The most commonly seen and well-known subspecies of the African Buffalo is the Cape Buffalo.
They’re common in Eastern and Southern Africa and have garnered a reputation as being fierce, unpredictable and aggressive. They live up to this reputation as Buffalo attacks are responsible for killing as many as 200 people a year in Africa.
The Buffalo is also one of the famous ‘Big Five’ animals in Africa.
Lured by the footprint of Buddha, pilgrims make the trek to the top of this sacred mountain in Sri Lanka every year from December to April.
But, so do Muslims, who believe the footprint is from Adam, while Christians believe it is from St. Thomas and Hindus believe it to be from Lord Shiva.
Whew! Whose footprint is it? Really, that doesn’t matter as Sri Pada has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years, and no mater what your belief, there is a sacred aura that surrounds the mountain.
I climbed the peak in January and even with my 3am start, there were plenty of people already climbing the stairs to the top.
Along the way, little teahouses dot the trail, offering hot tea and sweets to power you on further. It’s very tempting to jsut stop and relax, but then you’d miss the show at the top – as the goal is to arrive at the peak in time for sunrise.
Watching the sun slowly rise from a top a mountain is always a special experience, but when you add the ‘holiness’ element of this mountain to the morning glow, it was really a special experience. it was also my final day in the country, I was leaving later that afternoon, so it was the perfect way to cap off a great adventure in Sri Lanka.
After ringing the bell at the peak, the most magical moment happened shortly after, with the shadow of the mountain peak slowly creeping over the cloud-covered forest below.
It was a quiet, peaceful few minutes watching the shadow crawl across the country, eventually fading away as the sun rose higher and started to burn off the morning clouds.
I had taken may great hikes around Sri Lanka to tops of temples, through rain forests and across grassy plains. But being amongst the pilgrims ascending Sri Pada was easily the most memorable trek I took in the country.
It is a bit of a challenge, but by going slowly and pacing yourself the climb up the many many stairs should be doable by almost anyone. Just know that the reward at the top is well worth it!
Southern what?
Well, some people call it an Antbear. Still confused?
How about an Anteater! Ah ha, this here is most commonly known as the Lesser Anteater, being much smaller than it’s giant relative.
The Southern Tamandua ranges from the northern tip of South America all the way down through most of Brazil and into the northern parts of Argentina.
At home in dry or wet areas, this particular Collared Anteater (just another name…more confusion!) was spotted in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil.
While it isn’t a remarkably great photo, it was the only anteater I saw in Brazil as they can be elusive. This photo shows the long, pointy head of the anteater, which gives it it’s name. The anteater uses a long tongue to slurp up ants and termites after it breaks open a nest or mound with it’s big front claws.
Sleek and simple, the Puku is one of the classiest looking antelopes of Africa.
It’s home range is the grassy marsh areas of Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This male was spotted in some dry grass in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.
The Puku is listed as a near-threatened species.
Antarctica is among the most vivid travel memories I have. The immensity of everything there and the total isolation make it a scary, yet alluring place to visit.
One place I visited in Antarctica was Crystal Sound. This sound had some of the most interesting looking ice formations and icebergs on the entire trip, it also had some friendly-looking Weddell Seals hanging about.
These seals live further south than any other seal in the world, being totally at home in the cold, icy waters of Antarctica.
