SYLVIA PATTON - 2019 - 2021 - CALENDAR EXTRAS

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE! BERNAL GLACIER      Bernal Glacier lies at the end of the fjord, Seno Montañas (Fjord of the Mountains). The fjord is 41 miles long and has mountain ranges on either side - the Cordillera Sarimiento to the west, and Cordillera Riesco to the east. We reached the upper end of the fjord just after sunrise. Traveling the still waters in the early morning, watching the reflections of the Cordilleras on both sides, was all that I could ask for. As it was early, not many folks out and about - just myself, racing madly from side to side, and National Geographic photographer, Rich Reid, setting up his time lapse iPhones. Heaven!     This fjord, and the glacier, will show up in later months as it was a truly spectacular  photographic experience. For now, I'll include some of the views of the fjord as we approach the Bernal Glacier.  From a distance Looking back Approaching          We'll get up close and perso...

What a day this is; what a time this is. These memories come from the world before. May this short piece distract you, in a good way, if only for a moment. I hope this finds you all well, safe, and coping as best you can. May we find justice and peace. Sending out love and white light.   CUERNOS DEL PAINE      I only got to spend one beautiful day in Torres del Paine National Park. We did a whirlwind tour by bus which covered a lot of ground in one day. I would love to go back and spend more time there. As you know, I love mountains, and Los Cuernos are spectacular ones! They are part of the Cordillera del Paine which includes the three main mountains (torres) which define the park along with Los Cuernos.  LUNCH - UNA ASADA - SABROSA!      We were told there were pumas in the park, but that there was little chance of seeing one. Actually, we saw five! Truly an unexpected bonus. I can't claim credit for the photo howe...

AHU VAI URI     Happy May Day!  I hope everyone is coping - staying safe and healthy! As am I :-))      As the sun is setting on Ahu Kai Uri above, so is the sun setting on our time with Rapa Nui. This is the last photo of Rapa Nui in the calendar. I hope you have enjoyed visiting Rapa Nui.      It was a delight capturing this month's image. As afternoon progresses, people start gathering in the fields of  Tahai anticipating the sunset. They bring blankets and picnics, and of course, cameras! This particular evening was graced with just the right amount of clouds to complement the scene. Pure joy to behold!      Just north of the town of Hanga Roa lies the Tahai ceremonial complex. Part of one of the oldest settlements on the island, dating back to 700 AD, it occupies a landscape of great beauty. The three separate ahus rise out of a green slope, the size of several football fields, overlooking the Pacific ...

Rano Raraku Quarry Heads      So here we are on April 1, 2020,  and we just wish someone would say "April Fool!" And what is happening would disappear, and life as we knew it would return. Sadly, that's not the case, so we must forge onwards adapting to our new reality.       In the spirit of some things remain the same - "Here's the monthly blog!"             The Famous Easter Island Heads Have Hidden Bodies                                                Headline from a Forbes science article in 1987                              ( You can find the article here - along with some cool pics.) https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/07/26/famous-easter-island-heads-have-hidden-bodies/#45b42e4f8041  ...

RANO RAU                  RANO RAU is an unusual volcanic crater wetland at the west end of Rapa Nui. Its microclimate creates ideal conditions for flower diversity and the growth of native species naturally. Its sides provide shelter from wind and the salinity of the sea, in addition to keeping it safe from humans, cattle and fire. And it's a visual jewel!  VISITOR CENTER       ORONGO is the ceremonial village located outside the western rim of the crater.  At one time there were 54 stone houses here which were used temporarily each year for the annual religious competition for power on the island. Birds are important on remote islands, and were central to Rapa Nui cultural and religious life. The rim Orongo Village Houses       The three islets of the Birdman Competition The competition occurred in July when all the clans chose their strongest males to com...

                                                                  JANUARY TONGARIKI      Here we are in February! At least you all got your 2020 calendars before your 2019 calendar ran out!       It's a shame Tongariki didn't get more contemplation time as it is the most recognizable image of Rapa Nui. ( I'll refer to what we know as Easter Island by it's local name of Rapa Nui from here on out.)  As I mentioned before, all the moai were damaged in the 1700's. Tongariki is the largest grouping of restored moai, 15 in all. They are all different sizes and shapes; no two are alike, which also can be said of the 900+ which have been discovered to date! The ahu, or base for the moai, was also well restored. It's most impressive!  Up close and personal! Backside ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!     Rapa Nui (Easter Island)  is a true faraway destination. It is the most western of the Polynesian Islands and lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is over 2300 miles off the coast of Chile, to which it belongs, and 2500 miles from Tahiti. The nearest inhabited island is Pitcairn Island, (population 50) 1289 miles away. While its claim to fame is the over 900 carved statues, called moai, my amazement is how Polynesians, around 500 AD, found the place at all! It's only 64 square miles in size!      I rented a car and just drove around the island, listening to the radio, stopping and staying at the archeological sites as I pleased. It was sort of like Hawaii, but not quite. The music was sort of Polynesian, but not quite. There were a few tourists, but not many. It was as I imagine Hawaii was 75 years ago.      The photo above is of two sites in the Rapa Nui National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritag...