#tiny beast spotted at local museum

[xx-k1tsun3-k1d-xx]

you should all see him btw

[nottivaghes]

FULL NAME: Cassandra Rosalind Hawthorne SPECIES: Witch AGE: 39 BIRTHDAY: December 12th GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis-woman she & her FACECLAIM: Janet Montgomery OCCUPATION: Head Librarian at the James Family Library (Coven Elder in training)

CHARACTER INSPIRATION: Morrigan (Dragon Age Origins), Prince Zuko (ATLA) Rosa Diaz (Brooklynn 99), Yennefer of Vengerberg (The Witcher), Tasha Ozera (The Vampire Diaries), Morgana (Merlin), Claudia (Dragon Prince)

Cassandra makes you think of... black lace laid with tiny pearls, lilac & gooseberry perfume lingering in a hallway, biting your tongue so hard it bleeds, elderberry wine, a frosted over window pane, the scent of old parchment and the leafing of pages, the long night of the winter solstice, eyes rolling back in your head, a silver pendant against a racing pulse, hatred sewn in every line of your brow, warm wild berry pie on samhain morning, chant-casting for so long you lose your voice, walking barefoot into a lake at midnight, feeling so hungry you could devour the world whole.

And it's my whole heart weighed and measured inside, and it's an old scar trying to bleach it out.

The old house up on Hawthorne hill has a folklore all its own. The elements-stained stone statues seem to be weeping in the sprawling garden, ravens sit vigil atop the lilting stone walls behind the vast metal gates. A historic house, fallen somewhat into disrepair, perches atop the hill like a gnarled beast daring human teenagers to wander up its winding path to touch the terrifying brass hobgoblin doorknocker, fangs and serpentine tongue included.

A witch lives there, they say, it's a witches house. Wryly to herself Casssandra thinks: The witch's house. The Hawthornes have been in town as long as anyone can remember, including the first rise and fall of Brant Hacke, they have several relics from the war that are in prized cases in dark woods giving the air of a museum, deep in the bowels of the house that eats you up in its labyrinthine corridors.

The matriarch resides in the West Wing, ground floor, as the stairs are a thing long past for her. Dianthe, a guardian, 96 years old and blind... in the scientific sense. Though Cassandra would swear her grandmother were lying The Hawthornes were said to be descended from the Brahan Seer, there sits a hagstone pendant around Cassandra's neck. Dianthe can see people as clear as day, or what she says are their auras, though she goes tight-lipped when Cassandra asks what hers looks like.

Dianthe never has a kind word to say about her granddaughter and orders her around like a servant.

Unbenkownst to those bar the most unfortunate of intruders upon the house Dianthe is quite paranoid and there are magical and non-magical traps all around. The portraits will snitch on you and doors will jam you inside of rooms, plus the literal pitfalls of the areas where the floorboards have rotted away in spots.

There is a large greenhouse vivarium at the very centre of the house where the family keeps poisonous and venomous animals whilst also growing exotic plants for spells.

The vampires have their version of events and the Hawthornes keep theirs. A huge tome, inset with an eye with a trap set to immolate any vampire it sees. She loathes and is drawn to vampires in equal measure, absolutely fascinated by them as she has been conditioned to respond with disgust. Almost the entire family was decimated during the war aside from two survivors, though local legend reports they made an equally devastating blow to the vampire ranks.

Three days ago in the family crypt, Cassandra discovered books of blood magic, hundreds of years old and kept by her family to this day. Every spell requiring a devastating cost on a sole caster... or a proxy. Then it clicked, that's why the family had been suffering so much in recent years, they'd been doing sacrifices to ensure prosperity and Dianthe was too ill to carry it on without involving other coven members. Or Cassandra. Is that what awaited her in a few short months when she became an elder?

To be burdened with such a curse, even by a guardian who had the secrets of the universe and as such, knew better and were always above reproach.

She couldn't... could she?

And it's my whole heart: deemed and delivered a crime. I'm on trial, waiting 'til the beat comes out.

Cassandra was an only child to a mother who left the Cove to teach History at Oxford, causing a bristling scandal amongst the coven ranks and besmirching the Hawthorne name forever. Cassandra is still paying for this of course. Her father was a very minor noble in England who never had a job or an interest in her but a bottomless wallet in exchange.

Cassandra herself taught History at Crestle Cove High for six years. Age 25-31. Known to be stern and sometimes cold, she had a reputation for being extremely fair.

Raised by her slightly unhinged grandmother in the middle of the woods, her grandfather lived until she was fifteen but all he ever did was read the newspaper and mind his own business or give her a slightly linty toffee candy now and then.

A bit of a revolutionary in the coven, caused some problems by having ideas 15 years ago when she was young and naïve about how things should be done and that tradition sometimes had to evolve. Cassandra has nary spoken up once since.

She isn't actively planning a coup but...

In recent months Cassandra has started dreamwalking. She can't control it at all and it feels akin to sleep paralysis yet as tiring as being awake, she feels as though she never sleeps. All she does is very slowly float on random paths around the town with no direction or pattern in the dark, confirmed when she saw a tourist's car had dented a lamppost during the night and it was damaged in the same way when she walked down there that morning. It's probably just vivid deja vu... deja vu that gives her nosebleeds every time she wakes up.

Who's a heretic, child? Can you make it stick, now?

[evolutionsvoid]

Despite sharing a similar common name, the Gnarled Gorgon is not a creature that is related to the snake-like gorgons. Rather it is a different species from a completely different branch of animal life that has only been compared to each other due to their appearance, reputation and supposed "powers." To further add to their "monstrous" nature, the Gnarled Gorgons live in one of harshest environments you can find: alkaline lakes. For those who are not aware, alkaline lakes are bodies of water that boast high levels of salt and alkaline to the point where they have become toxic. The water is caustic to the touch and, in some regions, boiling hot. This is caused by hot springs feeding into the lake, making the water body like a witch's cauldron. To many creatures, these lakes are dangerous and deadly. That goes for people like you and me! Best not to take a dip in a place like this! Now while many folk have labeled such habitats as places of death, this is not true. Yes, we would find such a land inhospitable, but many specialized species have found a way to call these caustic waters home. In fact, some may argue that these toxic lakes potentially host more life than regular ones! Many birds, insects, crustaceans, fish and other animals reap the benefits that come from such a land, and the Gnarled Gorgon is one of them. Unless you have seen a preserved specimen in a museum or collection, the Gnarled Gorgon is a hard creature to interpret. When viewed in the wild, they appear as twisted piles of roots and branches that are half submerged in the toxic waters (for good reason). Even if you were to watch it in action, you would still have a hard time making out head from tail. In reality, Gnarled Gorgons are large worm-like creatures, with most of their lower bodies long, limbless and prehensile. Near their heads is where things get crazy, as rings of branching tendrils erupt from their bodies, all surrounding a cage-like orifice that serves as their eye. These tentacles are extremely long and branch into multiple twisted appendages. They bear a resemblance to roots, and each part of them is prehensile and strong. In the center of this mess is their "eye," which bears a protective covering that looks much like a cage. Behind this are multiple glowing eyes that peer from far back. Set below this orifice are two smaller tendrils that are tipped with piercing fangs. These limbs are often missed in the tangle of tentacles, but they serve as its mouth. Though fang-like, they are actually proboscises that jab into prey and drain them of fluids. With no chewing mouthparts, they rely solely on a liquid diet and will discard the carcass when dry. Along their serpentine body are dozens of knobby growths that emerge from their back. These are not limbs, but merely bony protrusions that help disguise its body as it rests in the boiling waters.         Since I mentioned that they appear as tangles of roots and branches in the water, you probably already guessed that this species hunts their prey through ambush. This is correct, as they prefer the "sit-and-wait" style of hunting! Immune to the toxic waters, they spend most of their lives wallowing in the shallows, where their gnarled heads poke from the surface and their lower halves hide in the murky fluid. By coiling up their facial tendrils and sitting perfectly still, they look like piles of dead vegetation that are sitting in the lake. When prey approaches, they shall burst forward and swarm them with dozens of wrapping limbs. Prey is snared and constricted, while the dual proboscises get to work. A paralytic venom helps stop the thrashing of the victim while the gorgon feeds, and they will soon perish from blood loss. When its meal is done, the body is tossed away and the Gnarled Gorgon will put some distance between itself and the corpse. You don't want to give away your position by sitting around a floating pile of bodies! Now I can already imagine that this sounds horrifying to many people. No doubt there are folks out there who are now swearing never to go near one of these accursed lakes. Before you cancel your travel plans, though, let me tell you that Gnarled Gorgons are not as dangerous as people make them out to be. While the stories and tales beef them up as monstrous and ruthless beasts, these creatures are actually not that big of a threat. An important thing to note about this species is that the main staple of their diet is birds. They feed primarily upon these feathery fliers and will rarely go after anything bigger. One of the reasons they disguise themselves as twisted vegetation is because most birds are not immune to the toxic waters (save for the local phoenixes and other like species). With the plethora of insects and crustaceans that live in these waters though, many avian species do not wish to miss out on such a buffet. So when they wish to feed at the lakes, they will often rest on the shores and structures that protrude from the water. When one of these birds alights on the limb of a gorgon, it shall snare them in its grip and dine. Other possible food sources are fish and small crustaceans, who are caught when they seek shelter in its limbs. In very few cases will the Gnarled Gorgon go after big prey.  Creatures like Stilted Sifters are much too big and bulky to take down, and they prefer to flee from anything that is bigger than an average human. Now that is not to say that Gnarled Gorgons haven't fed on people or like creatures before. I am sure a freak accident happened before where a human became lunch, but it is incredibly rare (mainly because it relies on some person rowing up to one of these creatures and shoving their head right into its tentacles. Unlikely but sadly not impossible). I mean think of how many people have been killed by cows, and every farmer still raises entire herds of them without a care. 

In terms of reproduction, Gnarled Gorgons are hermaphroditic. During the breeding season, they shall seek out nearby mates and undergo a ceremony that involves a lot of writhing and wrapping. Both shall carry eggs and they will seek out structures that stick out of the caustic waters. The eggs are laid upon these dry spots and the gorgon shall rest besides them. This is to help protect the eggs from predators, but also to catch some extra food when birds inevitably arrive to feed upon the squishy orbs. When the young hatch, they shall drop into the water and live out their larval stage as aquatic swimmers. Many of these tiny critters are eaten by fish and crustaceans, but a few will survive long enough to grow big and strong like their parents. As I pointed out during my section about their diet, Gnarled Gorgons are creatures that people often fear and spin terrible legends about. Their appearance is indeed off putting, and the place they call home adds to their demonic image. You will definitely find tales, songs and paintings that show a writhing monstrous beasts emerging from clouds of steam and waves of acid (though its alkaline, not acid, but that doesn't sound as cool). I am sure this species has inspired quite a few prophecies and tales of doom with an image like that. Their "gorgon" name adds to the terror, as everyone knows the stories about the snake-haired creatures that turn men to stone. With a serpent-like lower body and a head made of wriggling growths, they clearly give folk that impression. To further solidify this belief is the idea that Gnarled Gorgons "petrify" their prey. If you ever visit an alkaline lake that sports this species, you may find peculiar carcasses washed up on the shores. The bodies of birds, bats and other critters will be gray and frozen, as if their flesh had turned to stone. They shall be desiccated and perfectly preserved as if they were statues. People say that this is what happens to those who the gorgon feeds on, as it grabs them and exposes them to its alien eyes. While the gaze of this gorgon doesn't turn people to stone, they are in fact the cause of these corpses. When the gorgon feeds, it fills them with venom and sucks them dry. The body is then discarded into the water, right into a soup of salt and chemicals. With the high salinity, these bodies become encrusted and the presence of venom in their dried bodies causes a strange reaction. What results is the formation of a strange crust that petrifies the body, giving the frozen appearance. At first it will be a muddle of murky colors, but when washed ashore, the crust will be bleached by the sun. The result is the famous stony appearance that captures the last moments of life for these deceased creatures. Their presence on the shores have given rise to the legends of the Gnarled Gorgons, and they have also become morbid pieces that collectors quite enjoy. In the end, though, these carcasses are only a result of it eating, which shouldn't be vilified or despised. We all have to eat sometime! And of course there are words about people perishing to these Gnarled Gorgons, but most of these are actually accidental. In most cases, someone will row out into the toxic lake for fishing or travel and wind up running into a hiding gorgon. When they get close, the creature will panic and flee, which causes quite the ruckus and frenzy. The writhing limbs and violent movements often terrify the boater and cause them to tip during their panic. At that point, the toxic water will do them in, as it eats away at skin and poisons their insides. Even if they get back into the boat quickly, they must return to shore for medical attention before it is too late. Sadly, most victims arrive in unsalvageable conditions and they will soon perish. Their deaths mixed with the appearance of a struggle from afar makes many blame the gorgon for their demise. This is quite unfortunate to all involved, but people must understand that accidents do happen. Thankfully, the toxic habitat of the Gnarled Gorgon prevents their species from seeing much of a comeuppance, as many are not eager to wade into boiling waters for vengeance.   Chlora Myron Dryad Natural Historian     -------------------------------------------------------- Here is a gorgon creature that I made for this fantasy world as a sort of apology for my blander looking gorgons. I wanted to go crazy and monstrous with this one. This design was inspired by the medusa from The Medusa vs. the Son of Hercules, which is by far one of the best interpretations of the monster I have ever seen. The other inspiration behind this creature are the photos of animal carcasses that have washed up from alkaline lakes (specifically Natron). Due to the pictures being taken in black and white, the corpses appear stone-like and petrified, which I thought was perfect for the gorgon myth.  

[travelcenter-uk]

A Mesmerising Guide to the Beautiful Islands of the Philippines

Are you looking for a destination that would keep you mesmerized all through your trip, well then the beautiful islands of the Philippines are just what you’re searching for.

The Philippines is a charming island nation in Southeast Asia. Scattered across the western Pacific Ocean are 7,000-plus islands, each providing their own distinctive charm – from volcano hiking adventures to genuine Filipino homestays and diving extravaganzas.

Spend your days relaxing on immaculate beaches, sipping on coconuts, and snorkelling and diving in crystal-clear water around amazing coral reefs. Whatever kind of holiday you’re searching for, adventurous or relaxed, you’ll find it when you travel to the Philippines.

Holidays in Manila

The hectic metropolis of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a thrilling and lively city. It’s also one of the most heavily inhabited cities in the world, home to nearly 13 million people. The roads are packed night and day. Manila is an undervalued centre for art and culture, with a distinctive heritage of Chinese, Spanish, and American impacts in architecture, food, and traditions.

Manila’s label, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, couldn’t be more suitable – its unattractive shell divulges its jewel only to those determined enough to inquire. Other than for exceptional sightseeing, travellers who put in the effort will find its innovative soul – from edgy galleries to an energetic indie music scene. Incorporate this with a liking for speakeasy bars, artisan markets and single-origin coffees, and it’s clear to see that Manila is not just one of Asia’s most undervalued metropolises, but one of its coolest.

Things to do in Manila

Travel Back in Time at Intramuros

Intramuros, or the ‘Walled City’, is one of the oldest regions of Manila, constructed on the south embankment of the Pasig River in 1571. It was made by the Spaniards – more precisely by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi – and is restrained on all sides by ditches and thick, tall walls, with some around 6 metres high. Inside the massive walled compound of Intramuros lie 51 blocks, covering an entire section of around 66 hectares. There are 7 secured entryways around the walls, allowing access in or out of the city. The moat was added to the chief structure during 1603, 32 years after the city was constructed.

Visit Rizal Park

The Rizal Monument is a famous memorial that you will find in Rizal Park it was built to commemorate the executed Filipino nationalist, José Rizal. The monument consists of a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal.

Rizal Park is a 60-hectare sanctuary of greenery and blooms located in Manila’s hectic financial and commercial region. This urban park has gardens, a 3D map of the Philippines, picnic grounds, a grand arena, an open-air concert hall, and plenty more. You could take your own food and drinks, pull out a mat and relish a nice picnic. At noon, when the sun is at its highest, there are wooded spaces and sheltered gardens you can get away to, like the Chinese and Japanese Gardens.  

Explore the National Museum Complex

This Museum has numerous divisions incorporated in National Museum trips: Art, Anthropology, Natural History, and Planetarium. All are in the same building compound and is made up of long-lasting collections representing the many aspects of art, culture, and history of the country. Joining a National Museum tour would take you around the best of the museums in the region.

Have a Food Trip at Binondo

Binondo is an active and ancient Manila site. It was established during 1594 and is believed to be the world’s first Chinatown. Like the other Chinatowns, modern Binondo trips are enjoyable as the town is made with tight and colourful alleys.

Enjoy The Manila Ocean Park

This is one of the most exceptional adventures in the metropolis and one of the top things to do for families touring the city. Get interactive with aquatic life with the Sharks and Rays Encounter, Trails to Antarctica, or the fish spa where fish cleanse your feet in a tiny pool of water. The park effortlessly fills numerous hours based on how many experiences you try. Other than the ultramodern aquatic facility, you will see displays of birds and other animals too.

Holidays to Boracay

One of the most famous tourist destinations in the Visayas, 350 kilometres south of Manila, is the paradise island of Boracay. This island is a charming retreat for honeymooners, a bucket list destination for kite surfers, and a dream come true for everyone in-between. There are 13 beaches on Boracay, each one more gorgeous than the next. The two leading beaches- White Beach and Bulabog Beach- are divided by a 1-kilometre path with shopping, restaurants, and hotels. You’ll never run out of thrilling things to do in Boracay, from swimming, island-hopping, diving, snorkelling, parasailing, kayaking, dining and parties.

Things to do in Boracay

Try Kitesurfing in Boracay

If you’re new to kiteboarding and want to try it out, numerous schools in the region help beginners and also more qualified kiteboarding tourists as well.

Relaxing Spa

The island is also famous for its range of spas and massage parlours, so you’ll have lots of choices for calming your body and mind in a deep massage session as well. There are places suitable for every pocket here, from inexpensive ones like the massage stations around White Beach to exclusive spas like Mandala Spa.

Explore White Beach

In the middle of Boracay’s international prominence is White Beach, an extensive 4-kilometre beachfront bordered with resorts, hotels, and restaurants. White Beach is Boracay’s leading tourist appeal and naturally the most crowded region since the most famous activity on the island is the Boracay sightseeing beach trip. Apart from the obvious charm of the stunning white sand and twinkling blue waters, everything you require is a short distance away from White Beach.

See Flying Foxes at Puka Beach

Titled after the puka shells that bordered its shores in the past, Puka Beach has somewhat coarse sand compared to White Beach. Looking above the beach is a green forest on a cliff; there are also significantly fewer establishments on the beachfront. Located on the northernmost point of Boracay Island, Puka Beach is a 20-minute tricycle trip away from White Beach. Puka Beach is also the place to be if you want to get a look at Boracay’s flying foxes. The migration of these impressive fruit bats is a sight to see.

See Marine Life

One of the extremely endorsed activities in Boracay is to go underwater and view its vibrant marine life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner wanting to experience diving into the waters, or an expert diver wanting to get a deeper look at the abundant corals. You’ll certainly have a brilliant encounter with the numerous Boracay diving lessons and pursuits available frequently.

The total flight duration from Boracay to Cebu City, Philippines is 51 minutes.

Holidays to Cebu

When it comes to tourist locations in the Philippines, nothing is as varied as Cebu, the Queen City of the South, and the most ancient city in the country. Outside of Luzon, it’s one of the exceedingly urbanized cities in the country nearby the capital Manila. Cebu has some of the top beaches in the Philippines. It is also home to a range of historical, cultural, and religious spots that you could visit.

Cebu also nestles remarkable aquatic life ideal for diving. Divers travel to Cebu diving locations such as Malapascua to swim with thresher sharks. Thresher sharks could be seen frequently around the waters of Malapascua Island. In the waters of Moalboal, you will be able to swim with millions of sardines creating bait balls underwater. There are also numerous waterfalls in Cebu, the most famous one being Kawasan Falls in Badian.

Things to do in Cebu

Tour the Cebu Heritage Monument

With centuries filled with raids, battles, and rebellions, Cebu is a city with tales to tell. Visit Cebu Heritage Monument for a summary. Constructed with dark stone and bricks, the construction is a twisted sculpture of ships, churches, crosses, and main historical figures that are as mysterious as they are captivating. With years of history and stories, think about getting a guide before you go or taking ones offer when you arrive.

Explore Colon Street

A trip to Cebu isn’t complete without a stroll down Colon Street. While at the first look, this disintegrating expanse of sidewalk might seem dull but come a little closer and you’ll find that there is plenty to see, do and taste. Bordered with markets selling vibrant backpacks, jewellery, clothing, and shoes, this street makes for a brilliant place to purchase your mementoes. Don’t be afraid to take part in some pleasant bargaining with smiling vendors. You could try tasty street food, associate with the natives, and take some breathtaking pictures on Colon Street.

Travel back in time at 1730 Jesuit House

You wouldn’t expect such an unforgettable encounter to start in a hardware store, but it will. Walking inside the 1730 Jesuit House feels like travelling 100 years back through history. The 1730 Jesuit House is a local project that aims to conserve one of Cebu’s ancient sites. This historic house has endured typhoons, earthquakes, and foreign raids, yet still stands to tell the tale. Your tour guide would take you across an hour-long trip while showing you refurbishment labours, together with artefacts and antiques which include cameras, carvings, furniture and also a 100-year-old cedar chest that still offers a beautiful aroma.

Dive with Whale Sharks

The largest fish in the world are directly off the coast of the Philippines. Although they are known as “sharks”, these gentle beasts are far from what you might imagine. These specific Whale Sharks are thought to be wild, but instead of migrating to warmer waters for portions of the year, they stick around as the fishermen continue to feed them. That means this encounter is available no matter what time of the year you visit.

Visit the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary

Nature fans come hither! There is a butterfly preserve in Cebu where you could stroll through a small rainforest filled with tropical plants and flowers with stunning butterflies flying all around. Keep your camera out just in case one decides to land on your nose for a selfie. The Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary has a remarkable collection of butterfly specimen covered in glass that shows just how varied the butterfly family truly is. Take some cash as there is a tiny entrance fee, but it goes towards a delightful cause.

The average direct flight from Cebu City to Palawan is 1 hour and 27 minutes.

Holidays to Palawan

Nothing describes Palawan more than the water surrounding it. With landscapes, the equal of any in Southeast Asia, and terrestrial and marine wildlife, the Philippines’ most sparsely inhabited area is also the most enticing. Because of the outline of its chief island – a long sliver extending 650km to Borneo – there’s a certain redeeming reason to travel here.  

Despite becoming something of a travel-media darling in current years, Thailand–type tourist’s crowds have yet to arrive and the chief island’s Amazonian inland remains fairly untouched. That said, the northern towns of El Nido and Coron – base camps for adventures in the Bacuit Archipelago and Calamian Islands, individually – are beginning to entice huge crowds in the high season.

Not to fear: courageous travellers who travel outside those two hubs have numerous places to choose from in their search for that ideal paradise.

Things to do in Palawan

Island Hop in Honda Bay

45-minutes from the capital of Palawan, Honda bay provides an island hopping tour that would make all of your holiday dreams come true.

You’ll tour Pandan Island, Cowrie Island, Luli Island, Starfish Island, and Verde Island where the popular Dos Palmas resort is situated. All of these islands provide out-of-this-world white sand beaches with turquoise water so stunning that you may get a little emotional. You could spend the entire day island hopping in Honda Bay where you’ll have the chance to snorkel, explore the interior part of the islands, and splash about in the water.

Visit the Beaches of El Nido

Some of the most stunning beaches in the whole world could be found in the north of Palawan in the district of El Nido. Every beach is more gorgeous than the next with white powdery sand, turquoise water, and many encircled by exceptional towering limestone cliffs.

Visit Secret Beach is hidden away in a concealed cove, Nacpan Beach which is 4-kilometres of smooth sand and coconut trees, Pangalusian Beach that seems like a postcard, Las Cabanas Beach with warm water ideal for swimming, and the list goes on.

Scuba Diving in El Nido

If you think what you’re seeing above ground is incredible, dive underwater in Bacuit Bay.

It’s no shock that dive locations around El Nido are wealthy in marine life and exciting topography which include a 50-metre underwater cliff and a 12-metre underwater tunnel. Expect to see animals like spotted Mata Rays and mature green sea turtles. Take a night dive and you’ll see even more mysterious creatures like seahorses, shrimp and catsharks. You could take any of the diving lessons here for pretty decent prices.

Try out Ugong Rock Adventures

Ugong Rock is a natural creation just north of Puerto Princessa that is stunning, wild and makes a hilarious noise when you tap it. Crawl in and out of rock caves with spelunking, hike up to the Zipline as it hurls you across the jungle at high speeds, and hike across the jungle on some planned paths that lead to unbelievable sights.

Explore the Underground River

At 8.2 kilometres of twisting water, this is one of the lengthiest underground rivers in the world! Officially branded the ‘7th New Wonder of the Natural World’, the underground river in Palawan is a must-do.

You’ll take a brief trek across the jungle where monkeys would come out and request for snacks, and then you’ll reach tiny boats at the mouth of the cave. Climb in and you’ll paddle together across complex cave tunnels with hanging bats and tranquil waters. You’ll learn all about the formations from your pleasant guide as you go.

Must-Try Dishes in the Philippines

Adobo

Now this is one of my favourite dishes from the Philippines, I’ve had it and it’s delicious. Adobo is frequently known as the national dish of the Philippines and it’s surely the most popular Filipino dish. The flavour is made using vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. Also, chilli peppers are sometimes added to give it a little zing. The most classic adobo dishes are chicken and pork but you’ll find every restaurant in the Philippines has its own take.

Balut: The Filipino Kinder surprise

Balut is a developing duck embryo boiled and eaten as a snack in the shell, frequently offered with a splash of vinegar. This is certainly one of the most popular street foods to try in the Philippines and the strangest I’ve ever tried!

Kare Kare: oxtail stew

Kare-Kare is a heavy stew created with oxtail, vegetables, and a peanut sauce. It reminded me of a bit of massaman curry from Thailand which makes sense as the word ‘kare’ is taken from the Filipino word for a curry.  The best kare-kare comes from Pampanga which is just north of Manila, but you’ll find this dish served all around the Philippines.

Safety Tips for Travelling in the Philippines

Tricycles and pedicabs are an enjoyable way to see an area during the day. After dark, I would stick with Uber.

Never leave your things unattended.

Avoid travelling alone in rural areas across the country. Try to arrive at your destination in daylight and if exploring concealed areas make certain that you go with an organised group.

Well, there you have it, this is the perfect holiday where you can explore this stunning destination, so grab this deal before it’s too late!

Call us, text us or simply get in touch with our travel experts and we will help you have the most memorable getaway to these beautiful islands of the Philippines.

Read More:- https://blog.travelcenter.uk/is-sri-lanka-maldives-dubai-worth-the-hype/

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[lethaderr-blog]

The top things to do in on a day trip.

It was the final day of my Athos barge cruise on the Canal du Midi in the South of . We slowly sailed between tiny medieval towns, exploring each one along the way. These included Marseillan, Pézenas, Narbonne, Minerve, Capestang, and . Even if you only have a day, I’m going to outline all of the best things to do in during your stay.

Out of all the villages we visited, was the most famous, arguably the most noteworthy, and it was the busiest with tourists. After all, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its preserved and restored fortifications. My sister also let me know that is the name of a fun and popular board game that she’s played.

Visiting La Cite de

is actually quite large, consisting of the medieval village, the rest of the city down below the hill, some outlying areas, and even its own airport. I only visited La Cité de for the day, which is the old, medieval town up on the hill. If you’re going to visit for more than a day, I am sure you will have time to see the town down below, too. This travel guide will only go into detail about visiting La Cite de .

Even though La Cité de isn’t very big, there’s a surprising amount of things to do in . If you’re looking for precisely what to see in , you’ve come to the right place. I have five fantastic ideas of must see spots around the medieval old town. is one of the most special medieval towns in . Even though it’s going to be busier and more crowded than other lesser known spots, it’s definitely worth the trip. This is one of the South of destinations you’ll surely want to add to your bucket list.

Things to Do in : The Fortified Walls

If you’re looking for what to do in , you really can’t miss checking out its fortifications. After all, you must walk through the fortified walls to enter the old town center. However, I suggest that before you venture right into town, you take some time to walk along the fortified walls themselves.

A Brief History

Since the days of the Roman Empire, a fortified settlement has existed up on the hill where you’ll find present day . There’s 2500 years of history here. Over time, the city was occupied by Romans, Visigoths, Crusaders and Saracens, and it was once the largest fortress in . The citadel is encircled by double fortified walls about 3 kilometers in length. During the Crusade against the Albigenses in the 13th century, was captured by Simon de Montfort. He decided to construct the outer wall to strengthen its position.

After the town lost its military significance in the 1600s, ’s fortifications were abandoned. In 1849, the French government wanted to demolish the fortified walls, but there was a great opposition to this decision by the locals. Thankfully, the government changed their minds and decided to restore the walls.

Restorations of ’s Fortifications

The architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc started to renovate the ramparts around La Cite de . His work was met with some criticism as the restorations might not be that similar to the original structures. The pointed caps of the towers evoke architecture from northern and not those from the south of . Viollet-le-Duc wanted to completely restore each building for a feeling of completeness, although some believe that looks a little too “Disney-fied”.

Defenders of Viollet-le-Duc believe that he was only working with the knowledge he had at the time, and otherwise the buildings could have been lost completely. All in all, Viollet-le-Duc’s restorations only affect less than 20% of the monument. What do you think? I can personally see how the restorations look a little too “new” or not original, but I am certainly glad that we didn’t lose one of the most important medieval towns in .

Wandering the Walls

My first suggestion for what to see in ? Naturally, take a stroll between the ramparts. Don’t rush right into the old town. Take the time to admire the walls themselves. When you visit , enter through the Narbonne Gate and take a turn to your left rather than walking straight into town. There’s a large space where you can walk between the double fortifications. It’s different from other fortified walls that I’ve checked out in the past.

For example, Quebec City’s fortifications surround the old town and you can walk on top of the walls themselves. While the walls of aren’t designed for tourists to walk on, you can wander right between the walls, admiring the towers and stone walls themselves on either side of you. Wandering the walls is one of the top things to do in and shouldn’t be missed.

Explore Château Comtal, ’s Castle

If you’re wondering what to do in , don’t miss Chateau Comtal, the castle of . A trip to the castle is one of the top things to do in . There’s so much fascinating history to explore at the count’s castle. As a symbol of feudal and then royal power, the castle dominated the city and its surroundings.

The castle was constructed in the 1100s and improvements continued through to the 14th century. Additional buildings were added, stories were added to existing buildings, and the castle gained multiple functions. It was defensive (with its fortified walls), residential, housed the military, and was also a political center.

At the entrance of the castle, there’s a wide stone bridge, ending with a wooden drawbridge. There are also several towers lining the front entrance where guards could easily attack any foreign soldiers with bows and arrows or crossbows.

As you walk through the castle, you’ll notice courtyards, walkways, and incredible views of ’s lower town. There’s also an archaeological museum in the west wing of the castle for historic and beautiful objects from and the area.

No matter when you visit , the castle is going to be one of the busiest spots in town. A trip to the magnificent castle of the Counts of is one of the most important things to do in . I highly recommend that you buy a skip the line ticket in advance. It is not very expensive and it will save you lots of time. That way, you’ll be able to make the most of your day trips even if you have a limited amount of time in the village.

Visit the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus

Another main attraction is the St. Nazaire Basilica. The Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus is a national monument, constructed in the Gothic-Romanesque architectural styles. The original Visigothic church at the same site most likely dates to the 6th century, but no traces of it remain. Back in 1096, Pope Urban II visited the site and blessed the building materials for the construction of a new church. This cathedral was built between the 12th century and the late 13th century.

Don’t stop at the outside of the church without going inside. The most impressive features of the basilica are the glorious stained glass windows and the intricate carved decorations. The central stained glass window of the choir is one of the oldest in , from 1280.

Aside from several brilliant stained glass windows and sculptures, you can view the Siege Stone inside the church. It’s a 13th century relief that most likely illustrates a scene from the Albigensian Crusade. There are a couple of other artifacts in this same area: a large bell and an etched image of Simon de Montfort from his tomb.

Admire the Scenery from Various Vantage Points

As you take in the wondrous scenery from , you might feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Though some of the best views are from the castle, you can catch glimpses of lower town and beyond from various spot around town. You’ll see some great views as you wander around the ramparts at the edge of town. The cobblestone streets of are also rather postcard perfect, if you can manage to see them without too many crowds. Viewing the scenery of the medieval village and its surroundings was one of my favorite things to do in .

Stroll through Cobblestone Streets

As you wander through town, you might feel a little bit like Belle in Beauty and the Beast. The buildings are primarily from medieval times with Renaissance ornamentation. The best preserved building from the 13th and 14th centuries is the Inquisiton House at the corner of Rue du Four-Saint-Nazaire and Rue de la Porte-d’Aude.

Walking through town, you’ll also see houses with corbelled facades from the 16th and 17th centuries. These stand alongside facades from the late 19th and early 20th century. The restoration of the town impacted some of its inhabitants, as they wished to take part in the town’s revival. If you’d like to know more about the history, I recommend taking a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide.

Naturally, there are lots of little shops and cafes dotted through the old town of . You can find lots of interesting gifts and goodies to bring home with you. I even managed to find a candy shop in town that had a whole shelf of vegan candies!

Where to Stay

Inside the Cite de , there are only a few hotels where you can spend the night. There are hotels that vary in price according to their amenities and overall fanciness. Here are a couple to check out:

Hotel de la Cité : This is a very luxurious hotel with spectacular views. It’s an upscale, five star hotel right in the heart of old town. There’s even an outdoor pool, a spa with a hot tub, and sophisticated rooms. This is my top choice for best hotel in , budget allowing, of course! Book your stay at the Hotel de la Cite or view additional reviews by fellow travelers.

Best Western Hotel Le Donjon: This is a middle of the road, three star hotel in the middle of Old Town. The hotel is located within three medieval buildings inside the old town walls. Book your stay at the Best Western or view more reviews by travelers who have spent the night.

La Demeure De La Cite: For a bed and breakfast experience inside the fortifications of , check out La Demeure De La Cite. It’s a cozy and welcoming place to spend the night. Plus, you’ll have the town to yourself when all the tourists leave from their day trips. Book your stay at La Demeure or read more reviews by fellow travelers.

Most other hotels are outside of the city walls, near the airport, or you can find them in lower town. Here is a full listing of hotels so you can compare. You can also find Airbnb rental listings in (sign up with my link if you haven’t used Airbnb before and you can receive $60 off your stay!)

Getting There

It’s easy to reach , even if you’re not sailing aboard a barge cruise. There are direct trains from to from many French towns, including Arles, Beziers, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Marseille, Narbonne, Toulouse, and others. Book your high speed train trip to quickly and easily online.

You can also fly to from many cities in . Once you reach , you can rent a car to get around the South of or compare car rental prices online. There are parking lots outside the wall city (no cars are allowed inside the old town).

.kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap {background:rgba(206, 249, 248, 1);padding:20px 20px 20px 20px;border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover {border-color:rgba(238, 238, 238, 1);background:rgba(206, 249, 248, 1);} .kt-blocks-info-box-media {color: 0px 0px 0px;padding:10px 10px 10px 10px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-media-container {margin:0px 15px 0px 15px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-media {color:#444;background:transparent;border-color:#444444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-title {color: 0px 0px 0px;margin:5px 0px 10px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-title {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-text {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-text {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore {color: 0px 0px 0px;padding:4px 8px 4px 8px;margin:10px 0px 10px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore {color: <div id="" class="wp-block-kadence-infobox"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-top kt-info-halign-center"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-media-container"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none"><div class="kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none"><div class="kadence-info-box-icon-inner-container"><span style="display:block;justify-content:center;align-items:center" class="kt-info-svg-icon kt-info-svg-icon-fas_camera"><svg style="display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle" viewbox="0 0 512 512" height="80" width="80" fill="currentColor" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M512 144v288c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V144c0-26.5 21.5-48 48-48h88l12.3-32.9c7-18.7 24.9-31.1 44.9-31.1h125.5c20 0 37.9 12.4 44.9 31.1L376 96h88c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48zM376 288c0-66.2-53.8-120-120-120s-120 53.8-120 120 53.8 120 120 120 120-53.8 120-120zm-32 0c0 48.5-39.5 88-88 88s-88-39.5-88-88 39.5-88 88-88 88 39.5 88 88z"><div class="kt-infobox-textcontent"><h4 class="kt-blocks-info-box-title"> Want to see more photos of ? <p class="kt-blocks-info-box-text"> Check out my whole collection of pictures from . You can buy prints, canvas art, housewares, and more of my photos. Click the “buy” button by any pic! <div class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore-wrap"><a class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2F-2019%2F&sref=rss">Learn More <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2F-2019%2Fi-2pDFSFT%2Fbuy&sref=rss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com//-2019/i-2pDFSFT/0/0364b959/XL/P1380658-XL.jpg" alt="Things to do in - Day trips to "/> <p>Even though it can get a little crowded during shoulder and peak seasons, you definitely need to visit . Whether you’re booking day trips, spending the night, or visiting from a Canal du Midi barge cruise like I did, it’s worth the trip. There are so many things to do in , including the five activities that I listed above. Expand your trip to La Cite de by venturing to the lower town, the Canal du Midi, and beyond. <ul class="wp-block-gallery columns-3"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg" alt="5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day data-id="18607" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18607" class="wp-image-18607" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg" alt="5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day data-id="18606" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18606" class="wp-image-18606" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg" alt="5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day data-id="18605" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18605" class="wp-image-18605" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /> <p style="text-align:center"> PIN one of the above images to Pinterest for future reference. Click the top left corner. <div class="kt-simple-box" style="background-color:rgba(232, 232, 232, 1); min-height:1px; padding-top:15px; padding-bottom:15px; padding-left:15px; padding-right:15px; "><div class="kt-simple-box-inner"> <center><strong>Did you find this post useful? Show your appreciation with a small tip! <div id="JPL01" class="quid-slider" align="center" quid-currency="CAD" quid-product-id="JPL01" quid-product-url="https://justinpluslauren.com/things-to-do-in-carcassonne-france/" quid-product-name="Justin Plus Lauren" quid-product-description="A Tip for Justin & Lauren" quid-text="Tip Us!" quid-text-paid="Thanks!" quid-amount="1"> <p><em>This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. <h4>Have you heard of or traveled there before? <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://justinpluslauren.com/things-to-do-in-carcassonne-france/">5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://justinpluslauren.com">Justin Plus Lauren.

[lumeha]

GOTTFRIED !! :D

Whatthey smell like:warmth, smoke and a little bit of iron and sweat, at least when heworked in his forge. Now, there is still some hints of smoke andiron, and, well, travelling makes you sweat too, but there is alsoleather and wood that cling to his skin.

Howthey sleep (sleeping position, schedule, etc):He’s often early to bed and early to rise. Not really the kind ofperson who will sleep in - he wants to get as much light as he can,even if he’s still a bit sleepy when he gets up. He often sleepscurled up on himself.

Whatmusic they enjoy:he has a soft spot for epics and sagas and stories of gods and humansand fantastical beasts. He never expected that he would get embarkedinto such a story by a tiny grumpy prince that gets fascinated bywhat he learns on his journey.

Howmuch time they spend getting ready every morning:Not a lot. He mostly put on his clothes, comb his hair, check if heneeds a shave or not, get something to eat, and off he goes to work.And this actually doesn’t change when he is on the road withAliénor. Sooo he’s pretty quick, even when he’s still sleepy.

Theirfavorite thing to collect:weirdpeoplecrafttools. He can spend hours on a single object he crafts and he lovesdiscovering new tools and techniques

Leftor right-handed:right handed

Religion(if any):notreally a subject he thinks about, and when you end up on a quest toconvince a deity to help your tiny prince get the body he wants,that’s probably better

Favoritesport:anything physical, to be honest. Would probably be a very good atwrestling !

Favoritetouristy thing to do when traveling (museums, local food,sightseeing, etc):learning more about the area crafts and seeing the different types ofarts and crafts that exist there. Then he also really likes tryingall the different kind of foods he can find there.

Favoritekind of weather:a bit cold and misty. It just has some kind of ambiance Gottfriedloves, almost silent and comfortable for him.

Aweird/obscure fear they have:loosing sensations in his hands but not loosing the use of his hands.Not being able to sense with his hands is something he alwaysslightly worry about even if it isn’t that likely to happen.

Thecarnival/arcade game they always win without fail:Most games requiring both strength and precision.

[rachelisnotatwork]

Week 4: hitch-hikers, rain and sad penguins

Monday dawned kind of grey and cloudy in Picton. After a subpar breakfast (I blame too many British tourists; as a nation we do not demand enough when it comes to restaurants), we decided to head out to an area called French Pass which supposedly had a beautiful drive out to it.

On our way out of town we saw a couple trying to catch a lift by the side of the road. We decided to be nice and pick them up (we normally can’t take hitchhikers as the downside of our policy of hiring tiny cars is you have to put at least one suitcase in the back seat) as they met our criteria of not looking like a serial killer and/or being a bedbug carrier and/or looking like they might want to talk about astrology/the mind expanding properties of weed/juggling. As they got closer to the car we noticed that whilst the girl looked in her early 20s, the guy looked about 50. We prepared to be creeped out by a super age-inappropriate relationship. Thankfully as they got in the car they introduced themselves and they were a dad and his daughter! They were heading to Nelson, so we drove them about halfway. The dad was a pilot and his daugher was a pre-med at Yale, so they were pretty interesting as car companions go. They were planning on a multi-day hike, so we felt pretty sorry for them at several points on the next few days as the heavens opened.

The drive didn’t look that long on the map, but thanks to multiple twisting mountain roads and areas where the road became gravel it took FOREVER and most of the drive was forested so you couldn’t see anything really. Last 10 kilometres were beautiful though, but I’m not sure it merited about 3 hours in the car.

The end of the drive, French Pass, was a tiny hamlet that was full of cars. All the official spaces full, all of the verges parked on. But no people. It was very weird. Like a zombie apocalypse only with nil visible blood. We had brought stuff for a picnic but it was REALLY windy out there, so we ate it in the car (so basically a very typical British picnic).

On our way back we stopped at a river that is theoretically great for swimming, but since it was still pretty grey and windy we decided to just have a long walk on the banks and to a waterfall before having a really bad dinner (Picton- short on good dining options).

The next day we woke up to pouring rain and leaden skies. Our next stop was Kaikoura, which should be about a 2 hour drive down the coast...but the November earthquake ruined that. So instead we had to take a 6 hour detour through the interior. The first three hours where Marcel was driving the rain was continuous. Then we swapped, just in time for the weather to be really nice so Marcel got to enjoy all the views whilst I concentrated on the “many hazards” (as the warning signs advertised) of an earthquake-damaged road.

By the time we got there the skies were beautifully clear so we took a long walk along the beach, which was beautifully empty. Just us and some fairly dim endangered seabirds (dotterels) that had a nesting strategy of a vague dent in the sand and would run away pretending to have a broken wing so you’d chase them when you got close.

Quite a few of the places in town were damaged by the earthquake; the motel next to where we were staying was shut due to damage. The only resident was a super friendly tail-less cat, that was so desperate to be stroked that if you held your hand out it would leap up like a dolphin so it’s back would be stroked by your hand.

Kaikoura is famous for whale watching, which is why Marcel originally wanted to go. Having suffered more than I on the ferry crossing though, there was no way he could be persuaded to go anywhere near a boat again. I was fairly ambivalent on it because I’m fairly cursed with wildlife watching (due to be spectacularly unobservant) so was reasonably certain I would see no whales. The other big draw is swimming with wild seals, but I wasn’t really convinced they would want to swim with us and I can go for a swim sans seals for a lot less than the $130 they wanted to charge. So we decided to walk around the peninsula. The weather forecast said it would be great in the morning and terrible in the afternoon so we dragged ourselves out of bed at dawn (read: 9am) and found... it was already raining. Thankfully there was a small break in the weather which we used to have a walk along the cliff tops, where you could see colonies of seals and thousands of gulls. And there was a seal hanging out in the car park, so again- free seals and I didn’t have to don a wetsuit (never really felt comfortable with renting wetsuits after my sister told me a story about them, which I won’t repeat so that you aren’t similarly limited).

We decided to try and find somewhere for coffee in town as Marcel was jones-ing. Luckily whilst I’m bad at spotting wildlife I can find a hipster cafe in seconds. Found one so trendy even google maps didn’t know it existed. We headed in and ordered food and the heavens opened. Pretty much saw children clinging to logs floating past. Thankfully the service was pretty slow so it had settled down to torrential downpour by the time we were ready to leave.

As a result we had a lazy afternoon where I started a weird form of Japanese quilting/embroidery called sashiko and Marcel planned our trip.

The rain kept falling. Eventually at about 8pm it dried up briefly and we snatched a quick walk at a beach down the coast.

The next morning naturally dawned clear and sunny. We drove down to Christchurch and after dropping our stuff in our airbnb headed straight out for a place called Akaroa, which is on a headland nearby. For some reason (I didn’t read the history) it seemed to be super French, which meant great cafe food for a late lunch and lots of French place names as we had a leisurely walk down the harbour. Also apparently the birth place of Frank Worsley who is a bit of an Antarctica legend if you like that sort of thing (I do).

Afterwards we decided take a walk in a nearby nature reserve. It’s privately owned and run by someone who seemed to have despaired on humanity so had written lots of sarcastic notes around the place.

It was incredibly beautiful though, and we walked to two “knobs” (oh the immaturity) with great look outs. As always it was pretty windy, and Marcel had forgotten his jumper so had to wear his raincoat and look like a flasher.

The route back was via a gorgeous (if windswept) scenic road. We managed to use the car as a prop to get the occasional photo of both of us.

The next day we decided to treat ourselves to brunch, so went to a local trendy hipster spot and I had fried banana bread with mascapone, himalayan sea salt and honeycomb. It came garnished with flowers. I was not confident that our moustachioed staff knew what flowers were edible and what weren’t, so I decided to leave them.

Our next stop was the International Antarctic Centre. As Christchurch is the nearest English language reasonable sized outpost to Antarctica, both the NZ and USA programmes head out of there, so they decided to build a huge, expensive and super fun museum there. They had huskies outside you could play with (or correction, which Marcel could play with whilst I hid a safe distance away) and with your ticket you got a free obstacle course ride on a Haggland, which is basically some weird tractor thing that is amphibious and can drive across a crevasse, which they do.

Inside they have lots of exhibitions (not much new they can teach this polar nerd though), a 4D movie about going to Antarctica, where a bird shits on the camera lens and they spray you with water at the same time (quite who wants this I don’t know), an HD movie with loads of aerial footage of Antarctica (slightly ruined by the fly in the projection room, which kept clambering on the lens, giving the impression that Antarctica was besieged by 20ft shadow beasts) and a tank full of disabled blue penguins they’ve saved from the wild. I’m probably going to hell for laughing at some of their efforts to swim. They also had a “storm room” where you get a coat and some little rubber overshoes and then they stick you in a room full of snow and blast a -18c wind at you. Not the best day to be wearing flipflops and a dress.

Afterwards we headed to the Botanical gardens for a walk. Naturally it started to rain on us as we’d got about as far from our car as we could get. Thankfully earlier that day I’d stolen Marcel’s hoodie with a waterproof hood, so I was fine...

We decided to have a quick look around Christchurch before dinner. We thought, given that it was 6pm on a Friday night, it might be quite lively. It was a ghost town. Not sure if it was the high number of damaged buildings in the area or the fact people here are still on Christmas holidays but it felt abandoned. We did manage to drag out looking about with a bit of statue posing until a respectable dinner time (7pm. Only infants and Americans eat before 7pm).

We went out for Burmese for dinner, which neither of us had ever had before, but was delicious. Had a pickled tea leaf salad, which I think was the first and only time I’ve ever enjoyed tea. The deserts seemed odd though, so we decided to go to a nearby place for frozen yoghurt. New Zealand hasn’t really got the concept of it yet. It was not good.

Saturday we headed down for Dunedin. It was quite a long drive but we’d planned to break it up with a stop off to see the Moeraki boulders, which are weird giant natural cement-y boulders. We stopped and bought a kilo of amazingly delicious cherries and ate an obscene amount of them as we drove. The whole drive it threatened rain. Right before we arrived, it delivered. There seemed to be a break in the rain so we headed down to the beach to see these weird boulders. They were pretty cool, and straight after them the beach was long and empty, so we decided to go for a walk. Again, just as we decided we’d walked far enough and we should turn back, it started to rain. And rain. And rain. Drenching rain of the sort that runs straight off your rain coat and onto your legs. I was not amused. When we reached the car I had to eat a lot of cherries to cheer up.

Speaking of things which do not cheer you up, when we arrived in Dunedin, it was 12c. And that was the high for the day. Thank god before leaving Kate’s place, I had borrowed her ski coat which I rapidly put on. Our airbnb was a holiday cottage right on the cliffs though, so at least there was a beautiful view of the cold, windswept beach. Internet barely worked though. Can only assume below a certain summer temperature, it despairs. I know I do.

On Sunday, the sun rose on...leaden skies. We managed to get a quick walk in at Blackhead beach (everything in the area is called Blackhead, which is not the most appealing of names) before it actually started to rain and then we had a casual afternoon of lazing and internet surfing before heading out for our evening activity.

Now I’ve made my opinion on bird watching clear before but there are some exceptions. In my mind the world can be divided into two sorts of birds- exciting birds (penguins, albatrosses, peacocks) and really fucking boring birds (all of the rest of them). Luckily this peninsula had not one but two types of penguins.

First up was the yellow-eyed penguins, which are very endangered because people ruin everything. Also they are anti-social, don’t like to see other penguins and like to nest in shady places, so that doesn’t really help when you’ve got a deforested coastline and penguins that want to be alone. The conservation group had dug this weird maze of tunnels along which you could walk so the penguins wouldn’t be disturbed and the birds would be at eye height. There was however only one baby bird to be seen (looking ridiculous and pointedly ignoring a nearby goose) and two returning (separate) adults in the distance who march furiously across the sand like they are running late for a business meeting. 

They did compensate though by having lots of sexually frustrated bachelor seals fighting around the place and you got a closer look at some penguins, because they keep the injured ones in a hospital. They had a graph outside the hospital of colony numbers and... think they might be seeing approximately 0 birds in a few years time on these tours.

And so ended the week, in the twilight, getting rained on, staring at doomed penguins. So just the average end to a week in NZ

[gunboatbaylodge]

Things to Do in Vancouver this Weekend: August 24, 2017

It’s a very musical weekend with live acts every day from downtown to Playland at the PNE. There’s also a zombie walk, a Latin American film fest, and one Yaletown party that’s for dogs, their people, and everyone who loves them! This weekend is your last chance to catch some summer happenings this year – so scroll on down to the “ongoing” section to see what’s about to end – such as Theatre Under the Stars and morning yoga on Grouse mountain.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Ongoing

Friday August 25

Vancouver Latin American Film Festival Where: Vancouver What: This 11-day annual festival encourages dialogue among cultures, and explores and celebrates the art of contemporary Latin American and Latin-Canadian filmmaking. Runs until: Sunday September 3, 2017

Vancouver Tap Dance Festival

Vancouver Tap Dance Festival Where: Vancouver What: Recognized as one of the premier events of its kind, the Vancouver Tap Dance Festival history is one of dedication to the wonderment of the art form. Join classes, watch performances, and attend talks and workshops. Runs until: Sunday August 27, 2017

Chicago Where: The Fair at the PNE What: After a day at The Fair – check out classic Chicago at the PNE.

Descendants Where: Commodore Ballroom What: Punk rock band formed in 1977 in Manhattan Beach, California.

Diamond Head

Diamond Head Where: The Rickshaw What: British metal from the 70s.

  Saturday August 26

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Vancouver Zombie Walk Where: Downtown Vancouver What: Dress like a zombie and amble around with your fellow undead!

Okavango African Orchestra

Okavango African Orchestra Where: The Imperial What: Juno Award winners come to Vancouver with African sounds, beats, and instruments.

ArtStarts Presents: Fuzzy Bees and the Food Forest with Renée Sala

ArtStarts Presents: Fuzzy Bees and the Food Forest with Renée Sala Where: ArtStarts Gallery What:Artist Renée Sala from Crafty School of Art in Victoria uncovers the history and magic of wool. Use colourful unspun wool, lots of soap and water, and your own energy to create cute and cuddly, fuzzy bees. Groups of 8 kids at a time will be lead through the process, and the audience gets to learn, too. Ages 5 and up.

Colin James

Colin James Where: The Fair at the PNE What: Hits such as Just Came Back, Voodoo Thing and more – free with admission at the PNE.

Home is Where the Habitat Is: Discovery Walk Where: Stanley Park What: Stanley Park is an island of forest on the edge of a city, surrounded by ocean, and isolated from other woods. Learn how Stanley Park provides habitat for many different animals amid these boundaries from nest cavities in a trunk to burrows underground.

Never Never Land 2: The Moon Dance Where: Plaza of Nations What: Fully interactive art installations, character dancers, and themed production. Come dressed up, or down and be ready to dance.

Swans Where: Venue What: Experimental, dark, strange and noisy. 

Jedi Mind Tricks

Jedi Mind Tricks Where: The Commodore Ballroom What: Hip hop forged in Philadelphia, mid-90s.

San Cisco

San Cisco Where: The Fox Cabaret What: Pop music from the land down under.

  Sunday August 27

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Pet-a-palooza

Pet-a-palooza Where: 1100 Mainland What: Go for the “running of the bulls” (French and English bulldog races) and wiener dog races and bring along your sociable pups to hang.

Birds of a Feather: Bird Babies Where: Stanley Park What: A walk to spot tiny bird babies as they begin to emerge from their nests.

Grizzly Bear Town

Grizzly Bear Town Where: The Cultch What: Building upon aspects of Haida culture and language, and drawing influence from jazz, blues, folk, and rock, their music calls attention to a greater purpose: the need for all of us to work together over ethnic and cultural divides with deep love and creativity.

Alley Fest Where: Red Gate Arts Society What: An all-day, all-ages local music and performance festival.

Die Antwood

Die Antwood Where: Thunderbird Arena What: Super quirky delightfully weird South African hip hop.

Voices at The Atrium Where: 111 West Hastings What: Music will be composed and performed to complement and incorporate the acoustics of this large reverberant space. The program will include the premiere of commissioned works by Jordan Nobles and Dean Thiessen as well as vocal works from the 16th and 17th century.

Charanga Habanera

Charanga Habanera Where: The Commodore Ballroom What: A 14-person Cuban tropical exuberance against a background of Afro-Latin-Caribbean rhythms.

Huey Lewis and the News Where: The Fair at the PNE What: It’s hip to be square, so head to the carnival on a summer day and then check out this show – free with admission.

Pink Salmon Festival

Pink Salmon Festival Where: Across from the Maritime Museum What: Enjoy pink salmon samplings donated by Canadian Fishing Company and prepared by well-known executive chefs including Robert Clark (The Fish Counter.) Barbeque will be available by donation with all proceeds supporting wild salmon conservation in British Columbia.

Sashiko Mending Workshop

Sashiko Mending Workshop Where: The Pie Shoppe What: Explore the possibilities of Hitomezashi Sashiko (“one-stitch” style) as a form of functional embroidery. Students will learn pattern application and proper stitching technique by customizing their own tote-bags. These skills will then be used to repair or renew a garment brought from home.

Incredible Pie Championship

Incredible Pie Championship Where: Ontario St and 6th Ave. What: Bring a pie or taste the pie and decide who are the champions. Besides all the people who get to eat pie. 

Kidchella Where: Langley Events Centre (Langley, BC) What: Kidchella prides itself on being able to bring together quality children’s entertainment for families for an affordable price.

  Ongoing

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Indigenous Plant Use Where: Stanley Park What: Walk through the forest with an experienced guide of Coast Salish descent and learn about the traditional and present-day Indigenous relationships with local flora and fauna. While there will be no collecting on these tours, Stanley Park offers a perfect setting to learn about sustainable harvesting. Runs until: Friday August 25, 2017 (Fridays)

Theatre Under the Stars | Photo by Tim Matheson

Theatre Under the Stars Where: Stanley Park What: Enjoy a delightful dose of entertainment this summer with two Broadway musicals. Mary Poppins and The Drowsy Chaperone will be performed live at the Malkin Bowl. A beloved Vancouver tradition since 1940, TUTS 2017 season promises song & dance in two family-friendly productions celebrating love and imagination. Runs until: Saturday August 26, 2017

Story Walks

Story Walks Where: The Shipyards and in Lynn Canyon Park What: Free drop-in walks at The Shipyards are offered Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 1:30 pm. Meet at Lonsdale Ave. and Victory Ship Way. Free drop-in walks in Lynn Canyon Park are offered Wednesdays and Thursdays from July 6th to August 24th at 11 am and 1:30 pm. Meet across from the Lynn Canyon Café. Runs until: Sunday August 27, 2017

Peak Yoga on Grouse Mountain

Peak Yoga on Grouse Mountain Where: Grouse Mountain What: Enjoy 60 minute yoga classes led by YYoga instructors, every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00-11:00 am. Whether you need a great post-Grind cool down or would just love to experience a different yoga venue at one of the city’s most spectacular locations, these 60-minute class are bound to enhance your physical well-being and kick start your weekend. Runs until: Sunday August 27, 2017

Social Sundays Where: VanDusen Gardens What: Summer sounds, signature cocktails, and lawn games. Runs until: Sunday August 27, 2017

Dance in Transit Where: Various outdoor locations What: A continuous supply of dancing during the warm months —at no cost. Watch it, try it, and see if you love it. Runs until: Sunday August 27th, 2017

Vancouver Tap Dance Festival

Vancouver Tap Dance Festival Where: Vancouver What: Recognized as one of the premier events of its kind, the Vancouver Tap Dance Festival history is one of dedication to the wonderment of the art form. Join classes, watch performances, and attend talks and workshops. Runs until: Sunday August 27, 2017

Architectural Walking Tours Where: Various locations What: The Architectural Institute of British Columbia offers architectural perspectives of six Vancouver neighbourhoods including vibrant Chinatown, historical Gastown, trendy Yaletown, contemporary Downtown, lively West End and diverse Strathcona, the first neighbourhood in Vancouver. Runs until: Thursday August 31, 2017

Nomadic Tempest Where: The shore of South-East False Creek near Cambie bridge What: A free, all-ages show performed on a 90-foot long Tall Ship. Nomadic Tempest is a mythical saga of monarch migrants—embodied by aerial artists—searching for refuge on a drowned planet. Runs until: Sunday September 3, 2017

Vancouver Latin American Film Festival Where: Vancouver What: This 11-day annual festival encourages dialogue among cultures, and explores and celebrates the art of contemporary Latin American and Latin-Canadian filmmaking. Runs until: Sunday September 3, 2017

The Fair at the PNE

The Fair at the PNE Where: The PNE What: The PNE, which has been on for over a century, offers a range of new and classic family entertainment, including more than 55 thrilling rides (including Canada’s largest pendulum ride, “The Beast,”) the Summer Night Concert series (featuring headliners such as The B52s, Mother Mother, The Pointer Sisters, The Doobie Brothers and ZZ Top), a craft beer festival, mouth-watering food from around the globe, the beloved Superdogs and more. Runs until: Monday September 4, 2017

Xi Xanya Dzam – Those Who Are Amazing At Making Things Where: The Bill Reid Gallery What: Xi Xanya Dzam (pronounced hee hun ya zam) is the Kwak’wala word describing incredibly talented and gifted people who create works of art. The exhibition is both a showcase and a critical exploration of ‘achievement’ and ‘excellence’ in traditional and contemporary First Nations art. Runs until: Sunday September 4, 2017

Pictures From Here

Pictures From Here Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: Featuring photographs and video works from the early 1960s to the present that capture the urban environment of the Greater Vancouver region, its citizens and the vast “natural” landscape of the province. Runs until: Sunday September 4, 2017

Jaad Kuujus: Meghann O’Brien

Jaad Kuujus: Meghann O’Brien Where: Bill Reid Gallery What: Meghann takes materials from the natural world and transforms them into pieces of high-level human expression. Working with traditional materials such as mountain goat wool and cedar bark has given her a deep connection to the supernatural world, a connection to her ancestors. She describes working with cedar bark as, “travelling back in time” or “touching the cosmos”. Her creations have a profound impact within contemporary Northwest Coast art and beyond. Runs until: September 2017

Sunday Art Market

Sunday Art Market Where: Jim Deva Plaza What: Local artists, vendors and makers, largely from Vancouver’s West End, along with musical and other live performances and artist-led workshops to drop into. Runs until: September 2017

Panda International Night Market Where: Richmond, BC What: A diverse market in Richmond, with shopping, food, beverages, and a game zone. Runs until: Monday September 11, 2017

Flora and Fauna: A Summer Art Show Where: The Fall Tattooing and Artist Studio What: An artistic summer celebration of all vibrant, colourful, living things. Runs until: Friday September 15, 2017

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival Where: Vanier Park What: What do you say to watching a live production of Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice or The Two Gentlemen of Verona in a custom-built tent on the beach while sipping wine, beer, and munching on a picnic lunch themed to the play? Yes! Right? After 28 years, this festival has hit a stride of near perfection (and don’t even get us started on the amazing costumes.) Runs until: Saturday September 23, 2017

A Sublime Vernacular: The Landscape Paintings of Levine Flexhaug

A Sublime Vernacular: The Landscape Paintings of Levine Flexhaug Where: Contemporary Art Gallery What: The first overview of the extraordinary career of Levine Flexhaug (1918 – 1974), born in the Treelon area near Climax, Saskatchewan. It brings together approximately 450 of the artist’s paintings as well as several of his mural-sized works. An itinerant painter, he sold thousands of variations of essentially the same landscape painting in national parks, resorts, department stores and bars across western Canada from the late 1930s through the early 1960s. Runs until: Sunday September 24, 2017

Unbelievable

Unbelievable Where: The Museum of Vancouver What: This exhibition poses provocative questions about our perception of stories by assembling iconic artifacts, storied replicas, and contested objects for a mind-bending exploration of the role stories play in defining lives and communities – and what happens when we question the tales we’ve long relied upon. Unbelievable objects include the Thunderbird totem pole that appeared in controversial filmmaker Edward Curtis’ 1906 work In the Land of the Head Hunters; contemporary ‘totems’, each with contrasting stories about a point in time in Vancouver; and artifacts illustrating the complex narrative around Vancouver’s relationship with First Nations communities. Runs until: Sunday September 24, 2017

Uninterrupted

Uninterrupted Where: Under the Cambie Street Bridge What: After dusk, audiences will witness the extraordinary migration of wild Pacific salmon in a 30-minute cinematic spectacle that explores the connection between nature and our urban environments. Runs until: Sunday September 24, 2017

Be Polite

Be Polite Where: Contemporary Art Gallery What: Working closely with the Estate of Gordon Bennett and IMA Brisbane the exhibition will comprise a selection of rare works on paper including drawing, painting, watercolour, poetry, and essays from the early 1990s through to the early 2000s. Runs until: Sunday September 24, 2017

Works by Anna Milton

Works by Anna Milton Where: VanDusen Gardens What: Anna has been exhibiting and selling her work internationally since her college years. She trained and worked as an art therapist for many years and is interested in symbols and metaphor that are present in visual art. Runs until: Wednesday September 27, 2017

Shipyards Night Marlet

Shipyards Night Market Where: Lonsdale, North Vancouver What: Food, art, music, entertainment, shopping, a beer garden, and you can bring your dog! Runs until: September 29, 2017

ZimCarvings Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden What: Patrick Sephani along with visiting artist Peter Kananji will be showcasing works from over 30 Zimbabwean stone sculptors on the beautiful garden grounds and carving stone sculptures on site.  All works will be available for purchase. Runs until: Saturday September 30, 2017

Downtown Eastside Women’s Summer Fair Where: Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre What: Over twenty-five vendors and artisans from within the community, entertainment from local performers, an area for children to play, information booths about the different resources available in the community, and a wide variety of goods and services for purchase. Runs until: Saturday September 30, 2017 (Saturdays)

Claude Monet’s Secret Garden

Claude Monet’s Secret Garden Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: The most comprehensive exhibition of French painter Claude Monet’s work in Canada in two decades, Claude Monet’s Secret Garden will trace the career of this pivotal figure in Western art history. This exhibition will present thirty-eight paintings spanning the course of Monet’s long career from the unparalleled collection of the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris. Runs until: Sunday October 1, 2017

Stephen Shore: The Giverny Portfolio

Stephen Shore: The Giverny Portfolio Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: Twenty-five photographs by contemporary American photographer Stephen Shore produced during several visits to Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s famous gardens at Giverny, France. Showing concurrently with the exhibition Claude Monet’s Secret Garden, Stephen Shore: The Giverny Portfolio offers a contemporary perspective on the tranquility originally captured in Monet’s iconic paintings. Runs until: Sunday October 1, 2017

Persistence

Persistence Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: Persistence draws together three recent contemporary installations to explore the surprising and creative ways that technologies, physical objects and natural processes endure and transform. Runs until: October 1, 2017

Elad Lassry

Elad Lassry Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: Investigating the nature of perception with a special focus on the photographic image within the digital era, the exhibition includes more than seventy works—films, photographs and sculpture—produced by Lassry over the last decade. Runs until: Sunday October 1, 2017

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Where: Dude Chilling Park What: Amble over and pick up some afternoon picnic supplies, groceries for the week, and Sunday dinner fixings from 25+ farms and producers. Each week you’ll find a fresh selection of just-picked seasonal fruits & veggies, ethically-raised meats & sustainable seafood, artisanal bread & prepared foods, craft beer, wine, & spirits, handmade craft, and coffee & food trucks. Runs until: Sunday October 8, 2017

Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia

Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology What: Words and their physical manifestations are explored in this insightful exhibition, which will honour the special significance that written forms. Varied forms of expression associated with writing throughout Asia is shown over the span of different time periods: from Sumerian cuneiform inscriptions, Qu’ranic manuscripts, Southeast Asian palm leaf manuscripts and Chinese calligraphy from MOA’s Asian collection to graffiti art from Afghanistan and contemporary artworks using Japanese calligraphy, and Tibetan and Thai scripts. Runs until: Monday October 9, 2017

Richmond Night Market

Richmond Night Market Where: Richmond, BC What: There’s a dinosaur park! Anamatronic dinosaurs! Also – live performances, carnival games, over 200 retail stalls and over 500 food choices from around the world. Runs until: October 9, 2017

Onsite / Offsite Tsang Kin-Wah

Onsite / Offsite Tsang Kin-Wah Where:  Vancouver Art Gallery What:  This large-scale composition transforms English texts to form intricate floral and animal patterns. The work draws from discriminatory language that appeared in newspapers and political campaigns in Vancouver during the 1887 anti-Chinese riots, the mid-1980s immigration influx from Hong Kong and most recently, the heated exchanges around the foreign buyers and the local housing market. Runs until: Sunday October 15, 2017

West End Farmers Market Where: 1100 Comox St What: Located in the heart of Vancouver’s busy West End, this laid-back Saturday market looks onto beautiful Nelson Park and adjacent community gardens. Each week, shop for the best in local, seasonal produce, artisanal bread & prepared foods, craft beer, wine, & spirits, ethically raised meat, eggs, & dairy, sustainable seafood, wild crafted product, and handmade craft. Hot food & coffee on-site as well. Runs until: Saturday October 21, 2017 (Saturdays)

Trout Lake Farmers Market Where: Trout Lake What: This is where you’ll find the vendors who have been doing it since the beginning; what started as 14 farmers ‘squatting’ at the Croatian Cultural Centre back in 1995 has grown into Vancouver’s most well-known and beloved market. Visitors come from near and far to sample artisan breads & preserves, stock up on free-range and organic eggs & meats, get the freshest, hard-to-find heirloom vegetables and taste the first Okanagan cherries and peaches of the season. Runs until: Saturday October 21, 2017 (Saturdays)

Kitsilano Farmers Market

Kitsilano Farmers Market Where: Kitsilano Community Centre parking lot What:   A great selection of just-picked, seasonal fruits & vegetables, ethically raised and grass fed meat, eggs, & dairy, sustainable seafood, fresh baked bread & artisanal food, local beer, wine, & spirits, and beautiful, handmade craft. Kids and parents alike can enjoy entertainment by market musicians, a nearby playground and splash park, and coffee and food truck offerings each week. Runs until: Sunday October 22, 2017 (Sundays)

The Lost Fleet Exhibit Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum What: On December 7, 1941 the world was shocked when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour, launching the United States into the war. This action also resulted in the confiscation of nearly 1,200 Japanese-Canadian owned fishing boats by Canadian officials on the British Columbia coast, which were eventually sold off to canneries and other non-Japanese fishermen. The Lost Fleet looks at the world of the Japanese-Canadian fishermen in BC and how deep-seated racism played a major role in the seizure, and sale, of Japanese-Canadian property and the internment of an entire people. Runs until: Winter 2017

Bill Reid Creative Journeys | Image via the Canadian Museum of History

Bill Reid Creative Journeys Where: The Bill Reid Gallery What: Celebrating the many creative journeys of acclaimed master goldsmith and sculptor Bill Reid (1920–1998), this exhibition provides a comprehensive introduction to his life and work. Runs until: Sunday December 10, 2017

Amazonia: The Rights of Nature

Amazonia: The Rights of Nature Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology What: MOA will showcase its Amazonian collections in a significant exploration of socially and environmentally-conscious notions intrinsic to indigenous South American cultures, which have recently become innovations in International Law. These are foundational to the notions of Rights of Nature, and they have been consolidating in the nine countries that share responsibilities over the Amazonian basin. Runs until: January 28, 2018

Emily Carr: Into the Forest

Emily Carr: Into the Forest Where: Vancouver Art Gallery What: Far from feeling that the forests of the West Coast were a difficult subject matter, Carr exulted in the symphonies of greens and browns found in the natural world. With oil on paper as her primary medium, Carr was free to work outdoors in close proximity to the landscape. She went into the forest to paint and saw nature in ways unlike her fellow British Columbians, who perceived it as either untamed wilderness or a plentiful source of lumber. Runs until: March 4, 2018

Chief Dan George: Actor and Activist Where: North Vancouver Museum What: An exhibition exploring the life and legacy of Tsleil-Waututh Chief Dan George (1899- 1981) and his influence as an Indigenous rights advocate and his career as an actor. The exhibition was developed in close collaboration with the George family. Runs until: April 2018

In a Different Light

In a Different Light Where: Museum of Anthropology What: More than 110 historical Indigenous artworks and marks the return of many important works to British Columbia. These objects are amazing artistic achievements. Yet they also transcend the idea of ‘art’ or ‘artifact’. Through the voices of contemporary First Nations artists and community members, this exhibition reflects on the roles historical artworks have today. Featuring immersive storytelling and innovative design, it explores what we can learn from these works and how they relate to Indigenous peoples’ relationships to their lands. Runs until: Spring 2019

What are you up to this weekend? Tell me and the rest of Vancouver in the comments below or tweet me directly at @lextacular

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