cheznmal

The Migration

Posted on June 30, 2012 by cheznmal

This is just a short video I took at a waterhole in the Serengeti. Throw a few crocs and a lion or two into the mix and you can imagine the chaos that would ensue. As it turns out, we actually saw a lion making a grab for a wildebeest calf in the next waterhole. I’ll post that video if I can find it. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for actually being there – the smell, the noise and the vibrations through your feet as the herds move. It’s all a bit overwhelming.

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Ostrich riding in South Africa

Posted on June 30, 2012 by cheznmal

This isn’t exactly what I had envisaged doing in South Africa, but apparently the ostrich industry is huge here – meat, feathers, leather, eggs…. It was inevitable that someone would promote ostrich riding. I’m not sure if this is an animal rights violation, but c’mon… how could you pass up an opportunity to ride a 9 foot tall bird? They do actually have a weight restriction – you can sit on one if you are less than 80kg and you can ride one if you are under 70kg. The weight certainly didn’t seem to slow them down! We still have no idea why the guide keeps yelling “fire” whilst Chez in on the bird.

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Cheryl performs with the locals in the highlands of Lesotho

Posted on June 28, 2012 by cheznmal

We now have the ability to put video content onto our blog. Unfortunately, we can only do this when we have fast wifi, so I’ll put them up whenever I get a chance. No particular order, just random stuff, really. This one was taken at the top of the Sani Pass in Lesotho. We visited a goat herders’ village and these guys were out the front of one of the huts trying to get tips. Mind you, it was freezing cold and sleeting so ten out of ten for motivation. Chez decided to join in. She hates this video, but really, I think it belongs to the world now…..!

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Jordan – Petra

Posted on June 28, 2012 by cheznmal

Entering the Treasury from the Siq – a sign of things to come…

The Treasury in the afternoon light

The Treasury at night

The High Place of Sacrifice

The Lion Fountain – notice the aqueduct carved into the rock above where the head should be

The Bedouin lady who sold us fake Roman coins at the Garden Temple

Taking the easy way to the Monastery

The Monastery (biggest building in Petra) – notice us on either side of the door

The majestic Theatre

The Royal Tombs

Petra from up high

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Jordan

Posted on June 28, 2012 by cheznmal

The Roman Theatre, Amman

The Citadel, Amman

Hadrian’s Arch, Jerash

The Forum, Jerash

Cardo Maximus, Jerash

Notice the chariot wheel grooves in the 2000yr old stone road

Temple of Artemis, Jerash

Hippodrome, Jerash

Mt Nebo (where Moses looked out towards the “promised land”)

The Memorial to Moses, Mt Nebo

Spring of Moses (it actually is inside the opening, where the arrow is pointing)

Dead Sea (as seen from “sea level”)

Relaxing in The Dead Sea

Mal complaining about getting salt in his eye

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Dubai

Posted on June 21, 2012 by cheznmal

Burj Khalifa – World’s Tallest Building

Burj Al Arab – World’s Most Luxurious Hotel

The Entrance

The floors and interior

The Restaurants

The Library

Suite 1011 (Our room for the night of 17 June 2012)

Our Butler, Hitesh

Room Service

The Suite

Our car and driver

The hire car

Our “Honeymoon” Cake

The Jumeirah Beach Hotel

View from the top floor of our suite

Full height panoramic windows in our suite

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Madagascar – Ranomafana National Park

Posted on June 15, 2012 by cheznmal

Golden Bamboo Lemur

Greater BambooLemur

Milne-Edwards Sifaka

Chameleons

Giving bonbon (sweets) to kids – good technique…

….and poor technique

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Madagascar – Fianarantsoa to Manakara Train

Posted on June 15, 2012 by cheznmal

The train

Tough Security (note backpack)

Passing Traffic

Life along the track

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Madagascar – Morondava, Isalo, Anja

Posted on May 29, 2012 by cheznmal

Avenue of Baobabs, Morondava

Isalo National Park

Canyon de Makis, Isalo National Park

Piscine Naturale, Isalo National Park

Ring tailed Lemurs, Anja Reserve

Typical rural landscape