One of the most striking antelopes I saw in Africa was the Topi. A deep suede looking coat with near black highlights, it was uniquely different to the common impala, puku and other light-coated antelopes running around.
They’re a bit similar to the hartebeest, but with bolder colouring, dark faces and ringed horns that only have a gradual turn to them.
They’re not endangered, but different subspecies are facing troubles across parts of central Africa. They’re plentiful in the well-protected parks of east Africa, this one what photographed in the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania.
An impressive hike on Easter Island, the Te Ara O Te Ao Trail from Hanga Road town up to Rano Kau crater, via the Manavai Garden is a moderate to challenging day trek depending on weather.
Most people hire a car or simply hop in a taxi for the ride up the hill to the edge of the crater and nearby Orongo ruins. But doing that you miss out on some great seaside scenery, a botanical garden, ocean-side caves and an enjoyable uphill hike through grassy fields and tree patches that offer a beautiful panoramic view of the island.
Pie del Rano Kau Tuki Marker on Easter Island
I started my hike at Camping Mihinoa, where I was staying. It is a bit on the edge of town, so I was already between hike marker (or ‘TUKI’) 10 and 11 when I got on the road. From there, you follow the road towards the mountain that looms in the distance. The full trail, one-way is slightly more than 3.5km long and takes roughly 2 hours at a decent pace, but stopping to enjoy the highlights.
Highlight 1: Fishing Harbour
On the outskirts of town is the lively fishing harbour. This is where so many Easter Islanders make their living, heading out to sea each day to catch some fish. No tourist facilities here, this is all business.
Easter Island - Fishing Boats on the Outskirts of Hanga Roa
Highlight 2: Flowers and Trees
Flowering hibiscus are among the more colourful sights you’ll see on a hike up to Rano Kau.
There are plenty of trees and flowers along the Te Ara O Te Ao trail
Highlight 3: Ahu Riata
A fairly simple Ahu. You can find Ahu Riata across the road from the harbour and just before the airport. As you can see in the photo here, airplanes fly in pretty close!
Ahu Riata on Easter Island, with Moa Statues and Airplane in the Background
Highlight 4: Manavai Exhibition Garden
Dozens of different plants are on exhibit in this botanical garden. They’re mostly protected with circular rock structures surrounding them, to keep them safe from rodents. Easter Island was once nearly all forest, before the early inhabitants wiped it clear. Today, efforts are under way to re-forest the island with endemic plant species.
Mandioca, a native plant, at the Manavai Exhibition Garden
Highlight 5: Observacion Geologica
A great view of the island and Hanga Roa town. You can stop for a break, have a picnic on a bench or just enjoy the view here.
View of Hanga Roa from the Observacion Geologica
Highlight 6: Cooling off in a Rainstorm
I had a big rainstorm blow in halfway between the Observacion Geologica and Rano Kau. Considering I was dumb and had run out of water in the 35C heat it was a welcome relief. Did I mention I only ran across two other people on the entire hike? A local father and his daughter who were hiking down the mountain. They seemed surprise to see me, a visitor, bothering to enjoy some nature on Easter Island.
Storms Roll in Quick on Easter Island, but Give Welcome Relief to the Heat
Highlight 7: Mirador Rano Kau
This is the reward at the top of the hill and edge of the ocean. One of the most amazing views I’ve ever enjoyed! Hiking inside the crater is technically not allowed and can be quite dangerous, but some people venture further.
Crater of Rano Kau Lookout on Easter Island
Highlight 8: Taking the Easy Road back to Town
On the way down I took the easier route and hiked down the main road. It goes more inland and is actually a longer route that allows you to pass by a few farms and through some forest and rural parts of the island before swinging back to the coast, around the airport.
Road to Hanga Roa from Rano Kau Crater
It was not nearly as scenic a hike as the way up was, but if you feel like taking it easy, it still gives you a better appreciation of the island than driving does. Just be wary of the local farm animals, I had a stare down with a rather intimidating cow on this remote road!
Your best bet for spotting an Orangutan in Borneo is a visit to the Sepilok Rehab Centre run by the Sabah Wildlife Department. At any given time there are a number of Orangutans being cared for at this facility near Sandakan.
Orangutan at the Sepilok Rehab Centre in Borneo
Seeing an Orangutan in the wild is a special, but elusive experience for many people that visit Borneo. But at Sepilok, they do a great job of keeping these amazing animals healthy and happy in a natural environment. They’ve been doing it since 1964 with the aim of releasing orphaned and injured Orangutans back into the wild Kabili-Sepilok Forest.
Orangutan enjoying some Bananas at Sepilok
Part of their rehab process before being released on their own is an Outdoor Nursery, where workers feed the Orangutans and visitors can watch the Orangutans eat from a special viewing area. The feeding times are 10am and 3pm each day and those are the only times that you’ll be virtually guaranteed to see some Orangutans up close. Outside of feeding time they’re off in the forest and may be out of sight.
Orangutan and Staff at the Feeding Platform at Sepilok
Be sure to take advantage of visiting during both feedings, as different Orangutans show up at different times. Plus, your day pass allows you to get in free the second time! As is common at places popular with tourists, if you want to take any photos or videos while visiting the Centre, you’ll have to pay an extra (nominal) fee.
An Orangutan and Monkey at Sepilok in Borneo
It is a great place to explore, with many hiking trails and pathways winding through the forest, which is also home to monkeys, butterflies, birds and other creatures. You can also visit the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre and go on a night hike looking for flying squirrels and other interesting nocturnal animals.
A Fuzzy, but Poisonous, Caterpillar at Sepilok Rehab Centre
There is no ‘zoo’ feel to the place either, which is refreshing. The natural environment and obvious ability for the Orangutans to come and go as they please makes it a rewarding wildlife experience in Borneo.
Double Rainbow at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
It may be the middle of winter in Canada right now, so why not share a little summer camping photo?
This double rainbow happened while camping in the summer at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park in Ontario. The lake beside our camp-site in the picture is Moore Lake, a great place for canoeing, fishing and enjoying this Ontario Park, which is located just north of the famous Algonquin Park.
One of the strange things I noticed after travelling through Africa was that I had hundreds of animal and landscape photos, but very few real-life images of what people do and where they live.
This was one photo I managed to take of a typical small village scene in Malawi. Simple wood and thatched roof construction for the buildings – no concrete, no sheet metal, no glass windows. While the shape of huts changes across Africa, the simplicity of rural village life remains the same.
It may seem strange to some people, but really, what more do you need than a roof over your head and some land to let the children play?
