Credits: Paper – Jessica Sprague Green Diamond paper (Grand Intentions Kit)
Tag: Thrill
Athabasca Falls
After the breathtaking Sunwapta Falls, we took another turn and found ourselves in yet another dramatic and powerful waterfall.
Considered among the most impressive falls in the Rocky Mountain, it is not surprising to note that Athabasca Falls could quite possibly be the most popular in the Canadian Rockies. Lucky for us, we were there at a time where visitors, sometimes overflowing, were few.
A short access trail surrounds the falls and allows for a glimpse of park. A lookout spot and a bridge provide vantage points for photos.
Speaking of which, the falls is a deafening combination of sound and spray and even if it is not raining, a rain-jacket might be a good idea. Not because we were soaked but I worried more about my camera lens and wished I brought something to cover up.
The Athabasca River is the largest river system in Jasper National Park and the heavy flow of volume from that river pours over a hard layer of rock, cutting deeply into the soft limestone below creating potholes and medicine bowls.
This odd rock formations thousand of years in the making is also a take off point for white water rafting. Sadly though, A’s 18 day stint in the Colorado River left him with no desire to be in cold water any time soon. Oh well… 😦
Visit more Scenic Sundays here.
Of Lifts, Gondolas and Tramways
“You can do it!! I’ll be right beside you.” A convinces me as we walk towards the lift that would take us 2,088 meters above sea level. So there I was on an open chair about 5 meters above ground, my feet resting only on a bar. Although safely buckled, I was still intimidated and any movement sends me to stiffness. A tries to calm me, “Here, let me hold your hand” and I let him.
We were cruising for 14 minutes, which felt more like 30 to me. But those 30 er 14 minutes were just full of glorious sceneries and as I started snapping away, a sense of calm came over me and I am all right.
From the top, the spectacular landscape is there to be explored. We however didn’t have the time to go trekking up the summit of Mt. Whitehorse so we soaked in the beauty of Lake Louise against the grand Victoria Glacier at the deck.
It was just a speck against the mountains that surrounds it but amazing how even that small, the blueness of the lake just stood out managing to draw your eyes to it. Imagine it up close.
Lake Louise Mountain Resort and the surrounding village are part of several important wildlife conservation in Banff National Park. It is supposedly home to some of Canada’s most renowned wildlife including Black Bears, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Wolves and the respected Grizzly Bear. We weren’t lucky enough to see any.
Banff golf course from the top.
By now, I have mustered enough courage to go on another mountaintop experience. The next day, we hopped on the bus and got off at the Banff Gondola.
No Sweat!
The journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a modern, fully enclosed four passenger gondola cabin took only 8 minutes. No sweat! The view becomes more spectacular as we approached the summit at 2,281 meters above sea level with Cascade Mountain providing the backdrop.
Round trip costs about C$30, pretty steep but the amazing view is worth the spend. A definite must see when in Banff. Easily accessible as well, the We Roam bus (I forget what route) will take you all the way to the base.
Cascade Mountain as backdrop and the smaller mountain is Tunnel Mountain.
When we got to Jasper, we obviously couldn’t resist and so therefore found ourselves riding the tramway one afternoon ascending up Whistler Mountain. The adventure begins at the foot of Whistler Mountain in the safety of an enclosed tram cabin that can fit about 30 passengers at a time.
The view from the tram.
The Jasper tramway is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada and I could feel my ears popping as we ascend. But feeling more like a veteran now, I confidently hopped on the cabin to be hoisted 2 km up to the peak – a beautiful, scenic and enjoyable mid-air ride.
View from the top.
Trekking
At the summit, we stepped out into an alpine tundra with views of six mountain ranges, glacial fed lakes, the Athabasca River and the scenic mountain site of Jasper. An awe-inspiring view that has become my favorite among the lot.
Pretty in Pink!
Credits- Papers: Oscraps Moonrise Paper Dtope 2, Jennilyn 3, Dyoung 3; Embellishments: Oscraps Moonrise Bling 3-awall; Brush: JSprague Stitching
The lakeshores of Lake Nakuru literally turn pink as millions of flamingos feed on its highly alkaline lake, set in a picturesque landscape of acacia woodlands and grasslands next to Nakuru town.
dramatic entrance
A very shallow and strongly alkaline lake, it is world known as feeding grounds of both lesser and greater flamingos and one of my favorite parks in East Africa.
The main reason for establishing this national park was to protect its huge flocks of the lesser flamingos. Despite being the world’s most numerous flamingos, this bird is classified as near threatened due to its lack of suitable breeding site. Depended on rainfalls, the lake keep decreasing since 1997. The ecosystem is threatened by annual drought.
shallow to dry lake
The second most visited park in Kenya, this small park has been dubbed “the greatest bird spectacle on earth” when thousands of flamingos landed into the lake years ago. It has become a favorite destination for not only ornithologists but also bird and wildlife enthusiasts. And the flamingos are definitely the reason to be in Nakuru!
Lake Nakuru National Park is situated approximately 2-hour drive away from Nairobi. A gentle, billowing terrain with open bush and woodlands dominates it. It is also one of the saline lake systems lying in the Great Rift Valley.
enroute to Nakuru
Famous for its abundant birdlife…
Pelicans
Lake Naukuru also has waterbucks, impalas, and hippopotamus.
waterbuck
Game viewing is relatively easy: buffalos, leopard, lions, and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe…
cape buffalo and the flamingos as its backdrop
not a Rothschild’s giraffe
the bushlands offers eland, steenbok, impala, while the hyrax occupies the cliffs.
hyrax
And speaking of cliffs, the best view of the lake is from Baboon cliff.
view from the top
Lake Nakuru is also home to the Kenya Rhino Conservation Project and therefore an excellent place to see rhinos. The woodland and forest are now home to both black and white rhino. Following the ravages of poaching, in the late 80’s, only 2 black rhinos remained. Creating a rhino sanctuary within the park and reintroducing a breeding herd have recognized the park internationally as an important conservation area.
white rhinos
Lake Nakuru… not to be missed when in Kenya. It was definitely one of the of the highlights of my African adventure!
Frame credit: Oscraps Moonrise frame – awall
Migration of the Wildebeest
Almost. It was July and the start of the migration. Perfect timing. After all, our trip to Africa started with the idea of this “much documented” migration. Well, no “Great Wildebeest Migration” for us BUT it was still a haven for viewing a multitude of all sorts of animals in a 5-mile radius. And just to witness and be in an African savannah is enough to thrill us no end.
zebras and wildebeests
They were getting ready for the migration, we were told. Zebras were queuing as if for immigration (to pass the border hee hee!) 😀
zebras in a line
and hundreds of wildebeest grazing and waiting perhaps for their turn to queue? 😀 Sometime between July and October, the famous Masai Mara National Reserve reverberates to the thumps of millions of hoofs as the Great Wildebeest Migration billows. Even if we missed this, we were thrilled nonetheless to just have a “NatGeo” moment.
wildebeests (waiting for their turn?)
Everything about Kenya’s finest wildlife reserve is outstanding. The wildlife is abundant in Masai Mara and the rolling grassland makes certain that animals are always within field of vision. After grazing in Tanzania’s northern Serengeti, as if in one accord, a large number of wildebeest and zebra enter the Masai Mara around the end of June drawn by the sweet grass brought about by the long rains of April and May.
buffalos
steenboks
The rolling grasslands, the diversity of the inhabitants, the acacia trees fulfilled my expectation of the African landscape depicted in Out of Africa.
It is where the word “safari” is in its truest sense. We even witnessed a cheetah take down a wildebeest. A highlight it definitely was for the day.
cheetahs (before the attack!)
A sad note though… scientists at the Nairobi based International Livestock Research Institute (ILPI) have found that the numbers of giraffes, hartebeests, impalas, warthogs, topis and waterbucks noticeably and persistently fell throughout the reserve between 1989 & 2003. They blame it on the increasing human settlement around the unfenced park.
hartebeests
gazelles in action
Seeing the Big 9 was an experience unparalleled. And what are they, you may ask? The Big 5s are the Buffalos, Elephants, Leopards, Lions and Rhinoceroses and the Big 9 extends to the Cheetahs, Zebras, Giraffes, and Hippos. Yes my friends, we saw them all and save for the Leopard that didn’t get photographed because it was just too fast and nimble.
elephant
mama lion
zebras
A trip to Africa is obviously not complete without experiencing a safari and is almost always the highlight of one’s trip. It was for us and we went to not 1 but 4 great safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. Awesome! Stay tuned for more safari tales (hopefully soon!) 😉
PhotoHunt: Four
Credits: Frame – Akiloune kit so natural cadre
Taking a 4X4 off-road jeep makes trekking Mt. Pinatubo a walk in the park. What used to be a whole day trek requiring overnight camping in 1999 (when we first trekked this beautiful landscape) is now down to 1 hour of 4X4 ride and about 45 minutes hike to the crater lake. A far cry eh?
This was taken 5 years ago when the service of 4X4s already existed but still required a grueling 2 hour trek to the crater and hours of rutty ride to the jump-off. The experience however made the journey exceptionally memorable.
In June 1991, after more than 4 centuries of slumber, this volcano erupted so violently (coupled with an unfortunate tropical storm) that its ashes covered almost the entire island of Luzon and permanently changed the landscape of Pampanga, Tarlac and Olongapo. Hundreds of millions of dollars in prime properties and infrastructure was likewise ruined.
The crater lake as it looked in 2004.
Source: http://park.org/Philippines/pinatubo/ and http://geography.about.com/od/globalproblemsandissues/a/pinatubo.htm
This week’s Photo Hunt theme is Four. To join the fun or enjoy more entries, please click here.
River White
Credits: Papers: KPertiet Fairy Dreamer, JSprague Red Solid Paper, KPertiet Botanist no. 7-2; Elements: Jack n Me Alpha blank, KPertiet Brown Stitching, KPertiet Quotes; Brushes: DD MWise A La Mode, KPertiet On the Edge Flourishes 2-1G; Frames: KPertiet On the Edge Flourishes 3-6G, KPertiet Snap Frame
Navigating the White Nile or the source of the Nile, in Uganda, is a once in a lifetime experience. The Ugandan government has every intention of constructing a hydroelectric dam at the Bujugali Falls to provide power to the country, as their frequent power interruptions can last a whole day. In a few years the exciting rapids will just be a memory.
We would raft rapids labeled as “the bad place”, “overtime” and more. The day trip is a 30 km stretch of world-class white water rapids, mostly grades 4 & 5. I was in for a turbulent ride! But hey! How often do you get to raft the longest river on earth? The White Nile is a beautiful stretch of river with abundant bird life and rich, green-forested banks. While the whole experience gives you an adrenalin rush, strangely, a calm assurance sort of settles in because well, wasn’t I rafting with some of the best river guides in the world?
Useful Info:
The Outfit: ADRIFT Adventure Co.
Plot 14, York Terrace,Kololo (near Kololo airstrip & MTN Nyonyi Gardens)
Kampala, Uganda E-mail: raft@adrift.ug
Telephone: +256-(0) 312 237 438
Mobile: +256 (0) 772 237 438
Ibulao Ibulao
This was taken in Ibulao River, Kiangan. Not many have rafted or even know of this river (I think) and as the photos on the slideshow below exhibits, it is a fantastic 3 hours of rafting experience with a view so impressive. An interesting place rich in history, Kiangan is believed to be the first human settlement in Ifugao. This is also where Ifugao and American troops helped force General Yamashita to make his informal surrender in World War II.
We stayed in a charming hostel owned by the Kalugdans, I remember the food to be superb. This was a special trip organized by Adventures and Expedition Philippines Inc. (AEPI) to explore the river. They have since run several trips running the upper portion of the river. Definitely worth a try.
This has been my entry to That’s My World. Go visit and find other worlds here.
Getting There:
Take either Autobus or Florida Bus Line to Banaue, get off at Kiangan.
Contact Details:
Auto Bus Espana cornor Catalina, Sampaloc, Manila Phone: 735-8096Bus fare: P 460
Florida Bus Line Sampaloc, Manila Phones: 743-3809 / 731-5358 / 493-3667Bus fare: P 450
Sleeping Arrangements:
Kalugdan Hostel, Kiangan Ibulao Ibulao Dra. Tess Kalugdan 0919-694-5964 totokalugdan@yahoo.com Adventures & Expeditions Philippines Inc. (AEPI) Anton Carag 0917-532-7480 whitewater1ph@yahoo.comKayak the Rapids, Anyone?
That’s right! In up north Peñablanca in Cagayan Province, you can kayak downstream in its Pinacanuan River. Depending on the time of year, the rapids provide an adrenalin rush interspersed with calmer water where one can enjoy the beautiful landscape, scenery and occasionally spot kingfishers or herons along the way.
On a hot day, the clear, blue water invites a dip to cool while picnicking by the riverbank. Relaxed or charged, this river surely captivates the heart.
While you’re there, why not visit Callao and Sierra caves? The first cave requires an easy trek on a big-domed cave with skylights. A 206-step flight of stairs will lead you to a little chapel with pews and an altar. Sierra, on the other hand, is a recreational cave with an array of well-preserved and very delicate speleothems (stalactites and stalagmites).
Be sure to stay and watch the phenomenal circadian bats leave their nesting place in droves to look for food just before the sun sets. These are fruit bats so not to worry as they only eat fruits. 😀
If you find your way to this part of the world and would like to try this out, you may contact Anton Carag of AEPI.
Visit more worlds here.
*Edited 02/14/10: The AEPI website is no longer available… you may contact Anton Carag at +63(917) 532-7480.
Fear Conquered
02.21.2004 – Canopy Walk, Cagayan de Oro
First you have to know that I have this great fear of heights. Scared to rappel, scared of ridges (especially if it drops more than 10 feet), scared to look down the balcony of a tall building and definitely scared s**t to zip down to the first platform and walk on slippery (angled) bars and wobbly hanging walkways. No way Jose! But peer pressure and the thought of being left behind got the better of me and I lived to tell the tale. 😀
Credits: Amy Teets whitie tighties paper; Jessica Sprague Echoes of Asia dark blue solid paper, lt. blue solid paper; Jessica Sprague Echoes Ribbon – striped; Jessica Sprague Echoes frame 7×5; Katie Pertiet stamped moments-forever
So will I do it again? Are you kidding?! 😛
Update: Click on here for more information. Thanks B! 😀
my adventure odyssey 