Exotic Birds in Madagascar
When I visited Madagascar the focus was really on chameleons and lemurs. There was little time to explore the beautiful and unique birds of Madagascar. What I lost in numbers I gained in quality. The birds I did see were colorful and unique many of which found only on Madagascar. The distance from Africa to […]
Unusual and Beautiful Geckos, Swifts and Reptiles of Madagascar
Madagascar is home to an abundance of beautiful and unusual animals many of whom are unique to Madagascar because of its relative isolation. This is not just any isolation, Madagascar was once a part of the supercontinent Pangea but between 160–117 million years ago, it began separating, rifting southward over 1000 km away from the […]
Colorful Chameleons in Madagascar
Last year I visited Madagascar and got to see some amazing chameleons. In the reptile world, there are some bizarre shapes and colors, but some of the most striking variations are found in the chameleons. These colorful lizards are known for their ability to change their color; their long, sticky tongue; and their eyes, which […]
Chickens and Guineafowl in Africa and Beyond
In the great river civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley and China, pastoralists preceded the true neolithic settlers. The initial domesticated animals included cattle from wild Auroch, sheep and goats from their wild equivalents. Pigs and Fowl followed later and have an intertwined history. As time progressed, irrigation along rivers allowed large scale farming […]
Baboons and Monkeys in Botswana
Observing Monkeys with their young is a fascinating experience. We get to see how similar many of their ways with the young are compared to those of humans. They bond with their young and keep them very close. They nurture them and care for them. Monkeys are primates with many emotions too. They are able […]
Fashion and Shopping
Fairs and markets have a long history that started when humans felt the desire to exchange goods and services. People would shop for goods at a weekly market in nearby towns. Then shops began to be permanently established. Shops were specialized, e.g. a bakery, a butchery, a grocer. Eventually stores became gathered together in shopping centers, supermarkets or even department stores. In ancient Rome, there was Trajan’s Market with tabernae that served as retailing units. Shopping lists are known to be used by Romans as one was discovered by Hadrian’s wall dated back to 75–125 AD and written for a soldier. For many, like us, shopping is a fun thing to do when traveling. We will add to this list as we find good places.
