TRAVEL TUESDAY 565 - MT ATHOS, GREECE

“True religion is real living; living with all one’s soul, with all one’s goodness and righteousness.” - Albert Einstein

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.

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Mount Athos, known in Greek as Agion Oros (the Holy Mountain), is a mountain and peninsula in northern Greece that operates as a semi-autonomous, self-governing monastic republic. Home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and approximately 1,400 to 2,000 monks, it has been an uninterrupted centre of Orthodox spirituality since the Byzantine era. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the area is famous for its breathtaking, fortress-like architecture, pristine forests, and its strict, centuries-old traditional rules.

The Avaton (Ban on Women) is a key requirement, by ancient law, dating back over a millennium, where women and children are strictly forbidden from entering the peninsula. This tradition, meant to ensure total celibacy and focus for the monks, requires female travellers to view the coastal monasteries exclusively via offshore boat cruises. The peninsula is home to 20 main monasteries, such as the audaciously built Simonopetra Monastery perched high on a cliff, and Vatopedi Monastery, which still keeps "Byzantine time" where the new day begins at sunset. 

There are no land routes for public entry. All visitors must arrive by ferry, typically departing from the mainland gateway towns of Ouranoupolis or Ierissos. Visiting Mount Athos is treated as a religious pilgrimage rather than a casual holiday. Because the monks protect their quiet, spiritual environment, access is highly regulated. A permit  to visit (Diamonitirion) is required by every male visitor, which must be reserved months in advance through the Mount Athos Pilgrims’ Bureau in Thessaloniki. General visitor entries are capped at 100 Orthodox and a very limited number of non-Orthodox men per day. Regulations restrict group sizes to a maximum of five people, and pilgrims must obtain explicit, pre-approved invitations from specific monasteries to secure overnight accommodation.

Room and board within the monasteries are provided free of charge, but guests must strictly adhere to the monastic schedule. This includes attending early morning services (often starting at 3:00 AM), dressing conservatively (long trousers and long sleeves), keeping silent after dark, and turning off video recording equipment, which is strictly prohibited.

The Moni Grigoriou Monastery is shown above, founded in the 14th century (shortly before 1350) and dedicated to Saint Nicholas.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 564 - VANUATU, PACIFIC OCEAN

“I don't think there's much point in bemoaning the state of the world unless there's some way you can think of to improve it. Otherwise, don't bother writing a book; go and find a tropical island and lie in the sun.” - Peter Singer

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Vanuatu is an archipelagic nation in Melanesia, located in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of roughly 83 volcanic islands forming an irregular Y-shape, situated about 1,750 kilometres east of northern Australia. Known for its incredible cultural diversity, active volcanoes, and pristine marine life, it is a premier destination for adventure and tropical travel.

The capital is Port Vila, located on the island of Efate and it has a population of 56,352 residents (Vanuatu total population is 343,000 people). Languages spoken are Bislama (national pidgin English), English, and French, alongside over 100 indigenous languages. The climate is subtropical, featuring a warm, wet season (November to April) and a cooler, dry season (May to October).

Efate Island: The main gateway and home to the capital, Port Vila. Key sights include the stunning Mele Cascades Waterfall and deep-water lagoons.

Espiritu Santo Island: The largest island, famous for its glowing freshwater "blue holes" (like Nanda Blue Hole), powdery white sand at Champagne Beach, and the world-renowned SS President Coolidge shipwreck dive site.

Tanna Island: Famous for Mount Yasur, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, where visitors can stand right on the rim.

Pentecost Island: World-renowned for the annual Naghol (land diving) ritual held between April and June, which inspired modern bungee jumping.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 563 - TRIPOLI, LIBYA

“As a young boy in Libya, it was hard to escape the conclusion that the women were the most feeling and most functional part of society.” - Hisham Matar

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Libya is a large, oil-rich country located in North Africa along the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, and Tunisia. As the fourth-largest nation in Africa, the vast majority of its terrain consists of the Sahara Desert, forcing about 90% of its 7.3 million residents to live in fertile cities along the northern coastline, primarily within the capital city of Tripoli.

Libya is historically and culturally divided into three primary regions: Tripolitania (Northwest): Home to the capital, Tripoli, featuring a Mediterranean climate and the Nefusa Mountains. Cyrenaica (East): Centred around Benghazi, known for the fertile Green Mountains (Jebel Akhdar) and major oil infrastructure. Fezzan (Southwest): A vast, hyper-arid desert region dotted with historic trade oases like Sabha.

Because Libya lacks permanent rivers, it relies heavily on the Great Man-Made River, a massive engineering network of underground pipes that pumps fresh water from ancient desert aquifers to coastal cities.

First inhabited by indigenous Berber populations, coastal Libya was later colonised by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, leaving behind prominent archaeological ruins like Leptis Magna. Arab forces introduced Islam in the 7th century. The region was later absorbed into the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century until 1911. Italy violently colonised the area in 1911, formally unifying the provinces under the name “Libya”. 

The nation achieved independence as a monarchy in 1951. In 1969, Muammar Gaddafi seized power in a military coup. He ruled the nation with an authoritarian, highly centralized system for 42 years.

Following the 2011 Arab Spring revolution and the fall of Gaddafi, Libya entered a prolonged period of instability and civil factionalism. The country remains politically fragmented. Power is split between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli (West) and a separate administration backed by the Libyan National Army in Benghazi (East).

Libya boasts the largest proven oil reserves in Africa. The economy is completely tethered to hydrocarbons, which constitute over 90% of government revenue. Financial management is highly volatile, overseen by the Central Bank of Libya which devalued the Libyan Dinar to stabilise the economy amid persistent political gridlock.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 562 - OKINAWA, JAPAN

“To pass on the lessons learned from the tragedy of war to future generations, and pray for everlasting world peace.” - Okinawa Cornerstone of Peace Monument

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Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture. It is a tropical island chain known for clear turquoise waters, coral reefs, and a distinct Ryukyu cultural heritage. The region spans over 160 islands, featuring warm weather year-round, world-class scuba diving, and a relaxed pace of life. The largest and most populous island is Okinawa Island, which hosts the capital city, Naha, as well as major urban centers such as Okinawa, Uruma, and Urasoe.

Many attractions ensure a perfect holiday for all. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: Located in Ocean Expo Park on the main island, famous for its massive main tank housing giant whale sharks. Naha & Kokusai Street: The bustling capital city area packed with local food stalls, street performers, and souvenir shops. Shuri Castle: The historic restored palace of the former Ryukyu Kingdom. Kerama Islands: A short ferry ride from Naha, popular for pristine white sand beaches and snorkeling in the famous Blue Cave. Miyako and Yaeyama Islands (Ishigaki): Remote outer island groups known for ultra-clear tropical beaches and barrier reefs.

The islands boast a unique cuisine distinct from mainland Japanese food, featuring local staples like Okinawa Soba (wheat noodles in a savory broth), Goya Champuru (stir-fried bitter melon), and stewed pork Rafute. Ryukyu was ruled as an independent trading kingdom until the 19th century, and its distinctive music, pottery (Yachimun), and architecture set it apart. The islands are also the birthplace of karate, later popularized on the Japanese mainland and worldwide.

Okinawa was under U.S. administration (1945–1972) after intense battles where many Okinawans lost their lives. Due to post-WWII history, parts of the main island feature a blend of Japanese and American mid-century culture, including scenic seaside strips like Mihama American Village.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 561 - CALIFORNIA DESERT

“A cactus doesn't live in the desert because it likes the desert; it lives there because the desert hasn't killed it yet.” — Hope Jahren

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.There is only one simple rule: Link your own creative work about some aspect of travel and then share it with the rest of us. Please use this meme for your creative endeavours only.Do not use this meme to advertise your products or services as any links or comments by advertisers will be removed immediately.

California's desert region spans the southeastern part of the state and features three main arid zones: the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Desert, and a portion of the Great Basin Desert. 

Death Valley National Park is famous for Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level (the lowest point in North America) and record-high summer temperatures. Joshua Tree National Park is known for giant granite boulders and unique, twisted yucca plants. Mojave National Preserve features volcanic cinder cones, the singing Kelso Dunes, and dense Joshua tree forests. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is California's largest state park, offering slot canyons, vast badlands, and spring wildflower blooms.

Silhouettes of blooming desert agave plants (Agave deserti) above, show the tall, slender stalks branching at the top. These plants are also known as the century plant. Their stalks can grow up to seven metres high when the plant produces its once-in-a-lifetime bloom. This type of scenery is highly characteristic of the southern California deserts, particularly Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and parts of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, where these agaves thrive on rocky slopes and washes.

Best time to visit is October through April, when daytime weather is mild. In the Summer, conditions can be extreme, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C, making for extreme and potentially dangerous trips. The Californian deserts are popular for hiking, stargazing, photography, and camping.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 560 - KYLEMORE ABBEY, IRELAND

“When I told the people of Northern Ireland that I was an atheist, a woman in the audience stood up and said, 'Yes, but is it the God of the Catholics or the God of the Protestants in whom you don't believe?” - Quentin Crisp

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.
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Kylemore Abbey (Irish: Mainistir na Coille Móire) is a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The Abbey was founded for Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium in World War 1. Since 2022, it has belonged to the English Benedictine Congregation. Under The Kylemore Trust, it continues its mission as a Benedictine monastery, holding Kylemore and its spiritual mission, natural and built heritage in trust for the Irish nation. Kylemore Abbey also operates as one of Ireland's leading visitor attractions.

Kylemore Castle was built in 1868 as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a wealthy doctor from London whose family was involved in textile manufacturing in Manchester, England. He moved to Ireland when he and his wife Margaret purchased the land around the Abbey, after having travelled there on their honeymoon in the mid-1840s. He became a politician, becoming an MP for County Galway from 1871 to 1885.

The castle was designed by James Franklin Fuller, aided by Samuel Ussher Roberts. The construction of the castle began in 1867, and took the total of one hundred men and four years to complete. The castle covered approximately 3,700 m2 and had over seventy rooms with a principal wall that was up to a metre thick. The facade measures 43 m in width and is made of granite brought from Dalkey quarry by sea to Letterfrack, and of limestone brought from Ballinasloe. There were 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 sitting rooms, a ballroom, billiard room, library, study, school room, smoking room, gun room and various offices and domestic staff residences for the butler, cook, housekeeper and other servants.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 559 - ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

“I, like Don Quixote, have fought many a windmill.” - Dan Peña

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.

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Zaandam is a distinct city in North Holland just north of Amsterdam, reachable via a 12-minute train ride. It is globally famous for its controversial, modernized-traditional architecture—most notably the stacked green wooden houses of the iconic Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam—and as the gateway to the historic Zaanse Schans windmills (shown above).

Key attractions to see are: Zaanse Schans - A renowned open-air museum just north of central Zaandam where you can explore functioning historic windmills, traditional cheese-making shops, and the famous green Zaan-style houses. Inntel Hotels Zaandam: The eye-catching architectural marvel in the city centre that stacks nearly 70 individual traditional Zaandam house facades on top of one another.

Czar Peter House (Tsaar Peterhuisje): Built in 1632, this is one of the oldest wooden houses in the Netherlands and was a temporary residence for Russian Tsar Peter the Great during his 1697 visit.

Zaans Museum & Monet Atelier: Learn about local trade and the chocolate/biscuit industry, or visit the partly blue corner house famously painted by Claude Monet in 1871.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 558 - THE BAHAMAS

“The Bahamas has mangrove nurseries, coral reefs, shallow sea grass beds, and deep oceanic trenches - all perfect ecosystems for sharks. Photographing multiple shark species in exquisite water was the assignment I had dreamed about from the start.” - Brian Skerry

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.
There is only one simple rule: Link your own creative work about some aspect of travel and then share it with the rest of us. Please use this meme for your creative endeavours only.
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The Bahamas is an independent archipelagic nation located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and southeast of the United States. Comprising nearly 700 islands and 2,500 cays, this constitutional monarchy recognizes King Charles III as its head of state and is led politically by Prime Minister Philip Davis. Renowned for its stunning turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and tropical climate, it stands as a global hub for international tourism and financial services. Only about 30 of the 700 coral islands are actively inhabited. The capital city, Nassau, is situated on New Providence Island and serves as the primary gateway for international flights and cruise liners.

New Providence & Paradise Island are home to downtown Nassau's historical markets and the world-famous Atlantis Bahamas Resort, which features a massive 141-acre marine water park. The Exumas are famous for incredibly clear, shallow sand flats, bonefishing, and the iconic Pig Beach, where visitors can swim alongside wild pigs. Harbour Island is a popular destination situated off Eleuthera, famed worldwide for its unique pink sand beaches. The Grand Bahama Island is the fourth-largest island, home to Freeport and the Lucayan National Park, which protects vast underwater cave systems and scenic boardwalk trails. Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas, boasting the 225km-long Andros Barrier Reef—one of the longest continuous coral reefs in the world.

The Bahamian Dollar (BSD) is pegged 1-to-1 with the US Dollar. US currency is widely accepted everywhere, though carrying physical cash is essential for smaller vendors and taxis. There are no standard ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. Visitors rely on official taxis (fares should be negotiated upfront), rental cars, or domestic inter-island flights and ferries.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 557 - LORD HOWE ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

“I thought to live on an island was like living on a boat. Islands intrigue me. You can see the perimeters of your world. It's a microcosm.” - Jamie Wyeth

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.
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Located 780 km northeast of Sydney, Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed paradise. It limits tourist numbers to 400 at any one time to preserve its pristine environment. Accessible via a 2-hour flight from Sydney, the island is famous for its beaches, the world’s southernmost coral reef, and hiking trails.

Getting to the island is entirely by air. QantasLink offers daily, year-round flights from Sydney (under 2 hours). Additionally, Eastern Air Services operates flights and charters departing from Port Macquarie, the Gold Coast, and Newcastle. Once you arrive, there are no private cars, and most of the terrain is pedestrian-friendly. The primary mode of transportation is hiring bicycles or walking.

Because the island is relatively small (about 10 km long), everything is easily accessible. The best time to travel there is during the shoulder seasons—September to November and March to May. These months offer the perfect balance of warm, pleasant weather (averaging 20˚C to 22˚C) for hiking, while the ocean remains warm enough for swimming and snorkeling.

Home to more than 130 species of birds, it is a haven for birders. Highlights include seeing red-tailed tropicbirds performing courting rituals near the Malabar cliffs and watching countless shearwaters return at dusk. The trek up the towering Mount Gower is world-famous, offering breathtaking views of the subtropical landscape. You can drop into the Lord Howe Island Museum to learn about the region's unique biodiversity, history, and scientific specimens

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 556 - CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

“In Colombia, everything is an exaggeration – the people, the colours, the festivals, and the stories.” — Jorge Franco

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.
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Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a vibrant, highly biodiverse nation located in the northwestern corner of South America. Nicknamed the “gateway to South America”, it is the only country on the continent with coastlines along both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It has a population of about 52 million people and the capital city is Bogotá, located high in the Andes mountains.

Cartagena, is a vibrant, historic port city on the Caribbean coast, which is highly attractive for tourists. Famous for its UNESCO-listed walled Old Town, it blends stunning colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and colourful balconies with tropical beaches, incredible gastronomy, and a lively Afro-Caribbean cultural scene.

Amongst the many attractions are: 1) The Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada) — Wander the cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enter through the iconic Clock Tower Gate (Puerta del Reloj) to explore historic plazas like Plaza de Bolívar and the Palace of the Inquisition. 2) Castillo San Felipe de Barajas — A massive, strategically built fortress on the Hill of San Lázaro, designed to protect the city from pirates. 3) Getsemaní — Just outside the walled city, this hip, bohemian neighbourhood is famous for its vibrant street art, colorful umbrellas, and trendy, local-heavy bars. 4) Convento de la Popa — Located at the highest point of the city, offering panoramic views of the coast and cityscape.

While the urban beaches in the Bocagrande and Laguito areas are popular, the best pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters require a short boat trip. Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario) are a stunning national park located about an hour boat ride away. Perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and relaxing. Playa Blanca is located on the nearby Barú Peninsula, offering a classic Caribbean beach experience with a laid-back vibe.

The image is within the walled city and the landmark in the background is the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 555 - SAMOTHRACE, GREECE

“Insula importuosissima omnium. (Samothrace is) The most harbourless of all isles.” - Pliny the Elder

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.
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Samothrace (or Samothraki) is a rugged, unspoiled Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. Famous for its wild natural beauty—including sweeping waterfalls, 100+ natural rock pools, and majestic Mount Saos—it is the ancient home of the iconic Winged Victory of Samothrace statue (now in the Louvre) and the mystic Sanctuary of the Great Gods (which you can visit on the island).

Unlike the typical sun-baked Greek islands, Samothrace is intensely green. Fed by sixty freshwater springs, the landscape offers lush plane tree woodlands, dramatic gorges, and wild swimming in crystal-clear alpine pools. There are many hiking paths as well as guided tours which you can enjoy under the care of local guides who walk with you and ensure you don’t miss anything of note.

The Sanctuary of the Great Gods (known in Greek as Ieró tōn Megálōn Theōn) on the island was one of the most prestigious, sacred, and enigmatic religious centres of the ancient Pan-Hellenic world. Operating from at least the 7th century BCE until the 4th century CE, it was the home of the famous Samothracian Mysteries—a secret cult whose initiation rites promised protection from shipwreck at sea and a transformative path to moral improvement. Unlike other cities where status dictated power, this cult welcomed everyone, regardless of gender, social standing, or nationality. The deities worshipped there were collectively referred to as the Kabeiroi or simply "The Gods". Speaking their individual names out loud was strictly taboo. The Hellenistic statue of the goddess Nike (circa 200 BCE) was excavated here in 1863 and now famously resides in the Louvre in Paris.

Mount Fengari rises to 1,611 meters and is the highest peak in the Aegean Sea. Myth has it that Poseidon sat on this mountain to watch the Trojan War.  The Waterpools (Vathres) lend themselves to exploration. Canyoning and hiking to the cascading waterfalls and deep rock pools—such as the famous Fonias river—are a staple of any visit. Pachia Ammos is the island's most notable stretch of sand, framed by dramatic cliffs. Chora is the island's main village, nestled in the mountains above the port. It features winding stone alleys, traditional cafes, and a medieval fortress.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 554 - SAN FRANCISCO, USA

“I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill, it calls to me to be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars…” - Douglass Cross

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.
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San Francisco is a vibrant, consolidated city-county located on a 46-square-mile peninsula in northern California, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Renowned for its steep rolling hills, distinct microclimates, and iconic historic landmarks, it serves as a major cultural, financial, and technological hub for the western United States.

Several iconic attractions make this destination a popular tourist haunt, and amongst them are: Golden Gate Bridge —The world-famous international orange suspension bridge linking the city to Marin County. Alcatraz Island —A historic former federal prison located in the chilly waters of the bay. Cable Cars — The nation's only moving historic landmark, pulling riders up towering slopes. Lombard Street — A uniquely crooked street featuring eight sharp, manicured switchbacks. Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf — A bustling waterfront area famous for sunbathing sea lions and clam chowder bread bowls.

The city's strong bohemian and tech-forward culture thrives within various colourful districts: Chinatown — The oldest and one of the largest enclaves of Chinese culture outside of Asia. The Castro — A historic epicentre for LGBTQ+ culture, activism, and nightlife. Haight-Ashbury — The birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement, now filled with indie shops. The Mission — Known for its rich Latino heritage, vibrant street murals, and famous Mission-style burritos. Union Square — The central shopping hub packed with premier retail therapy options.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 553 - DUNDEE, SCOTLAND

“The world is neither Scottish, English, nor Irish, neither French, Dutch, nor Chinese, but human…” — Sir Alexander Gray

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.

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Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland. The 2020 mid-year population estimate for the locality was 148,210. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea. Under the name of Dundee City, it forms one of the 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Angus, the city developed into a burgh in the late 12th century and established itself as an important east coast trading port. Rapid expansion was brought on by the Industrial Revolution, particularly in the 19th century when Dundee was the centre of the global jute industry. This, along with its other major industries, gave Dundee its epithet as the city of "jute, jam and journalism”.

With the decline of traditional industry, the city has adopted a plan to regenerate and reinvent itself as a cultural centre. In pursuit of this, a £1 billion master plan to regenerate and to reconnect the Waterfront to the city centre started in 2001 and is expected to be completed within a 30-year period. The V&A Dundee – the first branch of the V&A to operate outside of London – is the main centrepiece of the waterfront project. Today, Dundee is promoted as "One City, Many Discoveries" in honour of Dundee’s history of scientific activities and of the RRS Discovery, Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic exploration vessel, which was built in Dundee and is now berthed at Discovery Point.

Dundee is an international research and development hub in technology, medicine and life sciences, with technological industries having arrived since the 1980s. Dundee was named as a “City of the Future” by Cognizant in 2021, the only UK city to be featured. Dundee is also a leading city in AI, cybersecurity, fintech and electric vehicles where the city has one of the largest fleets of electric vehicles in the country. The city was named as the electric vehicle capital of Europe in 2018, and it has continuously been branded as the electric vehicle capital of Scotland and the United Kingdom.

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THE MUSIC OF YOUR THOUGHT

“Immortality is to live your life doing good things, and leaving your mark behind.” - Brandon Lee

Coming back to the New What's Going On blog this week. I have gone into the woodwork the last few weeks as there have been many things happening to me and around me: Illnesses, a death, some friends leaving Australia, and I have been busy preparing for a couple of art exhibitions that I had committed to some months earlier.

I’m sharing a French song I’ve written with you today. I’ll give you the lyrics and the translation if your French is a little rusty.

This song and all my music you can find in my “Otidorchestre”  channel or listen to it on YouTube,  Spotify,  Amazon, Deezer, Flo, Pandora, and other music sharing sites.

La Musique de Ta Pensée

« De tous les chiffres de l'alphabet,
C’est le cramoisi que j'adore… », dit-elle ;
Et je la regardai, déconcerté,
Amusé aussi par sa propension à colorer
Jusqu’au plus terne des sujets.

« La mer, elle vole si bien, chassant les rochers
Tandis qu'ils s'élèvent vers le fond… »
Je lui ai souri, me prélavant dans le soleil
De ses hyperboles, m'approchant au plus près de son étoile
En ce court instant d'un périhélie hyperbolique.

« De ton toucher, j'aime la musique et le miel, »

Murmura-t-elle, sous un souffle de ciel ;
Et j'ai chanté l'onde de ma main, trace de soie,
Sillon de sucre où mon âme se noie.

« Mes pensées secrètes vivent dans un tiroir fermé à clé dans mon ventre… »
J'acquiesçai, en caressant son nombril,
Voulant ouvrir ses cachettes les plus intimes
Pour m'y perdre tout entier.

« J'apprécie l'honnêteté des pégases
Qui, en période de mue, avouent ne plus savoir voler… »
Remarqua-t-elle pensivement, caressant mon omoplate,
Et à cet instant, je sus... oui, je le sus pertinemment...

« De ton toucher, j'aime la musique et le miel, »
Murmura-t-elle, sous un souffle de ciel ;
Et j'ai chanté l'onde de ma main, trace de soie,
Sillon de sucre où mon âme se noie.

Alors que je me préparais à un aphélie perpétuel,
Que je l'avais perdue, à jamais...
Dernière lettre muette d'un alphabet désormais sans chiffres.

The Music of Your Thought

“Of all the numbers of the alphabet
I adore crimson…”, she said;
And I looked at her bemused,
Amused too, by her propensity to add colour
To even the dullest topic.

“The sea, she flies so well, chasing rocks
As they rise up to the bottom…”
I smiled at her, basking in the sunshine
Of her hyperboles, approaching nearest to her star
In that single moment of a hyperbolic perihelion.

Of all the music of your touch,
I love sweetness…”, she added;
And I sang with my hand,
Leaving a trace of honey, treacly, sticky,
On her smooth skin.

“My secret thoughts live in a locked drawer

In my belly…”
I nodded, as I caressed her navel,
Wanting to open up her innermost
Secret hiding places to lose myself into.

“I appreciate the honesty of pegasi
Who in their moulting season admit they cannot fly…”
She pensively remarked, stroking my shoulder blade,
And at that moment I knew,
As I prepared for a perpetual aphelion,
That I had lost her, evermore.

TRAVEL TUESDAY 552 - ULURU

“Since the beginning, Native Peoples lived a life of being in harmony with all that surrounds us. It is a belief that all humankind are related to each other. Each has a purpose, spirit and sacredness. It is an understanding with the Great Spirit or Creator that we will follow these ways. And in this understanding we believe we are related to all other living species.” - Denis Banks

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.
There is only one simple rule:
Link your own creative work about some aspect of travel and then share it with the rest of us. Please use this meme for your creative endeavours only.
Do not use this meme to advertise your products or services as any links or comments by advertisers will be removed immediately.

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs, 450 km by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area.

The area around the formation is home to a plethora of springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site. Uluru is an inselberg, literally "island mountain". An inselberg is a prominent isolated residual knob or hill that rises abruptly from and is surrounded by extensive and relatively flat erosion lowlands in a hot, dry region.

Uluru is also often referred to as a monolith, although this is a somewhat ambiguous term that is generally avoided by geologists. The remarkable feature of Uluru is its homogeneity and lack of jointing and parting at bedding surfaces, leading to the lack of development of scree slopes and soil. These characteristics led to its survival, while the surrounding rocks were eroded.

I took the this photo of Uluru on board a plane while we were flying to Singapore. Even at cruising altitude, we were thoroughly awe-struck by its sheer size and majesty. The weathering of iron-bearing minerals in the rock by the process of oxidation gives the outer surface layer of Uluru a red-brown rusty colour, making for spectacular photos at sunrise and sunset when the reddish sun accentuates the rock's colour.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 551 - MT CONNER, NT, AUSTRALIA

“I was lucky enough to grow up in Western Australia and know that the Australian Outback is vast and spell-binding and heart-stoppingly beautiful, and the characters that inhabit it are unique and hilarious and tough and cheeky.” - Tim Minchin

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel. There is only one simple rule:Link your own creative work about some aspect of travel and then share it with the rest of us. Please use this meme for your creative endeavours only. Do not use this meme to advertise your products or services as any links or comments by advertisers will be removed immediately.

Mount Conner – also known as Artilla (or Atila), or tongue-in-cheek as Fooluru (or Fuluru) – is a mesa located in the southwest corner of the Northern Territory of Australia. Mount Conner is located 75 kilometres southeast of Lake Amadeus, in the locality of Petermann. It lies within the Curtin Springs cattle station in Pitjantjatjara country, close to the site of the Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters) Dreaming. Its height reaches 859 metres above sea level and 300 metres above ground level.

Mount Conner was named after M. L. Conner by explorer William Gosse in 1873. Its Aboriginal name is "Artilla" or "Attila", believed to be associated with the "terrible ice-man" story. It is also known by locals as "Fool-uru" or "Fuluru", owing to tourists sometimes confusing it with Uluru. Former schoolteacher Ellis Bankin is thought to have mistaken Mount Conner for Uluru when he was travelling to the latter in 1936. He died and was buried near Mount Conner after suffering from exhaustion.

The summit of Mount Conner, along with the summits of low domes in the Kata Tjuta complex and summit levels of Uluru, is an erosional remnant of a Cretaceous geomorphic surface. It is considered to be a classic example of an inselberg created by erosion of surrounding strata.

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