http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Alan-and-Donna/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Alan and Donna en-us Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:19:10 +0000 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:19:10 +0000 After yesterdayrsquos glorious outing in Hubbard Glacier the weather gods pay us back with a rainy overcast day in Seward. Itrsquos the end of the road for some cruisers as the first segment of our Vancouver to Singpoare cruise ends. But itrsquos just the beginning for another round of new guests. Alan and I look forward to catching up with our cruise friends Jack and Sue who are join http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Seward/blog-450168.html Itrsquos another early morning start today when Mariner goes exploring in Hubbard Glacier. Although Alan arrives in the Observation Lounge before 7 a.m. the prime window seats have already been saved with passengersrsquo cameras and coats.When I join Alan Mariner is just entering Disenchantment Bay. On a clear autumn day the Elias and Fairweather Mountain Ranges poke their glistening white http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Hubbard-Glacier/blog-445414.html Mariner passes by small heavily forested islands as we approach through Sitka Sound this morning. Our destination An Alaskan town where Russian influences mix with the Tlingit Indian culture in a scenic setting.While many passengers have chosen water or land adventures Alan and I are taking a break from sponsored excursions. Sitka is just the place for a long walk on a beautiful sunny day.Afte http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Sitka/blog-441418.html When Mariner docks in Skagway on a foggy morning Alan and I wonder if wersquoll be experiencing a repeat of our Juneau experience. But the ticket says our Speedcat to Glacier Point excursion happens rain or shine. So off we go to paddle a canoe to the face of Davidson Glacier.As soon as we board the highspeed catamaran for the 1hour ride to Glacier Point itrsquos obvious that wersquove http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Skagway/blog-439357.html Alan headed to the Observation Lounge at 7 this morning to make sure that we had ringside seats for Mariner's cruise up Tracy Arm one of Alaskarsquos scenic fjords. I met him about thirty minutes later for our coffee with a view.As the ship sailed beside the sheer granite cliffs of the narrow fjord lecturer Terry Breen provided the commentary. But environmental regulations applying to Trac http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Juneau/blog-438051.html Remember when we visited New Zealand and Alan wanted a jet boat Now hersquos added a seaplane to the list.It all started when we docked in Ketchikan on a misty gray day. Holland Americarsquos Westerdam ship passed by our balcony and passed by our balcony then passed by our balcony some more. What a huge ship. I peaked over the railing to see that our ship Mariner was wedged between the W http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Ketchikan/blog-437487.html Surprise Alan and I are back on a ship again. This time we're cruising on Regent Seven Seas Mariner starting in Vancouver and ending in Singapore . In case you didn't count up the days there are 52 of them excluding crossing the International Date Line. Today we're cruising the Inside Passage on our way to Alaskan ports. The sun is shining and we're pleasantly surprised that it's warm and s http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Inside-Passage/blog-435868.html It's a cold day shrouded in clouds as Mariner arrives in Walvis Bay Namibia. Groups of unemployed men lounging around the docks add to the gloomy atmosphere.As our tour vehicle leaves the port topless women from the Himba tribe known for smearing red ochre on their bodies spread their wares on the ground outside of the port gate. The only way to visit them is to walk through the dock area a http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Namibia/Walvis-Bay/blog-433914.html Yesterday was shark day. Today it's the penguins' turn and they prove to be better subjects.The group has loved Birkenhead so much that Ngaire our travel agent arranges for a late checkout plus lunch around the pool area. We're thrilled to spend a few extra hours in this beautiful location.The back patio overlooking the ocean has been calling Alan for a little early morning whale watching. Thi http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Hermanus/blog-428784.html Great white sharks. Who wouldn't mind adding them to their life list of wildlife sightings The main reason Alan and I are here in Hermanus is to see them. Oh and to stay at the wonderful Birkenhead House .We wake this morning to the sound of the ocean. Will it be too windy for our great white shark viewing adventure After an omelet breakfast in the dining room we sit on the back patio watchin http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Hermanus/blog-415452.html After another animalfilled safari at Madikwe Hills we boarded the small plane that would take us back to Johannesburg and the perils of the Johannesburg Airport. All I can say is don't let a porter get hold of your luggage and don't trust the agents at the South African Airlines counter. Upon returning to the states we discovered that our United VISA card had been compromised . The only pla http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Hermanus/blog-401836.html On our last morning game drive zebra walk in single file down the main road. Jaco halts the Land Rover so that we can watch as they stop to graze providing another photographic opportunity.As Jaco turns the vehicle down a side road Simon spots lion tracks. We follow until they enter a part of the reserve where it is too muddy for us to follow. So itrsquos time to search for hippopotamus.On http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-352177.html When we start the nightly game drive Jaco tells us that conditions are still muddy which means wersquoll be staying on the main roads again.But wersquore lucky that a giraffe has chosen to eat dinner very close to the road. Jaco stops the Land Rover so that we can watch as the gangly animal stretches his long neck to taste the leafy branches of a treetop. He moves gracefully from tree to t http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-350643.html Last nightrsquos rain leads to a colorful sunrise this morning. Because of the muddy conditions Jaco is limited to driving the Land Rover on the main roads. A giraffe stops her breakfast to take a look at us as we hurry by. Wersquore on the hunt for elephants today. And we find a herd of them tinged red from their mud bath. Jaco stops the vehicle so that we can observe the mamas and babies http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-350621.html Clouds on the horizon promise a stormy afternoon game drive. It seems the rainy weather has followed us from Sabin Sands to Madikwe.But before the rain falls we spot wildebeest and impala plus a herd of elephants in the distance. When the Land Rover turns a corner two white rhino are standing close by. This is our first opportunity to see and photograph them up close. The sky darkens with ap http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-349912.html Lions have dominated my last few safari posts. I promise you that we are seeing other animals. But I canrsquot resist writing about such wonderful sightings. And so it is again this morning.Once lions are spotted Jaco drives offroad to follow them. We watch as a female lion displays submissive behavior to a male cowing down before him. Then the Land Rover creeps along as the male and fe http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-349586.html At Skukuza airport Alan and I catch a small plane for the flight to Federal Air Terminal in Johannesburg where we switch to an even smaller plane for the trip to Madikwe. Our path diverts from stormy weather before circling the dirt landing strip as a giraffe pops her long neck above the trees to check out the new arrivals.We see zebra kudu and impala roaming the flat valley on the drive to Ma http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-349031.html Even Alan struggles to wake up for our 4th morning game drive at Lion Sands. Today 5 am seems incredibly early to both of us as we enjoy the comfort of our bed at Ivory Lodge.Once wersquore settled in the Land Rover Enoch points the vehicle towards the river road. Hersquos looking for leopard. On the way we see hippo giraffe waterbuck and elephant but so far no leopard.Then he gets th http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Mpumalanga-/Sabi-Sands/blog-348729.html Itrsquos quiet this Saturday morning as we drive through the bush. Enoch teases that the animals partied too hard last night. First stop the watering hole with the dead elephant to see if there has been any action. Yesterday the ecologist opened the hide of the decaying carcass so that the animals would be able to eat. Guess who found it first That roar we heard last night was the lonely lion http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Mpumalanga-/Sabi-Sands/blog-348400.html After a 500 am wakeup call Torrance rings the gong on our front wall before placing a pot of coffee through the dumb waiter door in the living room. By 530 am Alan and I have donned raincoats for a wet walk to the reception area where Enoch our ranger and his tracker Sam are preparing the Land Rover for this morningrsquos 3hour excursion .As the rain pours Alan Gail another guest http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Mpumalanga-/Sabi-Sands/blog-347427.html