Bloedel Aviary and Conservatory in Vancouver
When we visited Vancouver, we came across the most amazing little conservatory. The Bloedel Conservatory is essentially a large bird cage located at the peak of Vancouver in Queen Elizabeth Park. There are 120 exotic mainly tiny birds and over 500 kinds of tropical plants inside the dome. This elaborate cage for the birds and […]
Whale Watching in Southeastern Alaska
Whale watching has become a popular activity on the west coast and if you are near the ocean, you will undoubtedly encounter offers to go out. In general if you’re not sure about rough seas or whether or not you’ll get motion sickness, you’ll probably want to go whale watching on the calmest day possible. […]
Madagascar Spiny Forest at the LA Arboretum (2 of2)
I have arbitrarily split the Madagascar Spiny Forest at the Los Angeles County Arboretum into two portions, roughly larger and smaller plants. This installation is a must for anyone planning to visit Madagascar or for those obsessed with succulents. The Madagascar Spiny Forest at Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden was the brainchild of […]
Madagascar Spiny Forest LA Arboretum (1 of 2)
When I first learned of the Madagascar Spiny Forest garden at the Los Angeles Arboretum, I knew I had to visit. I have arbitrarily split the Madagascar Spiny Forest at the Los Angeles County Arboretum into two portions, roughly larger and smaller plants. This installation is a must for anyone planning to visit Madagascar or […]
Hubbard Glacier Alaska
This summer we went on a cruise to southeastern Alaska with the Celebrity Infinity. On the way we passed the Hubbard glacier for some photos. Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier on the North American continent. It has been thickening and advancing toward the Gulf of Alaska since it was first mapped by the […]
Arabia
The Arabian Peninsula lies at the heart of the Middle East and in antiquity it stood between the mighty civilizations of Egypt and Mesapotamia. Arabia is one of the cradles of civilization. The first concrete evidence of human presence in the Arabian Peninsula dates back 15,000 to 20,000 years. The numerous and diverse cultures which developed in ancient Arabia are monuments to human ingenuity and creativity within challenging natural environments. The ancient Arabs had extensive contacts not only with their Near Eastern neighbours, Iran, Mesopotamia, the Levant, Egypt and the peoples of the Mediterranean, but also with Africa and India. The incense and spice trade followed by the emergence of Islam make the Arabian peninsula a key to understanding the history of the world.
