Apr 26, 2013
France. Given a choice of touring Dijon, France on our barge trip or going truffle hunting, the choice was obvious (at least to me). A truffle hunt with a Lagotto, a dog bred to hunt truffles, was in order. There are hundreds of truffle types, but we were going to hunt for black ones. So what exactly is a truffle (and I am not talking about the chocolate kind although, in my opinion, they taste better)? Truffles are mushrooms growing underground, often around the base of a tree. They are usually harvested by pigs and dogs who can smell the fragrant fungi. Pigs are used less today (they are actually outlawed in Italy) as they damage the truffle habitat while digging and then they eat the truffle. Dogs don’t seem to really like the truffle which works much better. Known as one of the most expensive foods on the planet (currently selling for over $500 a pound which is still less than bird nest soup), I got to taste one that had just been dug up by our truffle dog shown in the photo. It tasted like dirt and dog slobber so I don’t really get the big deal. And on the cooking show “Chopped”, any chef using truffle oil almost always loses. Come to find out, truffle oil rarely contains truffles but is olive oil with a synthetic chemical made from formaldehyde. Yum. While truffles are mainly grown in Italy and France, we are starting to see them cultivated in the US in Oregon and even Tenn. So if you get a chance to taste one or watch... read more
Apr 25, 2013
Africa. I never expected to see penguins frolicking in the warm surf, in Africa of all places. But there they were at the beach at The Cape of Good Hope, the Southern tip of Africa. The African Penguin, also known as the Black-Footed Penguin or the Jackass Penguin because of the donkey like bray they make, are endangered. Only about 55,000 remain, down from 4 million at the turn of the century. And without a halt in their decline, they are expected to be extinct within 10 years. But they could be extinct now if not for the largest animal rescue ever in the world back in 2000. The MVP Treasure, an iron ore tanker, sank off the African coast and released 1300 tons of fuel oil. Almost half of the entire African penguin population was at risk of dying from oil exposure. Volunteers came from all over the world, over 12,000 people, to help individually wash each bird. 40,000 birds were affected with over 90% saved. Read about the rescue in “The Great Penguin Rescue” or watch a Ted talk (www.ted.com/talks/dyan_denapoli) both by Dyan deNapoli, one of the rescuers. The message she delivers is inspiring. Each of us can make a difference, whether one penguin at a time or one moment at a time. What difference can I make today? ... read more
Apr 23, 2013
Africa. What an awe inspiring sight! Hovering above Victoria Falls in a helicopter (this was definitely way outside my comfort zone), we could see the mist surrounding the falls. And walking the trails around the falls, you hear the thunder of the water, feel the damp spray and try to dodge the monkeys. Just amazing. Called the Smoke that Thunders by the locals, the falls lie on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia in Southern Africa. Discovered by David Livingstone (the Scottish missionary and physician who was greeted with the famous phrase, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume”), they are named after Queen Victoria of England. Over 1 mile wide and 350 feet high, they are the one of the largest waterfalls on the planet and are designated a World Heritage site. They are also included on the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World published by CNN. Which I found fascinating, because on doing some research, there are multiple lists of the Seven Wonders of the World. And each is different. There is the Ancient Seven Wonders, the Natural, the Medieval, the New Seven Wonders, the Modern, the Industrial, the Underwater and even the Animal Seven Wonders (which includes butterflies and magpies). So much to do and see and... read more
Apr 19, 2013
Africa. These beautiful elephants live in Botswana, a wonderful place I visited several years ago. But in Chad which is in Central Africa, just last month, 89 elephants were killed for their ivory. Thirty three were pregnant females and 15 were calves shot along side their Mom’s. How very sad since there are only about 600 elephants left in Chad in the wild, down from 40,000 in the 80’s. And it occurred just as the CITES convention in Bangkok was winding up. Remember the resolution to ban the sale of domestic ivory in Thailand which passed at the beginning of the convention? Now the resolution needs to be implemented as one step to reduce the use of ivory. So how do we protect our animals and our rangers? In Chad, not only are the elephants being killed, but the park rangers hired to protect them are being murdered. Well, some good news. Eight African nations are sending 1,000 troops to the region to protect the remaining elephants and try and stop the poachers. And a cool small way to help, I learned this morning. I sent an electronic post card to a ranger in Africa thanking him/her for their help and dedication in protecting our animals. Wow, I never thought about helping in such an amazing way. Just saying thank you to someone I have never met. You can do it thru the World Wildlife Fund website. Baby steps, but steps! ... read more
Apr 18, 2013
New Zealand. Green Lipped Mussels. Very pretty and it turns out really good for you, too. Unfortunately they are endemic to New Zealand, meaning they only grow in the coastal waters of New Zealand. No where else. They are, however, exported to many countries including the U.S. If you have a dog and feed him/her Greenies, then you may be enhancing your dog’s diet with powdered green lipped muscles. The Joint Care Greenies are made from the mussels and have been shown in studies to help alleviate signs of arthritis in dogs. Cool! And if they help our dogs, wouldn’t the same go for us humans? Well, yes. In limited studies, freeze dried green lipped mussels have helped people with improved joint mobility and pain (you can buy them in capsules and no, this is not a recommendation for them). They are very high in Omega 3 and may rival fish oil some day. But the great thing about these mussels-they are one of the most environmentally friendly of any food we can eat. They are grown from wild spat (mussel seed harvested from seaweed washed up on the beach) on long ropes suspended in the ocean. They eat plankton so no feed is needed and they have zero impact on our environment. So next time you are in a restaurant, look for these beautiful, healthy for you mussels. I know I will!... read more
Apr 11, 2013
Tasmania. So who is this cute little guy? Well the Tasmanian Devil, of course. What? There really is a Tasmanian Devil and he/she lives in Tasmania? And it is not a Looney Toon cartoon (remember Taz?). Well first, let’s figure out where Tasmania is since I didn’t know until I visited there a couple of years ago. Tasmania is an island located 150 miles off the Australian coast to the South. It is the only place in the world where the Tasmanian Devil lives in the wild. Outside of Australia, the only place to see the devils is the Copenhagen Zoo where 4 were presented as a gift when the Crown Prince of Denmark, whose Mother is Tasmanian, was born in 2005. No other zoos outside Australia have them. Weird. Devils are the largest carnivorous marsupial (quite a mouthful). Think back to biology, marsupials are mammals that carry their young in a pouch including kangaroos, possums and wombats (which happen to be the devil’s favorite food). Being carnivorous, they consume all of their prey including bones, skin and flesh acting as a vacuum cleaner for the forests. And they are yet another endangered species with 85% of the population being wiped out by a contagious facial cancer that spreads when the devils bite each other through mating or feeding. Scientists are trying to develop a cure and also establish disease free colonies to prevent possible extinction in the next 20 years. Let’s hope it works so you can see a devil next time you are in Tasmania! ... read more
Apr 9, 2013
Thailand. Walking the beach in Thailand, I found one piece of sea glass and some really cool shells. That was enough to celebrate! For those of us hooked on collecting sea glass, each found piece is a new discovery. So a piece from Thailand. I was jumping with joy! Collecting sea glass (any weathered glass found on the beach or inland waterway) is popular around the world. In the US, there is a an online magazine, Sea Glass Journal, an association, North American Sea Glass Association, and even an annual festival in Virginia. Who would have thought? So what is the rarest color? Well it is orange (a color I have never seen) found in 1 out of 10,000 pieces. Brown, kelly green and white are the most common. And the color comes from the original use of the glass; a bottle, jar, plate, or window… And some, as you can see from the photo of pieces I have found in Palm Beach, have writing. Vacation places are even advertised as having good sea glass collecting. Maybe something to check out as you are making your vacation plans. And why collect it? Because, on just a very basic level, it makes us happy. And it is free, good exercise and fun. So see you on the beach and happy collecting. ... read more
Apr 5, 2013
Thailand. My tent at The Four Seasons Elephant Camp was named The Butterfly and Beetle tent (each of the 15 tents had a different theme) so I was surrounded by butterflies, beetles and elephants. Quite the combo. And I was amazed at the number of different butterflies and moths in the framed mount shown in the photo. So what role do butterflies play in our world? It turns out big, besides being beautiful to watch. After bees, they are the world’s second largest pollinator. Something I have never really thought about much. But without pollination, the human race doesn’t survive. Wow. Of the 1400 crop plants grown in the world, 80% require pollination to reproduce. Pollination, simply put, is the transfer of pollen in and between flowers and is necessary for the plant to produce fruit and seeds. So most of the day to day things you consume need pollination. Think coffee, apples, spices, chocolate, potatoes, almonds and even tequila. And sadly, as with so many things, butterfly populations are declining worldwide as a result of loss of habitat, increased use of pesticides (especially with genetically engineered corn) and climate change. So next time you see a butterfly, appreciate it for all it contributes to your well being. Maybe plant some flowers that attract and feed them. Learn how you can help them. And just enjoy their beauty. I know I will! ... read more
Apr 3, 2013
Thailand. Northern Thailand is mountainous and mysterious, at least from my point of view. Drug running, elephants and suspension bridges make my list of terrifying things (although elephants have definitely moved to the magical side). Suspension bridges have always held a morbid fascination for me. Along the same lines as airplanes. How do they stay in the air and since I am deathly afraid of heights…Well, they don’t always, as evidenced by the spectacular collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge into the Puget Sound 4 months after it opened in 1940. No people were killed but a poor dog named Tubby bit the rescuer trying to save him and died. The longest suspension bridge in the world is located in Japan at almost 13,000 feet which is over 2.5 miles. China has 4 of the top 10 longest and the US has one in the top 10. The double-decker (gee, one deck is bad enough but 2?), Verrazano Narrows connects Staten Island to Brooklyn. The famous Golden Gate comes in at #11. So back to this suspension bridge. Feeling emboldened by my elephant ride, I decided to walk over this bridge by myself. Having never stepped foot on one before, I was hardly breathing. The faster I walked, the more it swayed so I had to slow down, breathe and I did it – both ways! With no one watching. Amazing. ... read more
Apr 3, 2013
Malaysia. I am always interested in maps as I really don’t have a clue where many countries are located in relationship to other countries. Take Malaysia. It is split in 2 by a wide expanse of the South China Sea. News to me. So on our Eastern Oriental Express train ride we started in Singapore, traversed the entire country of Malaysia and then crossed over into Thailand, ending in Bangkok. Little did I know that we had only traveled through part of Malaysia and had not entered East Malaysia located on the Island of Borneo. Hmmm. Where have I heard of Borneo? Of course, Borneo Pygmy elephants, only found on the North east tip of Borneo. And I have since learned Borneo is the 3rd largest Island in the world and includes not only part of Malaysia, but also Indonesia and Brunei. > Just 3 months ago, in Jan 2013, 14 Pygmy elephants were found dead, believed to have been accidentally poisoned by palm oil farmers. A baby elephant survived and is now being raised by zookeepers. Only about 1200 pygmy elephants remain in the wild so let’s hope Baby Joe, as the baby was nicknamed, continues to thrive.... read more
Mar 29, 2013
Thailand. So I have been wondering more about the mirror test used with elephants and the 3 other species (which of course, you remember) to determine if they recognize themselves. How exactly is this done? Well a very large mirror, 8 x 8, is used which the elephant smells, touches and feels until he/she gets used to it. Then a large circle or X is painted on their forehead. If the elephant touches the painted spot on their body, using the mirror to see it, then they recognize themselves. This is part of the research being done with the elephant I am riding in the photo. And that is not all. I just read about an elephant that figured out how to use a box, to stand on, to get some fruit tied above his head, out of his reach. Wow! So an elephant can use a tool. And so can octopus, sea otters and rodents. Yes, even rats. So much to learn. More to follow!... read more
Mar 28, 2013
Thailand. Poor silkworms. In order to leave their cocoon, they must bore a hole thru the exterior of their little nests which damages the silk threads making up the cocoon. So they get boiled before they can escape. Which leaves a lot of dead silkworms. So what to do with all of them? Well of course, you eat them (at least in Asia). Here, they are seen in a food market in Northern Thailand.They are a rich source of protein, fiber, minerals and vitamins. I must confess, we didn’t try them, but they apparently are bitter and pop in your mouth. Maybe next time. One order of bird drop soup and a side of silkworms. What is fascinating, at least to me, is silkworms are extinct in the wild. Because of selective breeding and a diet of mulberry leaves exclusively, they exist only in captivity to use in silk factories. This makes them one of only two domesticated insects in the world. And they may be one of the most environmentally friendly and healthiest food sources. With minimal carbon impact, they supply silk threads for our clothes and food for our nourishment. Truly an astonishing little worm. I wonder if I can order some from Amazon? ... read more
