Tag Archives: Ray Chaput

Italy

Highlights of Palermo Sicily

We went to the island of Sicily to explore some of the sites. We began in the capital city of Palermo. The city has many street markets and some of them are quite busy and large. Over the span of four days we explored several of the markets along with other sites of interest.  There were street food and it was easy to enjoy local products.

We tried some hand made arancini which is a specialty here. They are small deep-fried rice balls filled with meat sauce or mozzarella and prosciutto. They are very tasty and over the time in Sicily we had several different types. 

Shelley with an arancini rice ball
Display in one of the food markets selling different arancini and other delicacies of Sicily

We explored the streets and walked through the markets looking at the variety of products. The atmosphere was full of life and unique smells of street foods. 

View of one of the street markets in Palermo
Shelley and Ray in the historic Vucciria Market  in Palermo

La Vucciria is a well-known historical market in Palermo.  You could buy practically anything in the market from fresh fish, seafood and vegetables to assorted clothes. 

Fresh swordfish and seafood in the market
Pastries in one of the market stalls
Pastries and sweets

We went to the Quattro Canti, which is officially known as Piazza Vigliena. It is a Baroque square and considered the center of the historic quarters of the city. The four corners lead to the four ancient quarters  of Palermo. Known as the cantons or canti of Palermo: the Kalsa (SE); Seralcadi (SW); Albergaria (wW); and Castellammare (NE).  Each building facade was ornate and had a different fountain at the base. 

View of the ornate facade of one of the Canti corners in Palermo

It was interesting to see and explore the four unique corners of the ancient intersection. There were street musicians playing music and the area was quite lively and full of people.

One of the four corners of the Canti in Palermo
Another of the  unique corners of the Canti in Palermo

We explored the city and came across the Pretoria fountain with beautiful statues and fountain located near the church of San Cataldo. 

Pretoria fountain and statues in front of the Chruch of San Cataldo in Palermo
Ray in front of the Pretoria fountain.
Pretoria fountain and statues outside of the Church of San Cataldo

An other impressive statue was located in the Piazza San Domenico.

Statue and monument in Piazza San Domenico.

We saw the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele which is an opera house located on the Piazza Verdi.

Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele in Palermo

This was an interesting and historic building and so we decided to take tour of the opera house.  Link for Opera House

Another unique and interesting thing in Palermo and Sicily as a whole was the Sicilian Moor’s Heads.  There are two stories about the origin of these elegant hand-painted ceramic decorative vases.  

One of the many ceramic Moor vases for sale in Sicily.

The legend says that during the time of the Moor domination in Sicily, there lived a beautiful girl in the Arab quarter Kalsa  which is in the heart of Palermo. She loved to take care of plants on her balcony. One day she was noticed by a Moor who fell in love with her. The man told her of his feelings and the two were overwhelmed by desire and love. When the girl found out that her lover would soon travel back to the East, where his wife and children were waiting for him, she became enraged. 

Mad with jealousy, feeling humiliated by the betrayal, the girl killed the Moor while he was asleep. In a fit of incredible violence, she cut off his head and used it as a vase in which she planted a bud of basil. The girl watered the plant with her tears and, as time went by, the basil grew into the most luxuriant ever seen. This caused the envy of the girl’s neighbours, who immediately ordered ceramic vases with the same features as the Moor’s Head. That’s how the tradition is said to have started.

According to another story, the Moor’s Heads represent the impossible love of a young couple. The girl was Sicilian and had noble origins, while her lover was a young Arab. When their love affair was discovered, her family cruelly punished them both by beheading them.

Their heads were then turned into vases and hung as warnings on a balcony. This is why the ceramic heads are always made in pairs, in memory of the two young lovers who were murdered together.

There were some interesting and beautiful spots in Palermo but also some areas that were quite dirty and the infrastructure was neglected. 

“”Prendi solo ricordi, lascia solo impronte.” — Chief Seattle

 

Camino de Santiago, Spain

Camino redo from Lugo

In September of 2021 we started the Camino de Santiago known as the Primitivo route. It begins in Oviedo and is 321 kilometers to Santiago. We left from Oviedo and after incuring an injury we had to stop in Lugo. See this entry for the details  https://chaputfootprints.com/?p=18542

After two years we returned to Lugo to complete what we had started two years earlier..

Shelley and Ray on their way to start Camino de Santiago

Our trip began with an 8 hour train from Alicante to town of Ourense in Galicia then we took a bus to Lugo. 

Ray and Shelley on the bus heading to Lugo

We arrived in the early evening in Lugo and checked into our Hotel.  Excited and anxious to start our camino the next day. Our day began early and we started out at sunrise.

Shelley on our first early morning trek on the Camino de Santiago from Lugo

We reached the camino marker that also marked the end of the camino for Shelley two years earlier.

Shelley at the camino marker outside of Lugo

She stopped and put a new rock on the marker and then we continued along the camino. There were many beautiful spots along the camino and over the next five days we would wake up early and walked long hours.  Below are some of the spots along the way. 

Although the journey was hard, it was very rewarding with special spots and memories along the way.  The experience was enhanced when we finally reached Santiago de Compostela. To stand at the Cathedral of Santiago and look at it gave us a sense of accomplishment. It was a happy and emotional time even though our bodies were sore and tired. 

Shelley and Ray at the Cathedral of Santiago

We managed to find a nice table near the cathedral and sat down to relax and take in the moment.

Shelley and Ray near the Cathedral of Santiago

After checking into our hotel and settling in we headed to get our compostela. We arrived at the compostela office and within 10 minutes had our certificates.

Ray and Shelley’s certificates of completion -Compostela de Santiago and camino stamp passport

We spent the day relaxing and had a nice meal to celebrate the adventure and achievement.

Shelley and Ray toasting the finish of the Camino de Santiago

The following day we headed home to prepare for our next adventure.

Shelley and Ray heading home from the Camino de Santiago

“Hasta la próxima, buen Camino y disfruta de cada paso de la vida.”

Tanzania

Saying goodbye to Tanzania

Our last day on safari we drove to the Seronera airstrip that is located in the middle of the Serengeti National Park. The airstrip and flight was quite unique and interesting.  Our waiting area was under a canvas tent on the side of the airstrip.

Shelley under the tent waiting for our flight.
Ray and Shelley under the tent waiting for the flight to arrive

We sat under the tent and watched the airplanes landing and taking off on the dirt airstrip while we waited for our flight.

One of the aircraft on the dirt runway

We climbed aboard the plane and settled into our seats for the 2 hour flight out of the Serengeti. The plane was well used and the seatbelts had some wear and tear.

Ray and Shelley in the plane leaving the Serengeti
Shelley’s seatbelt which was a little worn.

The plane was small and had very little extra space.

We took off and about an hour into the flight we flew over the Ngorongoro Crater. We could see this amazing place from our window.

A view of the Ngorongoro Crater from our plane

After a few hours we landed in Karatu a town just outside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here a driver took us to Arusha for our last night in Tanzania. We stayed at the Gran Malia Hotel in Arusha which was an amazing hotel. 

Gran Melia Arusha Tanzania

The hotel was truly eco and bio focused and felt like an oasis. The Gran Melia is  on 18 acres of beautiful landscaped coffee plantation and garden.

Shelley and Ray in the garden area of the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha

They grow their own food and most of the decorations in the hotel were made locally with recycled materials. This has provided support for the local charities and community.

Paths and bridges in the Melia 18 acres hotel
Art looking bench along the path in Gran Melia Hotel Arusha

They have a walking path throughout the 18 acres which also contain many different vegetables and fruit trees. We took a walk along the path and came across a gardener that was so proud and took us for a tour.

Coffee plantation in the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha

We went through the coffee plantation and saw them drying and roasting the coffee beans.

Coffee Beans being dried on large racks
Banana trees that produce the bananas for the hotel
Different herbs and vegetables in the Hotel gardens

The Hotel also uses the entire roof system of the hotel for growing vegetables and herbs.

View of the roof with gardens in Gran Melia Hotel

After exploring the gardens paths of the hotel, there was a path that led us to the Shanga & Shanga Foundation. This is a social enterprise, which employs people with disabilities to create unique and high-quality handmade jewelry, glassware and homewares incorporating recycled materials. The hotel works in concert with them and has bought many of their materials and art pieces to decorate the Hotel. 

Lion Head made by Shanga facility using recycled materials
View of the interior of the Hotel with decorations from the Shanga facility

We were greeted at the entrance and given a tour of the Shanga facility. 

Shanga entrance to facility making recycled art

The workers were so proud to show us their skills and what they were working on. 

One of the 38 workers working at the Shanga recycling material into weaving material.
A worker showing how to make a glass ornament using recycled glass.
Recycled material made into Christmas ornaments.

After touring the Shanga facility and buying a few items we went to the hotel terrance. We ordered a drink to celebrate our safari adventure and enjoy the last views of Tanzania before heading back. 

African wine on the terrace of the Gran Melia Hotel with view of Mount Meru in the background.
Shelley and Ray on the terrace

From the terrace we could see the beautiful view along with Mount Meru.

View of the Mount Meru from the terrace of the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha.

The next morning we packed our gear and prepared for the long flight home. 

Shelley and Ray waiting for the ride to the airport to head home.

We arrived at the airport and waited for our flight. Ray taking one last picture before boarding our flight and heading home. 

Our plane with Ray in the reflection of the glass.

This was a trip of a life time and one that we will remember for years.

“Kumbuka na kufurahia wakati wako wote wa furaha.”

Tanzania

The Sausage tree

We noticed a tree in Tanzania that was quite different. It had a large looking fruit which hung from the branches.

Shelley our Guide Omare and Ray

We asked our guide Omare about the tree and he stated “oh that is a sausage tree”  Really?  He explained that the tree is quite common and has a large fruit that looks like a sausage hence the name Sausage tree.

A “Sausage tree” in Tanzania

The actual name of the tree is Kigelia africana known locally as the sausage tree. When we were driving through the Serengeti we would come across these trees. We had our guide Omare stop and we were able to take a closer look at this “Sausage tree”

Kigelia africana, known as the sausage tree
The fruit of the tree which looks like a giant sausage casing

The “sausage” fruit on the tree is quite big and it can grow up to 60 cm (2 feet) long and weighs 7 to 10 kg (15 – 22 pounds).  They definitely look like the casing of a huge sausage. It hangs down on long rope-like stalk and the fruit pulp is fibrous, containing many seeds.

The fresh fruit sausage is poisonous to humans but some large animals like elephants, giraffes, hippopotamuses and monkeys eat them.  However when the fruit is dried it is used several different ways. The skin which is a hard shell of the fruit is hollowed out, cleaned, and made into containers. In parts of Kenya the fruit is dried and used to make an alcoholic beverage known as Muratina. This drink is used during cultural events in central Kenya. 

This is just one of the many unique and interesting things we saw during our time in Tanzania.

“Moja ya mambo ya kuvutia”

Tanzania

South Central Serengeti

Day three of our Safari was our first full day in the Serengeti which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was selected because of its important ecosystem, the dense population of animals and the annual Great Migration.

View of the Serengeti and a giraffe in the distance.

Our day started early and we left camp at 7a.m.  We began to explore the south central Serengeti eventually we would arrive at a different camp for the night.  We drove along the Nyabogati River which provides lush brush and drinking water for many animals. 

Shelley and Ray standing in the jeep with the pop up roof.

Our jeep has a pop up roof which gave us perfect unimpeded 360º view. It felt like we were standing outside near the animals. 

Nyabogati River in central Serengeti

As we drove along the river we came across quite a few hippopotamus. They are one of only two species in the Hippo family, the other is the pygmy hippopotamus. The name hippopotamus comes from the ancient Greek for “river horse”.

Hippopotamus in the river, avoiding the sun on their skin.
Another group of hippopotamus a little further down the river.

The hippos were quite boring to watch in the water. They simply stayed in the water as much as they could. However it was interesting to learn that the body of the Hippo is so dense that they can walk underwater. They can also hold their breath for up to five minutes. Hippos lose water rapidly through the skin and become dehydrated quickly. They must retreat in the water in order to hydrate and to keep cool, because they don’t sweat. They have an oil that releases from glands that serve as sunscreen. 

We left the river area and went more into the grasslands of Serengeti. It was not long until we came across some giraffes.   

Giraffe eating at a “Sausage tree”

Our guide informed us that  giraffes are the tallest of all land animals. That the Male giraffe can grow to a height of 5.5 metres (18 feet).  Their tongues are are very long and they use them to browse foliage high above the ground. 

We saw some elephants who were just walking along slowly enjoying the day. They decided to stop and have a drink in a puddle of water near our jeep.

A Herd of Elephants drinking water from a puddle of water.
We got a little closer and watched them drink. It was quite interesting and entertaining as well.

We then drove on and encountered some lions. They were relaxing in the shade of a large tree. At first we could only see one lion but as we moved the jeep we saw the second one relaxing.

Lion enjoying the shade of a tree
Second lion on the other side of the tree

We saw a leopard laying in the shade with her cubs. Although we were fairly close to them, they did not seem to take any notice of us. 

After a short drive we came across a cheetah laying in a tree. It was enjoying the shade and watching the area below.

Cheetah laying on a tree branch.
Cheetah in a tree looking down over the area.
Cheetah on rock looking over Serengeti flatlands

During the day we saw many zebras, giraffes and other animals all living in their natural habitat. We even saw some white-back vultures that were circling in the sky. 

A white-back Vulture on a tree branch
A white-back Vulture on a tree branch

It was getting late in the day and there were ominous clouds on the horizon. Our guide wanted to get us to the next camp before the rain started. So we headed to Sound of Silence. It is an eco friendly safari tented resort in the heart of Serengeti. We arrived at the new camp just as the sky opened up and torrential rains fell. 

We stayed in the common area and had our dinner while the rain poured. The meal was tasty and good. 

Meat and veggies with a gravy sauce

After the meal and the rain stopped we watched the sun set before heading to our tent for the night.

Sunset on the Serengeti.

It was another great day and we were happy to have seen cheetahs and leopards today. We were looking forward to our next adventure tomorrow which starts extra early. We are set to get up at 4 a.m. 

“Ishi maisha kwa ukamilifu, wakati ni mfupi”