It has just gone midnight. The air is warm and still and there is the sound of gentle raindrops caressing the ground outside. Male tawny owls are issuing their haunting calls, vying for their territories and distant blackbirds are singing. It is a secret magical time. I feel at peace with the world, it has …
Month: April 2016
The mysterious wildlife of the Nazca lines
After another long bus ride I am sitting in a café in the hot, dusty desert town of Nazca. It is mid-late afternoon. There are flowering acacia trees, Latin music blasting from every corner of the plaza, political banners and demonstrations, car horns and hundreds of people enjoying their Saturday. This is what I love …
Voyage to the Islas Ballestas, Peru
Two weeks ago, I was in Lima working with a team of British and Peruvian environmental scientists and tourism specialists. We are working on sustainability, green growth and green economy transitions in ground transport, tourism and coastal industries in Peru. Following an intense but very productive week, I had two free days before my flight home; …
Making time for Spring…..
Today is the first day of the year that I have been free to just sit and enjoy my spring garden. Off work, time to think, time to reflect and time to soak up the healing rays of sunshine. Having time is such a precious thing. There is lots more going on than I thought: blue …
Day 8: the end of the expedition……
An uneventful trip back to Medan is followed by a further seven days of travel, of meetings and of forming new elephant conservation research partnerships. The first is a trip to Banda Aceh to meet colleagues at the Universitas Syiah Kuala. Banda Aceh is a clean and bright coastal town famous for the 2004 tsunami which was the first …
Day 7: Last day in the forest……..
Heavy rain and thunder overnight leaves the air dense with humidity. Mandy, Ross and I are to trek north through the old, overgrown logging trails. We dress and pack accordingly but as we set off, I decide that today I would let them trek with the guides and I would go alone to explore the …