LIFE IN THE BAYOU

The Louisiana bayous are the stuff of legend. From tales of pirates and treasures to the culture of the creole and cajun people that live back amongst the trees and swamps, it's a distinct and almost magical lifestyle.

For many of us it conjures up an image of the lone fisherman, or croc hunter in our most imaginative moments, living in a ramshackle house out amongst the mangroves.

Or of a voodoo priestess practicing her magic as the campfire light dances across the waters of the swamp.

And while there are people who live that way, life in the bayou isn't as harsh or isolationist as the casual visitor might expect.

A recent visit to New Orleans was highlighted by a tour around one of the neighboring bayous. Airboat, such as you might find in the Florida Everglades.  It's the perfect craft for navigating the swamps. Captain Mitch is your local guide. And Kermin is your host for a pleasant afternoon relaxing in the bayou.

You can find out more at Ultimate Swamp Adventures.

Our host Kermin

Kermin's "driveway" and front walk

Mitch working to free a trapped snake 

Captain Mitch discussing life on the bayou

THE FRIDAY MARTINI (RECIPE)

The Godiva Chocolate Martini

* Chocolate sauce and cane sugar

* 2 oz Godiva Chocolate liqueur (per person)

* 1 1/2 oz vodka (per person)

* White chocolate shavings

* 2 fresh raspberries on a toothpick (per person)

Pour chocolate sauce onto a small plate, sugar onto a different small plate.

Invert martini glass and dip rim into chocolate, then into sugar.

Pour Godiva liqueur and vodka into martini shaker with ice. 

Shake for ten seconds, then pour into martini glasses.

Garnish with raspberries and shavings, serve immediately.



(Note: This is not Godiva's official recipe. You can find that here.)

MUSICLAND

Music lies at the heart of so many cities and cultures that it, at times, defines that place.

Manhattan and San Francisco claim the underground music scene, particularly when it came to the 1960s. Nashville of course is Country, though even now it expands its musical borders to nearly every field. Los Angeles has both film music and rock and roll. Honolulu is Hawaii. Seattle is grunge. St Louis, the Blues.

And New Orleans is jazz. Dixieland and, increasingly, straight ahead and Blues fusion.

Music defines us and our culture. 

Live music is a way to get to know a place, get to the city beneath the streets, if you will.

Give a listen next time you're in town.

Fat Catz Music Club in New Orleans' French Quarter

BABY IT'S WARM OUTSIDE

Getting towards the chilly season in Churchill, Canada. 

Each year polar bears gather outside of Churchill to await the freezing of the Hudson Bay -- when ice hunting for seals becomes the bears' chief pastime. As a visitor, you can see all of this for yourself. 

(Our friends at Frontiers North can tell you all about it. Tell 'em where you saw it.)

Unfortunately with global warming the bears are having a shorter and shorter hunting season.

Just one of the many impacts on our world.

A few years ago I produced this video to add to the global outcry.

DRIVING THROUGH THE VINES

Random picture number 1248.

Vines along Western Australia's Margaret River.

MONDAY MONDAY

Good morning. It's Monday.

Time to dust yourself off, grab a large coffee and get your week under way.

(I'm sorry, somebody has to do it.)

COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF, Sunset and Vine

EAT LOCAL (AND DRINK)

I've been advocating "eat local" for years. It's the best way to learn and understand a culture that might be different than your own.

Some places are just a bit more fun than others...

THE FRIDAY MARTINI AND RECIPE

It's the end of the week, and as always we pay respects to our favorite Friday libation, the martini.

Adding a new twist (pun intended) with our favorite weekly martini - or other drink - recipe, just to make your Friday more adventurous.

Today's recipe from the folks at Ciroc vodka, and the martini illustration is from The Neptune Restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand.

First up, the "Ciroc Lola":

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz. CÎROC™ Vodka
1.5 oz. Pomegranate Juice
0.25 oz. Elderflower Liqueur
1 splash of Champagne
METHOD

1. Combine CÎROC™ Vodka, Pomegranate Juice and Elderflower Liqueur in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Top with a splash of Champagne.
4. Garnish with Orchid flower.

Have a great weekend!!!

END OF SUMMER

The temperatures are dipping and here in the northern hemisphere we're all looking towards months of cool and cold weather, wishing, maybe just for a few days more, we were on the beach where it was sunny and warm.

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AWAKE AGAIN

Hello again. 

Sorry for the delay. Got back from the trip around the country and the emotional toll of the last two years took, well, its toll. Exhaustion set in. Plus sadness with the news of a dear friend passing immediately after losing my father.

But, time marches on despite our best intentions.

This in mind I am posting a shot of the sunrise atop Mount Haleakala in Hawaii. It's one of the most spectacle moments of my life and worth revisiting. Plus it works well as a metaphor for restarting those things which really mean a lot to me. With every closing door one opens, or so they say. 

I prefer the sentiment that with every sunset there is the promise of a sunrise.

ENOUGH OF THAT! (THE FRIDAY MARTINI)

Enough time off for lazing around after the marathon road trip. Time to get back to the daily posts.

Today's Friday, which means it's time for the Friday Martini!

The trip added several to the portfolio, but here's one of my favorite. From the Coppin's Restaurant at the Hotel Covington, across the river from Cincinnati.

Have a great weekend!