Tarfeathers

Today, I got to cross off another experience from my bucket list. We joined a small group of Germans on a 2 hour drive south of our hotel to visit a penguin colony. It was a great breeding season so there were about 1 million birds there. We must have seen about half of them. They were on, in and under everything. We drove along a straight road across a low shrub plain. Not much rain falls here, only about 200ml/year. Along the way, our eagle-eyed driver stopped to point out local wildlife. Among the menagerie were half rabbit/half dog creatures, amarillos, long-legged half camel/half llama beasts with split lips and various birds of prey. The first penguin we encountered were the losers. They did not reproduce this year. They were about 3 km the sea. ... read more

Gratefully, the wind had changed overnight and the room was not as hot and stuffy as previously. The thing with sleeping in a dorms you never know who you are going to wake up with! It reminds me of a few occasions from my drunken youth. It being Sunday morning, I had the kitchen to myself as the rest of the guests must have been out later than I was. I spent a good half hour writing up yesterday’s blog but mistakenly hit the wrong button and lost everything. When will I ever learn to hit the SAVE button more frequently instead. I know the second draft is not the same as the first, with some details forgotten and new ones added. Better save what I have just written, just in case… There. Done. After a ... read more

I visit the main post office of every capitol city I visit. This time I could do my business without having to worry about how bored my wife is getting. I must say that these folks are amongst the most efficient and customer orientated postal authorities I have ever encountered, very philatelic centred. I then went to meet a couple of friends from the village we live in for lunch. They had discovered this wonderful fresh fish restaurant on the harbour front. The Fish Baron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqpQQHyah7c I had a halibut brochette, brushed with lemon butter. It was excellent, fresh and flakey. For those of you that like fish soup, my friends swear by this house specialty, loaded with lobster meat and its broth. I was especially grateful to Bertrand and Claire for taking me for a ... read more

I just couldn't resist. I saw an add in the newspaper for a return flight to Iceland for $125 on WOW airlines out of Iceland. Checking further, I saw with taxes an airport fees, that the price would be double. Nevertheless, it was still a good deal. Only allowed 5 kilos before heavy fees are applied. I would be flying solo so decided to save some money and sleep in a dorm setting. Knowing that the rest of the visit would be expensive, it would be for only four days. Just enough time to visit some museums in the capital and maybe a side trip into the countryside. Rain and wind was forcast for the duration of my stay. Hours before leaving, I recieve an e-mail from the airline saying that the air traffic controllers in ... read more

I had a huge breakfast in anticipation of missed meals during the long day of travel. There were sad good-byes to our hosts at La Beauty de Hanoi. I gave maple syrup to the lady who oversees the breakfast kitchen and to the girl at the front desk who called me Santa Claus. I explained to her that it was Santa’s duty to give gifts to people who do a good job. Claudette also left a good tip in the box for that purpose. I guess it was acceptable and appreciated, judging from the wild-eyed smile from the staff present. Incredibly, we made it to the airport in virtual silence. The driver followed all the rules of the road. I wondered that they even existed, and he didn’t honk his horn once during the 45 minute ... read more