MANDROGY, RUSSIA

                            A Surprise Stop

Our final stop before St. Petersburg was Mandrogy.  This small area was not on the agenda/schedule, but Lake Onega  was still frozen over  and we couldn’t get to Kitzi Island.  In fact we had to lay-to and wait for an ice breaker to arrive to break up the ice for us to continue on our journey. That was a first!   So this stop was a surprise.

 A very cold wind blew on a cloudy misty day as we went ashore. The village is small but a guide took us on a walking tour and told us, “A good friend of President Putin bought this place and it is becoming an escape destination for the new rich Russian. This area is situated in deep dense forest.”

The wooden buildings were topped with steep metal roofs. Much wood carving was used as decoration. Some of the architecture was very unique, and I could definitely see a tourist flavor. The guide pointed out a building with decorated windows that she said was typically Russian.

The prices in the shops were astronomical and most prices were stated in Euros. Although Mandrogy isn’t on American agendas, it definitely is on European ones.

After warming up in one of the shops we walked down to a ferry landing where a hand turned cable ferry took us on a five-minute river crossing to Pushkin Island. Pushkin was a famous Russian poet of fairy tales. Walking a well-packed path through the woods we stopped every few yards to observe wood carvings illustrating a Pushkin fairy tales.

The misty rain abated, and it was most pleasant in the  little forest, as the trees  cut off all the wind. The entire circular walk took less than an hour and it was fun seeing all the wooden carvings and learning something about Pushkin. We even stopped to sit on the throne of one of his tales and of course took lots of pictures.

As soon as we left the little ferry again the wind hit us in the face. We headed for the vodka museum where 2600 different vodkas were displayed. I sampled the local Mandrogy vodka. I remarked, “I can’t believe I’ve been drinking vodka straight. This is quite good.” 

In Russia one does not just ask for vodka. One names his brand, as there are 4000 of them!

TWO KENYA VISITS

                                  Two Different Interesting Visits

Our first stop on a full day of Nairobi sightseeing was the Karen Blixen home. She was the main character in both the book and movie, Out of Africa. She bought and occupied this home in 1917. The outside of the home was in the movie, but the movie inside scenes were filmed elsewhere. Much of the original property has been sold. The grounds were lovely and contained some of the biggest cacti I’ve ever seen. Some stood thirty feet tall and measured fifteen feet in diameter!

            A docent on the grounds gave us a tour of the house and told us some of Karen Blixen’s story. Danish by birth, she lived in Africa from 1914-1931 returning to Denmark after her failed attempts of establishing a coffee plantation---neither the soil nor altitude were right to grow coffee. She wrote under the name of Isak Dinesen.

            Her home, now a national museum, has been restored and was an independence gift to Kenya from Denmark. There are some, notably the dining room table, original furniture. Floor to ceiling bookshelves dominate one room. She was a headstrong and wise woman. A Danish suitor visited her often for a few days at a time, but they never married. She had numerous medical problems, many of which were ill defined and leave many questions unanswered.

            On another day we saw the train at the railroad museum used in the film Out of Africa.

At an ostrich farm, a guide told us, “On this farm all eggs are incubated. The display behind me shows the gestation of an egg from two weeks to maturity. The ostrich is only ‘in season’ during September and October. A female will lay 10-15 eggs.

             “The male of this species makes a shallow nest in the ground about a meter wide. Several females will lay eggs in the same nest so a nest frequently can hold 45-50 eggs”

            This fact amazed me.

            An adult ostrich reaches maturity in three years and lives only about five years in the wild. An adult weighs 140-290 pounds and measures 6-9 feet tall. Being very sociable birds they get lonely if isolated. This stress alone can cause death. They are the largest bird in the world and mate for life. They are native to Africa and do well in arid and desert climates. They have very strong and powerful legs.

            The docent continued, “The shell of an ostrich egg is thick and tough enough to stand on. By the way one egg will make the equivalent of a 24-egg omelet.”

            A commercial ostrich market is emerging. The meat is gaining popularity because of its very low cholesterol content. Nearly all of the ostrich has a commercial use. The skin of course is used for leather goods. The feathers make fine dusters. The eye lashes   make   paint brushes.     The skeleton and nails are used for several things including piano keys. Because the ostrich can distinguish color, scientists are studying the use of the cornea for human transplant. 

THE BRITISH MUSEUM

                             Introduction to a Fabulous Museum

            On one visit to the British Museum we arrived on a Sunday a few minutes after opening. The first order of business was lunch in their restaurant. It was delicious and reasonable. The guidebook was right stating this was the place in London to have lunch.

            The British Museum, built in 1753, is the largest classical building in England and houses 90 galleries with 2 ½ miles of exhibits. It is the world’s oldest museum and displays an extraordinary collection of artifacts representing every aspect of international cultural history. Some of the most notable displays include the Elgin Marbles, Lindow Man, Rosetta Stone, and Egyptian Mummies.

            Sir Hans Sloane, a physician and collector, born in 1660, devoted his life to scientific enquiry. At his death in 1753 his collection numbered over 79,000 objects.  He wanted his things to be given to the government for all of mankind. A lottery was held to raise money to establish a museum. Montagu House, a 17^th century mansion, was purchased for that purpose and the British Museum opened to the public in January 1759 for ‘studious and curious persons’.

            The museum has never charged admission. The new museum collected enthusiastically and many items were donated including numerous items Captain Cook had collected on his voyages.

            The Rosetta Stone, acquired after Napoleon’s defeat in Egypt, is one of the museum’s greatest treasures. Dating back to 196 BC, this stone was found in a wall of a building about to be demolished in a place called Rosetta. A young army lieutenant realized it was important and saved it. It provided the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

            In 1816 the museum acquired the Elgin marbles. In 1799 Lord Elgin was appointed Ambassador to Constantinople. Concerned about the destruction of classical Greek ruins he assembled a team of artists to record what survived and later obtained permission to remove carved stone sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.  The sculptures arrived in London in 1802 where Elgin displayed them to the public.  Fourteen years later, in financial difficulties, he sold the marbles to the government who placed them in the museum.

            There is soooo much that can be said about the British Museum that this is just an introduction. It is huge and one can spend a very long time there. If possible it’s wise to take it in small doses over several visits. There is just so much to see, and don’t over look the fabulous book store. No matter what, it should be at the top of everyone’s to do list when visiting London.

            The British Museum is one of 300 museums in London, and one can’t visit them all, but the British Museum is a must see.

ONE FANTASTIC CAMPING VACATION

 Loafing on an Uninhabited Island-----No Way

In case you think we sunned on the beach all day, think again. We did new and fun things every day. Our homeport was the island of Espiritu Santo, in the Sea of Cortez. About  25 miles off the coast of La Paz, Mexico, it was a two and half hour boat ride from the mainland. We camped on a lovely large sandy beach.

Los Islotes is a large barren rock island that is actually a bird rookery and a roosting area for pelicans, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, and terns. A large colony of California sea lions also inhabit the island. The sea lions were so curious—they had a great time circling around, over, and under us. They often got close enough to touch if one’s reflexes were quick enough. They were all sizes and ages ranging in color from a light tan to almost black. And all the while it was like  swimming in an aquarium full of beautiful tropical fish including large schools of sergeant majors and king angle fish. We also saw several varieties of starfish, sea urchins, other sea animals and coral.  While we dried off in the boat we watched sally light-foot crabs scampering across the rocks entertaining us.

            We watched a huge school of dolphins playing at sea. We walked and studied tidal pools. The islands exhibit a typical southern Sonoran desert ecosystem, but the region is surprisingly rich in plant and animal abundance and diversity.

We hiked and had botany lessons on local plants. The Cardon cactus grew everywhere. A relative to the Saguaro cactus, it has many more arms (up to 40) which are more clustered at the base. Jojoba grew wild and has an interesting history. The long nose bat pollinates it.

Evidence of prehistoric Indian occupation is abundant throughout the larger islands. We swam in a salt pond. Another day we made an excursion a couple of gorges over and hiked inland about a quarter of a mile to a fresh-water well fully equipped with bucket and rope. What a treat to be able to shampoo our hair!

At dawn one morning a couple of fellows went fishing. Lucky for us they returned with a 25 pound Dorado, known as Mahi Mahi in other parts of the world. It was fascinating to watch the men fillet the fish. It was so quick! Sea gulls circled waiting for the fellow to finish. Sure enough, as soon as the guide walked up to the kitchen with the filets the gulls swooped in and in no time there was nothing left on the beach but bones. They too were fast!

We flew in and out of La Paz for a night on each end of the time spent on the island. Even though we had had a wonderful time in the middle of nowhere, on return it was wonderful to have a long  hot fresh water shower!

CANADIAN SURPRISES

                 Montreal

We noticed on our first meal in Montreal that fries were on everyone’s plate, no matter what the entre was, and we learned later in the week that mashed, baked or scalloped potatoes just are not served in this area. It’s French fries, and how they love ‘em!

Poutine, French fries with cheese curds and gravy, is a typical dish unique to Montreal. 

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After visiting a museum we walked back to Jacques Cartier (square) and down to the waterfront. We leisurely strolled along the street. A couple of gals, sitting at the sidewalk café of Pier Gabriel were enjoying a pitcher of a green drink.

Slowing down, I remarked, “That sure looks refreshing.”

“Let’s stop and find out what it is.”

Inside, the bartender said it was green sangria and explained all the ingredients, starting with white wine. We decided to give it a try. It was really good, but we agreed that sangria is red.

It’s like the blue and yellow candy canes. No. Candy canes are red and white! Sangria is red.

The drinks were tall, rather costly, so it took us awhile to drink them. But we enjoyed people watching and the respite before starting back to the hotel via Chinatown.

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                                        Quebec City

Wandering around the narrow alleyways of Quebec City we quite by accident came across the old stone house, Maison Chevalier. Built in 1752 by a ship owner, the classic French-style is typical of architecture of New France. The firewalls, chimneys, vaulted cellars, original wood beams and stone fireplaces were noteworthy. What a jewel this museum was and it was free. We chit chatted with a docent. The self-guided tour of life in the 17-18^th centuries was well displayed with simple explanations and labels. It was a pleasant find and delightful surprise.

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The staircases are ubiquitous to Quebec City--a reminder of the city’s past,. Upper Town was the home of dignitaries, religious and political leaders, where Lower Town contains the oldest neighborhood in North America. Once crowded with traders, workers and the disenfranchised, now it is a delightful restored smart shopping and historical area.

The Escalier Casse-Cou, also known as the Breakneck staircase, is the first staircase, built in 1893. The 170 steps are built on the site of the original 17^th century stairway that linked Upper with Lower Towns. Today shops and cafés can be found at various levels of the staircase..