Great Introduction This sounds like an awesome trip and opportunity. Can't wait to hear more about Russia. I loved the roll call of voyagers and their pictures at the end of the blog. It feels like I'm being introduced to the passengers at the beginning of Gilligan's Island.
Great Introduction Caught in a storm and wrecked on a Gilliganesque island with a diverse band of nutters...mmmm. Are you introducing the script for my Russian blogs, Tommy? Maybe a dip in the Ganges with you at Varanasi might also be in order!
Such a tease! Cannot wait to hear more of the stories from your trip. Just love the gallery of faces! Somehow suspect you are going to be telling the story about the time you met a Russian cosmonaut for a very long time!
Such a tease! We met in the High Pamir Marie & Emma and shared some biscuits that you had scored to supplement Tajik fare. I hope my Russian & Uzbek tales provide some delights to interest your adventurous flair.
Smiling faces....going places..... Enjoyed being teased as a prelude to more good stories about your trip. Kept thinking....where is the picture of Denise? These are the faces of Russia! Finally saw her face near the end of the photos....cheers!
Smiling faces....going places.... Ah Dangerous One. Smiling faces....going places. Just a few pics before the crescendo. MJ and you have swooned and grooved like us in BB Kings Club in Memphis. Remember Mr Sipp's gig in the Queens Lounge that was akin to a religious experience. Then imagine Denise and me in BB Kings House of the Blues in Moscow and you start to see the picture. Russian blues is awesome!
Russian cosmonaut?? Wow, a real live cosmonaut!! We've only ever been on one cruise and swore we'd never go on another one, but the promise of a cosmonaut might be enough to change our minds.... Have fun!!
Russian cosmonaut?? Incentives are there to draw you in Dave, some that tickle the palms, others the tonsils. A Russian cosmonaut just to spend time with us...now that's a rib rattler! Even better in the flesh...super impressive guy!
Even non-cruisers find a time and place... for this kind of travel. It looks like you had a great time meeting many people; all photographed so you will remember them. I suspect that you find another appropriate cruise someday.
Even non-cruisers find a time and place.. Thanks Bob. I think of our time together in your mountain home and yours in ours half a world apart...so many stories to tell and laughs to share...yet a world event shared on your TV screen brought the horror of the unexpected tumbling down. We never know what is around the corner but until then we will enjoy the great times cruising or schmoozing through exotic destinations and meeting many fascinating people.
Cold War - What Cold War? Hi Dave, Yep, The Cold War is all about keeping the arms industry going. It's all political and media hype. OK, so, their brand of Communism didn't work, but great that you are loving it!
Cold War - What Cold War? The harsh reality of the Communist past in Russia is part of their history, David. That they have moved past it and are optimistic of their future is palatable and exciting. From my perspective I feel that while USA & China flex their muscles, Russia is the World power that has not yet shown it's hand. It's future cause and effect should be fascinating. And what part will your country play in it? Cold or hot I dare not speculate.
Comrades Unite Oh to be transported! - what a thrill, what a trip, what a country, what a great group of Aussie comrades - thanks for the memories Dancing Dave
Comrades Unite Gotta love it when our perceptions are blown out of the water Laila. The measure of a trip is not just the things we see and the places we visit but the people we meet. A smorgasbord of characters and delights in Putin's pastures to be sure!
Re: My reply to your reply to my comment on your Photo I'm so very glad to hear that David; I'm spectacularly happy to hear that everything came together perfectly for you and to hear that this is one of your favourite photographs!!! All the very best to you, Kenneth!!! =DDD =))))
My Thoughts about this Photo of Yours!! Hello David,
Long time no see mate; this is Kenneth, my mother and I saw you a while ago at Clarinda Street; we all ended up trying to spot Superb Lyrebirds together; you showed me some photos you took of black cockatoos which you said you had never photographed before at that location!!! I've been a bit busy, but I took another look through your gallery and find myself really loving looking at this image of yours!!! Everything about it is a pleasure for the eyes; divinely beautiful scene in the back and a most truly 'tremendously' marvellous animal in the front; what a spectacular encounter, definitely a shot of yours for the highlights reel, as this would be a one off occasion!!! Exquisitely beautifully well done on taking this photograph during a majorly exhilarating moment which is when the heart would be pounding that extra bit harder David!!! It must have been such a euphorically and 'sublimely' phenomenally beautiful, memorable, grand and beautiful day for you!!! =DDD =))))
I hope this message finds you doing 'stratospherically' breathtakingly beautifully and 'unequivocally' immeasurably specially well; perhaps one of these days I will see you at Clarinda Street again and we'll both be able to get some 'profoundly-majorly' exquisitely special photographs of black cockatoos, super lyrebirds courting and the like?!! =DDD =))))
Wishing you the absolute very best, and I wish you so 'infinitely' immeasurably specially well as well, Kenneth!!! =))))
My Thoughts about this Photo of Yours!! Thank you for your comment Kenneth. This pic of a guanaco is one of my favourite pics too. Connection with my subject, place and timing all came together which I find so rare with wildlife photography. Very fortunate and pleasing for sure.
Confused Greetings ,
We are to be in Uyuni for 4days and 3nights . I read here about the mummies and would love to see them but l don’t know how . Do l taxi to Coquesa and get to mummies from there ? Are mummies far from there ? Do you hike from there or drive part way and then hike ? I just don’t understand how to get to see them . Any help ? Thanks
Confused I was fascinated by your query Bud. As we were following the Dakar Rally on a private tour with the driver that surveyed the Dakar course, we did not cross the Salar as it was in flood. Nor did we follow usual routes. However, if you log in Uyuni to Tahua Canton into Dr Google you will find a variety of ways including crossing the Salar by taxi via Isla Incahuasi. From Tahua to Coquesa is only minutes away, so as I always say "Where there is a will there is a way" and for you there are a number of ways. Please let me know how you go.
WONDERFUL This article is wonderful . The legends , actual climb details and pictures composed all in one . I would dream of going to see the mummies soon . Are their guides In Coqueza that drive you to see them ? Thanks for your time to share .
WONDERFUL Thanks for checking in Bud. The guardians of the key to the mummies are in Coqueza. Don't know how you get someone to drive you but hey...better do it before some official decides they should be in a museum. Better do it before the spirits of Thunupa declares you cannot. But be prepared...the climb ain't easy!
Re: Hello David!! This is the Kenneth you met a short while ago with his mother who also went spotting Superb Lyrebirds with you!! I absolutely love this photo of yours so tremendously much!!! =DD =))) Hello David!!! I just wanted to say that I 'majorly' and 'wholeheartedly' ever so immensely marvellously love and adore this photo of yours!!! Your composition and the way you championed the visual-brilliance of this scene is 'infinitely' and 'immeasurably' breathtakingly beautiful to me!!! Because of how you've championed this scene with your viewpoint, your perspective and the way you've used the elements in your frame so that they contrast and complement each other in a spectacularly brilliant and beautiful way, what you've come up with is; to me, a 'majorly' and 'Phenomenally' most truly specially beautiful image!!! Congratulations on taking this stunningly stellar photograph David!!! It's been a most truly 'prominently' tremendously beautiful pleasure viewing this photo of yours!!! =DD =))) I've taken a look at some of your travel-blog now, and must say that it's very informative, very entertaining, greatly interesting and the images are an absolute divinely beautiful joy to look at!!! =DD =))) I shall continue looking at your travel-blog tomorrow David, as I'm getting quite tired now!! =DD =))) All the very best to you, Kenneth!!! =DD =)))
Monument Valley in the snow Thank you Kenneth. I am pleased you have taken the time to check out my Travelblog site and comment on this photo. Monument Valley has been much photographed and has been featured in many films. To have been there in the snow and to have captured this unusual image of such an iconic landscape was a pleasure indeed.
My wife Denise & I like to travel "on paths less travelled" that capture our imagination, inspire my photography & where we mix with locals & remain safe.
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Great Introduction
This sounds like an awesome trip and opportunity. Can't wait to hear more about Russia. I loved the roll call of voyagers and their pictures at the end of the blog. It feels like I'm being introduced to the passengers at the beginning of Gilligan's Island.