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

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.

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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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.
Do not use this meme to advertise your products or services as any links or comments by advertisers will be removed immediately.

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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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.
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.

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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.
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.

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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 537 - LAS PALMAS, CANARY ISLANDS

“The whole point is to live life and be - to use all the colours in the crayon box.” - RuPaul

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.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of Spain's Canary Islands, renowned for its year-round mild climate, the iconic Playa de Las Canteras beach, and a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere blending European, African, and Latin influences. As a city of over 383,000 residents, it offers historic, colonial architecture in Vegueta and bustling, modern shopping areas in Triana.

The colourful hillsides of Las Palmas are host to the historic and picturesque San Juan neighbourhood, known for its brightly painted houses that cascade down the hillside. In the foreground, the large blue building with a distinctive white dome is the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a prominent landmark characteristic of the city's coastal skyline.

The old quarter of Vegueta, home to the Santa Ana Cathedral and Casa de Colón (Columbus House) shouldn’t be missed. Las Canteras is one of the most famous urban beaches in Europe, stretching along the city's coastline. The city is a major cruise port and offers a blend of Spanish hospitality, subtropical charm, and year-round sunny weather. Nearby natural attractions include the Maspalomas Dunes and the volcanic landscapes of the island's interior.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 519 - MAURITIUS

“Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius.” - Mark Twain

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 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.

Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon (Cargados Carajos shoals). The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion (a French overseas department), are part of the Mascarene Islands. The main island of Mauritius, where the population is concentrated, hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis. The country spans 2,040 square kilometres and has an exclusive economic zone covering 2,300,000 square kilometres.

Given its geographic location and colonial past, the people of Mauritius are diverse in ethnicity, culture, language and faith. It is the only country in Africa where Hinduism is the most practised religion. Indo-Mauritians make up the bulk of the population with significant Creole, Sino-Mauritian and Franco-Mauritian minorities. The island's government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system with Mauritius highly ranked for economic and political freedom. The Economist Democracy Index ranks Mauritius as the only country in Africa with full democracy.

Mauritius ranks 72nd (high) in the Human Development Index and the World Bank classifies it as a high-income economy. It is amongst the most competitive and most developed economies in the African region. The country is a welfare state. The government provides free universal health care, free education up through the tertiary level, and free public transportation for students, senior citizens, and the disabled. Mauritius is consistently ranked as the most peaceful country in Africa.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 504 - SOCOTRA ISLAND, YEMEN

“There can be no dragon slayer in the absence of dragons.” - Thomas Chatterton Williams

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 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.

Socotra, locally known as Saqatri, is a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean. Situated between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea, it lies near major shipping routes. Socotra is the largest of the six islands in the Socotra archipelago as it comprises around 95% of the landmass of the archipelago. It lies 380 kilometres south of the Arabian Peninsula and 232 km east of the Horn of Africa. The inhabitants of the island are called Socotrans, and they speak Arabic and Soqotri.

The island measures 132 km in length and 42 km across at its widest. In 2008, Socotra was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is under the control of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a United Arab Emirates-backed, pro-Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), "secessionist" faction in Yemen's ongoing civil war. The STC seized control of the island following a coup in 2020, ousting the local authorities and establishing its own governance.

Socotra is home to a high number of unique species that are endemic to it. Up to a third of its plant life is unique. Due to the island's unusual geography, it has been described as "the most alien-looking place on Earth”. One example is the Dragon’s Blood Tree, or Draceana cinnabari, which may be the most well known example of Socotran endemism. The tree contains a bright red sap which is used commercially.

D. cinnabari has a very distinct appearance: Its trunk branches out into an umbrella-like crown with tightly packed leaves and widespread branches. This plant structure is observed in arid climates which have atmospheric moisture. Tightly packed leaves and wide spread branches facilitate the condensation of water from moisture in the air, and the shade provided by the umbrella crown may prevent evaporation of moisture from the soil. One dragon’s blood forest remains on the island. The average age of these trees is approximately 300 years. This suggests that the forest is over-mature, and indicates a decline in new growth.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 499 - PREVELI BEACH, CRETE, GREECE

“There is a kind of flame in Crete - let us call it "soul" - something more powerful than either life or death. There is pride, obstinacy, valour, and together with these something else inexpressible and imponderable, something which makes you rejoice that you are a human being, and at the same time tremble.” ― Nikos Kazantzakis

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 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.

Preveli Beach (Greek: Φοινικόδασος της Πρέβελης, Finikodasos tis Prevelis) is a beach located on the south coast of the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete. It is located in the municipality of Agios Vasilios in the Rethymno regional unit, not far from the Moni Preveli monastery, whose name also identifies the beach.

According to local legend, the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, remained in the wider area of Lake Preveli after the end of the Trojan War on his return to Ithaca from Troy. The area is a popular tourist destination due to the river, the forest with palm trees in the gorge along the banks of the river, and the sandy beach with clear  turquoise waters. On the beach, there is a rock in the shape of a heart, "The Lovers’ Stone" according to the locals. The area is accessible from the port of Plakias.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Last week, Jill from Denmark, Western Australia posted some lovely photos of the regatta there. Please visit her blog for more great shots.

TRAVEL TUESDAY 497 - ASOS, CEPHALONIA, GREECE

“The sea was sapphire coloured, and the sky burned like a heated opal through the air; we hoisted sail; the wind was blowing fair for the blue lands that to the eastward lie.” - Oscar Wilde

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 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.

Asos (Greek: Άσος) is a village on the west coast of the island of Cephalonia, Greece and is located 36km north of Argostoli, the capital. It is part of the municipal unit Erisos. Asos was founded under Venetian rule and it served as the administrative capital of northern Cephalonia from 1593 onwards.

Marino Gentilini, an Italian army engineer, was commissioned by the Venetian Senate in 1593-1595 to build the Asos Castle, one of the largest in Greece. The castle was initially built with the view that it would protect local populations in case of an invading attack by passing Turks or pirates, but for various reasons, such as the lack of natural springs for water supply, it was never adopted as a fortress and gradually the grand plan was dropped

.

Nowadays, Asos is a picturesque fishing village that looks out onto the Ionian Sea and is full of colourful houses and narrow alleyways lined with bougainvilleas. Here, you can take a refreshing dip at Asos Beach, try local Greek cuisine at a waterfront cafe, and even hike up the Frourio Peninsula to see the remains of the  16th-century Venetian Castle. The lookout also offers stunning views of the turquoise waters and bluffs along Cephalonia’s north coast. The drive to Asos will take you down a steep and winding road. You can opt for a guided tour which often also includes stops at Drogarati Cave and Melissani Lake.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 488 - MILOS, GREECE

“Venus de Milo. To a child she is ugly. When a mind adjusts to thinking of her as a completeness (even though, by physiologic standards, incomplete), she is beautiful.” - Charles Fort

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 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.

Milos or Melos (Modern Greek: Μήλος, romanized: Mílos, Ancient Greek: Μῆλος, romanized: Mêlos) is a volcanic Greek island in the Aegean Sea, just north of the Sea of Crete. Milos is the southwestern-most island in the Cyclades group. The Venus de Milo (now in the Louvre), the Poseidon of Melos (now in the NAMA) and the Asclepius of Milos (now in the British Museum) were all found on the island, as was an archaic Apollo now in Athens.

Milos is a popular tourist destination during the summer. The municipality of Milos also includes the uninhabited offshore islands of Antimilos and Akradies. The combined land area is 160.147 square kilometres and at the 2021 census the population was 5,193 inhabitants.

The position of Milos, between mainland Greece and Crete, and its possession of obsidian (a volcanic glass), made it an important centre of early Aegean civilisation. Milos lost its arms-making importance when bronze became the preferred material for the manufacture of weapons, instead of obsidian.

While Milos is a lesser-known island within the extremely popular Cyclades archipelago, it has grown in popularity as a vacation destination in the past several decades. With its traditional Greek architecture, slower pace compared to Santorini and Mykonos, and its various excellent beaches, it provides a relaxed, sun-drenched, family-friendly and hospitable holiday destination.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 484 - PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS

“Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius.” - Mark Twain

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 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.

Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon (Cargados Carajos shoals). The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion (a French overseas department), are part of the Mascarene Islands. The main island of Mauritius, where the population is concentrated, hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis (see photo). The country spans 2,040 square kilometres and has an exclusive economic zone covering 2,300,000 square kilometres.

Given its geographic location and colonial past, the people of Mauritius are diverse in ethnicity, culture, language and faith. It is the only country in Africa where Hinduism is the most practised religion. Indo-Mauritians make up the bulk of the population with significant Creole, Sino-Mauritian and Franco-Mauritian minorities. The island's government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system with Mauritius highly ranked for economic and political freedom. The Economist Democracy Index ranks Mauritius as the only country in Africa with full democracy.

Mauritius ranks 72nd (high) in the Human Development Index and the World Bank classifies it as a high-income economy. It is amongst the most competitive and most developed economies in the African region. The country is a welfare state. The government provides free universal health care, free education up through the tertiary level, and free public transportation for students, senior citizens, and the disabled. Mauritius is consistently ranked as the most peaceful country in Africa.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 475 - PAPHOS, CYPRUS

“Iridescent-throned Aphrodite, deathless Child of Zeus, wile-weaver, I now implore you, I beg you, Lady, don't crush down my spirit with pains and torments …” - Sappho

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 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.

Paphos, also spelled as Pafos, is a coastal city in southwest Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In classical antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: Old Paphos, today known as Kouklia, and New Paphos. It is the fourth-largest city in the country, after Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca, with an urban population of 63,600 in 2018. The current city of Paphos lies on the Mediterranean coast, about 50 km west of Limassol (the biggest port on the island), both of which are connected by the A6 highway. Paphos International Airport is the country's second-largest airport, and is a gateway to western and southern Cyprus.

The city has a subtropical-Mediterranean climate, with the mildest temperatures on the island. In 1980, Paphos was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its ancient architecture, mosaics, and ancient religious importance. It was selected as a European Capital of Culture for 2017 along with Aarhus.

Archaeological studies show that Old Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre for the cult of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of Love and Beauty. Aphrodite's mythical birthplace was centred on this location on the island. The founding myth is interwoven with the goddess such that Old Paphos became the most famous and important place for worshipping Aphrodite in the ancient world.

Today, Paphos is a popular tourist resort and is home to a fishing harbour. Ktima is the main residential district while Kato Paphos, by the sea, is built around the medieval port and contains most of the luxury hotels and the entertainment infrastructure of the city. Apostolou Pavlou Avenue (St. Paul's Avenue), the busiest road in Paphos, connects the two quarters of the city. It begins near the city centre at Kennedy Square and ends outside the medieval fort at the harbour.

The economy of Paphos heavily depends on tourism and there are four resorts in the district: Kato Paphos, Coral Bay, Latchi, and Aphrodite Hills. The largest is Kato Paphos which employs over half of Paphos' population. Farming, especially banana, grape and tobacco cultivation, contributes significantly to Paphos' economy.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 468 - HAVANA, CUBA

“Cuba is such a beautiful country, and everywhere you go, there's music and people dancing - especially in Havana.” - Julia Sawalha

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 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.

Havana (Spanish: La Habana) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial centre. It is the most populous city, the largest by area, and the second largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region. The population in 2012 was 2,154,454 inhabitants, and its area is 728.26 km2 for the capital city side and 8,475.57 km2 for the metropolitan zone.

Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. It served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the Americas, becoming a stopping point for Spanish galleons returning to Spain. Philip II of Spain granted Havana the title of capital in 1607. Walls and forts were built to protect the city. The city is the seat of the Cuban government and various ministries, and headquarters of businesses and over 100 diplomatic offices.

Contemporary Havana can essentially be described as three cities in one: Old Havana, Vedado and the newer suburban districts. The city extends mostly westward and southward from the bay, which is entered through a narrow inlet and which divides into three main harbours: Marimelena, Guanabacoa and Antares. The Almendares River traverses the city from south to north, entering the Straits of Florida a few miles west of the bay.

The National Capitol of Cuba, also known as Capitolio Nacional de La Habana (National Capitol of La Habana), and often simply referred to as El Capitolio (The Capitol), is a public edifice in Havana, the capital of Cuba. The building was commissioned by Cuban president Gerardo Machado and built from 1926 to 1929 under the direction of Eugenio Rayneri Piedra. It is located on the Paseo del Prado, Dragones, Industria, and San José streets in the exact centre of Havana.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 462 - NIUE, OCEANIA

“It is important to remember that the Pacific Ocean covers a quarter of the world's surface and that each Pacific country has its own cultural, historical and ethnic identity.” - Jenny Shipley

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 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.

Niue (Niuean: Niuē) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,400 kilometres northeast of New Zealand, east of Tonga, south of Samoa, and west of the Cook Islands. Niue's land area is about 261 square kilometres and its population, predominantly Polynesian, was about 1,600 in 2016. The island is commonly referred to as "The Rock", which comes from the traditional name “Rock of Polynesia”.  Niue is one of the world’s largest coral islands. The terrain consists of steep limestone cliffs along the coast with a central plateau rising to about 60 metres above sea level. A coral reef surrounds the island, with the only major break in the reef being in the central western coast, close to Alofi. A notable feature are the many limestone caves near the coast. 

Niue, whose capital is the village of Alofi, is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand; and New Zealand conducts most diplomatic relations (though not all) on its behalf. Niueans are citizens of New Zealand, and King Charles III is head of state in his capacity as King of New Zealand. Between 90–95% of Niuean people live in New Zealand, along with about 70% of the speakers of the Niuean language.  A bilingual country, Niue has over 30% of its population speak both Niuean and English, though the percentage of monolingual English-speaking people is only 11%, while 46% are monolingual Niuean speakers.

Niue is not a member of the United Nations (UN), but UN organisations have accepted its status as a freely-associated state as equivalent to independence for the purposes of international law. As such, Niue is a full member of some UN specialised agencies (such as UNESCO, and the WHO), and is invited, alongside the other non-UN member state, the Cook Islands, to attend United Nations conferences open to “all states”.

Niue is subdivided into 14 villages (municipalities). Each village has a village council that elects its chairman. The villages are at the same time electoral districts; each village sends an assemblyman to the Parliament of Niue. A small and highly democratic nation, Niueans enjoy high freedom, and elections are held every 3 years. In 2003, Niue became the first country in the world to provide state-funded wireless internet to all inhabitants.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 454 - BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

"It is important to remember that the Pacific Ocean covers a quarter of the world's surface and that each Pacific country has its own cultural, historical and ethnic identity." - Jenny Shipley

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 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.

Bora Bora (Tahitian: Pora Pora) is an island group in the Leeward Islands in the South Pacific. The Leeward Islands comprise the western part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, which is an overseas collectivity of the French Republic in the Pacific Ocean. Bora Bora has a total land area of 30.55 km2.

Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its seaside (and even offshore) luxury resorts. Its major settlement, Vaitape, is on the western side of the main island, opposite the main channel leading into the lagoon. Produce of the island is mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and from the plentiful coconut trees, which were historically of economic importance for the production of copra.

Mount Otemanu (seen here) is an extinct volcano and can be seen from any point on the island of Bora Bora. With an elevation of 727 metres above sea level, it is the highest point of the island.  The mountain serves a major tourist attraction in Bora Bora for both hiking and picture taking. The island is centred around its peak although there are no major settlements or inhabitants that occupy the mountain. It is next to the smaller Mount Pahia. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TRAVEL TUESDAY 446 - MADAGASCAR

"Nature doesn't need people - people need nature; nature would survive the extinction of the human being and go on just fine, but human culture, human beings, cannot survive without nature." -  Harrison Ford

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 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.

Adansonia grandidieri is the biggest and most famous of Madagascar's six species of baobabs, all in the Malvaceae family. It is sometimes known as Grandidier's baobab or the giant baobab. In French it is called Baobab malgache. The local name is renala or reniala (from Malagasy: Reny ala, meaning "mother of the forest"). This tree is endemic to the island of Madagascar, where it is an endangered species threatened by the encroachment of agricultural land.

Grandidier's baobabs have massive, cylindrical, thick trunks, up to three meters across, covered with smooth, reddish-grey bark. They can reach 25 to 30 m in height. The crown is flat-topped, with horizontal main branches. Leaves are palmately compound, typically with 9 to 11 leaflets. This is the only species of baobab with leaflets that are blueish-green and that are densely covered with star-shaped hairs.

It is a flowering tree, producing flowers that are made up of 5 (sometimes 3) calyx lobes that are bent back and twisted at the base of the flower. The lobes are fused at the base forming an open cup about 1 cm deep. Petals are white, aging to yellow, up to 20 mm long and about 5 times as long as broad. The fruits are large, dry and rounded to ovoid. They have a hard shell 2 – 4.5 mm thick and are covered with dense reddish-brown hairs. They contain large (12-20 mm long) kidney-shaped seeds within an edible pulp.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter