Isla Mujeres, Yucatan Mexiko. Take the ferry from the mainland to this quiet little island not far from Cancun. (That´s my daughter Kajsa standing at the palm tree admiring the sunset)
If you feel like more adventures you can go by motorboat further out in the Gulf of Mexico to Isla Contoy National Park, a rare unspoilt bird protection island .
It´s not uncommon to see persons with metal detectors in Cuba and actually they score quite often. This is Playa del Este, east of Havana. I´m not sure the instrument indicated a hit on this spot..
From the Christmas day cock-fight at a hard to find place somewhere behind the Mogotes mountains in Viñales, Cuba.
And.. yes I know it´s a messy, cruel phenomena just like bullfights or any other activity that includes tormenting animals.
He made the kite with his own hands. Now it´s time for take off. Santiago de Cuba, Christmas eve 2004.
One interesting phenomena in the Seychelles fauna is the Fruitbat or Flying Fox. Pteropus Seychellensis.
An important species for the ecosystems in the islands. The bat is big as a seagull, and you see them flying around all over also at day time. They are hunted for their meat by some of the locals.
About the catchy Halloween title…no worries, they only eat fruit and flower nectar. The pic is taken in Praslin island in February 2012 and turned upside down
One of those trips to remember for sure, not only because of the heavily armed escort of peruvian soldiers (this was in the eighties when “Sendero luminoso” guerilla movement were active in the country. In 1992 the line had to close down for several years when bomb attacks killed 20 persons in the crew) but also because it happens to be the highest passenger railroad track in the world.
The route starts in Desamparados station in Lima at sea level. After an hour it reaches the town of Chosica. This is where the climb begins and we are not talking a simple uphill here we are talking the steep vertical mighty Andes.
Initially the train is zigzagging itself backwards and forwards gaining hight and edging its way between the mountain sides
The train totally passes 59 bridges and 66 tunnels on its dramatic and winding 12 hour journey through the cordillera to Huancayo.
The quick climb to altitudes close to 5000 meters is a brutal shock for the human body so the train company has a special service for the passengers who suffers from mountain sickness. Extra oxygen delivered by a man dressed in white. (see photo)
More or less half way on the track the train pulls in to “La Galera” station. At 4,781m it is the world’s highest train station. Compared to the dry pacific desert around Lima this is a completely different scenery and climate.
After climbing a few meters more the “Tren de la Sierra” starts to descend down towards the peruvian highland and the final destination of Huancayo.
In Baracoa, eastern Cuba 2004.
The driver was going to take me 30 kilometers out-of-town.
In Cuba the penalties for driving a non authorized taxi are severe, so the drivers basic mood was twin turbo paranoia. There was a lot of careful and elaborate planning before I could enter his four-wheel drive jeep in a back alley
Now If you look at the center of the scene just between the orange cyclist and the brownish jeep (and a cyclist with backpack) there is a policeman stepping out of his vehicle ready to impose the law without mercy.
Get down.. get down! my driver screamed when he suddenly spotted his own nightmare live in uniform. He turned pale and was desperately trying to look relaxed. He failed completely.
I hid downstairs for a while beside a live grunting pig in a sack. Trying to change direction at that point could have drawn attention so he just drew on towards the catastrophe… but like a miracle we did not get stopped.
Breaking the law in Cuba can be an exciting adventure for a tourist but a serious blow for the Cuban person who gets nicked.
before entering the arena and the critical eyes of the jury and a large number of spectators.
Boy was I lucky to stumble into this event the same night (end of June 2012) I arrived to Saranda in southern Albania. Three days of cultural performances with representation from all regions in Albania. I loved the atmosphere and I think I was the only foreigner present.
was walking the pilgrim trail towards Santiago de Compostela in Spain. She is Peruvian and 87 years has passed since she was born. We met her, half running and in good spirits with her daughter and grand-daughter some 110 kilometers before Santiago. I´d like to be in that shape when I reach that age.
Waiting for the boat between La Digue and Praslin. The Seychelles February 2012.
See also Like father like son.
Håkan Rönnblad 