Author Archives: Ursula After the trees arrived in Haida Gwaii, SGaanuwee (Supernatural Beings) showed Haida kuuníisi (ancestors) how to carve gyaa’ang (monumental poles). The Haida word for monumental pole is related to the word gyaa’aa: “stand up”. After Haida carve, dance, and raise them, gyaaGang or gyaa’aang become living community members. Gyaagan.Ngaay – Monumental Poles of Haida Gwaii […]  I love an excuse to explore my own backyard! I had driven up to Brisbane to participate in a friend’s birthday party, and decided to stay an extra day to visit nearby North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). This had been on my “list” for a while. To keep life simple and take advantage of local knowledge, […]  When you travel, you meet people who travel. I was in Morocco on a small group tour. When I mentioned my planned trip to Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands, one of my travel-companions insisted: “You must read Nathaniel’s Nutmeg: How One Man’s Courage Changed the Course of History.“ Naturally, I complied – although it […]  Walking through history is so much more interesting than attempting to study it at school! Old stone walls have such stories to tell. Chefchaouen in Morocco’s Rif Mountains was originally founded as a defensive fortress in 1471 – at a time when Portugal was attacking northern cities and towns in the region. The mossy, rammed […]  I had always dreamed of a small-ship cruise on the Aegean Sea. That fabled dramatic coastline; countless small islands; and calm blue waters; all suggested the most luxurious of relaxing getaways – especially if you are not responsible for sailing the vessel yourself! When the opportunity presented itself, the time-frame and the price-point of trips […] |
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