Chilean Fjords

We just returned from 2 weeks in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Who thinks Fjords are only in Norway?

The only way to see these is from a ship because there are no roads and fewer people

This little town called Tortel is only accessible by boat.

Talk about blue!

Why every American should visit Oman

A different view on Arab culture

It seems like everyone goes to Dubai and are awestruck by it’s modernity.  And rightly so… but in the cities of Oman they also are glitzy while still retaining much of Arab culture.  The country is proud of their heritage and it is amazing to what lengths they have gone to keep it.

But they are also one of the most helpful and kind people I have ever seen, that being the other 140 countries

Perhaps that is because they have always been a peacemaker between the other religions around them.  They are very inclusive I think, because they have always been a trading center and have come in contact with many different peoples.

Not only does Oman have history but also indredible beauty and wild areas.  We rented a vehicle and drove through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.  However, there are no markings and we got lost just as the sun went down.  Two young men on a moterbike saw we were lost and helped us on our way.  That is how the people are

I will add more later about our trip to Oman

A sight everyone should experience

This is the migration at it’s best. The wilde beast are constantly migrating but in August,when it is dry they cross the river looking for water that they can smell hundreds of miles away.

We have been to the Serengiti before, but not in the dry season. All of the animals were active, including lions that usually are just asleep.

If you look closely, you can see a crocodile attacking a wildebeast

This shows how many animals are gathered together. It goes on for miles. Their protection comes from sheer #’s All the babies are born within a two week period and the preditators are so full that some of the babies excape.

It was a great trip!

Hello World I’m back!!

After a long time of not posting and after 2020 not traveling either, I’m good to go again. By now I’ve visited more than 130 countries. I feel badly that we lost two years of international travel. We were in the Philippines when covid 19 hit. We canceled 3 international trips and many local ones. We made it to Taihti in November 2021 but that’s the only international travel we have done. We were able to go to Philadelphia in June of 2021.

Rice terraces in the Philipines

Madagascar, the eighth continent!

This is like going back to the age of the dinosaurs!  The plants and animals are unique, 80 % are only found in Madagascar.  The people live like they did 300 years ago, no running water, only 40% have electricity, and use zebu carts for transport.  Less than 10% of roads are paved, and those are mainly in the cities.

This place should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Top beaches of the Dominican Republic

We have been living in the Dominican Republic for 9 months. Every chance we get we go to a beach. It seems each is prettier than the last. Some are good for swimming, some for surfing, some beach walking. I can’t say which is the best, so I will show you some of the ones we have liked the best and why…

Bahia de los Aguilas in the far south in the province of Pedernales has got to be on the top of the list: warm, calm, crystal clear water.. it gets deep slowly. the sand is white and clean, there is no development because it is a national park. There are no roads to get there, only by boat. Other than our boat, there were only two others on a beach 3 kilometers long…

The boat ride over was just as beautiful…the beach where you catch the boat

A perfect Caribbean beach

The back of beyond, and then some! Way off the tourist track!

This way out of the way even for adventure seekers. This is a place Columbus landed in 1493, Monte Cristi

Haitian bateys in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispanola They share the island with Haiti. Historically, sugar has been the number one crop. As early as 1512 slaves were brought from Africa to work the fields. The plantations over time became very large and small groups of homes were built to house the workers. These were called bateys. Many of the sugar factories aren’t working anymore but the people are stranded in these highly impoverished places.

Haiti, since 2005 has had very hard times, including but not limited to the earthquake in 2010.  People have come to work in the cane fields.  Some have been recruited from Haiti, some have crossed over here in search of a better life.  Many of these people have been here for generations, some for only a few years.  Most have no documentation that would allow them to leave to go back to Haiti or to leave the bateys.  If they are born of Haitian parents, even Haitian grand and great grandparents, they are not eligible for citizenship. 
Many have no work to do.There are hard choices to be made. 

There are hundreds of children whose future looks bleak, hopeless in fact. Often it is a choice between buying clean water to drink or food to eat.

This man was a cane cutter, and has lived his whole life here. He is too old to work the 12 hours a day cutting cane with a machete. There is a faucet down the alley where he gets his water to drink, and his children come by every once in a while to give him a few pesos.

Molokai, Hawaii on the top 10 most beautiful places in the world!

We were waiting to find out where we would serve, it was the middle of the coldest January on record in Utah so we took a trip to Maui. One day, we flew to Molokai to visit the leper colony.

Turns out to be one of the most beautiful islands on earth. With one of the most tragic and lonely histories I have ever heard.

At the time of the leper colony, it was so isolated.  There was a mule trail down from the top, or a very rough boat ride to the island.  Once the people were there, very few ever left.  At first they couldn’t even have family come into exile with them

  This is the church.   It is now part of a national park.

 

 

Dominican Republic Mission

So my husband and I are on one big adventure! We are living in the Dominican Republic for 18 months working in education projects. I have been too busy to keep up with blogging. From time to time I will post but more when we get back

This is the isolated north coast of the island.