_AgUzqhYQwvcWj48X20HvxQqcfpvOlN8xpFL10cDvS9xL_VNDgNGMNFjFTbqz8T51bUO4cc-7ZnPLv37tcKp8NmLDObf4Jb1GgtDflApTSAgKygnPGfKu8hng985S9A/s1600/DSC01906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL78UdK3QNGNK_AgUzqhYQwvcWj48X20HvxQqcfpvOlN8xpFL10cDvS9xL_VNDgNGMNFjFTbqz8T51bUO4cc-7ZnPLv37tcKp8NmLDObf4Jb1GgtDflApTSAgKygnPGfKu8hng985S9A/s320/DSC01906.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the main crater. Probably not obvious in the photo, but gases are <br />coming up around those yellow-green rocks to the left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyOzOVWe2bDbUeOJdQi0pVtYaBfGLrz4Z7eIUPCjLjbY2o8UXRw7UHByGt1brFA3HvI1QBVE2KRMUXzlxXDi49qNMBK0zvZLXHh0Ywgks8XlQnFh5KxDKjQzEQpqQ6nxhHOQegOiyrd4/s1600/DSC01911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyOzOVWe2bDbUeOJdQi0pVtYaBfGLrz4Z7eIUPCjLjbY2o8UXRw7UHByGt1brFA3HvI1QBVE2KRMUXzlxXDi49qNMBK0zvZLXHh0Ywgks8XlQnFh5KxDKjQzEQpqQ6nxhHOQegOiyrd4/s320/DSC01911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairns and Fira in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMWtfq2j5YmksOIuVZuCYbuvDzfQEuVxMGUAN_kEiqpjY_JdvH1Ld1UqrtL1gmLsmLznLMo2PK6HCu3kJNRzRqRQOfQWvaBx-WvQ3guZRwNdYJ4BYCClGcw9K9K03UbqTc4sI-StI6qA/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMWtfq2j5YmksOIuVZuCYbuvDzfQEuVxMGUAN_kEiqpjY_JdvH1Ld1UqrtL1gmLsmLznLMo2PK6HCu3kJNRzRqRQOfQWvaBx-WvQ3guZRwNdYJ4BYCClGcw9K9K03UbqTc4sI-StI6qA/s320/DSC01945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anwyay, the volcano was not beautiful, but it was very interesting, especially considering its history.<br />
<br />
Next stop for our ship was Paleo Kameni (the older volcanic island, adjacent to Nea Kameni), where we were able to jump into the water and swim to the hot springs. Hot springs were kind of more like warm springs and they were also pretty smelly, but it was cool to see. The water was orange-yellow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneTSgcd1GwsrEnuE11NVwbelylYmsOsEZzlBs_-deNuIA1YOC4hj4SDEgWSd9AzJH0HqjpJYG4DKq74XdD1k2KxD0lXbK9ii98u713k24pbgdoQYsY79hUfCfwSYObIB0pz7i73fvwRs/s1600/DSC01956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneTSgcd1GwsrEnuE11NVwbelylYmsOsEZzlBs_-deNuIA1YOC4hj4SDEgWSd9AzJH0HqjpJYG4DKq74XdD1k2KxD0lXbK9ii98u713k24pbgdoQYsY79hUfCfwSYObIB0pz7i73fvwRs/s320/DSC01956.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm somewhere in there, making my way toward the hot springs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo-YXX8sMrXgVY05SRiaoWsMA80PcLfqxODo5BAYmBjWdFt-d6c5Ko9VRwcT1wtt5fL9CawprvYWDylkVuVhANjSHDG5pAKVE8vDPkBEIZu-6b4aZOL5knKVoJC-JovCaIA4ZRiqQUkA/s1600/DSC01958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo-YXX8sMrXgVY05SRiaoWsMA80PcLfqxODo5BAYmBjWdFt-d6c5Ko9VRwcT1wtt5fL9CawprvYWDylkVuVhANjSHDG5pAKVE8vDPkBEIZu-6b4aZOL5knKVoJC-JovCaIA4ZRiqQUkA/s320/DSC01958.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to tell from the pic how orange the water was as you got further back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaz39JKBtVa9cvATDmBkLNGuZNfKH8cLFhTDEr0aEJtMlVAaK_14_aZvoTtwN0yG0lsPUXJLX9Srk5QTabteni-j7tMKynKrMdPkl_w7cjCkbt0mpNmtjlWWAykHDhFxFPipH7ZtS7ps/s1600/DSC01968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaz39JKBtVa9cvATDmBkLNGuZNfKH8cLFhTDEr0aEJtMlVAaK_14_aZvoTtwN0yG0lsPUXJLX9Srk5QTabteni-j7tMKynKrMdPkl_w7cjCkbt0mpNmtjlWWAykHDhFxFPipH7ZtS7ps/s320/DSC01968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on board, heading to Thirassia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdJvc8Ji82fSSh7gBLq6XpI26oHWR0uvWTDouk9viqVcRFgZkdgqIKF9FESWuK_UXB6uKEGtg4YeOdYrg1s-jcSK4LO3A8pRiKY6jyMGaQY3-Z3OrYEJFo1VSFC7jAD0o2Rmbbu3Q9xk/s1600/DSC01969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdJvc8Ji82fSSh7gBLq6XpI26oHWR0uvWTDouk9viqVcRFgZkdgqIKF9FESWuK_UXB6uKEGtg4YeOdYrg1s-jcSK4LO3A8pRiKY6jyMGaQY3-Z3OrYEJFo1VSFC7jAD0o2Rmbbu3Q9xk/s320/DSC01969.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, Oia in the background.</td></tr>
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We moved on to Thirassia for dinner, and then toward Oia to once again enjoy the sunset. It was interesting to see Oia from below, including all the people huddled near the western tip of the town trying to capture the sunset. To be honest, while it was beautiful, it didn't seem all that amazing to me. I guess I am spoiled with those Boston sunsets :) (Actually, Plain City, Ohio offers a pretty nice sunset.) It was very scenic though, with several boats, the sunset, and Oia up on top of the cliffs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4fEtnh0FJQhKgF9gFD6ZX-JcK5sCDaSdkIPDf_SK1tXxJ76upJxTp378__xxNMvbxK55tzUAzIX-NEg_J2ZiD_ZZAUC_W-_bySzK0QA-o_8YETwjcl81amgAgzJJ2f80-2cMP8JNXK0/s1600/DSC01987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4fEtnh0FJQhKgF9gFD6ZX-JcK5sCDaSdkIPDf_SK1tXxJ76upJxTp378__xxNMvbxK55tzUAzIX-NEg_J2ZiD_ZZAUC_W-_bySzK0QA-o_8YETwjcl81amgAgzJJ2f80-2cMP8JNXK0/s320/DSC01987.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading toward Oia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3WMtcnL5mr4DTS1gRU80sut2NGgWese-0ar0DEGmEh-nvmgKNXzLZ71NfpL507gyFRBrpX-ydTPwLdhzMzqn5Ph3kVwao2VjQca0mzHr6tslZjFFdAj7l7waedFRDPtygXObk9czjIU/s1600/DSC02003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3WMtcnL5mr4DTS1gRU80sut2NGgWese-0ar0DEGmEh-nvmgKNXzLZ71NfpL507gyFRBrpX-ydTPwLdhzMzqn5Ph3kVwao2VjQca0mzHr6tslZjFFdAj7l7waedFRDPtygXObk9czjIU/s320/DSC02003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of the cliffs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEkq8rjVfPdp0dyCN5PlLkZ4d16Tldm_ALEa-JwHss9gj_zMMn2nHaVGBNszuZC9TU_b5AsVhVJBjWaT4ArSiuxYpNsV7pZTGihtJRBy4TZWmNWlceeIdJakRusZ_UqXjoWswHglTd2E/s1600/DSC02007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEkq8rjVfPdp0dyCN5PlLkZ4d16Tldm_ALEa-JwHss9gj_zMMn2nHaVGBNszuZC9TU_b5AsVhVJBjWaT4ArSiuxYpNsV7pZTGihtJRBy4TZWmNWlceeIdJakRusZ_UqXjoWswHglTd2E/s320/DSC02007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgA7iRkgHXFc0H1DZyslH_GJMJvnzQC3CFl-hCVuUovxa8LuC9QnIds9j18w3fk7iKPs78Yr9tw5LqZbcIHSHUGEKJDUsSqHmdJhdwp5H0U85NXY5DcXRQk2PUwl3kqgPayRBbtk4YtU/s1600/20130919_184400_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgA7iRkgHXFc0H1DZyslH_GJMJvnzQC3CFl-hCVuUovxa8LuC9QnIds9j18w3fk7iKPs78Yr9tw5LqZbcIHSHUGEKJDUsSqHmdJhdwp5H0U85NXY5DcXRQk2PUwl3kqgPayRBbtk4YtU/s320/20130919_184400_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at Oia from the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn1FP1joHuqYogYf3Z5NrkAPgFX8JD9PGh_r9bfNShMyfV6FdAG3AeP-ad-iSzyLK6ThJObMeOc76s59PgUS0ah5IWn3QSzmUUIkPPIpkE7IJ3YAWTYi2AiDup95ktNvFJ_w82Da1ksQ/s1600/20130919_185101_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn1FP1joHuqYogYf3Z5NrkAPgFX8JD9PGh_r9bfNShMyfV6FdAG3AeP-ad-iSzyLK6ThJObMeOc76s59PgUS0ah5IWn3QSzmUUIkPPIpkE7IJ3YAWTYi2AiDup95ktNvFJ_w82Da1ksQ/s320/20130919_185101_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Oia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2wkxaIyR1rbL3fOWqXM5u2KCVgxlrPAFvpczJssVm2lvwc615uud8cS0KhJHdISG-lhhYcUMd9LbcDNJkmKOhvNEISsaWOlAIOHqbrUN9x3PWeTFBwDGP7JCR-H95memkv-4nFZBQh0/s1600/20130919_185517_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2wkxaIyR1rbL3fOWqXM5u2KCVgxlrPAFvpczJssVm2lvwc615uud8cS0KhJHdISG-lhhYcUMd9LbcDNJkmKOhvNEISsaWOlAIOHqbrUN9x3PWeTFBwDGP7JCR-H95memkv-4nFZBQh0/s320/20130919_185517_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port of Amoudi in Oia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdiIAIky1SI4cbvEgOfUZlAmJrKX5JLjtKgOWH3auR2pBDyZhxGW5UxzoEExPAn44DKKybONuMi-jtfYkysDFfUZ2SJX73PLXE2f2SUXRId8N1PLWMoHfOTeEumk7ZyqzMV7KtPB9E7A/s1600/20130919_185702_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdiIAIky1SI4cbvEgOfUZlAmJrKX5JLjtKgOWH3auR2pBDyZhxGW5UxzoEExPAn44DKKybONuMi-jtfYkysDFfUZ2SJX73PLXE2f2SUXRId8N1PLWMoHfOTeEumk7ZyqzMV7KtPB9E7A/s320/20130919_185702_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of Amoudi -- nice red cliffs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxzN9du5dqKqFUtIdFP5WE3kmOaK02wRlkPMx3n9NZJ7zHcjz5YSvtfOCrVnN3SAmMOv9GX-b_iyaYVSg8UYvep78ZE1kBqPFRppZQDD8rAQy5x3m-rGDXcaj48GaDoVa1w8SISbyhYA/s1600/20130919_191922_Richtone(HDR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxzN9du5dqKqFUtIdFP5WE3kmOaK02wRlkPMx3n9NZJ7zHcjz5YSvtfOCrVnN3SAmMOv9GX-b_iyaYVSg8UYvep78ZE1kBqPFRppZQDD8rAQy5x3m-rGDXcaj48GaDoVa1w8SISbyhYA/s320/20130919_191922_Richtone(HDR).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northwest</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTngDGTwhHdzDvPsERxmGa9SFKg9WF90w9RaDKvSX4eJ0U5EPmXt1IO0lFmZ22joCgYowpRtq4yVSGqlobkiKn3ArWJlMJsEQWGra5Kl8H-iLxBzu1z2Kbqh6-v9ca-JjUefaFCofCvIY/s1600/DSC02020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTngDGTwhHdzDvPsERxmGa9SFKg9WF90w9RaDKvSX4eJ0U5EPmXt1IO0lFmZ22joCgYowpRtq4yVSGqlobkiKn3ArWJlMJsEQWGra5Kl8H-iLxBzu1z2Kbqh6-v9ca-JjUefaFCofCvIY/s320/DSC02020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun is setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtk8oaUQv30mARqDaojqTwMUKheKLu9jvi2g_ogU96Y9DsIz1QV00NRFUUcUgdtez0yO6jCMWHH1OTRS42gPMHb7aEEyM6b_HCDNJKgCGdKHCIr9PeW8uUAbhI5NxdXeswZsSBdsaRxw/s1600/20130919_184426_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtk8oaUQv30mARqDaojqTwMUKheKLu9jvi2g_ogU96Y9DsIz1QV00NRFUUcUgdtez0yO6jCMWHH1OTRS42gPMHb7aEEyM6b_HCDNJKgCGdKHCIr9PeW8uUAbhI5NxdXeswZsSBdsaRxw/s320/20130919_184426_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the sun rays?</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfeT-8C6JXXiLCvkDRgAt2MbNj_Y_cJA8PNgSkxaJzYVAbHhmAl5qcYMrpqimOYHRKsXg5mAZREPUmZF6yoL9z23bELxsJCq6lLf0pROD5yrCd_n9fFHuRCa74xCvLoRo0n1xmllxSIU/s1600/20130919_185201_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfeT-8C6JXXiLCvkDRgAt2MbNj_Y_cJA8PNgSkxaJzYVAbHhmAl5qcYMrpqimOYHRKsXg5mAZREPUmZF6yoL9z23bELxsJCq6lLf0pROD5yrCd_n9fFHuRCa74xCvLoRo0n1xmllxSIU/s320/20130919_185201_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny island off of Oia...wonder who lives there?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiO7x_iMwjKG8UkXrLU-MzX6KwnOSpAiQvzjDwupkMpSbPG5kicBA8vElyof6pUEoH_gt_IMmLfyKDL8c7mxLC619jIqwy6pOXOD0a0GaJHEUV3vMLvKC0aQs5-Q5jaypt5kHzWd-zzLI/s1600/20130919_191757_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiO7x_iMwjKG8UkXrLU-MzX6KwnOSpAiQvzjDwupkMpSbPG5kicBA8vElyof6pUEoH_gt_IMmLfyKDL8c7mxLC619jIqwy6pOXOD0a0GaJHEUV3vMLvKC0aQs5-Q5jaypt5kHzWd-zzLI/s320/20130919_191757_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-5D8ZSUUCQk3yk5GdfFjm78GopVvYenEjG8zZ8Z_rUzc8aMeo6guwfaUdfSf8l9d6hldpCLfjBqMgTeEtn873IticFqvbXCl-2-wXaTAgTB0GzQ3idvg8JfH6PaFD8T0XPUS7pS4VE0/s1600/20130919_190458_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-5D8ZSUUCQk3yk5GdfFjm78GopVvYenEjG8zZ8Z_rUzc8aMeo6guwfaUdfSf8l9d6hldpCLfjBqMgTeEtn873IticFqvbXCl-2-wXaTAgTB0GzQ3idvg8JfH6PaFD8T0XPUS7pS4VE0/s320/20130919_190458_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset -- I think my phone sometimes takes better pics than my camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzL3PV3i4LebJcobNLmUKf2C7WzqHHBT2K6O9rGsad3fSj6cRxR-vMZBvjRE6koDajCVmkMqkXtl-PxIOrsE90GmGJBSU6Gs7roJliDL2y9q_CQt8xIZj4C7c-C2tESX4NOJMrRNqKNw/s1600/20130919_191554_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzL3PV3i4LebJcobNLmUKf2C7WzqHHBT2K6O9rGsad3fSj6cRxR-vMZBvjRE6koDajCVmkMqkXtl-PxIOrsE90GmGJBSU6Gs7roJliDL2y9q_CQt8xIZj4C7c-C2tESX4NOJMrRNqKNw/s320/20130919_191554_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catamaran</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_wGCyUn112mNj8iA88bmjJzpDa4c1ofs3Nv1uhP0rdgDWEiunH8dvoAWbJPjzd75HABURQBFwOTIlsPWuf-hFHl-5fsHXa3UeDQ82aNnXB7ZLkYxdRhYC3RCO3lCC9wQdAMtTdfM-Jg/s1600/20130919_191922_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_wGCyUn112mNj8iA88bmjJzpDa4c1ofs3Nv1uhP0rdgDWEiunH8dvoAWbJPjzd75HABURQBFwOTIlsPWuf-hFHl-5fsHXa3UeDQ82aNnXB7ZLkYxdRhYC3RCO3lCC9wQdAMtTdfM-Jg/s320/20130919_191922_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northwest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today we spent a few hours traveling from Santorini to Mykonos. More exploring planned for tomorrow...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrQspW7wIdqptklN90asHnrV1f1PtZGCGWkbuFAtvMOXP-rRhFcI2cikXNhc_9kychlfT8nWoO9Z4R9455dILPa2ujlZVSeOjUM1x-gLPx-XvnLCNCqr7JBd1gbPK1Oerl-EWsNK_EQE/s1600/DSC02036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrQspW7wIdqptklN90asHnrV1f1PtZGCGWkbuFAtvMOXP-rRhFcI2cikXNhc_9kychlfT8nWoO9Z4R9455dILPa2ujlZVSeOjUM1x-gLPx-XvnLCNCqr7JBd1gbPK1Oerl-EWsNK_EQE/s320/DSC02036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church -- Agios Nectarios (back in Kamari, near our hotel)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqXCpg4cDj6yev_4PmPux7EO1IG17CpLGB3A4pp3YuvJ9PWyuEKxN4iooUImsY3TAIFo5QN0BLT0rYP1BjM5rlrIznXntT7Z8wAs0cYJj8QsOB9lSqhaLOOxJpIBFeyrDA7OXxPtY4V4/s1600/DSC02040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqXCpg4cDj6yev_4PmPux7EO1IG17CpLGB3A4pp3YuvJ9PWyuEKxN4iooUImsY3TAIFo5QN0BLT0rYP1BjM5rlrIznXntT7Z8wAs0cYJj8QsOB9lSqhaLOOxJpIBFeyrDA7OXxPtY4V4/s320/DSC02040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aegean cat on the beach :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-75559894201154704152013-09-18T17:26:00.000-04:002013-09-18T17:26:05.259-04:00Fira and Oia<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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Today I was super excited to go visit the archeological site of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akrotiri_(Santorini)">ancient Akrotiri</a>, sometimes called the "Minoan Pompeii". Then I learned over breakfast
that there is a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/greece-public-sector-strike_n_3948053.html?utm_hp_ref=world">strike</a> going on in Greece, meaning that all government-run
operations were shut down, including Akrotiri.
Supposedly, this strike will last through tomorrow, too. So, no chance to go before we leave
Santorini. Not happy.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead, we rented a little car and ventured out to explore the
island. We drove first to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fira">Fira</a> town with
a plan to book a trip to the volcano.
Fira is the port town, where all the cruises dock, so it was packed with
tourists and souvenir shops. Driving
into and around Fira was crazy, partly because we didn’t really have any
directions about where to go or park, but mostly because the streets were
narrow and windy and packing with huge buses, tiny motorcycles, and oblivious
pedestrians, and the car didn’t exactly drive smoothly. BUT, we got in and out without any problems
and reserved a trip for tomorrow, including the volcano and view of the island
at sunset. Should be romantic <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Wingdings; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietdpur0Hpdri3lfwFGJ9TwlYeOZKvx_C8iNQTFBgE8Y0ZKjWSw6MgQVHdKL9uJF4iyauqAAUYiLHZi9Xw96JR1WCkr2hCHuTCxnRE7JAPzQDY8P3XO96rtphyphenhyphendWug1kMCNrq1MetSbOw/s1600/DSC01706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietdpur0Hpdri3lfwFGJ9TwlYeOZKvx_C8iNQTFBgE8Y0ZKjWSw6MgQVHdKL9uJF4iyauqAAUYiLHZi9Xw96JR1WCkr2hCHuTCxnRE7JAPzQDY8P3XO96rtphyphenhyphendWug1kMCNrq1MetSbOw/s320/DSC01706.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Our little yellow Chevrolet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Wingdings; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqcGtBH-gFVdneVsocZImyUFGK_x2Lc0zcoDsE2cEiYtTwHprfHet3ZQYtnXwR9LsVOiI2LAvE6kxI1XZA_DNvOqFl2RgOQ8BI_NbD075LKfQMz1oeHwTWVx_DGNuuFKPFQOCY-rDO18/s1600/DSC01716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqcGtBH-gFVdneVsocZImyUFGK_x2Lc0zcoDsE2cEiYtTwHprfHet3ZQYtnXwR9LsVOiI2LAvE6kxI1XZA_DNvOqFl2RgOQ8BI_NbD075LKfQMz1oeHwTWVx_DGNuuFKPFQOCY-rDO18/s320/DSC01716.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">View of the volcano from Fira</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IkurdFceq6X7mpmgFvfx4FX-Fbs_FwQubAgSkpeQU3ZKTQ6N2oEzUxAdUBMLUY2CENV9mJrrlyNI87_GLtuHRROCrxz31VmO7cxif-KwYS2Z9q8N4yQ0-f7iFEvMcHMxUxNr20dgigY/s1600/DSC01719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IkurdFceq6X7mpmgFvfx4FX-Fbs_FwQubAgSkpeQU3ZKTQ6N2oEzUxAdUBMLUY2CENV9mJrrlyNI87_GLtuHRROCrxz31VmO7cxif-KwYS2Z9q8N4yQ0-f7iFEvMcHMxUxNr20dgigY/s320/DSC01719.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over Fira town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then we drove up and around the top of the island toward <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oia,_Greece">Oia</a>. Very pretty town with white houses stacked in
clusters all along the cliff walls, looking out over the rest of the caldera. We wandered around and saw lots of dogs
(sleepy), <a href="http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/cats-101/videos/aegean.htm">cats</a> (annoyed), blue-domed churches, tourists, and souvenir
shops. Had a tasty dinner and watched
hordes of people flock to the farthest tip of the town to view the sunset over
the water. Guess what’s common in
Greece? Peach juice and Morello cherry
juice. Awesome.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lots of pics of Oia! Tomorrow, I
will be double-checking about Akrotiri, just in case the strike miraculously
ends. Either way, I will be hiking the
volcano.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifihSFH7-Pk9cwacKhW2iW5nUB6OpLxEgGSxSMgZF7e0NLVWjCMIUV5f9bN9mxrDCUmXlPxmlwxzlM8kjXUMLRtWBLuIcH3MKVJ_CjArKEy9gU6Lrf_SC17J9sd5VW78ZwGnI6OjsvuRI/s1600/DSC01767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifihSFH7-Pk9cwacKhW2iW5nUB6OpLxEgGSxSMgZF7e0NLVWjCMIUV5f9bN9mxrDCUmXlPxmlwxzlM8kjXUMLRtWBLuIcH3MKVJ_CjArKEy9gU6Lrf_SC17J9sd5VW78ZwGnI6OjsvuRI/s320/DSC01767.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west over Oia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBNySxUae1K7NZxonIcAMDKE7XHTpYHqWBzTPAm8fwyfdIMaP11OuYYifEafAIuCzlVA33WCb22ivKjgVCDDXQ1XcorKso6G9eRHMWyq73S0FfHyNCDsh7nYpaX5dgLrqHK5-iPZMWYY/s1600/DSC01779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBNySxUae1K7NZxonIcAMDKE7XHTpYHqWBzTPAm8fwyfdIMaP11OuYYifEafAIuCzlVA33WCb22ivKjgVCDDXQ1XcorKso6G9eRHMWyq73S0FfHyNCDsh7nYpaX5dgLrqHK5-iPZMWYY/s320/DSC01779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the colorful buildings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoWyQuwgHoLPdUQTQu1z3_H1FKupW_vUzURBqcgJnb2zmQnUcK3Y_YtyUKezNw1YtGTUVB_u4WUsRIeYUKDTJYuT5dDEu5Yfv2MSW5VUpnQGP7aU8gNM0jvrE9d83F93NZJp7PQMZ-T8/s1600/DSC01803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoWyQuwgHoLPdUQTQu1z3_H1FKupW_vUzURBqcgJnb2zmQnUcK3Y_YtyUKezNw1YtGTUVB_u4WUsRIeYUKDTJYuT5dDEu5Yfv2MSW5VUpnQGP7aU8gNM0jvrE9d83F93NZJp7PQMZ-T8/s320/DSC01803.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sort-of sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzcVOelhplBK708EJlPd71JSS3SjsGAprAt0QHwoa8UwNoo6ZZ89e9izx6m2u20hRwPN-6TBjsTCGpTcT0sxwLKnvd_JaQXwEX_4DKVX6oxnt9FuxBmPqYoXWU8xmXVo6iCH76QfF3KA/s1600/DSC01814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzcVOelhplBK708EJlPd71JSS3SjsGAprAt0QHwoa8UwNoo6ZZ89e9izx6m2u20hRwPN-6TBjsTCGpTcT0sxwLKnvd_JaQXwEX_4DKVX6oxnt9FuxBmPqYoXWU8xmXVo6iCH76QfF3KA/s320/DSC01814.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oia at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gaHqgRdfuLsXg5mPe2jxsjq5trBRSP7oZwzIzhqhUZ_Yx0vgiHsbmgbmdva_JKvFfPOo4HV2wQ8vkb_LuhFrXQz2YZzo5MKRnZD4wOjRrlFtsvpZJ0dffgLY7kW2epJGWlyfX0cNvMg/s1600/DSC01818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gaHqgRdfuLsXg5mPe2jxsjq5trBRSP7oZwzIzhqhUZ_Yx0vgiHsbmgbmdva_JKvFfPOo4HV2wQ8vkb_LuhFrXQz2YZzo5MKRnZD4wOjRrlFtsvpZJ0dffgLY7kW2epJGWlyfX0cNvMg/s320/DSC01818.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking southeast over Oia, tiny lights on the right in the distance are probably Imerovigli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
UPDATE: I asked someone else about the strike, wondering about the chances it would be done by tomorrow. He had no idea what I was talking about. Then, when I explained, he said these strikes happen all the time in Athens, but never impact commerce in Santorini.... I hope this is true so we can go tomorrow, but also, if it is true, why did our travel rep tell us otherwise? I am sure they know. <br />
<br />
Is it possibly some sort of strategy to keep me away from ancient ruins?! If it is...I will look like this grumpy cat we saw in Oia:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPXcMsRgUC8CC1giGLRNlGf_Pf59I3h4odjfcCOUiRY9fJyrSL8XK3x4omF4oTfxo8rcU4avaCsQbOWJpTKCEldneMk6nXOnNTXOa0Ou2faRFlvf7d5Wqfui3gKu3DRxmODUsmjwhh-c/s1600/DSC01832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPXcMsRgUC8CC1giGLRNlGf_Pf59I3h4odjfcCOUiRY9fJyrSL8XK3x4omF4oTfxo8rcU4avaCsQbOWJpTKCEldneMk6nXOnNTXOa0Ou2faRFlvf7d5Wqfui3gKu3DRxmODUsmjwhh-c/s320/DSC01832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I watched a woman smush her face up close to this clearly-unhappy cat to get a photo. It swatted her in the face. She still posed with it for a pic. This is the aftermath. (I like him!)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-77012056177438006112013-09-17T16:25:00.001-04:002013-09-17T16:28:57.991-04:00Made it to GreeceSo, Greece is 7 hours ahead of Boston time. I think I have been mostly awake since...8am Monday morning. Definitely very tired. But, it's nearly time for bed here, so I should get in sync pretty quick. <br />
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We got into Santorini at around 2pm Greece time and fairly quickly found our hotel, the beach, and lots of delicious feta. The island is really cool. It's a caldera formed when the volcano in the center of the island (which is still active) erupted around 1600 BC, called the <a href="http://www.decadevolcano.net/santorini/minoaneruption.htm">Minoan Eruption</a>. Phyllis Forsyth says it was "one of the most violent volcanic eruptions ever since human beings have been on this planet!" Apparently, it was quite the event and even trickled its way into Greek mythology. (Hear Leonard Nimoy narrate part of the history <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnAUB2gcfRU">here</a>.) Anyway, the result is really interesting -- I'm hoping to get pics tomorrow or Thursday. <br />
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In the meantime, here are pics from today:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqp7WMtypGgRPqeFhZ5-5TlhweuMt6d2nia6P3hQSgsWkC_7XR7jMfohh-fkAaK0nOsd1TbHbO48UlOXf1lS5yydcm5cuD82tiU-cRqUVGIVrhYYSJrVEtX5zswchbrd_dXPSIG9VVSo/s1600/DSC01683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqp7WMtypGgRPqeFhZ5-5TlhweuMt6d2nia6P3hQSgsWkC_7XR7jMfohh-fkAaK0nOsd1TbHbO48UlOXf1lS5yydcm5cuD82tiU-cRqUVGIVrhYYSJrVEtX5zswchbrd_dXPSIG9VVSo/s320/DSC01683.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View outside our room (Ancient Thira sits at the top of the hill in the distance)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQMUIC3-ZoH0TEgPAdd_QCyiKjIEjqKYXveCbp888egmeZubTEhbYdCXJiF5KSD-qSsLBA8j-FBQt3djhsx0gPXk80aFywp5M1PWcgg35v5tslnWn4tOgN9sH_4vfnsbnNSHc3SUOCc0/s1600/DSC01684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQMUIC3-ZoH0TEgPAdd_QCyiKjIEjqKYXveCbp888egmeZubTEhbYdCXJiF5KSD-qSsLBA8j-FBQt3djhsx0gPXk80aFywp5M1PWcgg35v5tslnWn4tOgN9sH_4vfnsbnNSHc3SUOCc0/s320/DSC01684.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from inside our room...kinda pretty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO2Nzv5vie6gQRVIT0-RgGYI5n70jNsUk8nFWbHeD7bmpIMrwRWLlz3VmHcuD-ojGFFXFar3_z75AculYrdaRR36DWTbQJ6f_L-Bl1wZbZWBy7OJlVjgFtcsKlaKRgapxKqCPYSQomYk/s1600/DSC01688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO2Nzv5vie6gQRVIT0-RgGYI5n70jNsUk8nFWbHeD7bmpIMrwRWLlz3VmHcuD-ojGFFXFar3_z75AculYrdaRR36DWTbQJ6f_L-Bl1wZbZWBy7OJlVjgFtcsKlaKRgapxKqCPYSQomYk/s320/DSC01688.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kamara black sand beach, Anafi in the distance. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznuhyetvjyOgU7dbsO-izfaZ2EDPN9uw7tcHXcZFr_pZR34-04Wm2SXDt3_HYKQAA35PmeEHxG-IUL5IKFmxZ6X0_UToeyVUs-eA3JaCtUx_5G_7OTcedrLInrr30tcNG4eC2OMJWO0k/s1600/DSC01689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznuhyetvjyOgU7dbsO-izfaZ2EDPN9uw7tcHXcZFr_pZR34-04Wm2SXDt3_HYKQAA35PmeEHxG-IUL5IKFmxZ6X0_UToeyVUs-eA3JaCtUx_5G_7OTcedrLInrr30tcNG4eC2OMJWO0k/s320/DSC01689.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevermind about the whole gluten-free thing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzehqTsfGxVbjLbDCDunuCB-V7u6_F1Xqb9qyCO5J2fVxu3UIfo-5eFLGyssGuJhWbkpIPiAJlhefTs7kdluROYZRhJu3l8DYTTvfvY4X0n1NaT6vvs580fkHhCLE3SbzJkHIdVG0QtQ/s1600/DSC01693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzehqTsfGxVbjLbDCDunuCB-V7u6_F1Xqb9qyCO5J2fVxu3UIfo-5eFLGyssGuJhWbkpIPiAJlhefTs7kdluROYZRhJu3l8DYTTvfvY4X0n1NaT6vvs580fkHhCLE3SbzJkHIdVG0QtQ/s320/DSC01693.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one goes out to Trevor, who appreciates the artistry of photographing your dinner :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtCeLhkK5EcQAIxtRMtTvKtN-tnzoRk2KdV_ckWU_zuYY73Z0BlmZzIieMOPHAK9blG1NUNOLtVvshOtwlvwYH_YvEPSmqONfm4gKycOt2SVr1YnfssexPInz8lDjHm6vSnBUOTFZmxk/s1600/DSC01692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtCeLhkK5EcQAIxtRMtTvKtN-tnzoRk2KdV_ckWU_zuYY73Z0BlmZzIieMOPHAK9blG1NUNOLtVvshOtwlvwYH_YvEPSmqONfm4gKycOt2SVr1YnfssexPInz8lDjHm6vSnBUOTFZmxk/s320/DSC01692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feta, wrapped in phyllo, fried, drizzled with honey and sesame seeds. There are no words to explain how delicious this is. As good as sopapillas, Aubrey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbNDb_oSbPSveSZjAIr9QLTYtkToZCq7yzW7hLwxz1JF8pce-CMNtrGV5mD9UhnmQCqRn2YT8JkOY1qFBfRuTSHfT-ZTRKFXg5pNodgeOO2GVgjK3ZFm7fEUS1_xPgjJKq2B_dqPZAr8/s1600/DSC01698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbNDb_oSbPSveSZjAIr9QLTYtkToZCq7yzW7hLwxz1JF8pce-CMNtrGV5mD9UhnmQCqRn2YT8JkOY1qFBfRuTSHfT-ZTRKFXg5pNodgeOO2GVgjK3ZFm7fEUS1_xPgjJKq2B_dqPZAr8/s320/DSC01698.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the balcony</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-49569097715508459302013-07-06T14:08:00.000-04:002013-09-13T14:08:46.827-04:00Pie day :)I finished off the week with a <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/sku/1230119/Perfect-Pie-101">pie-making class</a> at Sur La Table with my mom on Saturday morning. It was fun and I learned a few new tricks. We made a cherry-nectarine lattice-top pie, a key lime pie, and "perfect" pie crust. Everything tasted great :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaygxMl1NMP2rRE9sytD4wEok0l0Ayg10Q2V-GrLi59a6HNj8W5Y3Kcqgz-1cpM1oM4buGsBdXZ7bzdMesjvv_3UXy4EAzlBy5FV6n7cCyNu_v_uBV2-0oEgANENBsYuxFk40AxI_dbi8/s1600/20130706_110405_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaygxMl1NMP2rRE9sytD4wEok0l0Ayg10Q2V-GrLi59a6HNj8W5Y3Kcqgz-1cpM1oM4buGsBdXZ7bzdMesjvv_3UXy4EAzlBy5FV6n7cCyNu_v_uBV2-0oEgANENBsYuxFk40AxI_dbi8/s640/20130706_110405_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how pretty?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4sFcBFltnPAFHmkHp18AwRD_uCfdJPD4JDYev4F9eVSpODOxnUmbV8JY8D1zsrvKyl9pzUnoo_W-t01VAuo3_vKs6EMIU4bYmGA3w8dl3zfyjA_artC-em6wCu_ltHbLvzfYrJBeYx8/s1600/20130706_113135_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4sFcBFltnPAFHmkHp18AwRD_uCfdJPD4JDYev4F9eVSpODOxnUmbV8JY8D1zsrvKyl9pzUnoo_W-t01VAuo3_vKs6EMIU4bYmGA3w8dl3zfyjA_artC-em6wCu_ltHbLvzfYrJBeYx8/s640/20130706_113135_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artfully-placed limes...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixa8a8z9JFF-QW4GjoOi_DJ0Mruq3U1voB5rYW1K2APpR6LLep-aDS6C6hAFntBZxvw4iWTXYG5dDVFUsGfeXfvWaszI4Yf4Am58IJRMfhd4t14zX0sLvc70Pp2EYRAy-QYCVWDK-asls/s1600/20130706_112342_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixa8a8z9JFF-QW4GjoOi_DJ0Mruq3U1voB5rYW1K2APpR6LLep-aDS6C6hAFntBZxvw4iWTXYG5dDVFUsGfeXfvWaszI4Yf4Am58IJRMfhd4t14zX0sLvc70Pp2EYRAy-QYCVWDK-asls/s640/20130706_112342_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pie used dried cherries (meh)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnqKAgZwNJYkFqKOCT8bdBkXg3xn5YdmybiZzeaEfjnJnOPbUFOUth5asKpA_1cqYZpjPWyc-n0F6jhnDYOyO5aaw7nuuD5l0gKggyo8Tprpb_0gVG_pqT8082LgRrIi04OnprHlA0Hk/s1600/20130706_103133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnqKAgZwNJYkFqKOCT8bdBkXg3xn5YdmybiZzeaEfjnJnOPbUFOUth5asKpA_1cqYZpjPWyc-n0F6jhnDYOyO5aaw7nuuD5l0gKggyo8Tprpb_0gVG_pqT8082LgRrIi04OnprHlA0Hk/s400/20130706_103133.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's mom -- very excited about pie (of course)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-9435971451123930292013-07-04T23:32:00.000-04:002013-07-05T01:05:44.462-04:00Happy 4th of July!A busy day here today! Started off with brunch with Rachel, and then Lindsay joined us for some prep tasks for Rachel's wedding in October. Rachel wanted to make some pearl necklaces for the bridesmaids (me and Lindsay) and we also needed to make her birdcage veil. Success on both counts. Veil turned out to be super easy. We went back to Rachel's to see her dress, which was recently finished and turned out perfectly. Also made a brief trip to <a href="http://www.graeters.com/">Graeter's</a> for some mocha chip ice cream. Some more wedding planning stuff on the books for tomorrow...<br />
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We also got to see some more family in town to visit. Aunt Kari and cousins Hannah and Eli came to town and got to advise on the wedding prep and visit a bit with baby Max.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really cool detail on the back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs-_Ib8xmW8ayHFGyNgYL5ZNTnIBEhcj5tFYGE27DvMGj7SkNBQ2iabRXmDKhstVQnoR8FlU6UITKU4tFAPLx-aR9QpNdpf0uKyKqO5HfSquYMU5aKeE6z_scoEAoFrHPMGW0K9dQrwU/s1600/20130704_180443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs-_Ib8xmW8ayHFGyNgYL5ZNTnIBEhcj5tFYGE27DvMGj7SkNBQ2iabRXmDKhstVQnoR8FlU6UITKU4tFAPLx-aR9QpNdpf0uKyKqO5HfSquYMU5aKeE6z_scoEAoFrHPMGW0K9dQrwU/s640/20130704_180443.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It comes with built-in wings!</td></tr>
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After dinner and some visiting, we headed back to Dublin for the fireworks, which were NOT cancelled, thanks to a brief break in the rain. We met Brian & Co. at the high school, where they had a tent set up and were listening to this year's musical guest, Chicago.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for dark</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both of the twins were happy to share their umbrellas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Met up with Christina and Caroline</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian got the girls some light sabers (of course)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-43129295202696987442013-07-03T23:44:00.000-04:002013-07-05T01:11:00.614-04:00Picnic daySaw <a href="http://www.theheatmovie.com/">The Heat</a> last night with Aubrey. Hilarious. The plan for today was facials with Aubrey and a picnic with the girls.<br />
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Aubrey and I went to a local day spa, which was awesome. Wish I had time for a massage, but I found out the awesome masseuse moved to San Francisco, anyway. Sad. Then I headed home to get ready for a picnic.<br />
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I grabbed the girls and we headed to the Dublin <a href="http://www.dublinfarmersmarket.com/">farmers' market</a>, where they sampled everything (homemade chocolate granola, apple cider, summer honey, fall honey, gluten-free/dairy-free/peanut-free/vegan ice cream, cheese, homemade hot dogs, and jams). We settled on some blueberries, peaches, and a mini raspberry pie. They also insisted that we buy some honey for Grampy. I think farmers' markets may be the best thing about summer. I can't wait to get to the one in Brookline. (Mmmm, heirloom tomatoes.....)<br />
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Then we headed to a local park to eat our fruit and pie (plus some mac & cheese). Had a good time running around, finding bugs, and playing on the playground.<br />
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After the picnic, I met up with Muriel, and we went to the <a href="http://www.powellvillagewinery.com/">Powell Village Winery</a> and finished off the evening with some ice cream from <a href="http://www.jenis.com/">Jeni's</a> (pistachio and banana honey). Caught most of <a href="http://www.redwhiteandboom.org/">Red, White, and BOOM!</a> on TV. Live fireworks here in Dublin tomorrow, if the weather holds out.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-59937053116226907512013-07-03T01:09:00.003-04:002013-07-03T01:18:47.613-04:00Kiddie Cars and El Vaquero!Last night we had a cookout with the whole family and a few family friends. Afterwards, the girls were surprised with the arrival of a belated birthday gift (which had to be picked up from the store): a child-sized motorized Jeep. I was impressed by their driving skills (especially Macy) and their mad cackling (especially Sadie). I'll try and post a video, which is actually fairly long, but cute!<br />
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A local Mexican favorite, El Vaquero, was the destination tonight. Macy had requested the novel experience of walking to the restaurant, which is actually pretty close to my brother's house. Still, it was quite a jaunt (in the heat) for two four-year-olds (and some adults), and we were all very proud of ourselves. After dinner, the girls "fed" tortilla chips to the ducks out back and got some lessons on skipping stones. KC did more than his share of the work on the walk home, acting as entertainment and vehicle. The nieces LOVE Uncle KC.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the walk home, Macy told me that she was very close to skipping stones. "I almost got it!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly, my skills are not up to par. I did not obey commands like "carry me on your head!" or "RUN!!!!"</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-1952566337774199462013-07-01T16:11:00.001-04:002013-07-01T16:19:21.078-04:00Hocking HillsKC and I had planned to take a trip to <a href="http://www.hockinghills.com/">Hocking Hills</a> to canoe or kayak or something, but the forecast was bad. Also, I'd agreed to try out riding as a passenger on his new bike, so he drove me to the local breakfast place and then down the road near our old house. He's a good driver, but I was still worried that I'd be flying off the back of the bike at some point. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_gwEJRpcPpZ27-D1xu6LHZRvvudHHPYuQ7va01ARTRww3uNR2wA-afyPFCChX-gLBEj5FaJGJsT_2zCqXEpYX4LCPVYDXNvZvGpyOImKNJVLBPb-YvGyiFx7gmFflRUvTVQ8x8RzPOg/s1600/20130630_121347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_gwEJRpcPpZ27-D1xu6LHZRvvudHHPYuQ7va01ARTRww3uNR2wA-afyPFCChX-gLBEj5FaJGJsT_2zCqXEpYX4LCPVYDXNvZvGpyOImKNJVLBPb-YvGyiFx7gmFflRUvTVQ8x8RzPOg/s640/20130630_121347.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KC with the new bike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xdevO2w_ZkzVEZmtDW9t1rFlROaISOnNpAO0izDMWvwpntyRpNNhfucYV6yPCIIpzlcVOo-ZXbrQgm255xXYbHN3327EsVsJuQPwZBx6fLdsZdum3oWW5__uP55p2U2uJK4vToIHgQ8/s1600/20130630_140226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xdevO2w_ZkzVEZmtDW9t1rFlROaISOnNpAO0izDMWvwpntyRpNNhfucYV6yPCIIpzlcVOo-ZXbrQgm255xXYbHN3327EsVsJuQPwZBx6fLdsZdum3oWW5__uP55p2U2uJK4vToIHgQ8/s640/20130630_140226.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old house -- when a new family bought it years ago, they took down a lot of trees and whatnot. <br />
Now it looks really different...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNrH_xq-eHSLamVRFmLHJBpkG0xaLvjGJC39boEWRyKmJfhYibFRdycHMPplyx_mMHDGEvgu3L0ccCr9ZnU05JQ02t5CtGdsZkL4YIyF4NtrTkQXvDMP9pBf8GCFK_78B4EWUokFIVpA/s1600/20130630_140006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNrH_xq-eHSLamVRFmLHJBpkG0xaLvjGJC39boEWRyKmJfhYibFRdycHMPplyx_mMHDGEvgu3L0ccCr9ZnU05JQ02t5CtGdsZkL4YIyF4NtrTkQXvDMP9pBf8GCFK_78B4EWUokFIVpA/s640/20130630_140006.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian's old tree-fort tree is still around. (Some of the climbing planks are still there.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house seems much smaller than I remember, but the cherry tree is huge! I am jealous.</td></tr>
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As we were driving around, we realized that the weather was actually great, so went ahead down to Hocking Hills to kayak and hike. It was really pretty. Also, we were told that the area is the second most biodiverse place in the world, with the Amazon being #1. Interesting...KC says it's because of the variety of ecosystems created by the underground caves, river, sandstone hills, forests, etc. We saw...a turtle and a spider. And KC confirmed the presence of catfish in the river. AND we managed to miss the storms, though they created a pretty sunset for our drive home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KC, looking forward to the trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hocking River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Upper Falls near Old Man's Cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt362BvUEjnsqST5DC5zeXq8gRtPNb1udAAtuGL_DuV4iONZdZzcOtwxwevaT2sT2ljWOiG3Ee9MvjBP_GcDo86o5d_AJaCXTWxcm1qf32Npf8AOqPw9ABRRdTbm4OLJFbkzGC2X4JqAs/s400/20130630_190153_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="225" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Bathtub</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(from the other side of the "drain")</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out from under Old Man's Cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from 270 North</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117768072872795047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876131437827015445.post-34574830155903307242013-06-29T22:14:00.000-04:002013-07-05T00:40:49.121-04:00Visiting Ohio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Arrived home this morning and was quickly shuttled off to the brunch with the fam at the Worthington Inn. We met everyone there, including my Grandma and Uncle Greg, who are visiting from Minneapolis. Other than some relaxing and visiting, not too much going on during the day. KC and I had planned on a canoeing/kayaking trip tomorrow, but the forecast is dreary all week (scattered thunderstorms everyday). On the bright side, we saw a double rainbow!</div>
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