tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71617698676869067562024-03-13T00:45:28.155-07:00Life in Lagos, Nigeria & Our TravelsBob and I moved to Lagos, Nigeria in April 2007. This blog basically covers what we do in our time outside of work and is meant to keep family and friends updated on our activites and travels. We are having a great time and I think we are making the most of living in Nigeria.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is not meant to be a comprehensive summary of all Nigeria has to offer. I may have different interests than you and therefore may not post on topics or places that you might like to see.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-39839244384454911282011-07-10T08:49:00.000-07:002011-07-10T08:53:45.365-07:00Moved back to the US...Hello,<br />
<br />
As of November 2010, we moved back to the US. I hope to update the blog up to the time I left but it has not happened yet.<br />
<br />
I am still happy to answer questions about expat life in Nigeria if I can.<br />
<br />
LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-27045422170299264222010-08-26T13:27:00.000-07:002010-08-26T13:27:08.285-07:00Upcoming Lagos Area Runs - Calendar Challenged!I heard a rumor that the Lagos Half Marathon (21K) was scheduled so I did a search online. I did not find the GLO marathon, the one I have run twice in the past (<a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2007/12/glo-half-marathon.html">2008 21K</a>, <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/02/glo-lagos-5k-corporate-fun-run.html">2009 5K</a>, 2009 21K), but I did find the following upcoming runs. <br />
***September 18, 2010 - <a href="http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/generaltopics/?p=57383">Nigeria Independence Corproate Run</a> - 10K (6 miles) Run from Tafawa Balewa Square, where the British Union Jack was lowered for Nigeria's green-white-green flag on October 1, 1960, and will finish at Atlantic City, in Bar Beach, Victoria Island. Nigeria turns 50 and this run is to celebrate their independence. The run will be organized by the Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund.<br />
I will look into doing this run.<br />
<br />
***October 30, 2010 - <a href="http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/08/17/lagos-marathon-gets-date/">Lagos Airport Marathon</a> - 21K (13 miles) run from <br />
Bummer but I will be out of Lagos and will not be able to participate. ; (<br />
<br />
***The GLO Lagos Marathon has not yet been scheduled and the website - <a href="http://www.glolagosmarathon/">http://www.glolagosmarathon/</a> - is no longer online.<br />
<br />
CALENDAR CHALLENGED - The Lagos Airport Marathon article originally listed the date as Saturday, November 1 (article now reads November 1 (saturday removed))... but my calendar indicates that is a Monday! I assume the run is on Saturday October 30. Why are people so calendar challenged here?! Our work calendars have had duplicate dates in one month (20, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24...). Is it really that difficult?Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-16406944267382021402010-08-21T14:00:00.000-07:002010-08-21T14:00:00.535-07:00Fabric Shopping at Balogun Market<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This afternoon, Kay, Anne, Toyin, Dupe and I went fabric shopping at Balogun Market on Lagos Island. Below are some photos from the fabric shop where we bought Nigerian wax fabric and some pics of my purchases, fabric from West Africa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9IVFqgE4tGrx3JnccOiKjzF3KKJGc2nZ6bpZ3xnSS2XpWsv1w2LK393wdKAE38BZbLQ_WE0BmZArorj7PjplOXT42gGHflzd_IW0Ta58SZaoVUJLZ-P1zuF_OUVFoIrd0Hh5aMCQtr8/s1600/Balogun+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9IVFqgE4tGrx3JnccOiKjzF3KKJGc2nZ6bpZ3xnSS2XpWsv1w2LK393wdKAE38BZbLQ_WE0BmZArorj7PjplOXT42gGHflzd_IW0Ta58SZaoVUJLZ-P1zuF_OUVFoIrd0Hh5aMCQtr8/s320/Balogun+map.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh249tHXGqi3H4HaLCkZS58O66AAFTceacphCnY90hURQHMfN8QMLXcNlr-qYxwtbdK1SHCLfBERCYAtL_sDlsEcfu5ITCXwYv8eIXP8Itae_uwzGiaFi_IaNLHIXDypkm_AEfFn4_X7Wc/s1600/IMG_6914_Balogun2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh249tHXGqi3H4HaLCkZS58O66AAFTceacphCnY90hURQHMfN8QMLXcNlr-qYxwtbdK1SHCLfBERCYAtL_sDlsEcfu5ITCXwYv8eIXP8Itae_uwzGiaFi_IaNLHIXDypkm_AEfFn4_X7Wc/s320/IMG_6914_Balogun2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-2R6blLrjXJlJe4uI-mq6r91qqV-Bxv18BvN9GSlgzDXtpGZD3f4DvmDoNcXCK-8nBZwBfdkmBfJtu7EDh9f3X_JaxQ5UQEIUadniSXrGisdlS-FcpDdIhADX6DRv_oLgqaLDZXXvpE/s1600/IMG_6912_balogun1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-2R6blLrjXJlJe4uI-mq6r91qqV-Bxv18BvN9GSlgzDXtpGZD3f4DvmDoNcXCK-8nBZwBfdkmBfJtu7EDh9f3X_JaxQ5UQEIUadniSXrGisdlS-FcpDdIhADX6DRv_oLgqaLDZXXvpE/s320/IMG_6912_balogun1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this market area just about everything is for sale - food, supplies, fabric, shoes, jewelry and tons more! Nigerians love loud music! Sorry for the blurry video. I rotated it using software I downloaded but the quality is poor. I thought poor quality was better than viewing it sideways!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dynKwYnGBgGA4H8v6gf1Ii4LNnCQ11_RvDd-Fxb29lIphmcBNE4vSxzHncyeuD7bCd7mMtauaIi_U3ky_jRVQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Shoppers - Me (Lisa), Kay, Dupe, Anne (Toyin not pictured)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5uKe1IwMefK0HkvG9r5Zkpvp8eKUJnzo7IpoJfhW4qk9JU0oOWssI8f93kuqQeLDCMYRydJeD_x0ZyB9Txj049UDVou3f_myx2c5PCNBZJXYV09lsjK6MFC1jJaGkmWA3j85vQ3u6Y8/s1600/IMG_6917_shoppers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5uKe1IwMefK0HkvG9r5Zkpvp8eKUJnzo7IpoJfhW4qk9JU0oOWssI8f93kuqQeLDCMYRydJeD_x0ZyB9Txj049UDVou3f_myx2c5PCNBZJXYV09lsjK6MFC1jJaGkmWA3j85vQ3u6Y8/s320/IMG_6917_shoppers.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Purchases</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsdT8wR3IR9qRZaEvrxEfUuAcKyMwvj4fmvt5INN9fZvbMtAcBdO0D7JL4PmaTWHTmQ0bwRIHZsrxbgX9LTSAXpwQi-oX7v5ZNxtLtZg1oBOGtnFg7FcdV45ZGqRlkFDJ046WYUEfbJw/s1600/1_DSC_4166_fabric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsdT8wR3IR9qRZaEvrxEfUuAcKyMwvj4fmvt5INN9fZvbMtAcBdO0D7JL4PmaTWHTmQ0bwRIHZsrxbgX9LTSAXpwQi-oX7v5ZNxtLtZg1oBOGtnFg7FcdV45ZGqRlkFDJ046WYUEfbJw/s320/1_DSC_4166_fabric.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fabric for clothes - I like the border on the bottom as it can be used to accent the outftit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn3fUvFsZtewMgS0zF2NZN2HTIAvtD9ee_NlFoqxxTsrwv7LUwpqQm4zMShu9jiRvoEujavNrgL2CfyQ0_dzQWQySNo787ozeY1T8UxmTOJ-GW_sLJ-3oXMPX1BzIVzip68aZLerkoDw/s1600/DSC_4169_clothes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn3fUvFsZtewMgS0zF2NZN2HTIAvtD9ee_NlFoqxxTsrwv7LUwpqQm4zMShu9jiRvoEujavNrgL2CfyQ0_dzQWQySNo787ozeY1T8UxmTOJ-GW_sLJ-3oXMPX1BzIVzip68aZLerkoDw/s320/DSC_4169_clothes.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fabric for napkins! Really! Holiday napkins, everyday napkins or a blouse, outside patio napkins (L to R)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFhNcufta_em-J3gZ9pvsrZlHc31L_CQyKRJMX_JTsz93aWUG1-7wgsDNXTUDZwF0wNlSBh2Lmz-osSwaydnisZvMnmKHFw9ZBN6U3E_hbLoR_5lJGm8um1ahSIKiXfsglaIBqlAyENQ/s1600/DSC_4173_napkins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFhNcufta_em-J3gZ9pvsrZlHc31L_CQyKRJMX_JTsz93aWUG1-7wgsDNXTUDZwF0wNlSBh2Lmz-osSwaydnisZvMnmKHFw9ZBN6U3E_hbLoR_5lJGm8um1ahSIKiXfsglaIBqlAyENQ/s320/DSC_4173_napkins.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I posted in 2009 on visits to the <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/01/local-markets.html">local Lekki and Balogun markets</a>.</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-48446034468294719732010-08-16T12:08:00.001-07:002010-08-16T12:11:58.965-07:00I know you don't believe me but...I am working on the blog and my goal is to get it updated by the end of the year. I have to cover trips to Uganda, Zanzibar, Principe, Zambia / Malawi, South Africa / Mozambique and an upcoming trip to Botswana. And I have to cover local trips to the beach, sailing and at least two bike rides on the Third Mainland Bridge. We have done a lot in the past year!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-75949585631157986012009-12-17T10:47:00.000-08:002009-12-19T03:58:00.195-08:002009 Holiday Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxdKXxdQABwOcD_S7KL8L7UlLQymfXUXImMyNqiMKtncwa23viZIKN4rBUp7FUIEaRuRfD_-CRsoBQ-Vy4MIGvAZDJrdQvcsqmpObuDU96OSHZhsA8X6fV9JZ7lQibUkI9RLaNlcdcf0/s1600-h/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxdKXxdQABwOcD_S7KL8L7UlLQymfXUXImMyNqiMKtncwa23viZIKN4rBUp7FUIEaRuRfD_-CRsoBQ-Vy4MIGvAZDJrdQvcsqmpObuDU96OSHZhsA8X6fV9JZ7lQibUkI9RLaNlcdcf0/s320/Slide1.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Top Row - Left to Right</span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1) Sukur, Nigeria - A UNESCO World Heritage site</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2) Top Mt. Muhavura, Uganda</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">3) Rhumsuki, Cameroon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Middle Row - Left to Right</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">1) New Years Eve 2008, Lagos Yacht Club</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2) Oktoberfest, Lagos Yacht Club</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">3) Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bottom Row - Left to Right</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">1) Hiking up Mt. Muhavura, Uganda</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2) Lake Mburo NP, Uganda</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">3) Lake Bunyonyi Overlook, Uganda</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvazy7DQ5dH05BHwwQWe_AWw5Mwm6k4z6x6D1eKA2ThiyREsbC89mAOfBMFd4prL0v1WAO5uzTeOGfmGFTN_cQ3ttuIYw4MRDnTeB77xXv1RDq9hxBTtG7CLMmRWR1G93OK7KTOuWWtfs/s320/Slide2.JPG" /><br />
</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-11242721478653190622009-11-29T08:34:00.000-08:002009-12-26T10:26:31.504-08:00Yankari National Park, Nigeria<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Bob, Sharon and Jonathan spent the four day weekend central Nigeria visiting <a href="http://www.yankarigamereserve.com/">Yankari National Park</a> and the surrounding area. Bob only took a few photos so I will post them now until I get more and I will post more details about their trip (when I get them).<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The baboons were fed well that weekend, first they ate the driver's/guard's food from the to of the car (they were warned) and then one of them jumped into Sharon and Jonathan's car and grabbed their rolls... that was all she could grab before Sharon threw her and her baby out of the car.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabwX9U0BXVsbC_DhyphenhyphenNLjebBxQUH-M5kgVqG1xnTMPs29XoYqxRF7hBF1QBT5Nv9aGDqz3U_RXULFxTyk7tUZs-W8cqnfiVaneVoA9mTm16OFGhmyNznPtuKKeUu8I6x-huH4gbVmf8Nc/s1600-h/IMG_3843_Yankari_baboons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabwX9U0BXVsbC_DhyphenhyphenNLjebBxQUH-M5kgVqG1xnTMPs29XoYqxRF7hBF1QBT5Nv9aGDqz3U_RXULFxTyk7tUZs-W8cqnfiVaneVoA9mTm16OFGhmyNznPtuKKeUu8I6x-huH4gbVmf8Nc/s320/IMG_3843_Yankari_baboons.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are lions in Nigeria...<br />
</div><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU5FnTlmvrE0ycCPfOLCGQXFz14z_2Rc6C-Bd5VxeF-t_JS_V8ooDPJqUy3UKyDKPYCtOBp-g44bgZRJg-lOwD1ZOZKEN-4TFLmMDj0Qia0gNgvWYRlpDCkRR2R7Izm4F_4jWJl8hhQY/s1600-h/IMG_3846_lioness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU5FnTlmvrE0ycCPfOLCGQXFz14z_2Rc6C-Bd5VxeF-t_JS_V8ooDPJqUy3UKyDKPYCtOBp-g44bgZRJg-lOwD1ZOZKEN-4TFLmMDj0Qia0gNgvWYRlpDCkRR2R7Izm4F_4jWJl8hhQY/s320/IMG_3846_lioness.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcv7Tg2NdtARXnM-ZHUAQiKEkaKurtAoow-LLKqjiJuZmhSmVlQfAs3KhNeCO4m_KvWQ3X8aG7i_JYfGzcJUvV62lRZi2O6iDcrbKKZp1k2doTbLliP3xbEsFxB6oKa8VSyiZ8PCvA-w/s1600-h/IMG_3833_lion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcv7Tg2NdtARXnM-ZHUAQiKEkaKurtAoow-LLKqjiJuZmhSmVlQfAs3KhNeCO4m_KvWQ3X8aG7i_JYfGzcJUvV62lRZi2O6iDcrbKKZp1k2doTbLliP3xbEsFxB6oKa8VSyiZ8PCvA-w/s320/IMG_3833_lion.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The drivers, guards and guide.<br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjuMUPlnIGCBIkYDq0ht7lbDPkP7YPmcyTPh9X4ytC6qyvY6bHaFtFnBDa3fa-G_QpTqlteCnqaq4d2xNaUbsFrEVmYiRO1gUEUdN3yktEHpH2gGx1wtcBwjz_D_-cBl64YaBRln3soI/s1600-h/IMG_3838_Yankari_drivers_guards_guide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjuMUPlnIGCBIkYDq0ht7lbDPkP7YPmcyTPh9X4ytC6qyvY6bHaFtFnBDa3fa-G_QpTqlteCnqaq4d2xNaUbsFrEVmYiRO1gUEUdN3yktEHpH2gGx1wtcBwjz_D_-cBl64YaBRln3soI/s320/IMG_3838_Yankari_drivers_guards_guide.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-53347511384156560172009-11-29T07:19:00.000-08:002009-11-29T07:30:18.573-08:00Recent posts on past tripsHere are a few posts I have done this weekend. I post them on the date of the event, not on the day of actual posting so I am posting this link so that you don't miss out.<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fnewhomeinlagos.blogspot.com%252F2009%252F11%252Fmountain-biking-in-omo-forest-november.html&h=b191f17aab9eb1e66e0e0a793abe9e13&ref=mf">Mountain Biking in Omo Forest – November 2009 / March 2009</a><br />
<a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/10/long-weekend-in-paris-just-me-and-my.html">Trip to Paris with my mom – October 2009</a><br />
<a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/11/oktoberfest-at-lagos-yacht-club.html">Added pictures to the Oktoberfest post</a><br />
<br />
I am still working on<br />
Uganda trip – September 2009<br />
Third Mainland Bridge Bike Ride – November 2009Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-63598502084572248882009-11-28T15:05:00.000-08:002009-11-28T15:05:42.024-08:00GLO Lagos Marathon postponed...Just like last year, the <a href="http://www.glolagosmarathon.com/">GLO Lagos Marathon</a> (half marathon) scheduled this December has been postponed... likely until February. The marathon that was to hold in December 2008, was postponed until February 2009 and I assume the same will happen again. It is unfortunate as the weather in December is cooler than in February. <br />
<br />
I have just updated my blog post for the February 2009 Half Marathon. Check it out.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-52385821407447705212009-11-28T07:33:00.000-08:002009-11-28T07:33:35.569-08:00Wonderful spa right around the corner on Ikoyi IslandMany great places in Lagos, especially restaurants, are hidden behind walls and unless you are in the know... you are in the dark that these places even exist. <br />
The Grape Grazers Wine Club recently hosted a wine tasting event at the <a href="http://www.clearessencecaliforniaspa.com/">Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Resort</a>. It is located on Ikoyi Island not far from where we live and the place is wonderful. It is a members only spa but until they get enough members they may be open to non-members, at least they said they were. It is pricey but for a special occasion or event, it would be worth it.<br />
<br />
A one-year membership is 500,000 naira (~$3350). Check out what the membership includes <a href="http://www.clearessencecaliforniaspa.com/membership_types.html">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-41491760445436432022009-11-08T17:50:00.000-08:002009-11-29T07:12:33.798-08:00Mountain Biking in Omo Forest, November 8 (and Bob's trip in March)Friend Jonathan arranged a Nigerian Field Society trip to go mountain biking in Omo Forest, located east of Lagos, about a 3 hour drive away. At about 7AM, a group of about 14 of us headed out in a convoy with Nigerian Police in the vehicles to help us get through the many check points (15+) where Nigerian Police try to get money from almost every vehicle that passes. "Anything for the weekend?" I hate it but on one hand they get paid so poorly, I don't blame them. I believe it is these check points and the bad roads that keep most Nigerians from traveling around their own country, other than going to their village and back, and when they can fly, they do. We have to travel with Nigerian Police in our car outside of Lagos and we are happy to have them as they get us right through the check points with no hassle (usually).<br />
The drive was uneventful, though I was happy to have friends in the car who enjoyed reminiscing and listening to music from the 1980s, especially the metal (hair) bands! It was fun!<br />
The goal was to ride to Omo Camp (~15km), eat lunch, then ride back. Because we got off to a slow start (Ilsa and Rob decided to add on some distance to their ride by taking the wrong road) and the crowd was not as fast as Jonathan had anticipated. Jonathan has got to be the fittest person I know and his estimates of how long a ride will take and the level of exertion are usually a bit underestimated! I was just OK but not all participants were in as good of shape as me (and I have not done much cardio since I tore a tendon in my foot training for the half marathon earlier this year) and did not have as much mountain biking experience. It is pretty flat around Lagos and most people think that when you travel outside of Lagos, it is also flat. Well that is not the case as Omo forest has hills. The route we took was a Jeep road, though it is mostly used by Okadas (motorcycles). Our driver served as the SAG wagon for about half of the ride but then had to stop as the bridge was washed out. About half of the group made it about half way to the iron bridge and we rode on another 5 km (3km short of the camp) before stopping for a snack and turning around. Here are some pictures:<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">The road...<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d8JNvODHrmaXr91hLKElbuM0bEFaFZN7QTjVNj1z-fm3H0LyO6E90twQSNRJp-T81uC-PsdZSngqLwRLKLEZdqS8XNGADwfmTYnRC8_0MCymr6LbpPoYcV2AoBNS5agW8xUGfaVc-_8/s1600/Blog_P1010792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d8JNvODHrmaXr91hLKElbuM0bEFaFZN7QTjVNj1z-fm3H0LyO6E90twQSNRJp-T81uC-PsdZSngqLwRLKLEZdqS8XNGADwfmTYnRC8_0MCymr6LbpPoYcV2AoBNS5agW8xUGfaVc-_8/s320/Blog_P1010792.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmmm... was it a good idea to go so soon after the rainy season ended?! Me riding through one of the many water holes, some do depe your feet get soaked.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGnNBIwQUtjovxjxqSjbmRuL1izVOlJ6SNnlSbml63Ol2quLkcURhjBcBpxyjuGCnf1eQouzfMrZvCaKI7lZ4KifdnrasYuLPbeFxT4vudz0ZR1dYrqJpWleajmzyxZDRfIsyOUoj9YM/s1600/Omo_lisa_mud.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGnNBIwQUtjovxjxqSjbmRuL1izVOlJ6SNnlSbml63Ol2quLkcURhjBcBpxyjuGCnf1eQouzfMrZvCaKI7lZ4KifdnrasYuLPbeFxT4vudz0ZR1dYrqJpWleajmzyxZDRfIsyOUoj9YM/s320/Omo_lisa_mud.bmp" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The washed out bridge with Rob standing on the other side (hard to see, I know). The small picture is of me and Ilsa and was taken by Rob.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ifYR8DgT1KP1kQ-6az81TCyuIw7Ty66ioMJgUL3-5YUhsnlGVofTemVWOVKufZgrlA_KPvQKevq49aFwieNpNTFz04Za3wG9QwBJJRhEsSSDJ0igVEhEaDOt5KXDqAmR_faA4xg33yA/s1600/Blog_IMG_3799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ifYR8DgT1KP1kQ-6az81TCyuIw7Ty66ioMJgUL3-5YUhsnlGVofTemVWOVKufZgrlA_KPvQKevq49aFwieNpNTFz04Za3wG9QwBJJRhEsSSDJ0igVEhEaDOt5KXDqAmR_faA4xg33yA/s320/Blog_IMG_3799.JPG" yr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsUrCYqDCgQaP9LqIYhVb49zMPoa4pYftdoG32kit9eXYas9dJV-V0c7p6NxMAGOpDtAV3whlilQ7weORwlmQP2T1pW2Bc272dmD5sTWAmiRvi2Cs0zT5DYeNdwQk7Qii6C9aeinn5QE/s1600/bridge_lisa+ilsa.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsUrCYqDCgQaP9LqIYhVb49zMPoa4pYftdoG32kit9eXYas9dJV-V0c7p6NxMAGOpDtAV3whlilQ7weORwlmQP2T1pW2Bc272dmD5sTWAmiRvi2Cs0zT5DYeNdwQk7Qii6C9aeinn5QE/s320/bridge_lisa+ilsa.bmp" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the bypass route, that we and the okadas use. No more vehicle travel past this point.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom0_-LPe6Q_z5Ei-VIJH4-2DlLz6CZGlABoZl30e_wjzjHJy2Thm-9LEdWwAEGoDb1dpaXiSEosqxSIwVLmemJrcRJhZSix6xgpK9qgKSa2t-mHNEf06lSjTc-Je9HgsX6B4kdkWGdLU/s1600/Blog_IMG_3804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom0_-LPe6Q_z5Ei-VIJH4-2DlLz6CZGlABoZl30e_wjzjHJy2Thm-9LEdWwAEGoDb1dpaXiSEosqxSIwVLmemJrcRJhZSix6xgpK9qgKSa2t-mHNEf06lSjTc-Je9HgsX6B4kdkWGdLU/s320/Blog_IMG_3804.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The iron bridge over a river. In front is Ilsa, Rob and Sharon.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis35H6hXfVhIVpZnVoJRQjdTXppXqxNSpopxz7gUG4YJm0YdvM8uxuesiZ-28d0QVAWBPXAd2zq98HRl026h70k_S36ANTmG35L7XxIC6ajg3lNiQ6QXRT8YWM0lppGJRpFVa6NLQq5g8/s1600/Blog_IMG_3809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis35H6hXfVhIVpZnVoJRQjdTXppXqxNSpopxz7gUG4YJm0YdvM8uxuesiZ-28d0QVAWBPXAd2zq98HRl026h70k_S36ANTmG35L7XxIC6ajg3lNiQ6QXRT8YWM0lppGJRpFVa6NLQq5g8/s320/Blog_IMG_3809.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyghU7XoWES93sCOBKb6K2aCYgriSSx9c6RXsFeANDRRyXeGo5AqUOHUqBnS8KtAFshITEiqDeswyWG3oNkIEWflMptpezUG7UItWNOOsWp6AsgAutvMZASBYiHTjZfKyg8QG_UUshUE/s1600/Blog_IMG_3813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyghU7XoWES93sCOBKb6K2aCYgriSSx9c6RXsFeANDRRyXeGo5AqUOHUqBnS8KtAFshITEiqDeswyWG3oNkIEWflMptpezUG7UItWNOOsWp6AsgAutvMZASBYiHTjZfKyg8QG_UUshUE/s320/Blog_IMG_3813.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Overall it was a great trip. I met some new people, got in some good exercise, and got outside of Lagos. Unfortunately Bob missed out on this trip as he was in Houston. He had done this one before in March of this year, while I stayed home to get some work done.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Here are some pics from the earlier trip in March 2009, in the dry season.</strong><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kevin, Bob, Jonathan and their guard.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1ytPbQ__gnrz_K2jEtxv7_EOKBJ8o0mA3Y4_xYMKS2f-MwJC5FCiT3xv4Lrh7X41QH_GEDeFuSNbalFZFq3pQ2EMtvc4YJ3iNtoWgaF26Fqf3NRAqIIgNRwjgIl80fsQpvTN3u4N9yE/s1600/IMG_7916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1ytPbQ__gnrz_K2jEtxv7_EOKBJ8o0mA3Y4_xYMKS2f-MwJC5FCiT3xv4Lrh7X41QH_GEDeFuSNbalFZFq3pQ2EMtvc4YJ3iNtoWgaF26Fqf3NRAqIIgNRwjgIl80fsQpvTN3u4N9yE/s320/IMG_7916.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The main bridge in March 2009, which was completely washed out in November.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp5sswoVQbBB6iPldXTcM925GPygYKuskZicnmqwmH_hhvXgmCq3-ATDk3IsTgXCXXbhyin3ZlFfQwhPNhxk-wVAT4H168leqzuMI_csKSFIid7GYlcTf3GJtNGM0zkdrvMHfu06XXZc/s1600/IMG_7922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp5sswoVQbBB6iPldXTcM925GPygYKuskZicnmqwmH_hhvXgmCq3-ATDk3IsTgXCXXbhyin3ZlFfQwhPNhxk-wVAT4H168leqzuMI_csKSFIid7GYlcTf3GJtNGM0zkdrvMHfu06XXZc/s320/IMG_7922.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">One of the bridges in March 2009.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't recall seeing this one so it must have been beyond where we rode.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1w4M6N29RCNUkIXY4KWJw1RLPTCXPBjZfpOx7_N3NAse9V6Im_EVjjvLDlwvl6udWQ_TJAWrloPDa-EmC3iBMVDoBzfNvHgBCMvFjAdUIokAvpvDfwq3T2yv20z-m5W0a8B4Nqa183Uc/s1600/IMG_7940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1w4M6N29RCNUkIXY4KWJw1RLPTCXPBjZfpOx7_N3NAse9V6Im_EVjjvLDlwvl6udWQ_TJAWrloPDa-EmC3iBMVDoBzfNvHgBCMvFjAdUIokAvpvDfwq3T2yv20z-m5W0a8B4Nqa183Uc/s320/IMG_7940.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Omo Camp - Folks have camped here in the past but now that the bridges are washed out, it would take a bit of effort to get there with our stuff and water.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdHqFE-A731bfcYaYi2dx104GVrdcUyO-EE0vFq4UV6GuNCMffNYUQE2sM8RSROykcRc5OQSytf1QCXJOQVaz0OtOCvGkoKaE-SU7P3pvnZlekOzWbOwq7RQmO-Lk1V3rTtqIpRMY48s/s1600/IMG_7941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdHqFE-A731bfcYaYi2dx104GVrdcUyO-EE0vFq4UV6GuNCMffNYUQE2sM8RSROykcRc5OQSytf1QCXJOQVaz0OtOCvGkoKaE-SU7P3pvnZlekOzWbOwq7RQmO-Lk1V3rTtqIpRMY48s/s320/IMG_7941.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The standard transportation on these roads, an okada (motorcycle).<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLil_y2sQG_Y7uzVnV0wOmwmN7LyoG-RHj5AkWb5jaolbJb8x5Gs0FJR60QxJQYnNSYbQqhLznMItG2UCONEtU1_xdTbL5B8aUfkLi40sl1OnaECFFKRm2jZeTnbZuyzjNrjUjUpREZis/s1600/IMG_7920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLil_y2sQG_Y7uzVnV0wOmwmN7LyoG-RHj5AkWb5jaolbJb8x5Gs0FJR60QxJQYnNSYbQqhLznMItG2UCONEtU1_xdTbL5B8aUfkLi40sl1OnaECFFKRm2jZeTnbZuyzjNrjUjUpREZis/s320/IMG_7920.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-78280116567131081392009-11-01T13:41:00.000-08:002009-11-01T08:41:08.066-08:00Still working on the Paris and Uganda posts...Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-26844206756662312872009-11-01T04:05:00.000-08:002009-11-29T07:31:04.007-08:00Oktoberfest at Lagos Yacht Club<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IuJaLD-M4sFoqPXHayeipcOTH7gplMl95mN6FVyhzRbIko1IsSIbhQ6Pj1fADd7grqBWnfDpuINHbpjnurT0j7KyxYQTkd6IoMJ4pNciU-OvbatNF0ayh5Fhad7ykASOmf7IKzpjAw8/s1600-h/blog_oktoberfest_sunset_IMG_3730.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399179722680804978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IuJaLD-M4sFoqPXHayeipcOTH7gplMl95mN6FVyhzRbIko1IsSIbhQ6Pj1fADd7grqBWnfDpuINHbpjnurT0j7KyxYQTkd6IoMJ4pNciU-OvbatNF0ayh5Fhad7ykASOmf7IKzpjAw8/s320/blog_oktoberfest_sunset_IMG_3730.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sunset in the Lagos Harbor the night an Oktoberfest celebration was held at the Lagos Yacht Club. A band was flown in from Bavaria (Koenig Ludwig Musikanten) we had Bavarian beer (brewed in Nigeria), sausage, sauerkraut and the rest of the fixins. We had a fun time but had to wait a long time for food... which meant more drinking! We had fun!<br />
</div>There were many toasts and each one was made while standing on the picnic table benches.<br />
"Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit "<br />
"Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit "<br />
<div><br />
<div align="center">Bob, Ilsa & me<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqPhqZQcbEos43Nb_0pZ9DINOVVG-5RJ_Z6iAloqKgNLV0YSKEW65qaBzXYPYKMKlGPLAH8__uwBDvxgNK8R7HSE9ShJn8MOZstZvgZF14dv1f-Hhu0HY8jjTB2gXIPy1TKqnD_atASQ/s1600/Blog_Octoberfest+bob+ilsa+lisa+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqPhqZQcbEos43Nb_0pZ9DINOVVG-5RJ_Z6iAloqKgNLV0YSKEW65qaBzXYPYKMKlGPLAH8__uwBDvxgNK8R7HSE9ShJn8MOZstZvgZF14dv1f-Hhu0HY8jjTB2gXIPy1TKqnD_atASQ/s320/Blog_Octoberfest+bob+ilsa+lisa+2.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ilsa's husband Rob... Ilsa and Rob are either looking out for each other or <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">drinking way too much over here in Nigeria!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsXpdPlnCQa0MBv2uySukAv6PFAErCT4QqQOfDl5d-Ma1TLXUWnTkuoTkmdXpGzO0kPL-LMBzm4yHeyOvHlaBFv29fqaMn4TOjvWVydVnLMxrJUQ9BPwvwfpn96ufwxjkqhxBJEe99qg/s1600/Blog_Octoberfest+rob+09+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsXpdPlnCQa0MBv2uySukAv6PFAErCT4QqQOfDl5d-Ma1TLXUWnTkuoTkmdXpGzO0kPL-LMBzm4yHeyOvHlaBFv29fqaMn4TOjvWVydVnLMxrJUQ9BPwvwfpn96ufwxjkqhxBJEe99qg/s320/Blog_Octoberfest+rob+09+021.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joanne and Ingo... Ingo made sure he had his big beer stein from home!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ingo also made sure we pronounced the toast properly as he is one of our resident Germans.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2kS1zaSLt-fibFOvrIH6b92Gf8TEInSNZzApsg56ynYnO6ptpjlx8nV4V2J0NIRKhY83Ky1o3nyNUsc2D6Ps4ayP6t8JA2enV0lkyi9Ujz0UsGxV3VnUI9mCQCvPeVsneycZWCAxKKc/s1600/Blog_Octoberfest+joanne+ingo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2kS1zaSLt-fibFOvrIH6b92Gf8TEInSNZzApsg56ynYnO6ptpjlx8nV4V2J0NIRKhY83Ky1o3nyNUsc2D6Ps4ayP6t8JA2enV0lkyi9Ujz0UsGxV3VnUI9mCQCvPeVsneycZWCAxKKc/s320/Blog_Octoberfest+joanne+ingo.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The band... squint real hard and you may be able to see them in the background.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixITzKbdGFWeymS5k3QtBPro6PgqN4Cw6unFk6R6AJXYXrnxz2oH19a4LKKpNcHb846O11GhplT4Iz0HrYm5NrZ0DYAeM2FQ0dkMS2eTRJGS0j0f39ff13qEWQmRYAau_dLdzs5hE73bU/s1600/Blog_Octoberfest+band+09+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixITzKbdGFWeymS5k3QtBPro6PgqN4Cw6unFk6R6AJXYXrnxz2oH19a4LKKpNcHb846O11GhplT4Iz0HrYm5NrZ0DYAeM2FQ0dkMS2eTRJGS0j0f39ff13qEWQmRYAau_dLdzs5hE73bU/s320/Blog_Octoberfest+band+09+031.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-51422836240754313002009-10-31T10:00:00.000-07:002009-11-01T13:24:39.154-08:00Third Mainland Bridge Bike Ride<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399117106772888034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7ELeHO8LBC6p5Nonk7aEUqlBEPxoBDJ-He_7E0TSB1DtzfgXqj1vGnMVE29pes1geaFKIGs0vrun4yP52kHiP8PzYxB_IZtwqGIyq66JF5CmYCqAFzeJzjqLpefqkxu-WVV78bO2dqs/s320/TMB+Map2.jpg" border="0" />I arranged another Third Mainland Bridge Bike ride for the Nigerian Field Society today (Oct 31). Thirty-one people showed up and we were escorted by Nigerian police on a 30km bike ride across the longest bridge connecting Ikoyi Island with the Lagos mainland. This is the route we drive to and from the airport. We had two SAG (support) wagons and we needed them this time as two riders had to jump in due to faulty bikes (pedal fell off and brakes malfunctioned then a derailleur fell off another bike). It was a beautiful mostly clear day for Lagos, although it is never very clear here due to the burning of trash, which is magnified on environmental day when everyone is supposed to be cleaning up and burning their trash (sound environmental?). More pictures and short captions coming soon...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399243001148631666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2O3wv-_NOdL4ZqjvCzoB8Jy0zxmExu1YZoR3fWS76SczyjBELsJ-zGBPfjm-bApAVCYknYsG-v4ZKpiZ9Pq1XJkkT8nugwxTwSR16jLbJ56jV3JuKh7upcCBjokqT_UYBNu_fvSqL9k/s320/DSC_3169+Start.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399243006553553842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ivhS5Tr_-NEVz3-fQJoDog_55a9VkMg7vi5Q0EKYKGO8XO_3G3Nq-aS9IqPdPI2YdBRh85sI8fJRpVB4an32en2MdK2onpMf9yg2R8s29Omkod4lOGWEFH6AbyN7hZWP0lCQqEIb04E/s320/DSC_3172_pigs.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399248186931287042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF_7dl-vhFVrERM7EB7EwSOkO6ezim73_pdS2_kc8TxIIqoKvDF1vpU22uqv3-ejWiOnXULnUvZyQPJ0RrJj9YoXOpquVTDZRdsdMwgDtoncGyPuIBCFuhDB3JerIVnGL2ogQYLHm6k8/s320/DSC_3176_village.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399248168096087346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZRHZW5f6bnJ7TUa7BH3qy4yFdzd0282tOh5f2lNkC2MQcGiXE4StrF7ILTHMDwXgrkiCwq5M7yby6jMDy-1juNqtUGhsOVgtK8CUgA_Ad24fvqal68I7N0e53phYqnREBPANIFczocY/s320/DSC_3190village.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399248183461720338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzb_40bIs_hBBumXe7C7cCMY4FQk7cGHeHPomjapzjOCr6uoFoFlTizlCAJlIofNA8_K0M-uONfuNCcmbZwTZo0YBTPX_5M2i8ooAF_iVY-or-WzUWFgG-eFY8Fu1-4Il6DLhKo27y4A/s320/DSC_3182_shower+water.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399248177856448354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iz31XR9GolQFWwv5dASejysZnRYqYVbOb-njsTJtrTWn7gQWkyKLK7smWEcrntFJ2I4Po_4_VnI5xdNh8QUSCvDhfxNFroutwOtZUqdmKO510A1bilGRg6ETjom8izcV27O0aABIdY8/s320/DSC_3184_shower+ater.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399248172995380578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbw2OcGMAOk_1tsemCcwKvgUrEpYgP6reDNUG0NblHa4V8ZLc22iFubESKWiuTzkIYQxjA6ZHNuxSlRjVqmr-_4nStL1MF5jXHY7s6ivxEAPHVBatKxQoP32Vk82raLQ7S-7DSDXnJ7w/s320/DSC_3186_shower.JPG" border="0" />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-25928230985299112942009-10-26T12:07:00.000-07:002009-10-26T12:13:05.839-07:00The LAGOS INSIDERRecently I started receiving an email from <a href="http://www.lagosinsider.com/">The Lagos Insider</a>. Check out the link. To view past posts, go the the Archives. If you want to see each post as it is posted, subscribe. Get new Lagos hotel and restaurant ideas each week. I would post links to specific articles but the internet is toooooo slooooow for me. Sorry-o!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-68859813420140858242009-10-25T18:17:00.000-07:002009-11-01T12:32:29.989-08:00Staff Football GameSunday was the second staff football game and our team won 1-0! Unfortunately I did not get pictures of the other team... next time I will. The game was between the staff at our apartment complex and the staff at another complex. The game was played on a sand field at a nearby schcool. The rules were very strict... all players but the goal keeper had to be an employee. The participation was watched closely as a number of illegal players tried to sneak in, but were unsuccessful.<br /><br />The trophy was donated by Sharon and Jonathan and a new label engraved and attached. A number of us donated money that went towards renting the field, making the goals, buying the nets and refreshments. There were limited jerseys so as one team member came off the field, he transferred his sweaty jersey to the guy going in if he was not wearing the proper color (blue or red)! Here are some photos.<br /><br /><div align="center">Before</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397009902176790066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zBb6HdzgJsHBVmsrDASBdQ6WDd2ShpCQkbNbLFnN7bro3jW27eHkZDsmLg_u1BmT6CjscfPyRaSnporKGaVjo8WFVN1ur6Uub0lgeS6NB5wi0-5rc40RdV1SiUts40Ua1DWEgzpWOak/s320/Team+Before+DSC_3111.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">The Spectators (expats from L to R) - Bob, Sharon, Rob, Jonathan, Ilsa, Rob and Keith</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397009905677309442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTnaf5BVcj0mo0govye29D-n0Y7m2G6pCBajS-dtBcXZ6WLIeeVV0dWblN9iPTk5b3i2K6K9jsgvsKzLuhlCOe63dBbWpkGrIY2PX5WfC_q07tpJK6SG-eWKW01bzOqI8S1dinHzlJQg/s320/Spectators_DSC_3131.JPG" border="0" />The celebration has begun!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397009910223628802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm96ULYA1alVbhUH3WkJ3AL6SlE8TcGgnJ52UuI7smIbg6onaQxETqEv1j7Z3nWzTbLDFwLrG9CBsqeC9tum9iVjR1OPKeNqnz2X31quk9VIpk0FF4RwWeU9OkepJpVOZJ2RcOAJMgOmg/s320/Winning+Team+DSC_3157.JPG" border="0" /><br />The goal keeper and the trophy.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397009899272970578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLc2fAUiRuOc6YfwWz-gJXL-pBxqoVVRjaQ3aqTj4VtXfwVcvCcLccOLWHICr_jeUC_eJtdL9EhaOeF603AI-Kc9E4ClM_bsLjsNWg_pYIglZ65ofGJvT-k6fXFBWz_2oq48TDwaIbJgI/s320/29+Goal+Keeper_Trophy+DSC_3166.JPG" border="0" />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-88602853729659743242009-10-24T15:00:00.000-07:002009-11-01T12:34:51.521-08:00Offshore Fishing & SnorkelingJonathan arranged the boat so we (Jonathan, Sharon, me, Bob and new Lagos expats Ilsa and Rob) could go offshore and do some fishing on the way to a Canadian sunken ship (~60ft water depth) where we would fish and snorkel. On the way out, Sharon was our skipper while the boys (including our Nigerian skipper) did some trolling. Rob's first catch was a plastic bag followed by the first blue mackerel catch, then Jonathan hooked a fish which literally jumped into the boat and then he caught another fish which he had to work a little for. When we got to the wreck we all got out and went for a swim. The visibility was bad (5ft), as usual, but when you got down to the wreck you could see the schools of fish (Jacks), a large jellyfish and two small eels, a black and white spotted one and a green one (pictures not great). The current at the wreck was very strong and it was difficult to stay at the wreck (~10ft deep to top boat deck) unless you held on. Bob has gone diving here and we hope to do it again in the near future.<br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">Sharon as skipper<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399230961704212066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb3gI9I_-OwOox6bM2Ga8ATDP59tCyzjMDY_Yk0paFqOkdIl9iDNdVEi-PI5gwfmos9hGODSimLNpRQXSK6rc9l2MY3tqCTGMiSKamwE0gPkuDGPoWqEVVpbpXTPxMxfbJNl8t4FmaBI/s320/blog_sharon+boat+captain_IMG_3754.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Rob's first catch</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399230955762463522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW04UAenF5rKy6yMvREWUKQ3SnAiXt8L-2oHKJml1GHnTiHULU62PCjK3OQOnLxzN7ONp2Fl5RoSyBnWGPI87fVcEJUTaLl9ZK-DqFR1XH9TPJQQ9xS-OGxZtCxuDQLCe_oVCcEFcbnDw/s320/blog_robs+first+catch_IMG_3755.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Rob's first real catch</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399230957781050322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDrJOkZtJ7Y3ygoC9F9onlsNw9kUGnALrhYNUvf9l-tedLzQUYpmgMdXfaqB9SLznPxBhpQn-Yfr-yIZVcLy3lusEjHzVX-NZQzGRb9PZWBfTkQGNLvmQp3Y61Hq9YhrHtArxoDtXGcU/s320/blog_robs+second+cathc+blue+mackerel_IMG_3759.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">The Canadian Wreck</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399230949644188594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINfnrplfXHtKCwfHlZepFK4wEnw7mw49bVxfI_8GfoXXEM9peLSa3d5V8WjEyosc5bw3a99hryBdzDoCLZr1uTNsUSeDMKLrPM5r-JZdaQKvsX26L5n1SSTAQpOr_Qp0iBIPN9L801II/s320/blog_canada+wreck_IMG_3768.JPG" border="0" />Jellyfish - anyone know what kind?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399230966792953954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Jmyadg-_BoVEMeBVa25gW4myeXCom_pX6CyrI9kXaNMgn0QdBKMU-x6OtJTBKp7JbftaOdWn5E_t3yNg2v4zVA_1Of4-EA8-vtv-SfGVrSjSYbqlCWpkiAI8OuVqiReumBaRKnvzFk/s320/blog_snorkel+jellyfish_IMG_3772.JPG" border="0" /> Hard to see but there are parts of two eels visible in this photo. The black and white one and in the top right corner is a green one folded back on itself.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399233163051941986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qvzX5F-0rM37h6Z4hU1AgnfHfCzbSkP329gcCTYiyjwgxtots8yRO4NSqFxt39p9mRhJUcASO__LNOzH3lOZ_BV0D7Af1e_nNx0MRm6hHq35vC92MD-8tjs_OyoPOPqs9I_PqpC6zPk/s320/blog_eels_IMG_3776.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="left">On the way back into the harbor, Bob counted about 200 ships anchored offshore either waiting to get into the harbor or dead in the water. We drove through a fuel spill, one of many that probably occurs often (an assumption) outside Lagos. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Hoping to get pictures from others to add to this.</div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-84340187625962108422009-10-09T13:49:00.000-07:002009-10-09T13:50:32.545-07:003rd GLO Lagos Marathon - December 2009Another Half Marathon in Lagos this December.<br /><a href="http://www.glolagosmarathon.com/main_mara.html">http://www.glolagosmarathon.com/main_mara.html</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-43347625061022582582009-10-05T22:19:00.000-07:002009-11-28T14:19:32.809-08:00Long Weekend in Paris, just me and my mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why Paris? Well my mother has never been oversees and when I moved to Lagos two and a half years ago she got a passport and we said we should meet in Paris. We finally did. I have training outside of Paris in Fontainebleau so we decided to meet at the front end of my business trip for 4 days.<br />
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<div><strong>Day 1</strong><br />
My flight arrived at ~6AM and my mom's flight arrived ~7:45AM. I met her when she came out from baggage claim and we attempted to get our planned shuttle but I ran out of change after I was on hold too long with the shuttle company so we decided to test out the RER train system, something I preferred to do anyway... but it did suck dragging our luggage around when making the two connections we needed to make. This was the definitely the cheaper route (40 euros for the taxi vs 21 euros for the train) and more of an experience... just what my mom needed after traveling 16 hours in economy class! We got to our hotel about 11AM and checked right in. We stayed near Invalides in the Hotel de Varenne, a hotel that was advertised in the Orange County Register Travel Section in an article my mom cut out just after I left for Lagos in 2007. It was a nice, quaint hotel in a great location, walking distance from everything... at least I thought it was (sorry mom!).<br />
We rested for about an hour and then headed to the Eiffel Tower via Rue Cler, where we stopped for lunch. Rue Cler was the first place we saw the beautiful flower shops and the lovely fruit and vegetable displays. We ate pizza at Tribeca and it was great. I enjoyed a simple Margherita pizza with yummy cheese and my mom enjoyed the ham and mushroom pizza. This is where I started testing out the little French I had learned on the flight over.<br />
Following lunch we made our way to the Eiffel Tower approaching it from the Parc Du Champ De Mars to the southeast, taking photos along the way. It is a spectacular engineering structure with striking symmetry. We wavered on whether or not to go to the top and decided to walk across the river to the Jardins Du Trocadero to take in the views from there. We relaxed on the steps above the fountains for about one hour and watched some street performers (dancers) do their thing while constantly being asked of we were interested in 3 metal Eiffel Tower figurines for the low cost of 1 euro ($1.40).<br />
We decided to go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower to see Paris at twilight and at night. The lines were not long at all. We stopped at the second level (400ft above the ground) to take photos and the scenery was beautiful! Paris is cut in two by the River Seine with many of the main attractions ( the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Hotel de Invalides, Arc de Triomphe, etc.) lining the river and surrounded by 18th century buildings, mostly four stories, packed together and separated by narrow streets. Many people walk and take the Metro (train) or buses as the networks are immense and efficient. If they do drive, the drive small cars and we saw many Smart Cars.<br />
Back to the views from the Eiffel Tower... We went to the top (900 ft above the ground) via elevator and it was twilight so we stayed up there until it got dark and I took lots of photos. It was amazing and we were lucky to have great weather! Suddenly an announcement came over the PA system telling us that the tower was now closed to all and we were instructed to exit and stay calm. Many folks left but I still needed to get photos so we stayed and then took the elevator down to the second level where we took more photos. From here we walked down the 360 stairs (instead of the elevator) to the first level (200ft above ground) taking more photos adn then we walked down another 360 stairs to the ground level... and my mom did not want to see any more stairs at that point. It was a long day. We headed back to the hotel on foot hoping to find a place to eat but we were out of luck. We got back to the hotel about 9:30PM and asked where we could eat... we had Japanese across the street from the hotel. It was good but not what I expected to eat in Paris!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">View of Paris Streets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6-7IDhYtgGaJLxU8xN86LMdLY4TYC-5xB0Rl1pQp5FW1E54uKX6YgtRgj6XxW2GmPyDGSrVLEAEZwzP2SLNQWaf4g9PsiijmUgOyLbm4QQDxOBnjyZ7FASG0l2ubp6Tb8tA3uBoUpaw/s1600-h/04_Paris_narrow_streets_DSC_2240.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404392683838817042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6-7IDhYtgGaJLxU8xN86LMdLY4TYC-5xB0Rl1pQp5FW1E54uKX6YgtRgj6XxW2GmPyDGSrVLEAEZwzP2SLNQWaf4g9PsiijmUgOyLbm4QQDxOBnjyZ7FASG0l2ubp6Tb8tA3uBoUpaw/s320/04_Paris_narrow_streets_DSC_2240.JPG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> View from the Eiffel Tower, looking at the Louvre <br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8IHxmw6cR8i5tAM_W8c5KIgQkEIPN7QCF26UVMVB_Bhfzwtm9qzVi_EZWClie1eLKiT_QwAG5yl9E4Xs1WyoWwKftcidHLX1T8gInDveq96kBGaRDgkvxEk5eflJSBYlCjQIw2PVrkg/s1600-h/Blog_Louvre_DSC_2260.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404359129982233298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8IHxmw6cR8i5tAM_W8c5KIgQkEIPN7QCF26UVMVB_Bhfzwtm9qzVi_EZWClie1eLKiT_QwAG5yl9E4Xs1WyoWwKftcidHLX1T8gInDveq96kBGaRDgkvxEk5eflJSBYlCjQIw2PVrkg/s320/Blog_Louvre_DSC_2260.JPG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Night shot from the Eiffel Tower<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbv1fY-Fq0fdH2iCrqSztCWHuRxxnzCFkMWneUeGc_GcCuxHdPQrDlklwxn5_aigsrF2Y6YA8WfZQhKxBL_oinW9tKygolnKehPc1JnuJrVohKG80KhM9UuJNo5-62N8ZxBI979cNX5X4/s1600-h/Blog_nightviews_DSC_2302.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404392698882545890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbv1fY-Fq0fdH2iCrqSztCWHuRxxnzCFkMWneUeGc_GcCuxHdPQrDlklwxn5_aigsrF2Y6YA8WfZQhKxBL_oinW9tKygolnKehPc1JnuJrVohKG80KhM9UuJNo5-62N8ZxBI979cNX5X4/s320/Blog_nightviews_DSC_2302.JPG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><strong>Day 2</strong><br />
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</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">No alarm was set and we woke about 8AM and slowly got rolling. My mom slept all night which was good due her lengthy travel and the 8 hour time change (jet lag). I was recovering from 1.5 weeks of LONG work days since we returned from our Uganda vacation (I am still working on that post). Is that a violin I hear playing??? The walking and the stairs from the day before resulted in tired muscles that required sleep to recover.<br />
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</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">We made our way from the hotel to the Musee Du Louvre, passing in front of the Hotel des Invalides, crossing the Seine River on the Point Alexandre III bridge, passing by the Grand Palais and Petit Palais (which we could not go in front of due to some police activity), viewing the Place de la Concorde Obilisque and finally entering the Jardin Des Tuileries to enjoy a coffee and hot chocolate (cafe creme and chocolate chaud) by the one of the pools. We enjoyed the greenery (just lounging outside enjoying the quiet time was wonderful for me), the sculptures and the colorful flowers. We entered though the underground mall entrance at 99 Rue de Rivoli to purchase a two day Museum Pass for 32 euros each, a pass that would get us into many (but not all) main attractions. After a little shopping at Sephora (: )), we entered the Louvre and followed Rick Steve's tour found in his Paris 2010 book which I highly recommend (get his free podcasts/MP3 audio tours from his website www.ricksteves.com or through the iTunes store).<br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">The Louvre houses one of the world's most important art collections and the building itself dates back to the 12th Century. It was occupied by many French kings, to include Louis XIII, XIV, XV and became a museum in 1793. <br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">First stop was Venus de Milo, then the Victory of Samothrace (winged woman), then the Mona Lisa... too much to see in one week much less a morning!<br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">From the Louvre we went to the Musee d'Orsay just across the Seine River. The museum was installed in the former Orsay railway station, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900 and displays collections of art from the period 1848 to 1914. <br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9hlCPVyzOD7izX9-F1kPGKavakG6-VYu1vk27lL2xUmeXrqxdx52FRi-6b0Ol1etf8Aq7bfal0JkGObJxBUh3TvPSQmdJ4XZyA7qYbNk3aBYzN0SQxLOs1Fou8TbcTRcsVuDrYErE0Y/s1600/Blog_Louvre+DSC_2407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404392709017611458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9hlCPVyzOD7izX9-F1kPGKavakG6-VYu1vk27lL2xUmeXrqxdx52FRi-6b0Ol1etf8Aq7bfal0JkGObJxBUh3TvPSQmdJ4XZyA7qYbNk3aBYzN0SQxLOs1Fou8TbcTRcsVuDrYErE0Y/s320/Blog_Louvre+DSC_2407.JPG" style="display: block; height: 213px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl26cn0SGQZCcca0ywPk1644XKKJRN4NRqYP2mHsRg3EuqEfyQIRDWLRyBPC2tY2oJxu2ugi2WmIaQeuMXhyphenhyphenktrHhu_5F5JRyIOMi9HGftSam9Npgyvv3QTRa8lsvoxvBGJ853-MSLco/s1600-h/Blog_Louvre_mom_DSC_2393.JPG">Outside the Louvre, enjoying the fresh air.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404359118624718354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl26cn0SGQZCcca0ywPk1644XKKJRN4NRqYP2mHsRg3EuqEfyQIRDWLRyBPC2tY2oJxu2ugi2WmIaQeuMXhyphenhyphenktrHhu_5F5JRyIOMi9HGftSam9Npgyvv3QTRa8lsvoxvBGJ853-MSLco/s320/Blog_Louvre_mom_DSC_2393.JPG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
Enter through the pyramid to start the tour.<br />
</a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkErs3hnDcTOl5jNTlBgQRG0yfmRcm1ejGOT4zVnKcEFPVIUL1q1MQghvgdQv395kyWBD8_0noourBf-NXP6nUUC4quoEKWUXmpo-Haj5QsKT08_xyoWPuLT8qwlodsEab7R9zQ3qAfc/s1600-h/Blog_Pyramid_Louvre_DSC_2525.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404359112742674514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkErs3hnDcTOl5jNTlBgQRG0yfmRcm1ejGOT4zVnKcEFPVIUL1q1MQghvgdQv395kyWBD8_0noourBf-NXP6nUUC4quoEKWUXmpo-Haj5QsKT08_xyoWPuLT8qwlodsEab7R9zQ3qAfc/s320/Blog_Pyramid_Louvre_DSC_2525.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Victory at Somothrace - the winged woman <br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWn-vOjPkan8vNw11n78zxt_xzuzcBky8Infx2w14F2j8CTVtSEdQ3yQrNohscawuohH9kCa8d99yvwYaJaVqQFcUvRjsQIQbEzaehBw_d3ubWVDSx2OTUIvlYeLLEG5pZlJJO1ilEiQ/s1600-h/Blog_winged+woman+_DSC_2437.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404341431410944450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWn-vOjPkan8vNw11n78zxt_xzuzcBky8Infx2w14F2j8CTVtSEdQ3yQrNohscawuohH9kCa8d99yvwYaJaVqQFcUvRjsQIQbEzaehBw_d3ubWVDSx2OTUIvlYeLLEG5pZlJJO1ilEiQ/s320/Blog_winged+woman+_DSC_2437.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a><br />
Venus de Milo<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF6jlLzF6HR8PxdpDEEX0eDA4XkOY5NgGvo_Thy4kd413rJ2YWas7t6LcuK0TK5UxWkghkIDFPEqpjobK38DcbRsNGKr9FVkNVC85TYYUdJMZs9-doJccwn1fALsyL5ankcxXBPWPA2I/s1600-h/Blog_milo_DSC_2415.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404341427627014994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF6jlLzF6HR8PxdpDEEX0eDA4XkOY5NgGvo_Thy4kd413rJ2YWas7t6LcuK0TK5UxWkghkIDFPEqpjobK38DcbRsNGKr9FVkNVC85TYYUdJMZs9-doJccwn1fALsyL5ankcxXBPWPA2I/s320/Blog_milo_DSC_2415.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 141px;" /></a> Mona Lisa <br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjNhFpU4kOH235j99ynDAr5Ncv0ydYe37cEBt8Ls_L8W7V-iCRKl6kkiGeC9U-OF1SBtwgBjhdTAn9itAe0ovFrcAaIpgnYxRrTWQ-sb4NuyFnEabyAnOToHAyZDiP8WMj9Rpwwf_1_Q/s1600-h/Blog_Mona+Lisa_DSC_2486.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404341427263700914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjNhFpU4kOH235j99ynDAr5Ncv0ydYe37cEBt8Ls_L8W7V-iCRKl6kkiGeC9U-OF1SBtwgBjhdTAn9itAe0ovFrcAaIpgnYxRrTWQ-sb4NuyFnEabyAnOToHAyZDiP8WMj9Rpwwf_1_Q/s320/Blog_Mona+Lisa_DSC_2486.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a><br />
Musee d Orsay<br />
<div><div><div><div align="center"><div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404277978128563890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iIDhnc4eO_sbI0AXkH40Vgr1uHfL6DjMFsLmjrlM_LW6QS5zpVXXE5gBd7V4uSZK6JIIEEmVjpkF4zWOwYwgBxKQ3TKl5uzDX9TGVbf94ts1XkePAxV0eSUHV7Jnb3AuFqcfGUAn9Cg/s320/Orsay_DSC_2615.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KlpmkJnJH7jZdbxKDAGXepLpyM__BfSmS2JCcEXLVTReUpdr7BUBEzSYYuA_5krNRgIQenu9VjJyzesQwpYYUbOampNtyOjHoA61NqYHwSGgt2WfEiOu7nqaIsn5H3k1wFToEA5qx3g/s1600-h/Orsay_DSC_2657.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404277972438107122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KlpmkJnJH7jZdbxKDAGXepLpyM__BfSmS2JCcEXLVTReUpdr7BUBEzSYYuA_5krNRgIQenu9VjJyzesQwpYYUbOampNtyOjHoA61NqYHwSGgt2WfEiOu7nqaIsn5H3k1wFToEA5qx3g/s320/Orsay_DSC_2657.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 206px;" /></a><br />
Mom & ??? (Need the Rick Steve's Book!)<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJvtscPnPwShFgU3SIuFF2d883MPNS5sksI2oqNsTJ1rgOPTRv9hrX-mjollTtCgvBMV-_4xllXIKF4ogaomh0Li6QOh7RuidFp2ISk9GO1czPqMbve84EdhAwG0NQCVyC39gCAnGiNM/s1600-h/Orsay_mom_DSC_2629.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404277971140722722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJvtscPnPwShFgU3SIuFF2d883MPNS5sksI2oqNsTJ1rgOPTRv9hrX-mjollTtCgvBMV-_4xllXIKF4ogaomh0Li6QOh7RuidFp2ISk9GO1czPqMbve84EdhAwG0NQCVyC39gCAnGiNM/s320/Orsay_mom_DSC_2629.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Me & Van Gogh<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbxJ4JwpB06JWsf_47WibDSPNfobSyQSoBk3ev7dU3YEnKE45GRy4LqxkHPzODbTSUIknmbyRALo9QNrQAe5TYo4cd-9F6uCPfZUDcwGGEOVvfjazu0MD0XXeowSepYoAg1tLtO477e0/s1600-h/Orsay_vangogh_me_DSC_2644.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404277962198911842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbxJ4JwpB06JWsf_47WibDSPNfobSyQSoBk3ev7dU3YEnKE45GRy4LqxkHPzODbTSUIknmbyRALo9QNrQAe5TYo4cd-9F6uCPfZUDcwGGEOVvfjazu0MD0XXeowSepYoAg1tLtO477e0/s320/Orsay_vangogh_me_DSC_2644.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Arc de Triomphe<br />
<div><div><div><div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404104068859579266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOTezzHquznM-POIcUgDPFXbAsUjX8zzyXW9u9Sajozxjk7RqqJ7nhNpVzQQ2ufMASAS2TdPokvW6K6FJSH42NLZys3wW0QVVPrdJs_p8Pebw5Jz50lXKmdh6IPsxfrJCf5B7ta_xbHU/s320/AdT_DSC_2267.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404104075755939714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgAHONCqnVB6lUpzhIY_9Mg__wF3deAAZAd5sNARWpvNEvL0RH0tttYSdOvgZyfLOv_eYRiWPDqMY7ofAqYIRN5Y0VLi2yjbfh4V72SkuKIy3xc8w9NFD-Wi8IYKRh0W3Qdg-6IEXxCg/s320/AdT_DSC_2266.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404318268166430818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZdhu69cgZNMN8WckhfGUHpYT-anXcKZI4Wii-1WTF25g4DlMW1aA8l3JRpPNBoUr6QhvtGNwGk6rw0OoMlyRiPd0E5qhkBxhm6AFDarm3zd4-dGKSy4P-Os1Fg7uab85C_ac8odYBOQ/s320/AdT_DSC_2977.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 314px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404318274258484306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinD6KbMGghVmqewyJqqIk6PnwxHLh2AsMp0B5cr9S_EixEcK4QL5Sp1q5uAWed65gNGtMcxOp1EQdVcKd99YyHBYWlXAoDBQWCeYodXFW8tgZJpuTvdasj6aGsOtnlzxtpyeItEE_GrgA/s320/Night+River+view_DSC_2983.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
Church near the Hotel (Invalides)... during the day...<br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404341436413444946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXxUmqGRzMw0cyQYIi6a45xtcb-nvo2xWeVZwCpPc95YYE5lpUaLHVpZ9mQG568251Czn6mVN-2Zw9L2sPvcx9afrfUGOVU5k-aD5Bi3iSXcNABYL5FAi4E-5Y2Wd6qyvqYfN6Nk2C-Q/s320/Basilica+near+hotel_DSC_2921.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 185px;" /> ...and at night.<br />
<div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILUni6r2aS4zu15sNLC-EhhffYABg8CKgdltcBKpvlH0DDbgoeIcyLJeTslC5NvY6bmHMUTY_iwhPgHY-A2i9outRajSDI36xknDT2btUx9Xw6IHJUSLb23sZR5jXDcYFjXMJswCcej8/s1600-h/Basilica+near+Hotel_DSC_2676.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404318254012065282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILUni6r2aS4zu15sNLC-EhhffYABg8CKgdltcBKpvlH0DDbgoeIcyLJeTslC5NvY6bmHMUTY_iwhPgHY-A2i9outRajSDI36xknDT2btUx9Xw6IHJUSLb23sZR5jXDcYFjXMJswCcej8/s320/Basilica+near+Hotel_DSC_2676.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a><br />
<div align="left">Day 3. <br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">We were up at 7AM, got ready and headed to the Metro Station hop on the train (30 minute ride) to Versailles arriving at 9:15AM. We toured the chatuae, walked through the garden and then the Grand Trianon. Loius XIV, XVI and Marie Antionette were the biggest stars... oh yeah... and Napoleon! <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We took a tram back the the chateau (our feet hurt!) then walke dto a ccafe for lunch. We were headed back to Paris on the train at 4PM. We walked in search of ice cream and finally found it then rested in the hotel before our eveining excursion to the Arc de Triomphe (AdT). We walked part of the way there from the hotel and then got on the Metro (our feet were still sore!) which stopped at the AdT. We got there at about 8PM and though my mom did not want to go up the 284 stairs (spiral staircase), she decided to do it and it was worth it. The view from the top was amazing. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We grabbed a sandwich to split on the way back to the hotel via the Metro and got home at 10:15PM. It was another long but very good day.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
Versaiilles<br />
<br />
<em>I am losing my patience with Blogspot... I havve to relaod these pics but it will take time... I may just post them on facebook! Frustrated!</em><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Day 4</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We woke at 8AM, got ready, checked mom in for her flight and paid for the hotel. We then headed to the LTour bus stop to hop on the open top bus for a short tour on the way to the Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle Cathedrals. The plan was to pay for the bus tour so that my mom could tour the rest of the city once I left for training in Fontainbleau. We took the bus to the churches but before visitng we stopped for breakfast. Both cathedrals were amazing. I love the stained glass windows. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After the cathedrals, the trip got a little hectic as the tour bus, which normally runs on a 20 minute schedule decided not to run as scheduled and I needed to get to the hotel to catch a bus to Fountainbleau... we ran and then caught a cab and arrived at the hotel just in time to run up to the room, get my bag and hop in the taxi as I needed to get to Fountainbleau for a Sunday afternoon Meet and Greet for the course I was taking. From that point my mom was on her own and she spent her afternoon on the tour bus to see the rest of Paris! <br />
</div><br />
<br />
Notre Dame Cathedral<br />
</div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17zNL5MGTBK2JfzJkiiphyphenhyphenLSSIwzbfQqOF_fjXEacKGUbQWhypBCSfrPNLfffTn4L4qFJAiLfe35KO1NqS0TRh3xkrVMjHC5P0xF1Kp9ArQGE27ZIoNYbDTsmz42q3BI4ttEliNs2CgQ/s1600-h/Notre+Dame+DSC_2987.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404271903363206226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17zNL5MGTBK2JfzJkiiphyphenhyphenLSSIwzbfQqOF_fjXEacKGUbQWhypBCSfrPNLfffTn4L4qFJAiLfe35KO1NqS0TRh3xkrVMjHC5P0xF1Kp9ArQGE27ZIoNYbDTsmz42q3BI4ttEliNs2CgQ/s320/Notre+Dame+DSC_2987.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a> Bored Gargoyle<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404277983591459730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a4leqMSnefxk7FTwELohA7bpJr3WqfYz6DILJ-K6vkX4lDzs1_Nzl3EeYYHwGMIY9Gox5TYnhlhS_8ThopA1xS0QZcOeVA4qcGa4mgwpSc93mddeIv6zdo2ClCRdgp5jsgT0SriF250/s320/Notre+Dame+gargoyle+DSC_3032.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 298px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
Mass in session (see the small man in green)<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404271897613304930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45vjuJB63x-U_vrJXFo5DQ5M3vxhs7cUgsBVZtVItuUOnLLk5S2hczsn9a3cVKCJWPrBz1uN8ZJj-AxxhzdjP6wGO1Yiahlg2_Y6nBU5Huk_2oa7eHpbDxOxnlUU-Vs7vJpQKhyTj-kM/s320/Notre+dame+DSC_3011.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 245px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
St.Chapelle Cathedral <br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgAZkhXbtaFFqLda1NMqz9Oc3Dp5IxCytYtH3kMuWP6v2Cbexegtjyuhxq_Vm3uDzADkyMJO_KpZEa8n_vqmY2vURXTbolNq9ksvtZ_W8eOTwlSNUfkGs82MexRREGUm7gzumEYW5reU/s1600-h/St+Chapelle+DSC_3054.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404240391086798930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgAZkhXbtaFFqLda1NMqz9Oc3Dp5IxCytYtH3kMuWP6v2Cbexegtjyuhxq_Vm3uDzADkyMJO_KpZEa8n_vqmY2vURXTbolNq9ksvtZ_W8eOTwlSNUfkGs82MexRREGUm7gzumEYW5reU/s320/St+Chapelle+DSC_3054.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 183px;" /></a><br />
St. Chapelle Cathedral<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW-_1jXLe2loq8VGs7JnuqLVtFu1llwL_KgL04hpFy9ZncjofnXoMUMw4r2740KTJILIq04LW2-ctzjiwHOOVz4szrsqPMkaBi1IeKCWhb_PqqDGZspo48gdbOTRtxyCGfwGq30v31dM/s1600-h/St+Chapelle+DSC_3055.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404240387672466322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW-_1jXLe2loq8VGs7JnuqLVtFu1llwL_KgL04hpFy9ZncjofnXoMUMw4r2740KTJILIq04LW2-ctzjiwHOOVz4szrsqPMkaBi1IeKCWhb_PqqDGZspo48gdbOTRtxyCGfwGq30v31dM/s320/St+Chapelle+DSC_3055.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404240394247785154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV0pNUuBMqG7VUOnAjWX2QhMhyjvGyXme4ajP3ussiqpzY3gjuAwi32WYXf2X_pKTv6ZSpCeomD223svn-YC-DjrohOb36SQkhGDfFMr8K7-zbk6SCOmnEnQzYeGJ8AfVf7m84Oyd3XU/s320/St+Chapelle+DSC_3044.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWq6dBIv264gduFIIaH4BB_pbD3wJ4TZqj68tcBTmQ7R0bubO5FuTp1IywR4EgT7ihmkphTimaEM4L6HnJd9044zjoFfJqpmPKorQbY6bG__U3VVMbE1ylIjZNGHQO8PfjYSAXos1ITw/s1600-h/St+Chapelle_DSC_3045.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404271918025100226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWq6dBIv264gduFIIaH4BB_pbD3wJ4TZqj68tcBTmQ7R0bubO5FuTp1IywR4EgT7ihmkphTimaEM4L6HnJd9044zjoFfJqpmPKorQbY6bG__U3VVMbE1ylIjZNGHQO8PfjYSAXos1ITw/s320/St+Chapelle_DSC_3045.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a><br />
</div></div><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FOCn3-1kU6CntFBvjX2-yhIX-mjZ5hJIOsieDeprcSVFfYqMY4Er33GQeO64SPMrNlwBNCpOqAb21HRvAhYiFXMKTJaufsu04x57-00awpQvrl6xdLwTRIFAmR8vnORq1LXjgw89gnU/s1600-h/St.+Chapelle_DSC_3050.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404271904479165714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FOCn3-1kU6CntFBvjX2-yhIX-mjZ5hJIOsieDeprcSVFfYqMY4Er33GQeO64SPMrNlwBNCpOqAb21HRvAhYiFXMKTJaufsu04x57-00awpQvrl6xdLwTRIFAmR8vnORq1LXjgw89gnU/s320/St.+Chapelle_DSC_3050.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div>I attended training in Fountainbleau, France, about an hour taxi ride from Paris. Here are some pics.<br />
Fountainbleau Chateau<br />
<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwAo8NM1qsD6ZrVxWu5W5BnUEn44yjDTMBa6noIVOTGvkf3OuiV22_dHhfWnHJ1dL94SjYDMy3hsZPYMHFqBHi7OCGScuN7WfTHzpkzNRszrlFoDNEh-sH6XHwwFCpOhznLsEiVP7DKY/s1600-h/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3105.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404037280507585714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwAo8NM1qsD6ZrVxWu5W5BnUEn44yjDTMBa6noIVOTGvkf3OuiV22_dHhfWnHJ1dL94SjYDMy3hsZPYMHFqBHi7OCGScuN7WfTHzpkzNRszrlFoDNEh-sH6XHwwFCpOhznLsEiVP7DKY/s320/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3105.JPG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404037264467344050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgJJOCeEl3a59oPmSJVGNTghyOsH-jvkSr0-AUL9PWVwQi_Ai6geVOEG6pN0aVgHYpgwm1L1Yn2RhyphenhyphenYEfufjGp8svOez9OByt8yVT8FEBpAu8cp78RxIqCLltH9WOfJLoY6DgswEQsgA/s320/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3081.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404037266822925378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGUzcEIh5-tph4fvsQYIn3xNGM4HvELpt6hNBjEJUBWbAbrtlQkdAbfSiYDRvXAKmOwZtwN_IMNGLCaM9bYB_1rjhBTEIm5gS9kw2IbrKI1VDW3ayQubZuaJVNwO66yODuvV5ZOSNwS8/s320/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3098.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCyITg2OUbKZSgENw2pTQghCseIC7qjfEnVugfXQiRbyluq0ogNff2AX0NQJxKWtKuUoplXlm1ThSv0v2kkn76fiMumwH6d0j-5XKpgCxIJpumbk0kO4-xOMtfbNLbpPSVuIIcFT7DJM/s1600-h/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3102.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404037277061402610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCyITg2OUbKZSgENw2pTQghCseIC7qjfEnVugfXQiRbyluq0ogNff2AX0NQJxKWtKuUoplXlm1ThSv0v2kkn76fiMumwH6d0j-5XKpgCxIJpumbk0kO4-xOMtfbNLbpPSVuIIcFT7DJM/s320/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3102.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBySV8vaQUx52O_kiJj9u5XmrnxcZXj_vN_O4eOk10iXVpcKBSntI5cQUW3K9VLLTY-d5GXgKXahwzBWy1NykHc5SSBE3M0oXWDuPuWjPQEBNKT9V6_wh21kuW8gopl397_Hndq5qGn4M/s1600-h/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3100.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404037273323552514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBySV8vaQUx52O_kiJj9u5XmrnxcZXj_vN_O4eOk10iXVpcKBSntI5cQUW3K9VLLTY-d5GXgKXahwzBWy1NykHc5SSBE3M0oXWDuPuWjPQEBNKT9V6_wh21kuW8gopl397_Hndq5qGn4M/s320/Fountainbleau+Chateau+DSC_3100.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-72512589231051612282009-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:002009-10-26T13:15:19.306-07:00Osogbo & IdanreWhile I was in Paris, Bob and some friends (Sharon, Jonathan, Dan, Lynn, Ilsa & Rob) went to Idanre and Osogbo, both places I have been in Nigeria while Bob was in Houston on business. I never posted on Osogbo but I did post on <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/02/weekend-in-idanre.html">Idanre.</a> Nigerian Field Society trips frequent these sights. See posts on <a href="http://www.nigerianfield.org/lagos_files/reports2008-osogbo.htm">Osogbo20081</a> and <a href="http://www.nigerianfield.org/lagos_files/reports2008-osogbo07.htm">Osogbo20082 (the trip I was on and I am pictured here)</a> and <a href="http://www.nigerianfield.org/lagos_files/reports2008-idanre.htm">Idanre 2008</a> and <a href="http://www.nigerianfield.org/lagos_files/reports2009-idanre.htm">Idanre 2009 (I was on this trip).</a><br /><br />This trip occurred over a 4 day weekend and included 1) Day 1 - a walk around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Osogbo's "Sacred Groves", 2) Day 2 - a hike to three waterfalls, 3) Day 3 - a tour of a cocoa factory followed by a hike in Idanre, and 4) Day 4 - hit the road and head back to Lagos.<br /><div align="center">Shrine</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397002421444469266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZtGBgPGwMfqUGqPmFQEvvW8FNDmrzkvVnkljT50i-c5JB264LPLhoZQjV8hd-4II7yaNckfC-4S6hE12k4NR4AO05pcD20bM8CCiOfVwQpPIqqbDxFWmFHwRdieufGrRPcZXK3h6yKA/s320/Osogbo_shrine_IMG_3690.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Three waterfalls<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397002429375803410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UVKJS3Hr2eUSWUQ0L7EQFWL9PP_6qppT5phOLkUKxOqrRw-pEaPpfeMtG2B2XeU_RZi4PLlK1fGjO0sPWz9h0EMuwp1g9hJOlEQi6GM4rmvvNJHPIWRKNQmgny4q5CEbPGHXhhDatIA/s320/Osogbo_waterfall_IMG_3719.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr405cKgk8uSD_Zi7tuxh4sBO56xM-59QQdHTnQxqppiRxl1kBOIbXLAqNLGEKZt_xTLhsMpMz_yOGepZcAc36lwhCSGspqzABzreDvu8S40jgZDAT401juVM5hVdhy7uemO1FTbS3dQ/s1600-h/Osogbo_waterfall_IMG_3720.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397002434193941186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr405cKgk8uSD_Zi7tuxh4sBO56xM-59QQdHTnQxqppiRxl1kBOIbXLAqNLGEKZt_xTLhsMpMz_yOGepZcAc36lwhCSGspqzABzreDvu8S40jgZDAT401juVM5hVdhy7uemO1FTbS3dQ/s320/Osogbo_waterfall_IMG_3720.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397002442462330546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6ts85-_KbqGNArj_nQVYK_B6lsO6pi8FBZFfFkWybzCZOXzeluqhU0ae6NFnYshZwIaDNH-M19-p4dY9smXFwIWFKnquPFMBgU7vcLKYmFn3bTX3UYTOcftrja-T07uIDSBOTkeQEiA/s320/Osogbo_Waterfall_IMG_3721.JPG" border="0" /> Idanre<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397002447481348402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPRDe2hLFQI07BwMTAQ0hvoqn073TPer1hW5ZNu1DKRr1ecvQQ0CnyP05gT3mMAJvJeBEJoY1dZ0E6n6dGcMLSlvkA9cd7YyHqWGU9stsxI0ZRQ60UpFwYJG-GsrZL3vgJnnGy8wnQyM/s320/Idanre_Bob_IMG_3727.JPG" border="0" /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-75747096982162055902009-09-22T13:00:00.000-07:002009-09-24T14:33:37.663-07:00Amazing Trip to Uganda - Overview & Outline<div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Relaxin</span>' on the Nile</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYAbthjkPUOWN1La9_qr4i_3Ahh-0ba0EUMukqEcBw2VI_1HTkjlUiwQpV0lZX1orauFkxdwgwMoJB9RqsZ9Uloki_rPBZ-pjaxtFATx_0uq8kDoYdoJVMCWe8N2vvDlq2I5IzIVvCFA/s1600-h/IMG_3662_Nile+Rafting_blog.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385137338525301906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYAbthjkPUOWN1La9_qr4i_3Ahh-0ba0EUMukqEcBw2VI_1HTkjlUiwQpV0lZX1orauFkxdwgwMoJB9RqsZ9Uloki_rPBZ-pjaxtFATx_0uq8kDoYdoJVMCWe8N2vvDlq2I5IzIVvCFA/s320/IMG_3662_Nile+Rafting_blog.JPG" border="0" /></a>Bob and me and friends Sharon & Jonathan spent 16 days travelling across Uganda visiting the many <a href="http://www.uwa.or.ug/parks.html">National Parks</a> for game viewing (TONS of hippos, elephants, antelope, water buffalo, zebra, giraffes, baboons, fish eagles, crested cranes, pied kingfisher birds and the occasional <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">leopard</span> and lion, on the ground and in the trees), primate viewing (gorillas and chimps), hiking up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Muhabura">Mt. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Muhavura</span></a> and straddling the Uganda/Rwanda border, and rafting Class 5 rapids on the river Nile.<br /><br /><br />We went with a rough itinerary and had only arranged our airline ticket, had rented a Prado through <a href="https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/byr/enGB/browseLocationsListView.jsp?country=UG&countryCode=UG&countryName=Uganda&city=Kampala%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&MANUAL_SEARCH=Y&locType=null">Hertz </a>(excellent service), purchased a gorilla permit for one day ($500/person) and had arranged for rafting with <a href="http://www.raftafrica.com/">Nile River Explorers</a>. Other than that we were flying by the seat of our pants! We brought all our camping gear and enough <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dehydrated</span> meals for half of the breakfasts and dinners as we did not know what to expect but we used very few as Uganda is very tourist friendly (peanut butter everywhere) and had plenty for us to eat.... in Africa you can never go wrong with an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">omelette</span>! Between the 4 of us we had 7 bags but I do know I used/wore everything I brought. We camped the majority of the nights except for those few nights where it rained and we had other options, prior to our tent poles bending during an afternoon storm at the end of our trip. There was a fair bit of driving (~2200km/~1350miles), which Bob and Jonathan shared. We used the primary <a href="http://www.bradtguides.com/details.asp?prodid=91">Uganda travel guide, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bradt</span> guide</a>.<br /><br />Here is our September itinerary:<br />4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> FRI Depart Lagos for Uganda<br />5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> SAT Arrive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Entebbe</span> 3PM and drive to <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Kampala">Kampala</a>, camp at Kampala Backpackers<br />6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> SUN Drive to <a href="http://www.uwa.or.ug/mburo.html">Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Mburo</span> NP</a>, camp near boat landing, surrounded by hippos<br />7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span> MON Drive to Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bunyonyi</span>, deal with flat tire, camp at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Kabela's</span> in a beautiful setting<br />8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">th</span> TUES Boat ride, visit pygmies, camp at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Kabela's</span> again<br />9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">th</span> WED Get new wheel & tire, fix 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">nd</span> flat and drive north to <a href="http://www.uwa.or.ug/bwindi.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Bwindi</span> NP</a>, stay in tented camp in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Ruhija</span> to ride out the storm<br />10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">th</span> THUR Track gorillas, drive south to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Kisoro</span>, to <a href="http://www.uwa.or.ug/mgahinga.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Mgahinga</span> NP</a>, camp at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Virunga</span> Hotel<br />11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">th</span> FRI Hike Mt. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Muhavura</span> (4127m) and straddle the border between Rwanda & Uganda, camp at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Virunga</span> Hotel<br />12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">th</span> SAT Drive north to <a href="http://www.uwa.or.ug/queen.html">Queen Elizabeth NP </a>to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Ishasha</span> section, safari drive, camp at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Ishasha</span> camp<br />13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">th</span> SUN Morning walking safari, afternoon safari drive to see the tree climbing lions, drive north near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Kazinga</span> Channel, spend $$ and stay at <a href="http://geolodgesafrica.com/jacana_safari_lodge.htm"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Jacana</span> Safari Lodge</a><br />14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">th</span> MON Track the Chimps in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Kyambura</span> Gorge, drive to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Kazinga</span> Channel for a 2 hr boat ride, camp in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Mweya</span> over the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Kazinga</span> Channel, another night surrounded by hippos<br />15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">th</span> TUES Morning safari drive, drive north towards <a href="http://www.uwa.or.ug/murchison.html">Murchison Falls NP</a>, but only make it to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Hoima</span> where we stayed in the <a href="http://www.traveluganda.co.ug/crownhotelhoima/">Crown Hotel </a>($25/night) which does not live up to the website description<br />16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">th</span> WED Drive to Murchison Falls NP, drove to the top of the falls, then took a 3 hr boat ride to the base of the falls, camp beside the <a href="http://geolodgesafrica.com/nile_safari_lodge.htm">Nile Safari Lodge</a> in their campsite and enjoy dinner at the lodge<br />17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">th</span> THUR Morning safari drive, afternoon boat ride through tent pole bending storm, camp<br />18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">th</span> FRI 3 hr drive south to Kampala, return car and get transport to <a href="http://www.redchillihideaway.com/facilities.htm">Red Chili Rest Camp</a><br />19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">th</span> SAT Get transport to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Jinja</span> for 2-day raft trip - Raft Class 5 rapids on the Nile River, camp at <a href="http://www.thehaven-uganda.com/">The Haven</a>, storm floods tents, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">accommodations</span> provided in nice cottages<br />20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">th</span> SUN Rafting and river boarding, transport back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Jinja</span>, camp/dorm at Explorers <a href="http://www.raftafrica.com/campsite.htm">campsite</a><br />21st MON Drive 3 hours to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Entebbe</span>, visit the Botanical Gardens, depart <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Entebbe</span> 5PM<br />22<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">nd</span> TUES Arrive Lagos Airport 5AM<br /><br />It was another amazing trip in Africa. I was very impressed at the organization within the parks run by the <a href="http://www.uwa.or.ug/about.html">Uganda Wildlife Authority</a>. Park entry fees were not cheap (~$30US per day) but I felt like the money actually went into the park.<br /><br />The details and pictures are still to come...Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-88441699309704658312009-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:002009-10-05T14:29:38.023-07:00Bug Bites No More...If you were always eaten alive by bugs when you were outslide, what would you do to minimize the bites? Would you have your boyfriend inject you with Vitamin B12? Would you take Prednisone (a steroid) while you were out in the woods and bring along a topical steroid cream to help minimize the itch if you did get bitten?<br /><br />I DID IT ALL when we went to Uganda! On our first trip to IITA here in Nigeria, I had over 100 bug bites all over my body and I was an itchy mess. I went to the clinic to get some topical cream to help control the itching. On another trip to IITA, I got about 65 bites when others had very few. I realized that others got bites but I just had a much more severe reaction to them.<br /><br />When I was in the US, I saw a doctor friend whose daughter had the same issue and was getting B12 injections for general health (all the girls in the office were) and it helped her on the bug bite front on a trip to Yosemite. I thought it was worth a shot (Ha!) and got a prescription and a few syringes and needles. Prednisone is not a medication that you want to be on for much time but I thought I would try it to see if it would help. I think it helped with my tendon tear too! Bonus! ; )<br /><br />OK... so I should be a bit better about bug spray but I hate the smell and feel of high DEET insect repellent. I did bring along repellent with Picaridin and it seemed to work on my legs, the primary place I applied it while in Uganda. <br /><br />Once a month Bob gets to give me an injection and I think he is getting used to it now after just two shots.<br /><br />Whatever it was, it worked. The B12 injections? The prednisone? The things we do for sanity!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-10564297042768412112009-08-27T12:33:00.000-07:002009-08-27T12:34:35.845-07:00See post for another bike ride on the Third Mainland BridgeClick <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/02/biking-third-mainland-bridge.html">here</a> to get to the post.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-80863848555834437382009-07-26T19:49:00.000-07:002009-08-25T12:03:26.034-07:00Wreck Beach... the ship is still there<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb_9nKnCC5cFM2oYKgkW4Kg8w_N8eKiL1CRDas4Vg_46n34pnA7gW4ETpZ-2mNKiDc8F0zQhGY3s8LU9xqmPrVvdQJMbtRBGFxUB7_NbTmHBidb4ujeds97JlkiZ9-EAx8g3sBbgPR9E/s1600-h/Slide1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373978263496038434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb_9nKnCC5cFM2oYKgkW4Kg8w_N8eKiL1CRDas4Vg_46n34pnA7gW4ETpZ-2mNKiDc8F0zQhGY3s8LU9xqmPrVvdQJMbtRBGFxUB7_NbTmHBidb4ujeds97JlkiZ9-EAx8g3sBbgPR9E/s320/Slide1.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373977836085627250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqXUyk9nukESqiIeCF-EoK1IZ6tGdwG5n_JT1AXzU_KpTND43LotC3KcusvZKDCr-oS300weMcEfqCAKRmys4qTlkJ7__geuITCmk8EjBlWSyudibz1TXaxIZRh8CgzaT0yT1h407yho/s320/Slide2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div>A post in April called <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/04/fate-of-wreck-beach.html">The Fate of Wreck Beach </a>was about the removal of the ship that has provided us good boogie boarding and surfing waves. I am aware of at least two companies that have funded the project - with A LOT of money - and I heard that the ship had been removed but the 'regulars' had to see it for themselves. We assumed the ship was gone so we just planned to stop by and see the place for the last time... or so we thought. The ship is still there. </div><div> </div><div>Here are a few pics of the ship and some of the people enjoying the time in front of the camera. Above are some of the powerpoint displays I prepared for management.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362783746980107298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCj3ysyHswXavZyB6FmUYo4isBcMq11jof8_S3tS7f8mGiMFtOt5tjjKcpuhNoRgGDwwduZUse821y7bFGsyEIXrsN6iAYjeX4K8D-p7ktS-FKIvVOGWFVK7TRiq4WkzOegyYUatg6ZBc/s320/DSC_0024.jpg" border="0" /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAQy94r2xy1CsVR6t5C90pM1CSOOGPflUTdu61gmC1FVLdvA0f9ulluPm6zHLXR6CwXv0XGnR1FHGpEc87Ki6035vyaXLMiQeyugcQgKlGEKPaNuVNnh6hZFISvWYT0pvmTQ8PtcA8OM/s1600-h/DSC_0026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362783751925247058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAQy94r2xy1CsVR6t5C90pM1CSOOGPflUTdu61gmC1FVLdvA0f9ulluPm6zHLXR6CwXv0XGnR1FHGpEc87Ki6035vyaXLMiQeyugcQgKlGEKPaNuVNnh6hZFISvWYT0pvmTQ8PtcA8OM/s320/DSC_0026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySXk5bChaX3Lfj60ROH-TfMf2DzrP7__ZFrDXkqA1A3ursoAO0uKL03WRLKPpS4ciEnILtSa2PaMoc4oJzQQ0Ckk6gqnGziqMNVvq817Vg9YknMe4WV2gsV2z6JBxU50UFayCXy4pfYI/s1600-h/DSC_0021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362783744358620626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySXk5bChaX3Lfj60ROH-TfMf2DzrP7__ZFrDXkqA1A3ursoAO0uKL03WRLKPpS4ciEnILtSa2PaMoc4oJzQQ0Ckk6gqnGziqMNVvq817Vg9YknMe4WV2gsV2z6JBxU50UFayCXy4pfYI/s320/DSC_0021.jpg" border="0" /></a> Thanks Mom, Silvia and Yolanda for giving me the clothes to donate here in Nigeria. I had a bunch in my air shipment (when I could have had Dr. Pepper - but I will get over it) and one 45lb piece of luggage. The people here received a small bag of clothes and they were very thankful.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362783754903353522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF4-ocUWOGCF77t4qDvTRqL3EjoCSCf3FlmcF2sUUd-pXf1W_lMKw8ERHyqX_oUQ7HBGqZXbADmlrO0L0vpxBwmBwq7kmm8UlqxRFEPWJke4SlmMsVJqcOGkC4g6PsSC8X3VYDzJwzLo/s320/DSC_0036.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362783759534828514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2mZzDajzjXkhESSfFy7un8liPnDrO1X_1WpRJpINMF4du0O644F4qU7d24Iao_W-n7qfYi4SN8aohiL_DZ69bYmDejYFxLeI95lKqleiiZR37_qylwFw79ffg3RNoQS0W1ouudTvnGU/s320/DSC_0039.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-25922768442432461382009-07-13T12:15:00.000-07:002009-07-13T12:37:53.512-07:00Africa by Toto, a remakein 1982, rock band Toto had a smash hit called Africa. I was 12! The song has been reinvented by Perpetuum Jazzile, a cappella jazz choir from Slovenia. It is amazing, especially the beginning. Check it out for yourself. Just click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3009">Song Facts</a>:<br />Some say the song is about:<br />"a man who comes to Africa and must make a decision about the girl who comes to see him. He is enamored with the country, but must leave if he is going to be with her"<br /><br />"a man living IN Africa who is waiting for the arrival of the woman he loves, who is coming TO him, on a plane, naturally (and that's why "she hears only whispers of a quiet conversation", as you usually do on board a commercial flight)"<br /><br />"a man going on a plane back to his beloved Africa. It talks about "she" coming in 12:30 flight. He is refering to the time the plane is coming in to take him away because he goes on in the same verse about the moonlight relecting the stars that guide him towards salvation, being Africa. He goes on to talk about an old man he meets. He wants to ask him about some ancient stories or songs and the man turns to him and gives him a look that says, hurry Africa is waiting. The chourus is about how, since he is going back to Africa, it would be almost impossible to drag him away again. Then he goes on to talk about the things he wants to do that he never took the time to do before when he was in Africa"<br /><br />What do you think?<br /><br />I remember this song playing at our <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2007/04/going-away-party.html">going away party</a>.<br /><br />Thanks for forwarding the link Marcia.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161769867686906756.post-91664004547618223992009-07-12T10:42:00.000-07:002009-08-25T12:05:17.232-07:00I got a Nikon camera, Love to take a photographWhile on vacation, I made the big purchase. I bought a digital SLR camera, the Nikon D90 with an 18-200mm lens. I decided to GO BIG as I was frustrated with some of the photos with the point and shoot, especially the <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2008/08/vacation-in-namibia-pictures-to-prove.html">Namibia </a>safari. The Canon SD800 worked great for most pictures and video, I felt I needed to step up, and, oh yeah, <a href="http://newhomeinlagos.blogspot.com/2009/04/nigeria-cameroon-route-and-fate-of-my.html">I ran over the Canon in Cameroon</a>, though it still works.<br /><br />Here are some reviews on the D90.<br />Ken Rockwell - <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90.htm">Nikon D90</a> - Thanks Peter!<br /><a href="http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d90-review/">DC Resource Review</a><br /><a href="http://www.dpreview.com/news/0808/08082702nikond90previewed.asp">DP Review</a><br /><br />First gripe: What the heck! Why is the battery charger 110V only.? Hello, don't most people like to travel out of 110V territory! Now I have to find one online.<br /><br />Any other websites or books you would recommend? I have lots to learn.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357631228633024834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EpVHOCOpwYJ19VFBFCBRE1B52MIg4wTJcwy6a3xVu02CibN6f73BfnskwVMDuzfl-RzJ9ze-2-1LBnV_5RilO3uQiLiul1rqFP_XzM2l2a-24sgVyUbTZWNRur7plcFOFj0Pf_SAxGo/s320/NikonD90.jog.jpg" border="0" />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916485126748419524noreply@blogger.com1