Ever since Brandon and I visited Hiller Tunnel at Malakoff Diggins last summer (and took the picture you can see below) we have wanted to venture into its mysterious depths… We would have headed up the cave that day, but lacked any lights (which are definitely needed). So, what better time to do so than … Continue reading »
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The Logging Camps Of Arunachal Pradesh
A significant source of income in many of the tribal areas of the Arunachal Pradesh jungle is derived from logging. This is a legal gray area. Technically, the jungle is a protected area. However, the villagers are grudgingly permitted by the Indian government to retrieve timber from the jungle for their own use. “Their own … Continue reading »
My Brother’s Keeper by C. Johan Bakkes
“Kalie is gone,” she told me. “It’s your fault – go look for him.” What keeps me sane, is occasionally escaping from what is considered normal. As a safari operator, I happen to show people the wild places of our continent. Ordinary people. People who pound away at a typewriter – these days a word … Continue reading »
Lalibela, Ethiopia
As mentioned previously, I shall allow my last post on the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to serve as a segue into a discussion of Lalibela itself. And, frankly, I found Lalibela and its environs more interesting than the churches the town is famous for. A little background: Lalibela (also known as Lalibala) was the most … Continue reading »
A Casualty Of The Somali Civil War
While driving through Somalia, we came across this battered tank – a casualty of the Somali civil war: I was surprised to see that it still had its number plate: The armed guard we hired, Mahamed Ali, poses next to the bombed-out tank for me: This crude graveyard was just behind the tank which led … Continue reading »
Nomadic Life in Sudan
With all of this talk of nomadic watering holes, I realized I should discuss the nomads themselves some more. The nomads in Sudan were very interesting to me. I’d first encountered nomads in Afghanistan and have been fascinated by them ever since. Perhaps it is the simplistic beauty of their minimalist lifestyle or the fact … Continue reading »
Don Elias And His Colombian Coffee Plantation
Now, I think a lot of people would have enjoyed this one – Matthew Downing, Jimmy Ames and Ian Bowman come to mind immediately, but I know there are plenty of others. Upon arriving in Salento, Colombia, my Italian and I learned of the friendly Don Elias who welcomes visitors to his small, organic coffee … Continue reading »
