tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24187630329160296642024-03-13T18:52:31.278-07:00Travel-inspired TalesTo behold, not just to see; to contemplate, not just to learn; to appreciate, not just to discover...these are my travel tools with which my travel-inspired tales are carved.Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-68471628735302956882018-11-11T18:25:00.002-08:002018-11-11T18:47:05.412-08:00The Sights of San Francisco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redwood trees at Muir Woods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A National Monument</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sausalito Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen at Sausalito Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue waters and white sails...magic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What happens at low tide???</td></tr>
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Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-32810071455667527822016-10-17T18:06:00.001-07:002016-10-17T18:06:29.109-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-70857153979044556192012-08-17T08:36:00.001-07:002012-08-20T01:10:39.985-07:00Tropical Beach Getaway:The Beauty of Krabi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For those seeking the sun and sea but not the crowd, Krabi on the west coast of south Thailand is the place to be. I can see why honey-mooners would chose to come here instead of to Phuket.<br />
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As you view these photographs, you might possibly hear, playing in your mind, the song 'I Only Have Eyes For You'<br />
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For a lone photographer on the beach, the possibilities of perfect captures filled me with excitement. This angle from where I was on higher ground, enabled me to use the leafy branch as a horizontal base of the frame, parallel to the horizon.<br />
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The arresting shape of this outcrop makes a stunning focus for the camera. It does seem to resemble a sleeping man, doesn't it?<br />
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That ship appeared to be precariously perched on the edge of the horizon! I caught it just in time before it toppled over, haha!<br />
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This next photo gives me that sense of place, the genius loci, that some photographs seem rich with.<br />
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I just loved the branches with their huge leaves giving me all sorts of ideas for frame fashion. This one below is like a curtain, which you can part to catch a glimpse of the snoozing outcrop.<br />
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The next one gives the photo an accent in the foreground, offering a lighter green to contrast with with the green of the vegetation on the cliffs in the background.<br />
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The changing light, as evening draws nearer, makes me feel that it is time that these boats seek safe harbour.<br />
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This is one of my favourite shots - coconut palms swaying in the breeze...in the light of an emerald-turquoise sky.<br />
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The colourful fishing boats in the evening...<br />
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We left Krabi for our ship with this view of the bay receding from us...a peaceful safe harbour.<br />
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a fleeting sojourn</div>
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where green hues merge with sea blue</div>
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palms wave fond farewell </div>
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Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-61771937001243271822012-08-09T08:18:00.001-07:002012-08-09T08:55:00.705-07:00Tropical Island Bliss : The sun, the sand and the sea of Phuket, Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you've been dreaming of a tropical island getaway, these images of Phuket Island, Thailand will colour your dreams! Having been to Phuket a few times, I have so many photos I want to share. Let me start with the scenes of the sun, sand and sea first.They will inspire you to book the first flight out to the tropics.</div>
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just follow your heart</div>
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have courage to make that change</div>
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wind blown,fancy free</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(for Sensational Haiku Wednesday)</span></div>
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rock on knowing waves</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">colours filter into soul</span></div>
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salty air seep into heart</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(for Haiku Heights)</span></div>
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calm waters reflect</div>
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serenity in the mind</div>
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savor and revel</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(for Haiku My Heart)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #000d44; color: #ddddff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Linking to:</span><br />
<a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #8877ff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Our World Tuesday</a><br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Outdoor Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #8877ff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Sensational Haiku Wednesday </a><br />
<a href="http://www.kissess4u.com/2012/07/water-world-wednesday_10.html" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #8877ff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Water World Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Share The Joy Thursday</a><span style="background-color: #000d44; color: #ddddff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.corazon.typepad.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Haiku My Heart</a><br />
<a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #8877ff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Skywatch Friday</a><br />
<div style="background-color: #996699; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Haiku Heights</a> Saturday</div>
<a href="http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Scenic Sunday</a><br />
<a href="http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Shadow Shot</a><br />
<a href="http://lisaschaos.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Macro Monday</a><br />
<div style="background-color: #996699; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Mosaic Monday</a></span></div>
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</div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-49956240019301613532012-07-10T09:45:00.001-07:002012-08-09T08:23:27.998-07:00Australian Skies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
From all angles, Australian skies can be dramatic. From the plane, the promise of an unusual sky could be felt as we viewed the thick cloud cover changing faces continually.<br />
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It began looking like this, as we flew over Australian airspace:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNyNdotD5GcjdxcckKh0vF6CF_G8-DYtdGNeq-bQA1O0wpnYZ_z2KCbj7E06HTJoPd9H2UkHIr5j0Z1yw-XfO0P5L9CyUSMiJoO763AdRGcWyjIlbLp9MGFNBXRAOyYtYm_P2GvFO_Q/s1600/P1070660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNyNdotD5GcjdxcckKh0vF6CF_G8-DYtdGNeq-bQA1O0wpnYZ_z2KCbj7E06HTJoPd9H2UkHIr5j0Z1yw-XfO0P5L9CyUSMiJoO763AdRGcWyjIlbLp9MGFNBXRAOyYtYm_P2GvFO_Q/s400/P1070660.JPG" width="324" /></a></div>
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Then it changed to this, with a strange light emanating from what looked like the crater of a volcano:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI4BujqIY7nsV0a9oLH_i5xK-k58kbul66jg5EVAnHc_WMD7bT2stGPxlLcwJnflSkCAGJclfZAlGu6CWeA0ho2Dp4Nl_wxKpPYJdFQhU7K3eqqHP9tNKOb2L89Qk6rSB4gYlqGEmqw/s1600/P1070656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI4BujqIY7nsV0a9oLH_i5xK-k58kbul66jg5EVAnHc_WMD7bT2stGPxlLcwJnflSkCAGJclfZAlGu6CWeA0ho2Dp4Nl_wxKpPYJdFQhU7K3eqqHP9tNKOb2L89Qk6rSB4gYlqGEmqw/s640/P1070656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The clouds then decided to break up into smaller cotton balls, drifting towards the horizon, if that white line in the distance could be accurately called a horizon, that is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZBGwAEAA5yt6xVEwcWkH61MD4Yv-hocz45PLhyphenhyphenSTzfM6LKDRrH3KTK4K3rVawt24Jd1SVXgkR8DT4w9kllhEOHZXZX7KKKGhrXNr2l69tukHTgXV3bTrFHUvM0Nn0c9sXttkJ9Zs8A/s1600/P1070659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZBGwAEAA5yt6xVEwcWkH61MD4Yv-hocz45PLhyphenhyphenSTzfM6LKDRrH3KTK4K3rVawt24Jd1SVXgkR8DT4w9kllhEOHZXZX7KKKGhrXNr2l69tukHTgXV3bTrFHUvM0Nn0c9sXttkJ9Zs8A/s400/P1070659.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like this look better - puffy cotton candy, waiting to be rolled round a stick:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7vRjFixToXsS2CPI0uQPGA11aU50T4ePqTrX5WuZH_7RjBc999N1cMQB4JQDZzoL4HWdFfrjgkQFWUfhSiQWvNNdI9-QsXN7CQmItzGWQYJBTZVwcvmcN0ENWCNACUo16lpv8EqnlQ/s1600/P1070668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7vRjFixToXsS2CPI0uQPGA11aU50T4ePqTrX5WuZH_7RjBc999N1cMQB4JQDZzoL4HWdFfrjgkQFWUfhSiQWvNNdI9-QsXN7CQmItzGWQYJBTZVwcvmcN0ENWCNACUo16lpv8EqnlQ/s400/P1070668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The cotton candy decided to merge into a thick blanket, soft and warm:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJrL-spyddOG_8yDbWOUerD2mlYw61KZcAEh2-VDUpXcNDusCpsO4-hXDnIRL7__z97-Ll6glc_njbeuvI-NkOxFUMd0YWND_zVgZZQzlq_VtNFv54mczP4SRObjh45M9o9YYr2BHYw/s1600/P1070669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJrL-spyddOG_8yDbWOUerD2mlYw61KZcAEh2-VDUpXcNDusCpsO4-hXDnIRL7__z97-Ll6glc_njbeuvI-NkOxFUMd0YWND_zVgZZQzlq_VtNFv54mczP4SRObjh45M9o9YYr2BHYw/s640/P1070669.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But the greatest surprise was when after the clouds dispersed... and this ball came drifting by the window!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcfru_TueL_wR3q6dC-Wmjmfi4O_TY3cE7MGshg6EUpTu_b9P2T9yC6licDIpl5SMBLZp_luDUCz-yTGCqIABPnkTD37d8RNLBWMkgdf0wTucpWDSOHElNVi-9CCnIxNJCnRvs3ZKCQ/s1600/P1070670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcfru_TueL_wR3q6dC-Wmjmfi4O_TY3cE7MGshg6EUpTu_b9P2T9yC6licDIpl5SMBLZp_luDUCz-yTGCqIABPnkTD37d8RNLBWMkgdf0wTucpWDSOHElNVi-9CCnIxNJCnRvs3ZKCQ/s400/P1070670.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, Mr Moon went smiling past us! A first for me, let me tell you. Hmm, what else is in store...? You tell me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBkKgL0FwKpLQhFksAP-Xr4RNbdcb0UmvPRjmoC64fyagdhDanQ9iAFmL5ak98oYKvTFXjpSJV0zUHD_F7oQzlyZdf5fYIGt5QP6AQ_-S2PfXPOfcnvYxFTD7WnHfHnnHajHXNxyyrQ/s1600/P1070671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBkKgL0FwKpLQhFksAP-Xr4RNbdcb0UmvPRjmoC64fyagdhDanQ9iAFmL5ak98oYKvTFXjpSJV0zUHD_F7oQzlyZdf5fYIGt5QP6AQ_-S2PfXPOfcnvYxFTD7WnHfHnnHajHXNxyyrQ/s640/P1070671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On land, in the daytime, you couldn't help being cheered by the blue skies and white clouds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAgeyYN4IBUpY4I4k5o83vQDCk1tjR5TE8dyq63-Je6_sVkXuhDn09XrNDvLWdgXWjjizPd8lYNYz8DfXYF65XJSPbSymhZMWltRNyS1uiWHvYn4weYoHtdgkWLBricied6w77pasUQ/s1600/P1070840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAgeyYN4IBUpY4I4k5o83vQDCk1tjR5TE8dyq63-Je6_sVkXuhDn09XrNDvLWdgXWjjizPd8lYNYz8DfXYF65XJSPbSymhZMWltRNyS1uiWHvYn4weYoHtdgkWLBricied6w77pasUQ/s640/P1070840.JPG" width="474" /></a></div>
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And you couldn't do without your sunglasses.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Earth's vital rhythm</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>heat and light tempered by shade</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>grey clouds appease glare</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>For Haiku Heights </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>and </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sensational Haiku Wednesday</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZrrc-nWw9k1VdmjtDRKH82P_qZxUXsRiPRIh4YsHBEW0CFL5_HChWxrEcFT8vZG9uoyT5-dX-C8O4mDpeBzOqP27XVHOCzqL2wLZ8JPqycY6eUYhtVBKVeofUac4BUEo2lll8qdSWQ/s1600/P1080306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZrrc-nWw9k1VdmjtDRKH82P_qZxUXsRiPRIh4YsHBEW0CFL5_HChWxrEcFT8vZG9uoyT5-dX-C8O4mDpeBzOqP27XVHOCzqL2wLZ8JPqycY6eUYhtVBKVeofUac4BUEo2lll8qdSWQ/s640/P1080306.JPG" width="543" /></a></div>
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Oh, and when it rained, the rainbow always, yes, almost always turned up to dispel the downcast feeling that rains are wont to give us easily dampened mortals. We had three appearances of rainbows within that rainy spell, and one of the appearances was a special treat, it was a double rainbow! And that had to be the day I was out without my camera!!!<br />
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Dusk was another story, with blue skies gradually turning a lighter shade of pale ( can't help using this line from the song, as that's what they actually transform into...)<br />
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At sunset, the colours of the setting sun emerge in many hues clamouring for attention.</div>
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With the sun sinking into the horizon, yes, this is a real horizon,thus ends our story of Australian skies, as has been told by these storks from father to son. No, not really. These storks are getting ready for bed as the skies darken...<br />
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Good night, and may tomorrow be again another day filled with blue skies for you. Failing that, and if it rains, may there always be a rainbow at the end of the rain, and a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, for you!</div>
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Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/">Our World Tuesday</a><br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Outdoor Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/">Sensational Haiku Wednesday </a><br />
<a href="http://www.kissess4u.com/2012/07/water-world-wednesday_10.html">Water World Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Share The Joy Thursday</a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.corazon.typepad.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Haiku My Heart</a><br />
<a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a><br />
<div style="background-color: #996699; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;">Haiku Heights</a> Saturday</div>
<a href="http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Scenic Sunday</a><br />
<a href="http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #996699; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Shadow Shot</a><br />
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<br /></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-54711395713408733462012-04-13T02:50:00.003-07:002012-05-04T01:36:38.379-07:00A Poet's Inspiration - The Yellow Mountain of China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had often assumed that Chinese paintings depicting mountains and rolling clouds were borne out of the artists' imagination. Then, when I saw the Yellow Mountains of China with my own eyes, I couldn't believe how nature had imitated art! Of course it dawned on me after a while, that art had sought to imitate nature, but how glorious Nature is , seen in reality, and not depicted on rice paper or canvas.<br />
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It was foggy all the way up the mountain. I was afraid that the journey would have been futile if the sun didn't shine that day. Then in the afternoon, the sun smiled down on us. It was a revelation ...everyone had that moment of awe at first sight. After clicking maniacally away at every angle and climbing higher and clicking furiously in case the mist engulfed all that beauty again, I realized that this was what made Man climb high mountains - of course, modern man had only to pay the price of a cable-car ticket - but this was inspirational. We've all viewed mountains from afar, from the ground. However, this time, here, we were, on the cliff-sides, looking down at the sea of clouds below us. I had often marveled at the beauty of many World Heritage Sites, but I must admit, this one left me breathless!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG4t4N7aakgRxuGlCpf0DrejaOp4r6i5d_uaRRajPcPz7_lwKSEiyHrddT1KbR1HJSvs0NQ6izXFFFLr0BY4s4vO1Fjx8gweAVl3FkJjDA0yd84Z5EymZS8XniDcmjBlYX11jUuMiug/s1600/P1060049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG4t4N7aakgRxuGlCpf0DrejaOp4r6i5d_uaRRajPcPz7_lwKSEiyHrddT1KbR1HJSvs0NQ6izXFFFLr0BY4s4vO1Fjx8gweAVl3FkJjDA0yd84Z5EymZS8XniDcmjBlYX11jUuMiug/s400/P1060049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ancient Taoist writings have it that the Yellow Emperor Huang Di created his elixir of immortality here on Huangshan. The Emperor achieved immortality and flew to Heaven. How could I not be swayed by this association with the legend, to think that there is an affinity between man and mountain here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmzJ9lsheoNQ57-YUa4Yw7_AOq9Xv6u7o51Xc-JzSCsbwcV82o-D5txKsn3EO-t4NXuujxmBh1KWcXmgJiak-inAtMRAbEbSmJBBOEcU2RvkGR6hXcYQ8X8SmBr5GFYP83Bd-ntydvQ/s1600/P1060008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmzJ9lsheoNQ57-YUa4Yw7_AOq9Xv6u7o51Xc-JzSCsbwcV82o-D5txKsn3EO-t4NXuujxmBh1KWcXmgJiak-inAtMRAbEbSmJBBOEcU2RvkGR6hXcYQ8X8SmBr5GFYP83Bd-ntydvQ/s640/P1060008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Yellow Mountain is among the four great symbols of China, the other three being t<span style="background-color: transparent;">he Great Wall of China, the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. </span></div>
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This mountain has been acclaimed by Chinese poets throughout history, to be the most beautiful mountain in China. Among the poets is Li Bai, also known as Li Po, a poet from the Tang Dynasty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilknsn4M_yRlCBvb1fCWEHlEAX1SPasY-x73AgZ22wmUQ_NcPpnLFBqQGgYaWfiAIRnwbA3lCiCtmUQaN0_7b-rTGyYeJ_Qbamvrx_RcUWVE7dBZLuK246EVl3e05_6zzddbkXTxSRVg/s1600/P1060035.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilknsn4M_yRlCBvb1fCWEHlEAX1SPasY-x73AgZ22wmUQ_NcPpnLFBqQGgYaWfiAIRnwbA3lCiCtmUQaN0_7b-rTGyYeJ_Qbamvrx_RcUWVE7dBZLuK246EVl3e05_6zzddbkXTxSRVg/s320/P1060035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My favourite Tang poem is this one Li Bai wrote, entitled "Alone Looking At The Mountain" :<br />
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All the birds have flown up and gone</div>
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A lonely cloud floats leisurely by</div>
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We never tire of looking at each other - </div>
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Only the mountain and I</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeT97gAPun1LxTcFt7yfONauUUBSwzk9DOwZq03ycx-uVsPs2PYsJW575Ewf0R1uhlhb4D5VfAnfPvalPIt569n0U6dwnxT6uLPDGMiLXLaaheKj92sGJb_uqtXJFMGsx0uzGAOMX6g/s1600/P1060044.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeT97gAPun1LxTcFt7yfONauUUBSwzk9DOwZq03ycx-uVsPs2PYsJW575Ewf0R1uhlhb4D5VfAnfPvalPIt569n0U6dwnxT6uLPDGMiLXLaaheKj92sGJb_uqtXJFMGsx0uzGAOMX6g/s320/P1060044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The four supreme features of the Yellow Mountain are the sea of clouds, the pines, the rocks and the hot springs, I am told. Just look at the pines - you wouldn't be able to tell, but they are ancient! Some are hundreds of years old, having grown out of barren rocks. They are the Huangshan pines, and from the shape of their trunks and branches, they have been given names like "Lovers", "Pine Greeting a Friend"...isn't that enchanting? What's this pine's name, I wonder?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG4t4N7aakgRxuGlCpf0DrejaOp4r6i5d_uaRRajPcPz7_lwKSEiyHrddT1KbR1HJSvs0NQ6izXFFFLr0BY4s4vO1Fjx8gweAVl3FkJjDA0yd84Z5EymZS8XniDcmjBlYX11jUuMiug/s1600/P1060049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG4t4N7aakgRxuGlCpf0DrejaOp4r6i5d_uaRRajPcPz7_lwKSEiyHrddT1KbR1HJSvs0NQ6izXFFFLr0BY4s4vO1Fjx8gweAVl3FkJjDA0yd84Z5EymZS8XniDcmjBlYX11jUuMiug/s640/P1060049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Not to be outshone are the rocks. The granite peaks have names like Lotus Peak, Celestial Capital, and Apex of Brightness! The spectacular shapes of the rock formations and cliffs like the ones in the photograph below are an artist's inspiration. I have declared that I shall learn to paint - these magnificent mountain vistas might just be the inspiration for me - lofty dreams, I know, to want to paint these lofty mountains!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1McDtX6N91fShA4rTL-8hDtsAfec2tJeIYzl2gfAWcOBfwoe-X8Fwf_YxKkvNseanayYs8879gZ06mXozh9m9z1Lzq6PItmi3nE-hVCi4jwVqyOurzUzmZAxk2cm8tMH9ql2R-4X2Q/s1600/P1050952.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1McDtX6N91fShA4rTL-8hDtsAfec2tJeIYzl2gfAWcOBfwoe-X8Fwf_YxKkvNseanayYs8879gZ06mXozh9m9z1Lzq6PItmi3nE-hVCi4jwVqyOurzUzmZAxk2cm8tMH9ql2R-4X2Q/s320/P1050952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh, and the rolling clouds...they're just incredible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ihSWZF6P-Gu8WXXJx3my3glL60kKghgJr5UCZ38KgMXzflojsyB49wvmQZX60NxnzzZ0a0WLgFt_eq1CqQd11wJivcIlxw6MpvybKWF0eLHUN52UufgvflOmlm2JZo36ZR5y7fqwRw/s1600/P1050970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ihSWZF6P-Gu8WXXJx3my3glL60kKghgJr5UCZ38KgMXzflojsyB49wvmQZX60NxnzzZ0a0WLgFt_eq1CqQd11wJivcIlxw6MpvybKWF0eLHUN52UufgvflOmlm2JZo36ZR5y7fqwRw/s640/P1050970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think most people are aware that director James Cameron had Huangshan in mind when he designed the Hallelujah Mountains in the film, Avatar. I half-expected to see winged creatures swooping among these rocks below!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4WMqlXhobxEduLc559H-cDcIS5OElzmrRQ4FcTc0zdWu-Mkbjtyyj6NvBoKXYOgHIF8Rs7XYYegeXN1OrXqCHKYd1uRtzoaJIKpNHJZ6bk_XQroqtzq0lxnG1WZrB57Go2Vw4UdHPg/s1600/P1050972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4WMqlXhobxEduLc559H-cDcIS5OElzmrRQ4FcTc0zdWu-Mkbjtyyj6NvBoKXYOgHIF8Rs7XYYegeXN1OrXqCHKYd1uRtzoaJIKpNHJZ6bk_XQroqtzq0lxnG1WZrB57Go2Vw4UdHPg/s400/P1050972.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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I'm no Tang poet, but my haiku this week is a humble tribute to the mystical, mist-covered mountains of Huangshan.</div>
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For Poetry Picnic, Sensational Haiku Wednesday, Haiku Heights, Haiku My Heart:</div>
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sea of clouds cover</div>
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secrets of eternal life</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">voiceless mountains hushed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">can happiness be </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">if there's life everlasting </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">empty echoes sigh</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">perpetual life</span></div>
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warmth or frozen in limbo</div>
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storms lash ancient pines </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Linking to:</span></div>
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<a href="http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/2012/04/25/w4w-a-place-of-inspiration/">W4W</a><br />
<a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/11/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week_16.html"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Poets Rally</span></a><br />
<a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Watery Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Outdoor Wednesday</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/">Share The Joy Thursday</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/2011/11/skywatch-friday-season-5-episode-19.html">Skywatch Friday</a></span><br />
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Haiku Heights</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_430664140">Haiku My Heart</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/2012/04/poetry-picnic-week-31-nature-color-and.html">Poetry Picnic</a></span><br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-72388010989182508372012-02-20T06:56:00.001-08:002012-02-24T00:58:16.772-08:00Penang Island - The Pearl of the Orient<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">KEK LOK SI TEMPLE<br />
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It was an opportune time to visit the Kek Lok Si Temple (Temple of Supreme Bliss) in Penang when I was there in early January this year. The temple which is more than 100 years old, was undergoing a make-over for the Chinese New Year, and the decorations gave the temple grounds a grand, festive look.<br />
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</div><div><img height="394" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/a6df46899f7c4755b8bfdb067c540308/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1329638491000" width="640" /> </div><div><br />
</div><div>The seven-storeyed Pagoda of Rama VI is the largest in Malaysia, measuring 100 feet high. It was completed in 1930. There are 10,000 alabaster and bronze Buddha statues displayed here.</div><div><img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/327ea23998ed4e15aa43792ce6dcf408/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1329638616000" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">a draft of mercy</div><div style="text-align: center;">from the buddhas' open palms</div><div style="text-align: center;">breathe in blessed breeze </div><br />
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</div><div><img height="640" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/2f49aa380260492c882a6e415181476f/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1329638791000" width="606" /> </div><div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">illusion of mind</div><div style="text-align: center;"> incense smoke curls heavenwards</div><div style="text-align: center;">prayers sent above</div></div><div><br />
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</div><div>The statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, was added in the year 2002.</div><div> <img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/f6721704554a442ebe3e154f2565a56b/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1329638703000" style="background-color: transparent;" /></div><div><br />
</div><div><img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/cb5c5d885cae40ca9563578eb9b350ea/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1329638958000" /> </div><div><br />
</div><div>Turtles <span style="background-color: transparent;">which are a symbol of longevity and endurance,</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">are brought here to </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">the Liberation Pond,</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">to be sacred turtles. </span></div><div><br />
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Just fabulous...can't imagine how magical it would look all lit up at night!<br />
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</div><div><img height="495" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/15eebba0adc74d6f84e56c2fafee3e85/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1329639132000" width="640" /> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">In the temple</div><div style="text-align: center;">time stands still</div><div style="text-align: center;">timeless and abiding</div><div style="text-align: center;">guardian and custodian</div><div style="text-align: center;">providing solace and support</div><div style="text-align: center;">offering divine healing </div><div style="text-align: center;">to troubled devotees<br />
from far and near</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
In the temple</div><div style="text-align: center;">with timely intervention</div><div style="text-align: center;">lives are salvaged </div><div style="text-align: center;">from wreck and ruin</div><div style="text-align: center;">spirits are lifted </div><div style="text-align: center;">from the doldrums of despair</div><div style="text-align: center;">sacred blessings <span style="background-color: transparent;">in hallowed halls</span><br />
sanctified mercy <span style="background-color: transparent;">for us all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1777022420">Linking to:</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">W4W</span></a></span><br />
<a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/11/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week_16.html"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Poets Rally</span></a><br />
<a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Watery Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Outdoor Wednesday</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/">Share The Joy Thursday</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/2011/11/skywatch-friday-season-5-episode-19.html">Skywatch Friday</a></span><br />
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Haiku Heights</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Haiku My Heart</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/2011/11/poetry-picnic-week-13-childhood-dreams.html">Poetry Picnic</a></span><br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-45024004671696946822012-01-29T19:40:00.000-08:002012-02-20T00:31:00.658-08:00Scenic Wonders in Ipoh!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've been away, travelling within my own country, in the manner we locals like to call 'Cuti-cuti Malaysia' combining sight-seeing with a food trail! We travelled up north from Melaka to Perak, then to Penang Island and down south again to the Cameron Highlands in Pahang. So that's why this blog has been forsaken by its owner for weeks, who went in search of good food, lovely scenery and friendly people.<br />
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We'll start with the town of Ipoh in Perak. This year is the "Visit Ipoh" year for Malaysian tourism, so we had to test the vibes in Ipoh, of course.<br />
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These photographs were taken at Eco Park, where people go for their jog or walk, feed the catfish in the lake, catch the evening breeze. I can't believe how beautiful this time of the day is, here. I felt privileged to have captured these beautiful images of Ipoh. <br />
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The evening breeze...<br />
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<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/863b2a639707411fba95084e127390b8/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327830045000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="499" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/4e6f0472ec4d42579aff51dd574f8e47/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327830029000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="594" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/370c618a3b4e43d4aba99143534db8a9/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327830037000" width="640" /> <br />
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A sunset made for lovers...<br />
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<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/8e31130c76f849ad995c773dbf7bd65c/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327830073000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/8e31130c76f849ad995c773dbf7bd65c/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327830073000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/65446673a4eb4f468ed7255ac1785454/renditions/1024.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/20f95daacd2f4109b3a63bf52977495a/renditions/1024.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>crafted precision<br />
crimson burst of sunset charm<br />
binds two hearts in love<br />
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Magical twilight time...<br />
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<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/36cd8afe0dd6434ab66796596c92938e/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833217000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/670808e0ab6643f3a317b6c30af5fb5a/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833197000" width="640" /><br />
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The next morning, from the balcony of the house of our Ipoh friends, I witnessed this beautiful sunrise. I thought this kind of scenery could only be found in far-off lands. But here it was, right in Malaysia, the layers of shades like a Chinese painting of the mountains in China...all here in beautiful Ipoh.<br />
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<img height="343" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/d172b5239df947b3a8f80fc11f917991/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833225000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/5d92f2865a8a442bb35bbe094e403334/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833229000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="309" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/cdf993cb272b429e8e47116e1ff6042b/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833231000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="317" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/ea92b02212d24b8e8d6832e18c7d0eb6/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833234000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="418" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/702920a8aae044029595bf212d368789/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327850882000" width="640" /> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Reflections</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you see</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the reflection in a lake</div><div style="text-align: center;">mirror images that beguile, or do you</div><div style="text-align: center;">reflect?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you ponder on the meaning</div><div style="text-align: center;">of reflections in your life</div><div style="text-align: center;">do you contemplate on the parallels</div><div style="text-align: center;">divine</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some people see the surface </div><div style="text-align: center;">and miss entirely the depth</div><div style="text-align: center;">the beauty of mountains and skies</div><div style="text-align: center;">replicated</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who would have guessed</div><div style="text-align: center;">at the hidden treasures</div><div style="text-align: center;">that a little contemplation</div><div style="text-align: center;">reveals?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Like an artist's paintbrush</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;"> on compliant canvas dabs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">patterns of mountain and sky</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">expound!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">The dramatic unfolding </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">of a fiery sunset</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">or a sunrise dawn against misty mountains</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">reverberate...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">The discovery of wonders</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">and the wonder of discovery</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">mysteries for the mind to</div><div style="text-align: center;">speculate!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="298" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/f7040adcd2254e2a92cab327215a7ca7/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833264000" width="400" /> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="337" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/8513f2b7e4e443b4a8ca03f324f0df09/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1327833154000" width="400" /> </div><br />
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<span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1777022420">Linking to:</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">W4W</span></a></span><br />
<a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/11/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week_16.html"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Poets Rally</span></a><br />
<a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Watery Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Outdoor Wednesday</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Share The Joy Thursday</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/2011/11/skywatch-friday-season-5-episode-19.html">Skywatch Friday</a></span><br />
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Haiku Heights</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Haiku My Heart</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/2011/11/poetry-picnic-week-13-childhood-dreams.html">Poetry Picnic</a></span><br />
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</div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-45669606677754785972012-01-04T00:18:00.000-08:002012-01-06T00:48:57.515-08:00Valley of the Yellow Dragon "Fairyland on Earth''<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Huanglong or Yellow Dragon Valley, in the Songpan County of Sichuan Province is a <span style="background-color: transparent;">world Heritage Site which is so beautiful that it is known as "Fairyland on Earth''. This valley resembles a yellow dragon winding its way out of the forest, when seen from an aerial view. </span><br />
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When we were in Huanglong it was mid Autumn, but it might as well have been mid winter! From the plane, we could see the snow-capped mountains piercing through the clouds.That was a spectacular sight, and many of the passengers had their cameras out. There was excitement in the air!<br />
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<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/c81c0ed50e9c4bdd89e539dc514c538d/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324293612000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/205bbda4d1034597a29fc02108561982/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324293622000" width="640" /> <br />
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The beauty of the mountains, the brilliant colours of the ponds and the splendour of the luxuriant forests are the inspiration for the songwriters in this region, we are told. Most of the songs they write are not love songs, but are tributes to the scenic beauty.<br />
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<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/ffc1dfacd9e94a558374c7147714e42d/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324566829000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="600" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/5c7a6da61f1c44708eeaa2e5a53231d6/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324294174000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/b242c59345c1494d889e87203f26845f/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324294188000" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="618" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/455fdb5dc3ed4e3caa34441553bb32e3/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324294201000" width="640" /> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/a1732f1c175a488ca5dca04a932b4442/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324294476000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Flying Waterfall on Lotus Platform.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/c4d26462842d41d6a01eaf54afc9264c/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324294626000" width="640" /><br />
<br />
It was a winter wonderland that greeted us as we climbed higher up. Huanglong Valley is 3,000 metres above sea level, you see. The mountains are 5,000 metres!<br />
<br />
<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/b2ae36258ff544d199160b2d69622aaf/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324294793000" style="background-color: transparent;" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/527af9da72bd43d4a70fa65ad9c6c4ca/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324294852000" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<img height="524" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/f551f15d3b384b43a971f10f0855f412/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324295174000" width="640" /> <br />
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<br />
<img height="640" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/b7518a85d37740fea4ae1a5b1043ca54/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324295528000" width="614" /><br />
<br />
<img height="478" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/c3ee4717fc1c4a8593be01cf153611d3/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1325570287000" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="603" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/ef6de91b01e34f6caea861475f724b51/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324295699000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The wooden walkways were covered with frozen ice...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Despite the snow on the ground, the sky was blue, the sun was shining.<br />
<br />
<img height="541" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/5bf96c408ba54d7eabc84ecd291791d1/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1325570316000" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
It was all in all, a lovely place to visit. We were riding on the back of the Yellow Dragon...how much better could it get?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A Fairyland<br />
<br />
from the forests dark<br />
Yellow dragon surges forth<br />
creates the River Min<br />
to stop the disastrous floods <br />
for this gracious deed<br />
Emperor is beholden<br />
the valley is blessed<br />
a fairyland that dazzles <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;"> ponds' shimmering hues </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;">beckon and bewitch our minds</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;">what sorcery is this </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;">that led my wanderings here </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;">what alchemy seeks </span><br />
to overwhelm my senses<br />
I gazed, succumbed to its spell<br />
<br />
(a choka form of the waka) <br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Travel-inspired-Tales</b></span><br />
<br />
tales of legends, myths<br />
from places where I travel<br />
I resolve to tell<br />
<br />
the tales manifest<br />
the secrets of ancient times<br />
of beings mystic<br />
<br />
smell the ambience<br />
taste the local colour<br />
sense the history<br />
<br />
(haiku set)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/">Outdoor Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/">Watery Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/">Share The Joy Thursday</a><br />
Skywatch Friday<br />
<a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/">Sensational Haiku Wednesday (Prompt : Resolve)</a><br />
<a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/2012/01/poetry-picnic-week-20-fairytales-my.html">Poetry Picnic (Week 20)</a><br />
<a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/">Poets Rally (Week 59)</a><br />
Weekend Reflections<br />
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/">Haiku Heights </a>(Prompt: Travel)<br />
<a href="http://www.corazon.typepad.com/">Haiku My Heart</a><br />
Scenic Sunday<br />
Shadow Shot</div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-51454467232657856292011-12-18T05:51:00.000-08:002011-12-18T22:00:26.919-08:00Panda Sanctuary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Panda Sanctuary in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province is worth a visit if only to view the antics of the cute pandas. However this place is more than just a sanctuary. It is a research base for the breeding of the Giant Panda. This world-renowned ecological conservation base received the "Global 500" Award from the United Nations Environment Programme in 1995.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="334" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/f5c76c5f155945e2a5e2c649a15f859d/renditions/256.jpg" width="400" /> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">It <span style="background-color: transparent;">occupies an area of 100 hectares. Apart from their main objective of conservation of wildlife, at the base, the focus is also on the conservation of natural habitats. The whole area is landscaped with 400 kinds of trees including many species of bamboo which also serve as food for the panda bears. Besides bamboo, they are also served bread baked in the Panda Kitchen! Baby pandas are bottle-fed until they are old enough to be weaned.</span></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/65d952a28c504b5a996bd82ce7fd8378/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324090894000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The babies...having their nap in the shade.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/258ff6c4711e4afa84678775040dff38/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324090959000" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/0b0bf6f514d9478091892bcac30e8247/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324091062000" width="640" /> <br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>These teenagers below are enjoying their panda bread.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/9c04452238bd475e941dbc928d846420/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324090514000" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/c4564054662a41869824ed7b42234097/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324091305000" width="640" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/ed3929b3abde46c984df61cb8174252b/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324115652000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">They are surprisingly sure-footed up in the tree.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/74328d8b194e478ba25ce62d7e7929dc/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324091287000" width="640" /> </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/662a4a1fb525403d886166de8f8c31cf/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324090298000" width="480" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/82548e72444448ea8bba61cacd4e0a0e/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324090336000" width="640" /> <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="578" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/6e58fde034f14773a4b2fb5f4938f3aa/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324117863000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is the shot I want to show off to Rachel of 'And Then, She Snapped'!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="615" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/c1629837facb46ba88379c8632b6ff2d/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324118103000" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
(A cinquain for poetry picnic, week 18 and for Poets Rally Week 58)<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>the december of their days</u> <br />
<br />
panda's<br />
december days <br />
your wildness forgotten<br />
cradled in bamboo sanctuary<br />
confined<br />
<br />
<img height="240" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/9eaf56ba79ef42c3a6c5a5e68a6852f4/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324113839000" width="320" /> <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffeef4; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffeef4; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffeef4; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><img height="125" src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/cc20f8df1ad94d00b72280279d76f470/assets/eb7afde77b56463481bb38e9de1cef2d/renditions/1024.jpg?md=1324090740000" width="400" /> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span> <br />
</span><span lang="FR"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffeef4; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffeef4; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><br />
</span></div></div>Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/12/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week.html" style="background-color: transparent;">Thursday Poets Rally</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> (Week 58)</span><br />
<a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/">Poetry Picnic</a> (Prompt - December, Wildness)<br />
<a href="http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/">Camera Critters</a><br />
<a href="http://www.andthen-shesnapped.com/search/label/show%20%7Boff%7D">Show Off Your Shot</a><br />
<a href="http://lisaschaos.com/">Macro Monday</a></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-74203204798525370372011-11-17T08:53:00.000-08:002012-01-29T17:30:27.447-08:00Jiuzhaigou Paradise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had long heard of Jiuzhaigou, and many have extolled the scenic beauty of this famous World Heritage Site in China. The best time to visit, they say, is in autumn, so we chose to go in autumn, of course. I personally had a hankering for taking photographs of autumn scenery, after seeing all the fabulous photographs of autumn in the photoblogs. I found that I couldn't have chosen a better time, or place...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The series of mountains here at Jiuzhaigou reach a height of 4,800 metres and they form a scenic backdrop for the one hundred or so lakes there. This lake reflects the mountains beautifully.</span><br />
<br />
<img height="479" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/DSC02535.jpg?t=1321505407" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is part of the Five Flower Lake which is remarkable not only for its beautiful turqouise-blue colour, but also for its mystery. When all the other lakes freeze in winter, this lake remains as it is, all year round! No wonder the locals there refer to this lake as the "soul of Jiuzhaigou". It has a mystical allure that adds to its physical charm.</span><br />
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<img height="479" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/DSC02543.jpg?t=1321505753" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020332-1.jpg?t=1321518288" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img height="479" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020342.jpg?t=1321517624" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img height="479" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020308.jpg?t=1321516652" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The virgin forests here are truly impressive in autumn!</span><br />
<br />
<img height="479" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020319.jpg?t=1321516167" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Pearl Shoal Station is a series of shallow rapids that glisten in the sunlight like beads of pearls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020358.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<img height="533" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020350.jpg?t=1321516907" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Pearl Shoal Waterfall, also known as Pearl Beach Waterfall, is one of the more spectacular of the waterfalls found here. I find the upper reaches of this waterfall a delight to photograph. Many people forget to look out for the beauty to be discovered here and they make a beeline for the lower part of the falls to hear the thunderous sound and see the voluminous outpouring of the falls.This view is what they miss.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><br />
<img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020367.jpg?t=1321514706" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<br />
<img height="635" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Jiuzhaigou/P1020369.jpg?t=1321506123" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<img alt="Pearl Beach Waterfall" height="479" src="http://api.ning.com/files/EV7g64WhgW*L7FvIG3S4Ke0FjNpITdDVdoxyuhM8w-Z75XaIY0-bW6ztrvAl56aBE4L0t4ymcC90vorv9d88ZEA9ngc36l1D/P1020384.JPG?width=737&height=552" width="640" /> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Surrounded by the delicate beauty of the lakes and the magnificence of the mountains and forests, how could we not be thankful for Nature's gift to us in this paradise called Jiuzhaigou?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For Donna's Words for Wednesday:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pattern and Texture</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there's pattern in paradise </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i declare</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the mighty mountains align</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in a v-shape design</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there are ink-blot patterns so enchanting</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i see</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the mirror lakes reflect</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the mighty mountains that project</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">patchwork patterns of interest</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i observe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in the foliage of green and gold repetitious</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">on the canopies of lush virgin forests</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there's contrast in texture too</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i note</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when the soft water falls </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">down the hard cliff walls</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the soft blend with the hard </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i discover</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when the soft cottony clouds that float in the sky</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">blanket the tough rugged peaks as they sail by</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">yes, there's pattern in paradise</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and the wind and the water</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">harmonize well together</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">humankind just can't compete with Nature's design</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For Poetry Picnic, Haiku Heights and Sensational Haiku Wednesday:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">quiet meditation</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in Nature's loving embrace</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">dreamy obsession</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1777022420"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Linking to:</span></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">W4W</span></a></span><br />
<a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/11/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week_16.html"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Poets Rally</span></a><br />
<a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Watery Wednesday</span></a><br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Outdoor Wednesday</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Share The Joy Thursday</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/2011/11/skywatch-friday-season-5-episode-19.html">Skywatch Friday</a></span><br />
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Haiku Heights</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;">Haiku My Heart</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/2011/11/poetry-picnic-week-13-childhood-dreams.html">Poetry Picnic</a></span><br />
<br />
Nov 20, 2011<br />
My thanks to Poetry Picnic for this award for my submission entitled "Pattern and Texture"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/11/perfect-poet-award-week-56.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCzW7Vx5_G2H7WXdMR_fkXaK1n8As9vOsGebeVuOirFFdW_SnTtsfl3R6fbDGT9OI8B4hb4lcRmV74cJav7kjEIxGcwie_axctLRuBOgWBd6tROaqiuCHztifuOamiM1VqbZ94My0lrbA/s320/Week56.aspx" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">appreciation</div><div style="text-align: center;">award humbly acknowledged </div><div style="text-align: center;">happy heart flaps wings </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I nominate <a href="http://1mind2worlds.blogspot.com/2011/11/against-all-odds.html">Leo</a> for his poem, Against All Odds</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-39822347420542161742011-11-03T20:49:00.000-07:002011-11-03T20:49:25.442-07:00The Cat City of Sarawak<span style="background-color: transparent;">The capital city of Sarawak is Kuching. The part of the city which is the most interesting to me is the waterfront, as this is what characterizes this city. The Sarawak River runs right across Kuching's doorstep, so to speak. It is quaint that you could cross over to the other side of the river by river taxi...which is manned by one boatman.</span><br />
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<img height="536" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010278.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">River views...</span><br />
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<img height="510" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010279.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="588" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010310.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010314.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010290.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="372" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010326.jpg" width="400" /> </div><br />
<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010933.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="572" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010341.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="479" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010345.jpg?t=1320310792" width="640" /> <br />
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View of Kuching city... eateries<br />
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<img height="597" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010275.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">The James Brook bistro...</span><br />
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<img height="598" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010331.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">The old town...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010304.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" width="496" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Chinese temple... </span><br />
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<img height="566" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010303.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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Hilton Hotel...<br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010289.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"> Kuching is a Malay word that means 'cat'. Here's a look at the cat images which I caught sight of in this city.</span><br />
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<img height="534" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010351.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010352.jpg" width="607" /> <br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010300.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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Some real-life ones...<br />
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<img height="245" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010901.jpg" width="320" /> <img height="320" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010464.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" width="305" /><br />
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Some souvenirs to take home!<br />
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<img height="298" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1020147.jpg?t=1320312288" width="320" /> <img height="300" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1020149.jpg?t=1320312356" style="background-color: transparent;" width="320" /><br />
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Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-16406636580382673132011-10-25T20:34:00.000-07:002011-10-30T06:54:08.817-07:00Evolution<b><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am thrilled that Evolution is the word Donna has assigned us for Word for Wednesday. My take on this is a light hearted observation of the Theory of Evolution. If Darwin was right, we evolved in this fashion:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="226" src="http://nature-talk.com/science/genetics/human/images/human-evolution.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let us study the great apes and compare their habits to ours. I had the privilege of seeing for myself the way these primates behave when I visited the Semenggok Orang Utan Sanctuary in Sarawak, and have learned a little bit about their habits. Both my observations as well as reports from studies made, are brought into this little commentary on evolution. I would like to point out some remarkable similarities these primates have with the habits of homo sapiens, which might lend a clue as to how we have evolved from them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Orang Utan (meaning Man of the Jungle in the Malay language) is said to be a close relative of humans, and is very intelligent. In the sanctuary, they live in their natural habitat, and although the rangers provide them with two meals a day, they have the choice to come out to the fringe of the reserve to have breakfast, or not. The mothers with baby in tow came out in full force, that particular day. Then the teens made an appearance. Nowhere to be seen was the alpha male.We assumed he was still in bed, waiting for breakfast to be served. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="298" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010420.jpg?t=1319592969" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who came for breakfast...</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Similarity #1</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Habitat/Location</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">These primates are very selective of the location of their nest. They prefer to build their nest in the highest branches they can reach.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">We also prefer to build our homes on hill-tops, mountain-tops and people are prepared to pay a high premium on these locations. Just think of celebrities living in the hills of Monaco. We are also willing to pay very high prices for penthouse property in the tallest condominiums we can find. This must say something about the origin of our species.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Evolution point: Where Orangutans never take over any abandoned nest, but always build new ones when they move, evolution has us buying over old property at a higher price when we relocate. Seems to me the primates knew better.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Evolution point : Orangutans spend 90% of their time in the treetops of their rainforest home, but we leave our homes for work early in the morning and come home late at night. They seem to know how to enjoy their highrise residence, while we are seldom at home to enjoy the comforts of home. Have we evolved for the better?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010356.jpg?t=1319592068" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="347" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">See that penthouse up there?</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Similarity #2</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: white;">Mothering</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #351c75;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Orangutan mothers care for their young for 2 years. Female Orangutans breed every 8 years or so, and in their lifetime, they have 3 or 4 babies. Mothers cradle and rock their babies, and teach them living skills. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">In the Semenggok Wildlife sanctuary, these mothers</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #351c75;"><span style="color: white;">are </span>referred to as Hot Mamas as they are fiercely protective of their young. We were instructed to keep our distance and not exhibit what could be misconstrued as aggressive behaviour when the Hot Mamas are around. Camera tripods and umbrellas might be seen as weapons, so we were told not to use them. The day before our visit, a man had been injured by an orangutan, so the ranger gave strict instructions to us. The final instruction had us a bit apprehensive, when the ranger warned us to listen for directives from them. He said, "When we say 'Run!', you run!!!" Oh-oh... I must say t</span></span><span style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hat it was an exciting visit.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #351c75;"><img height="330" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #351c75;"><span style="color: white; font-size: small;"><b>Hot Mama 1</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010416.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Hot Mama 2</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="520" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Precious baby</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="551" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010423.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Another precious young 'un in tow.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Evolution point: We human mums look after our young for a little longer, from birth, through their teens, and we</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> continue to support them...</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">right up to the last level of their education!(Might take about 25 years if they do not opt to do a PhD)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Similarity #3</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Couch potato habits</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Orangutans have been observed to use very little energy. They are sloth-like in the jungle.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This pose was kept up for at least 15 minutes before they slowly moved on!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sounds familiar? What do we do when we get home? Look for the remote and park ourselves on the couch, trying to utilize as little movement as possible!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Evolution point: Oh, yes, we have evolved so much more today...haven't we?</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><img height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/auyongminhao/SKBEP0UQTOI/AAAAAAAAFic/IpG3IMCxrYY/evolution-white.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Cinquain for Poetry Picnic, Week 10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">forests</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">home to primates</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">feel warm and secure here</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">may both the strong and weak survive</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">evolve</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><b style="background-color: #351c75;">Haiku Heights #91</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><b style="background-color: #351c75;">Sponge</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><b style="background-color: #351c75;"><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: #351c75; line-height: 19px;"><b>soak in the lessons</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #351c75; line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> our forefathers bequeathed us</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #351c75; line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sponge absorbs, retains </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: white;">her looks may scare us</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: white;">gentle mother with a mask</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #351c75; color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Linking to:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/2011/10/18/word-for-wednesday-evolution-and-evolve/" style="background-color: #351c75;">Word for Wednesday</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #351c75;">Poetry Picnic</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #351c75;">Haiku Heights</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/" style="background-color: #351c75;">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html" style="background-color: #351c75;">Outdoor Wednesday</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.camera-critters.blogspot.com/">Camera Critters</a><br />
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</span></span>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-62521203882765846122011-10-12T21:08:00.000-07:002011-10-16T06:56:56.751-07:00Encounters in the Mangrove Forest<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our guide told us to be well-prepared for our trip to the Bako National Park in Sarawak. I was well-prepared for our trip - translated, that means camera batteries fully-charged.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When we reached the jetty to catch our boat ride to the park, the first thing that caught my attention was the photo opportunity. Those boats were fabulous, I thought. Light four-seater motor boats that would be great for skimming the waves to get us there in no time.</span><br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010508-1.jpg?t=" width="640" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Then I looked up at the notice. See what it says:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010503.jpg?t=" width="400" /></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh! Beware of crocodiles! There are crocodiles in the river? Maybe a bigger, sturdier boat is in order? Anyway, I got into the boat nervously and was handed a life-jacket that our guide, Wan, said was absolutely imperative for us to put on. I heartily approved of that regulation. Soon, all thoughts of a possible crocodile encounter left my mind as the scenery in front of me made me snap away happily. Here we were, on the South China Sea!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We reached the jetty, and our guide pointed out to us, with nonchalance, that carnivorous mangrove swamp creature that dwelled in the mud, had bulging eyes and ...no, you're wrong, he was not pointing to a wild crocodile, but to that strange creature which is fish, but lives on land. Yup, the mudskipper is literally a fish out of water!It is really carnivorous, by the way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fascinating aren't they? They walk on their pectoral fins! They are hard to photograph, for they are tiny, (those in the picture above are about an inch to two inches long) and they move fast and keep retreating to their burrows. Wonder why they're always doing that, we were not predators! Maybe their babies were calling for them. They raise families in their burrows, did you know? I was quite happy that our first encounter with a swamp creature was not with a crocodile. Now you know how much of an adventurer I am!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aha! This is a good sign. I mean this is a good indication of the presence of the kind of forest creatures that we were all very excited to meet. Our tree-dwelling relatives! That sign makes me think that thetr might be some monkeys there plucking coconuts and dropping them to the ground. Logical assumption, I am sure. Not long after we had landed, we got to meet our first tree-dweller. We were fortunate that our guide was alert to the slight movements among the branches. Wan signalled us to look up and, what do you know, we saw this broad back of a primate; I couldn't tell what species it was, and it refused to turn to look at us.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were whispering so as not to frighten it away, and for the next ten to fifteen minutes, most of us on the ground were busy photographing this anonymous posterior! Then he looked upwards, and we caught a glimpse of his profile. He's the Dutchman of Borneo!!! Yes, that profile, that long nose...unmistakable!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Can you imagine how thrilled we were to meet this proboscis monkey practically face to face!? We had arrived here quite early in the morning, and apparently, these monkeys which sleep near the river, start the day by feeding and then move on further into the jungle later in the day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is sad to note that the proboscis monkey is an endangered species, but fortunately there are parks like the Bako National Park that protects the remaining population.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aww, look at that adorable face...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we moved further inland, we saw many long-tailed macaques. These are easy to spot because they are bigger in population, here. They are said to be among the most successful of primates as they flourish in a wide range of habitats. I guess the reason for this is they are not picky eaters. They are omnivorous, and even scavenge for food from left-overs in rubbish bins.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here in this picture above, the macaque was contemplating what else to have for lunch, after an entree of tropical leaves and berries. Look at what is available for the main course:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> in our haven, stress</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>burrow deep or be eaten </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>live another day</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(For Sensational Haiku Wednesday, prompt - Stress)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are also hermit crabs...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and oysters!!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These mangrove oysters anchor on to mangrove roots and rocks and feed on the algae that is washed over the oyster beds. Isn't that an ingenious method...no need to go look for lunch, the lunch comes to you. And did you know that the oysters will change their gender once or more in their lifetime?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were walking along a footpath when we met this family of Mum and her triplets. We kept our distance, as you don't know when Mummy Wild Pig might take offence and charge at us. This was certainly one of the highlights of our visit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You wouldn't want to rile this lady. Just look at her!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The babies have watermelon stripes. Cute, aren't they?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The next creatures we encountered are probably the most dangerous. They are green vipers, and our guide found them in some bushes. There were two varieties, but I didn't want to get near enough for a look, so my 'better half' proved himself worthy of that title and photographed the snakes while I kept my distance.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was happier taking photographs of butterflies and dragonflies!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We'll leave these mangrove forest creatures for now, and this image below, of their habitat makes me think they have it really good, living in their intertidal paradise.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Impossible</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>interwoven lives</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>impossible on one's own</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>cling on to your rock</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(For Haiku Heights on my own prompt, #89 - Impossible)<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Linking to:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Haiku Heights</a></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/2011/07/27/sensational-haiku-wednesday-109/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</a></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Thursday Poets' Rally</a></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_481141083" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Haiku My Heart</a></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.meriak.blogspot.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Share The Joy Thursday</a></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.bloggingfrombolivia.com/">Macro Friday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.camera-critters.blogspot.com/">Camera Critters</a><br />
<a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/">Watery Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/search/label/Outdoor%20Wednesday">Outdoor Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a><br />
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</div></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-47736933463412597502011-10-08T08:25:00.000-07:002011-10-08T08:25:01.552-07:00Mangrove Wetlands - Beauty Amidst Biodiversity<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There was really so much to see here at the Bako National Park, and to write about in my posts, that I have to have at least three separate posts. One, mainly concerning the fauna, one on the flora, and the third just on the beauty of the mangrove forest environment. Let's start with the scenery. I took hundreds of photographs here, and wish I could share all of them with you. It is so difficult to have to choose only a few. Actually, some people might say that one scene looks pretty much like another...after all, they're all of the mangrove swamp, the sea, the sky, the rocks, the mud...yeah, I know that, but I love each of them!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It isn't that I've never seen mangrove before. It is just that it is only now, since I have begun to see nature through the lens, that I appreciate them even more.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010584.jpg?t=1318046586" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="603" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010644.jpg?t=1318046297" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="495" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010531.jpg?t=1318049049" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010536.jpg?t=1318048316" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010532.jpg?t=1318048770" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="597" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010687.jpg?t=1318053415" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010666.jpg?t=1318053452" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010667.jpg?t=1318053446" width="640" /></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="312" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010656.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/sarawak/P1010589.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 'shoots' sticking out of the mud are actually aerial roots that require air to breathe. </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Living Together</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">come up for air</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">breathe </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we shall survive</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">even in the harshest of environments</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in the murkiest of intertidal existences</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there's symbiosis</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in our relationship</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and there's strength in that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you are my buffer </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">between the sea and the shoreline</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you absorb the shocks from waves and storms</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and I'm the buttress that anchors you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in the ebbing of the tide and time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">come up for air </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">breathe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and look around </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">beyond the mudflats of this wetland</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there's beauty above ground</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">reach up and take</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">all that is out there </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the air is ours to have and to share</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">our lives are intertwined with all who live here</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> no discord nor enmity nor fear</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">let kindness and acceptance be our theme song of camaraderie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and together we shall flourish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in this wild menagerie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(For Poetry Picnic - Prompt: Relationships)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(For Thursday Poets Rally)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">rosiegan October 2011</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Linking to:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/">Watery Wednesday</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/">Poetry Picnic</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/">Thursday Poets Rally</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.meriak.blogspot.com/">Share the Joy Thursday</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/">Weekend Reflections</a></span><br />
<a href="http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/">Shadow Shot</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-79916704868510589672011-09-22T21:12:00.000-07:002011-09-23T08:31:08.982-07:00The Garden City<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess which city in New Zealand is named the Garden City...personally, I think 90% the cities qualify. In fact, the whole country is a garden to me. However there is one particular city that has earned international recognition as the garden city. Well, if you haven't already guessed, the city is Christchurch! It is named thus as it has been acknowledged as The Outstanding Garden City from 620 international entries in 1996. Wait, there's more. In the following year, Christchurch won the honour of being Overall Winner of Major Cities in the Nations in Bloom International Competition to become...Garden City of the World!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you see for yourself the huge parks and public gardens, tree-lined avenues, and the fantastic botanical gardens by the Avon River, you will understand how Christchurch won international fame.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here, I would like to share with you the loveliness of Christchurch in springtime.</span><br />
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<img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC02840.jpg?t=1316702016" width="640" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just have to start with this incredibly beautiful countryside.You would think you are driving in a magical painting of the landscape. I'll be showing you more of this beautiful scenery when we leave the city. For now, let's head on to the city.</span><br />
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<img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC02146.jpg" /><br />
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<img height="400" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/botanic%20gardens/DSC02084.jpg?t=1316705807" width="302" /> <img height="188" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/botanic%20gardens/DSC02079.jpg?t=1316706240" width="200" /><br />
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<a href="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC02129.jpg?t=1316702780" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC02129.jpg?t=1316702780" width="320" /></a> <img height="400" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/botanic%20gardens/DSC02085.jpg?t=1316705968" width="291" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Avon River</span><br />
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<img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/botanic%20gardens/DSC02090.jpg?t=1316708077" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">River of Dreams</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i first saw you in my teens</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>in a magazine</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i was enthralled</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>fell deeply in love</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>said i would seek you out</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>when i am able</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>now i'm able</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i seek you, sweet Avon</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>and from the bridge above you</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i am again enthralled</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>still deeply in love</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>like a teen again</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>just like in the picture I kept under my pillow</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>still guarding your banks are </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>the loyal weeping willows </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>they weep for joy, i'm sure</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>for you give only pleasure</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>to all who love you</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>sweet river of my dreams </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(For Thursday Poets' Rally)</span></div><br />
<img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC02133.jpg" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many trees are over 120 years old in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens</span><br />
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<img height="400" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/botanic%20gardens/DSC02083.jpg?t=1316706936" width="375" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as I promised you in the beginning, after we leave the city,I'll let you enjoy more scenic eye candy of the Governor's Bay area. From the hill-top cafe, the view is priceless.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="534" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC02856.jpg?t=1316746208" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC02849-1.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Water</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>blue waters of bay</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>sympathetic and serene</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>calm our troubled thoughts</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>anticipation</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> healing breath of tranquil sea</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>wash over psyche</b></span><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(For Haiku Heights and Sensational Haiku Wednesday)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Linking to:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/">Haiku Heights</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://youknowthatblog.com/2011/07/27/sensational-haiku-wednesday-109/">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/">Thursday Poets' Rally</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_481141083">Haiku My Heart</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/">Watery Wednesday</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.meriak.blogspot.com/">Share The Joy Thursday</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Weekend Reflections</div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-86082540586524385162011-09-12T00:18:00.000-07:002011-09-14T08:18:20.598-07:00Beyond the Sea to The City of Sails<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like how each city in New Zealand has her own tagline, and while travelling down the length of New Zealand's North and South Island, I kept a look-out for the signboards welcoming us to the cities and noted the unique character of the cities from their taglines.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The City of Sails! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kia Ora to Tamaki Makarau! That means 'Welcome to Auckland' in the Maori language. Yes, we are talking about Auckland, also known as Akarana. Here are a few interesting facts about Auckland you might like to know.</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It is on an isthmus between two harbours.(That's how it got its name, see? Yachts sail in all the time, heading for the harbours and the Hauraki Gulf Islands.)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">One in every three households owns a boat.</span></li>
</ul><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Auckland Waterfront</span></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC03050.jpg?t=1315755197" width="618" /></div><div><br />
</div><br />
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<ol><li style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC03053.jpg?t=1315754423" width="523" /></li>
</ol><br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC03050-1.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View of the Auckland CBD from the Waterfront.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<img height="547" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC03054.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Landmarks</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Sky Tower</u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are into jumping off buildings, try the Skyjump - 192 metres of base-jumping from the tower (attached to a cable, of course, of course!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC01756.jpg?t=1315804040" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You might want to catch the action in the reflection of this building as you jump.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC01760.jpg?t=1315804991" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Auckland Civic Centre</u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a famous heritage atmospheric theatre</span></li>
</ul></div><br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC01766.jpg?t=1315759010" width="496" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is on Queen Street, the main street in Auckland CBD for commerce and entertainment.</span><br />
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<img height="392" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC01761.jpg?t=1315759173" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case some of you, like me, are wondering what an atmospheric theatre is, here are some notes from Wikipedia:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is "<i><b>a movie palace (cinema) which has an auditorium ceiling that is intended to give the illusion of an open sky as its defining feature. The decorative and architectural elements often convey an impression of being seated in a fantastic foreign setting, which might be anything from a palace or village square to a garden or an outdoor amphitheatre at night</b></i>".</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Auckland Town Hall</u></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the concert hall inside has some of the finest acoustics in the world </span> </li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img height="450" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/DSC01763.jpg?t=1315805684" width="640" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Auckland War Memorial Museum</u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">known for its neo-classical architecture, one of New Zealand's finest heritage buildings</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img height="483" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/DSC03097.jpg?t=1315806218" width="640" /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Auckland Domain</u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the oldest park in Auckland, developed around the ring of an extinct volcano</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/DSC03096.jpg?t=1315809375" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Close-up of the roots and trunk of an ancient tree.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b> tide of ancient time </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>floods me with anguish and pain </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>twisted trunk still stands </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For Haiku Heights Prompt: Flood</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you love gardens, and wish to see the Auckland Domain's famed Wintergarden, click <a href="http://mygardenhaven1.blogspot.com/2011/09/auckland-domain.html">here</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below is my favourite shadow shot in the park. I just love how the shadows of the crown of the tree makes that design on the ground.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="588" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/DSC03083-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A view from the Auckland Domain overlooking Auckland City.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img height="238" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/gardens/DSC03102-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Linking to:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/">Scenic Sunday</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/">Shadow Shot</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/">Weekend Reflections</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">Mosaic Monday</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://lisaschaos.com/">Macro Monday</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/">Haiku Heights</a></span><br />
<a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/">Our World Tuesday</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-81041419360067331612011-09-11T01:15:00.000-07:002011-12-04T05:25:29.918-08:00Haiku Shot #1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #ddddff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font: normal normal normal 30px/normal Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Rosie's Haiku Shots</span></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font: normal normal normal 30px/normal Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"><br />
</span></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font: normal normal normal 30px/normal Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Thought I'd take a shot at it...at this fascinating Japanese verse form that is succinct, yet juicy and tender, and rich yet not opulent.</span></h3><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"><br />
</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6934411675056989166" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; position: relative; width: 608px;">At first what I wrote was rhyme, not haiku at all...but I thought it was haiku. I liked my first attempt. However, after reading up a little about the form, I try to adhere to certain traditions, but again, a novice makes all kinds of blunders. So excuse me if what I'm passing off as Haiku might not quite fit the bill. That is why I call these my Haiku Shots.<br />
<br />
My first 'haiku' was actually a set. Each haiku fitted the basic 5-7-5 syllable pattern. I sought inspiration from my travels, and the title gives you a notion of the place which sparked the idea for my haiku. If curiosity gets the better of you, and you want to see the actual posts of these places, just click on the title.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://travel-i-tales.blogspot.com/2011/03/alugu-caves.html" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Alugu Caves</a></b></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #ddddff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Caverns echo loud</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Immortals' celestial tales</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thrilling, tragic, tense!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Elixirs of Life,</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>legends and myths abiding</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in spectral rivers.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Battling dragons' fire</b></span></b></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><b>Tales of victories sublime</b></span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><b>Fantasies live on...</b></span></span></b></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_aHrVpHdMomg/TW-Z3N5ZRWI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/DFCrHeoow2c/s200/DSC00110.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.496094) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.496094) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></div></div></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-81538133712537173142011-09-04T08:36:00.000-07:002011-09-04T09:23:38.178-07:00Let's Do Some Window Shopping<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b> may your gifts flourish</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>grow wise, prosper, thrive, expand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b> dreams built on bedrock</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For Haiku Heights Prompt #63</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and Sensational Haiku Wednesday</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are coming window shopping with me today! It is a Sunday, so you'll have time. We'll be crossing from one continent to another, so grab a jacket in case you need to keep warm.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Weekend Reflections</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000492-1.jpg?t=1314977551" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We'll stop by in Perth, Australia first. Look at this... what an inviting display on a cold winter's day! You know, these flowers remind me of some flowers I saw the other day. I'll show you what I mean. We need to fly over to Hong Kong though.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For Today's Flowers</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/DSC02134.jpg?t=1315134850" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lovely flowers, don't you think?</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="478" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/DSC01902.jpg?t=1315136742" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And where else to get some pretty chopsticks but in Hong Kong, China.</span></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/DSC01903.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or maybe some Oriental opera masks in Hong Kong might strike your fancy?</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I just caught my reflection in the shop...can you see me there?)</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I saw what I thought were masks at a window display in Arrowtown, New Zealand. Here, take a look.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/DSC02338.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My mistake, headbands, not masks for sale.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/DSC02340.jpg?t=1315136203" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Let's stop for some coffee and non-gluten sweet bites at this cafe in Arrowtown.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Refreshed, let's travel on to Paris.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/Picturesofwesternmedcruise605.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More weekend reflections in this window display below.</span><br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/Picturesofwesternmedcruise324.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'll love shopping in Capri. These two photos below are from the same shop run by a dear, friendly man.</span><br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/Picturesofwesternmedcruise290.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A beautiful display.</span><br />
<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/Picturesofwesternmedcruise291.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our next stop still in Capri is this florist's display. Like it?</span><br />
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<img height="588" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/Picturesofwesternmedcruise309.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, moving on...let's check out the shopping scene in Spain. This is Valldemossa, a charming village where you could get the best hot chocolate in the whole of Spain. Or if you're more into clocks and swords, we could go to this shop!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/shopping%20and%20food/Picturesofwesternmedcruise391.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, we need to have lunch...take your pick: Paris, Barcelona, Queenstown, Christchurch...anywhere!</span><br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/DSC02861-1.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was fun for me. Got to go home now. Tomorrow's a weekday, can't be gallivanting all over, window shopping on a weekday, can we? Shall we do this again the next weekend?</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Objects of Desire</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>enticing,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>pulling at my heartstrings</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>compelling me to untie my purse-strings</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>that objet d'art I saw in the window</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and that rare curio up on the shelf</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>beguiling </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>temptation</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to have that collector's piece for my own </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to savour the sweet thrill of possession</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>beauty to enjoy on my mantel piece</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>drawing all eyes to ogle</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>seduction</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For Poetry Picnic at Gooseberry Garden,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Poets' Rally and Poetry Pantry</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #ddddff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Weekend Reflections</a><br />
<a href="http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Scenic Sunday</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><a href="http://www.murrieta365.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">SOOC</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Mosaic Monday</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://lisaschaos.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Macro Monday</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/" style="color: #8877ff; text-decoration: none;">Mellow Yellow Monday</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; color: #ddddff; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Linking%20to:%20Weekend%20Reflections%20Scenic%20Sunday%20Shadow%20Shot%20SOOC%20Mosaic%20Monday%20Macro%20Monday%20Mellow%20Yellow%20Monday">Sensational Haiku Wednesday</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8;"></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://purpletreehouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/poetic-forms-waka.html" style="background-color: #b4a7d6; color: #9900cc; text-decoration: none;">Poetic Forms</a></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #b4a7d6; color: #9900cc; text-decoration: none;">Poetry Picnic</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #b4a7d6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #b4a7d6; color: #9900cc; text-decoration: none;">Thursday Poets Rally</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2011/08/poetry-pantry-is-now-open-64.html" style="color: #9900cc; text-decoration: none;">Poetry Pantry</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://mondaypoetrytrainrevisited.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/136-monday-poetry-train-revisited/" style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Poetry Train Revisited</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #c054a8;"></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/2011/08/share-joy-harvest.html" style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Share The Joy Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/">Today's Flowers</a></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-86732561829594980732011-08-27T23:53:00.000-07:002011-08-29T03:31:49.091-07:00Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="195" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000951.jpg?t=1314501210" width="200" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Selamat datang ke </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Melaka</span>!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As part of my series on Melaka, my hometown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a historic city of the Straits of Malacca, I am sharing these photographs of the Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>TAMAN RAMA-RAMA & REPTILIA MELAKA</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First of all, I have to admit that my sole purpose of visiting this place was to photograph the butterflies. Secondly, I am not too keen on photographing reptiles. In fact, I sort of closed my eyes and ran past the snake collection area. I did brave myself enough to snap a few shots of the crocodiles, but one of them gave me a hungry look, so I walked hurriedly on. Hence, these photographs I am posting are only of pretty birds and butterflies, and harmless tortoises and koi. No snakes, my apologies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At the entrance...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010132.jpg?t=1314503739" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="478" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pretty Polly welcomes the visitors.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000958.jpg" width="246" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 90% of these photos are straight out of the camera (SOOC)...including the parrot images and the peacock. For the peahen, I had to pop her colour a little as she is rather a Plain Jane.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="512" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010131-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another Polly says hello. (No, she merely squawked )</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="588" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010134-1.jpg?t=1314505362" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He just wouldn't spread his wings for me...proud peacock!<br />
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010136-1.jpg?t=1314505714" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pouty Peahen is pretty proud too.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="518" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010141-1.jpg?t=1314508157" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Do you think we qualify for Mellow Yellow Monday? We are pretty yellow up-front!" </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="534" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010145-1.jpg?t=1314508603" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Oh! She wants a snapshot of us? Why didn't she say so?"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let's go inside, explore the grounds...</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="538" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000993.jpg?t=1314505824" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reflections in the Koi Pond </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000994.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000998.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Asian Brown Tortoise...largest in Asia (grows up to 25 kg!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't figure out the significance of the giant eggs...this leads to the butterfly sanctuary!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">THE BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stop me if keep on filling this post with the butterfly photos I took. I love them all...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">However, I shall try my best to limit myself to publishing one of each variety...if I can. Oh, this is really hard for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010041-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<img height="522" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000986.jpg?t=1314512664" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1010008.jpg?t=1314512888" width="537" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="P1000976.jpg " height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/animal%20kingdom/P1000976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A shadow shot...a 12 o'clock shadow, to be precise!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alright, alright. I shall save some of the photographs for the next few write-ups on each individual species.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Weekend Reflections</a><br />
<a href="http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Scenic Sunday</a><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><a href="http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Shadow Shot</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><a href="http://www.murrieta365.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">SOOC</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">Mosaic Monday</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://lisaschaos.com/">Macro Monday</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #000d44; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/">Mellow Yellow Monday</a></span></span><br />
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Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-15410550429375955742011-08-25T21:45:00.000-07:002011-08-25T21:49:36.378-07:00A Walkabout in Perth<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, the point of reference in Perth is Hay Street. This is where the hotel we were staying in is located, and this was the street we were to grow very familiar with, making it our central focus. The fact that Hay Street and the parallel Murray Street are the shopping centres of the district might also have a bearing on why it is our central focus! It is very pleasant to stroll along the tree-lined street malls. It was winter there, and the wintering trees made a great setting for the buildings in the background. There's sure to be a busker or two providing street entertainment. Having a meal in the open-air cafes is a bit of a challenge especially when the wind blows.</span><br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000489.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the view of the Clock Tower below.</span><br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000281.jpg?t=1314111927" width="479" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This photograph above prompts me to write the following haiku for <b>Haiku Heights:</b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>tower counting time</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>breathe life into your dreams</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>leaves fall one by one</b></span></div><br />
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<img height="506" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000283.jpg?t=1314111224" width="640" /><br />
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<img height="200" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000273.jpg?t=1314112702" width="197" /> <img height="320" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000490.jpg" width="229" /><br />
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<img height="200" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000486.jpg" width="200" /> <img height="400" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000270.jpg?t=1314114615" width="222" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within the Hay Street Mall, I was delighted to find myself in Ye London Court. Walk in and you're in Tudor England! The arcade here is charming...you can get souvenirs, shoes, jewellery, get your shoes repaired, consult a lawyer, bump into Her Majesty herself, as well, I reckon.</span><br />
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<img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000277.jpg?t=1314112219" /><br />
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<img height="480" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000290.jpg?t=1314111298" width="640" /><br />
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<img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000275.jpg" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaving London Court, let's just walk on and take in the city scenery . The architecture is an interesting blend of glass and steel, as well as heritage buildings.</span><br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000474.jpg?t=1314093877" width="623" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perth City is easy to navigate, as the streets in the Central Business District are arranged in a grid-like fashion. The buildings in the CBD are where all the skyscrapers are found.</span><br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000471.jpg?t=1314094146" width="604" /><br />
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<img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000470.jpg?t=1314110660" /><br />
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<b>Dedicated to Skywatch Friday:</b><br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000496.jpg?t=1314114943" width="619" /><br />
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<img height="637" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000294.jpg?t=1314114371" width="640" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We shall end our walkabout with some night lights in the city.</span><br />
<img height="640" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/Port%20of%20Barcelona/P1000462.jpg?t=1314095013" width="640" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A waka for Poetic Forms at The Purple Treehouse:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>seek joy in everyday life</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>discover oceans to see</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>go near, if not far</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>feel with new eyes your own town </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>take an orange, fresh</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> peel the rind, breathe in the zest</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>be thankful and celebrate</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>everyday life - its a gift</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">rosie gan August 2011</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Linking to:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Outdoor Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.meriak.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Share The Joy Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Skywatch Friday</a><br />
<a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/">Poetry Picnic at The Gooseberry Garden</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/">Poets' Rally at Poetry Palace</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><a href="http://purpletreehouse.blogspot.com/">Poetic Forms at The Purple Treehouse</a></span><br />
<a href="http://haiku-heights.blogspot.com/">Haiku Heights</a><br />
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Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-69344116750569891662011-08-22T02:01:00.000-07:002011-09-11T01:07:59.203-07:00Rosie's Haiku ShotsThought I'd take a shot at it...at this fascinating Japanese verse form that is succinct, yet juicy and tender, and rich yet not opulent.<br />
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At first what I wrote was rhyme, not haiku at all...but I thought it was haiku. I liked my first attempt. However, after reading up a little about the form, I try to adhere to certain traditions, but again, a novice makes all kinds of blunders. So excuse me if what I'm passing off as Haiku might not quite fit the bill. That is why I call these my Haiku Shots.<br />
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My first 'haiku' was actually a set. Each haiku fitted the basic 5-7-5 syllable pattern. I sought inspiration from my travels, and the title gives you a notion of the place which sparked the idea for my haiku. If curiosity gets the better of you, and you want to see the actual posts of these places, just click on the title.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://travel-i-tales.blogspot.com/2011/03/alugu-caves.html">Alugu Caves</a></b></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Caverns echo loud</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Immortals' celestial tales</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thrilling, tragic, tense!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Elixirs of Life,</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>legends and myths abiding</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in spectral rivers.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Battling dragons' fire</b></span></b></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><b>Tales of victories sublime</b></span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><b>Fantasies live on...</b></span></span></b></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_aHrVpHdMomg/TW-Z3N5ZRWI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/DFCrHeoow2c/s200/DSC00110.JPG" width="200" /></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-7015677615742346912011-08-21T22:37:00.000-07:002011-08-21T23:47:48.920-07:00Animal Land Got Talent!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Welcome to this page where we feature stories about our pets at home, our favourite shots of birds, bees or even our encounters of animals in the wild or at the zoo; in short we are featuring the Kingdom of Animals!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have often wanted to start a blog about my own furry friends. I have four dogs, and they have different temperaments that often make me wonder whether I am watching a Comedy of Errors staged by them! I would love to share some of my observations with you. Here are the four stars of that show:</span><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Who do you think is the Under-dog,who is the Diva, who is the Director and who is the Go-getter?</b></span></div>All shall be revealed in the episodes beginning with Episode 1 next month.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I would also love to read your stories. Hence this blog party. There are no prompts, no themes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Link in any day, the link is open all the time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the first of every month, I shall select the "Star" of the month and add that wonderful creature to our Hall of Fame.That's it. Link is open! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A comment after each submission would be lovely.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-91316830441329439682011-08-21T22:02:00.000-07:002011-09-02T18:54:34.140-07:00Episode 1: Let's start with the Diva<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>September 2011</b></span><br />
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<img height="200" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/mygardenhaven/P1000742.gif?t=1313833788" width="160" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, Potsie is the Diva of the four characters in the play which I would have to call 'A Tale of Four Doggies'. Except that the play is not a play, but real life in my garden with four dogs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Potsie is the one who always has her way, and the others have to give in. She is the one who will only have to give a low growl, and the others will not dare eat the snacks I give to them when she is there. They will reluctantly walk away from the food which will ultimately end in her tummy...after she has taken her time slowly enjoying her own snack. She's a master at this control she has over them.The reason why she has the leading lady attitude? Because she was the first to be cast in the play! She is the first of our four four-legged furry pets.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Potsie came to us as a puppy from the streets. She used to fend for herself, catching birds for her meals, but she was a playful, happy puppy. When we took her in, she gave us a lot of affection, and despite being well-fed, carried on with her hunting habits. The most 'charming' thing about her is that whenever she catches her prey, she tries her best to get my attention and leads me to see what she has for me. The first time she did that, I gave a scream when I was led to the victim - a garden lizard! Other unfortunate creatures have included a few squirrels (I'm so sorry for them, but I wish they had learned how to jump from tree to tree more adroitly); mynahs which prefer to parade in my garden at ground level, some mice, frogs, and even black beetles! The latter drives her crazy. I do not condone her actions but her hunting instincts rule her. And I suspect she feels that it is her duty to protect our garden from predators. And protect us she did, many times. If it were not for her, we would have faced danger from snakes which found their way into our compound a few times. Potsie is fearless and seems to know how dangerous these slithery creatures could be. We owe a lot to Potsie, and thankful that she has the Diva temperament, for that also makes her the Heroine when the occasion calls for her to be one.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Potsie is saying, "Show some respect for your Alpha Female, Niki. Kow-tow to me even when you are in your own territory."</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Object in the Mirror</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>the school of drama</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>taught me to be a diva</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i am the object of adoration</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>my name is known throughout the nation</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>the celebrity with the most awards</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i live a life of fabulosity and cash rewards</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>when i look in the mirror</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i feel a thrill and a shiver</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>of utter delight </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>runs up my spine, I'm filled with pride</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>my fans all want to be like me</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>but no one can be </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>so perfect a performer, a shining star</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>i am the best ...me! i am a diva!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/">Camera Critters</a><br />
<a href="http://petsalways.blogspot.com/">Pets Forever</a><br />
<a href="http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/">Poetry Picnic</a><br />
<a href="http://liveeverymom.blogspot.com/">Photo Challenge</a><br />
<a href="http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/">Poets' Rally</a><br />
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The link is always open. Jump in any time.<br />
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Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418763032916029664.post-81747852784588245892011-08-21T08:02:00.000-07:002011-08-21T08:02:05.937-07:00Fremantle<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To say that the port city of Fremantle has character is an understatement...it has a charming ambience that distinguishes it from the modern city of Perth. A mix of late Georgian, Victorian, Gothic architecture make the town of Fremantle most interesting to visit, and certainly unforgettable.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Much of the architecture in Fremantle was built by the convicts during the colonial era in the mid 1800s. The Gaol, now renamed the Round House is a well-known landmark. It was a jail until 1886.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another landmark is the Fremantle Town Hall, representative of Victorian architecture. It opened in 1887.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Gothic Architecture</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">St John's Church attracted my attention at first glance. Overlooking King's Square, it is said to be the true heart of Fremantle.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just look at these ornate facades. Just lovely!</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gold Rush Architecture</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Described as a 'rich' style as we can see from the examples below. The Gold Rush brought prosperity to Fremantle in the 1890s, and the architecture of that era reflects that.</span><br />
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I like this pretty shop window.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The people we saw on the streets and park were busy and on the go on that day, though.</span><br />
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Linking to:<br />
<a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a><br />
<a href="http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/">Weekend Reflections</a><br />
<a href="http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/">Scenic Sunday</a><br />
<a href="http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/">Shadow Shot</a><br />
<a href="http://www.murrieta365.com/">SOOC</a>Rosie Ganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.com7