Greatest Places on Earth! *Great Barrier Reef*

I LOVE the ocean but it is one of those beautiful natural wonders that amaze you and also demand respect, so when I think about one of the greatest places on earth, no doubt it has to be The Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

So come on, let's get going.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

The Great Barrier Reef is undisputed as one of the world’s most important natural assets. It is the largest natural feature on earth stretching more than 2,300km along the northeast coast of Australia from the northern tip of Queensland to just north of Bundaberg.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps.


The Great Barrier Reef supports a diversity of life, including many vulnerable or endangered species.

Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded in the Great Barrier Reef, including the dwarf minke whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the humpback whale. Large populations of dugongs live there.

Six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed – the green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback turtle, and the olive ridley.

215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) are attracted to the reef or nest or roost on the islands, including the white-bellied sea eagle and roseate tern. Most nesting sites are on islands in the northern and southern regions of the Great Barrier Reef, with 1.4-1.7 million birds using the sites to breed.


The most significant threat to the Great Barrier Reef is climate change. Mass coral bleaching events due to rising ocean temperatures occurred in of the summers of 1998, 2002 and 2006, and coral bleaching will likely become an annual occurrence. Climate change has implications for other forms of life on the Great Barrier Reef as well - some fish's preferred temperature range lead them to seek new areas to live, thus causing chick mortality in seabirds that prey on the fish. Climate change will also affect the population and available habitat of sea turtles.

Another key threat faced by the Great Barrier Reef is pollution and declining water quality. The rivers of north eastern Australia provide significant pollution of the Reef during tropical flood events with over 90% of this pollution being sourced from farms.

Due to its vast biodiversity, warm clear waters and its accessibility from the floating guest facilities called 'live aboards', the reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially scuba divers. Many cities along the Queensland coast offer daily boat trips to the reef. Several continental and coral cay islands have been turned into resorts, including the pristine resort island of Lady Elliot Island.

A variety of boat tours and cruises are offered, from single day trips, to longer voyages. Boat sizes range from dinghies to superyachts. Glass-bottomed boats and underwater observatories are also popular, as are helicopter flights. By far, the most popular tourist activities on the Great Barrier Reef are snorkelling and diving, for which pontoons are often used, and the area is often enclosed by nets. The outer part of the Great Barrier Reef is favoured for such activities, due to water quality.

SCENERY

VIDEOS

The Great Barrier Reef


The Great Barrier Reef in photos


Scuba Diving in the Reef


Shark Feed in the Great Barrier Reef

RECIPES

Garlic Scallops:

• 500 g scallop flesh

• 1 medium sized onion, diced finely

• 4 to 6 cloves of garlic finely chopped or crushed

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 100 ml pouring cream

• 4 spring onions sliced Chinese style (on an angle)

• a splash of white wine (50 ml)

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives or parsley

METHOD:

1. Fry garlic and onion with oil in a medium hot pan for 2 minutes, but don't allow to colour. Add scallops, lightly cook on one side for 20 seconds. Continue to rum and cook for another 20 seconds and then remove from pan.
   
2. On medium to high heat, add the splash of white wine to pan and reduce for 1 minute, Add cream and reduce until the sauce thickens to a nice coating consistency.
   
3. Add scallops, spring onions and gently toss in sauce for about 1 minute, Place scallops on big mound of rice pilaf and pour over sauce, then garnish with chives or parsley.
   
4. Note: This lovely dish can be enlarged by the addition of Prawns and most fillets of fish.

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Baked Chicken with Potatoes

• 1 X 1.5 kg chicken

• 5 potatoes, cut into wedges

• 125 ml (1/2 cup olive oil)

• 1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons dried oregano

• 5 cloves garlic

• salt and pepper to taste

• 250 ml (1 cup) water

• 125 ml (1/2 cup)

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree centigrade.
2. Cut the chicken into pieces of equal size and place in a baking dish. Distribute the potato wedges here and there snugly, wherever they fit.
3. Pour the oil all over.
4. Sprinkle cheese and breadcrumbs all over, followed by tomato, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Finally pour in the water and wine gently, in one place so that it seeps under the chicken pieces.
5. Cover with foil and bake for about 35 minutes. Remove the foil to brown all over until cooked.

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ANGELA'S PAVLOVA

• 4 egg whites

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 level teaspoonful corn flour

• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

• Pinch of salt

• Vanilla essence

• 300 ml of whipped cream

• 1 peppermint crisp or equivalent

• 1 chocolate flake or equivalent

1. Beat egg whites and salt until stiff. Add a couple of drops of vanilla essence. Gradually add the sugar while beating.
2. Add the vinegar and beat well. Sift in the corn flour and fold in lightly.
3. Run a large oven proof dinner plate under cold water. Place the mixture onto the plate. Be careful that it is not too close to the edge as it will expand during cooking.
4. Place in hot oven and bake in
   Electric oven at 140 degrees centigrade for 90 -120 minutes, then on low for 20 minutes or
   Gas oven at 200 degrees centigrade for 10 minutes, then on low for 1 hour.
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
6. When cold top with 300 ml of whipped cream.
7. Chop 1 peppermint crisp and 1 chocolate flake. Mix well together and sprinkle on the top of the pavlova.
8. Enjoy.

Greatest Places on Earth! *Dartmoor*

Do you remember my Greatest Places on Earth posts??? Last year I used to do them every friday, it was a way for me to learn about new places but also share them with you all and not to mention my kids LOVED these posts.

Because I haven't done them in soooo long, I thought I would start up again, hey, at least I don't have to sit and wrack my brain for something to blog about.

Before I pack my bags to leave though, here are the other Greatest Places Posts if you're interested:

Switzerland
Scotland
Greek Islands
Port Elizabeth
Egypt
Machu Picchu

So where are we going today you wonder? Well how about Dartmoor in England!

I have always been fascinated with the beautiful English countryside and Dartmoor is one of those places I wish I could visit. So come with me, let's go on a trip.

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DARTMOOR

All images used in this post are NOT mine. Credit goes to the websites online.

Over the past 12,000 years man has hunted, farmed, mined, quarried and lived on and around Dartmoor. From the early Mesolithic hunter gatherers to the modern day 'moorman', humans have left their marks on its landscape. Dartmoor has been described as the 'last wilderness' and sometimes when walking deep in that 'wilderness' it is not hard to believe that you are the first to set foot on its virgin soil. Don't even go there, just stop and have a good look and it's guaranteed that within eyesight will be the mark of someone being there before you. It may be a solitary standing stone on the horizon, built by the 'Men of Bronze' or it may be a small heap of stones left there by the old tinners, but somewhere there will be something. Every tor, mire, stream, gully, wood or valley will have a name, granted many of them won't appear on the modern map and lots have been forgotten in the mists of time but they will all have a name showing evidence of the presence of man. Therefore if man has been associated with the area for so long it is inevitable that there has been a wealth of tradition, archaeology, history, folklore and legend left for us to explore today.

Credit: 1976design.com

Dartmoor is an area of moorland in the centre of the English county of Devon. Protected by National Park status, it covers 953 km² (368 square miles).

The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops (known as tors), providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621 m above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities.

Dartmoor is managed by the National Park Authority whose 26 members are drawn from Devon County Council, local District Councils and Government.

Parts of Dartmoor have been used as a military firing range for over 200 years. The public enjoy extensive access rights to the rest of Dartmoor, and it is a popular tourist destination.

Great Links Tor

Dartmoor is known for its tors — large hills, topped with outcrops of bedrock, which in granite country such as this are usually rounded boulder-like formations. There are over 160 tors on Dartmoor. They are the focus of an annual event known as the Ten Tors Challenge, when over a thousand people, aged between 14 and 21, walk for distances of 35, 45 or 55 miles over 10 tors on many differing routes. While many of the hills of Dartmoor have the word "Tor" in them quite a number do not, however this does not appear to relate to whether there is an outcrop of rock on their summit.

The highest points on Dartmoor are High Willhays and Yes Tor on the northern moor. Eylesbarrow and Ryder's Hill are the highest points on the southern moor. Probably the best known tor on Dartmoor is Haytor .

High Willhays


Yes Tor


Eylesbarrow


Ryder's Hill


Haytor

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THE VIDEOS

Wistman's Wood on Dartmoor



Dartmoor An Inspirational Place



Dartmoor Ponies

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THE RECIPES

Bubble and Squeak

Credit: everythingisfood.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

25g/1oz Butter

1 Onion, chopped

450g/1lb Cooked Potatoes, mashed

225g/8oz Cooked Cabbage, chopped

4-6 sliced cooked Beef chopped

Salt and Pepper



Instructions


1. Melt the butter in a large frying pan, add the onion and sauté gently for 5-6 minutes until soft, stirring from time to time.

2. Raise the heat to medium hot, add the potatoes, cabbage, beef, salt and pepper and continue to fry for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time, until browned and crispy. The crispy bits should be mixed throughout. Serve immediately.

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Bread and Butter Pudding

Ingredients:

6 slices well buttered Bread

50g/2oz Sultanas

4 Eggs

25g/1oz Sugar

600ml/20fl.oz. Milk

A little extra Sugar



Instructions


1. Preheat the oven to 170C, 325F, Gas mark 3. Grease a 7.5cm/3 inch deep ovenproof dish.

2. Remove the crusts from the buttered bread and cut into quarters (triangles or squares). Reserve 4 quarters for the top and arrange the rest in layers in the dish, sprinkling the sultanas between each layer. Top with the reserved quarters.

3. In a saucepan, heat the milk to hot but not boiling. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs and sugar then add the hot milk, stirring well.

4. Slowly strain over the bread and fruit, being careful not to dislodge the top layer of bread. Leave to stand for 10 minutes.

5. Sprinkle with a little sugar and bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the top is browned and crispy.

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Greatest Places on Earth!!!!

Good morning everyone, are you ready for our trip today????

Before we go anywhere, I have to tell you all that I visited all my favorite blogs last night and was NOT able to comment. For some reason, I could not get the word verification to show up, I would type the comment and then it would "word verification" and there was NOTHING. Stupid Blogger!!! I'll give it a try again today when I get a chance but probably not until tonight, we had a snow day here, snow everywhere, no school and it's just nuts.

So anyway are you ready to come with me???? Guess where we're going today???? Egypt and the Pyramids anyone???? I'm SO excited. Let's go.

EGYPT

Egypt enjoys a distinguished geographical location at the juncture of the ancient world continents of Africa, Asia and Europe. It has always been a place of inter-civilization reactivation between the East and the West as well as the North and the South. Egypt was also the crossing road of the heavenly religions of the world.

Cairo - the Triumphant City - is the glorious capital of Egypt, the cradle of civilization and the beacon of religion. It is the largest city in the Middle East and Africa and lies at the centre of all routes that lead to and from Asia, Africa and Europe.

Cairo was founded on July 16, 969 AD by the Fatimid leader Jawhar Al-Sequilli, by an order from the Fatimid Khalif Al-Mo'iz lideenellah. It was named "the city of the 1000 minarets.

Cairo is Africa's most populous city and the Arab world's cultural center. People from all over the world visit Cairo to see the monuments and artifacts of ancient Egypt as well as the various aspects of modern Cairo.

The River Nile

The Nile River is the longest river in the world, stretching for 4,187 miles. The Nile flows from south to north and is formed by three major tributaries: the White Nile, the Blue Nile and the Atbara. The Blue Nile has its source in the highlands of the African country of Ethiopia, by Lake Tana. The runoff from spring rain and melting snow caused the annual summer flood of the Nile that the Egyptians depended on for water to irrigate their crops, and deposit fertile top soil.

The Nile is truly the River of Life and has been revered in Egypt since ancient times. Until the Aswan High Dam was built, only 4% of Egypt was cultivated, but this has now been extended to 6%. Nearly all habitation owes its existence to the narrow strip of land either side of the river itself or to the very fertile Nile Delta in the north.

PYRAMIDS

During Egypt's Old Kingdom (time line), the pharaohs established a stable central government in the fertile Nile Valley. Perhaps the greatest testaments to their power were the pyramids and other tombs built to shelter them in the afterlife.

If you want to explore each pyramid, then click on THIS link, you can then click on each individual pyramid and see photos and information. It's pretty neat.

PHOTOGRAPHS

VIDEOS

Egypt - Through my eyes....a video by a photographer called Hisham Ibrahim.



Tribute to Egypt and it's wonderful monuments.



Bellydancing

RECIPES

Now here is one of the best parts of our trips....our wonderful food. Enjoy!!!

Bamya (Meat and Okra Stew)

2 lbs. stewing lamb or beef, cut into one-inch cubes.
2 onion(s), finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
1 teaspoon(s) ground coriander
1 cup(s) peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
3 tablespoon(s) tomato paste
1 cup(s) stock (beef) or water, or as needed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint (optional)
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 lbs. okra
juice of 1 lemon
Preperation:

Note Okra must be cooked so that its slimy texture is eliminated. The Greeks have the best technique for achieving this. Trim the conical tops with a sharp knife, then soak the okra in red wine-vinegar (Khall) for 30 minutes, allowing 1/2 cup vinegar per pound. Drain, rinse and dry the okra and proceed with the recipe. This dish is popular throughout the Middle East and can be prepared with lamb or beef. Serve with rice.
Method:

1. Preheat an oven to 325 F (165 C)
2. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon of the butter or oil per serving.
3. Working in batches, add the meat and fry, turning, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon transfer to a baking dish or stew pot.
4. Add the onions to the fat remaining in the frying pan and saute over medium heat until tender and translucent, 8-10 mins.
5. Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, tomatoes, tomato paste, the 1 cup stock and mint (if using). Stir well. Pour over the meat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Cover and bake until all the liquid is absorbed, about 1 1/2 Hrs. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
7. Meanwhile, prepare the okra as directed in the note above.
8. In a saute pan over medium heat, warm the remaining 1/2 tablespoon (per serving) of butter or oil Add the okra and saute for 3 mins, stirring gently.
9. Remove the stew from the oven and arrange the okra on top in a spoke pattern. Sprinkle the lemon juice evenly over the surface. Re-cover the dish and return it to the oven.
10. Bake for 35 minutes longer. Add stock or water if the mixture seems too dry.
11. Serve the "BAMIA" stew piping hot.

Egyptian Rice

Yield: 4 servings

1 lb lean ground chuck
1 ea small onion, chopped
2 cn beef consomme
2 tb to 3 soy sauce
1 ts Worcestershire sauce
1 jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 c raw rice
salt and pepper to taste

Brown hamburger & onion. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer until rice is done, about 20 minutes. Divide into individual serving dishes, add a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with toasted slivered almonds.

Egyptian Sweet Couscous Dessert

1 cup couscous
2 cups fruit juice
2 tablespoons rose water
3 tablespoons melted sweet butter
1/4 cup finely ground blanched almonds
1/4 cup finely ground pistachio nuts
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2-1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup candy-covered almonds (kufeta)
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, if in season

Bring fruit juice & rose water to a boil, add couscous, stir well, cover, remove from heat & let stand 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Rub well into grains 3 Tbs. melted sweet butter.
Combine couscous with 1/4 cup each finely ground blanched almonds and pistachio nuts.
Mound on serving platter and sprinkle with mixture of powdered sugar & cinnamon.
Garnish with kufeta (candy-coated almonds) & pomegranate seed.

And there you have it, hope you enjoyed the trip to Egypt....come back next week for another wonderful place :)

Good morning everyone, since I had no opportunity to do this post on friday, I thought I would take you on a weekend trip. So let's head out, grab your bags and let's head to Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

It was one of my favorite places to go on vacation and I would love to take you all with me....

PORT ELIZABETH

Port Elizabeth has about 1 million inhabitants and is located on the Indian Ocean about halfway between Cape Town and Durban. The city is beautifully set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay.
In and around the city you will find scenic nature trails and wildlife experiences, long golden beaches, historic heritage and a unique coastal climate: that seems like enough to come here. The calm waters of Algoa Bay, its shores lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, make Port Elizabeth a Mecca for all beach and watersport activities.

Port Elizabeth enjoys more sunshine hours and fewer rainy days than any other coastal city in South Africa. The city boasts a moderate climate all year round with sea temperatures ranging from 16 degrees C in Winter to 23 degrees C in Summer. The average temperature for Summer and Winter are 25 degrees and 17 degrees respectively - truly an ideal place to holiday! In winter, catch the supertubes at he world famous surf spot in Jeffrey´s Bay, about an hour from P.E.

Greater Port Elizabeth is a great base for exploring the Eastern Cape: the famous Garden Route, Settler Hinterland and Sunshine Coast are all within reach.

Port Elizabeth’s greatest asset is its clean and beautiful beaches. Water temperatures vary between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during Summer and 14 to 19 degrees Celsius during Winter. The sea conditions are generally calm in the bay, except when the South Easterly wind is blowing. All beaches are patrolled by fully-trained professional life guards. Apart from the more "mainstream" sports, a temperate climate, unspoilt beaches and the warm seawater make this city perfect for thrilling watersports opportunities.

Algoa Bay boasts 40 km of magnificent beaches and, with its perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes, it is one of the best sailing venues in the world, and a mecca for all beach and watersports enthusiasts.

The Southern Beaches offer safe and sheltered swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, boardsailing, excellent waves and surfing opportunities as well as interesting inter-tidal sealife while the Northern Beaches offer vast stretches of sand and dunes ideal for long beach walks as well as providing superb angling and swimming opportunities.

WILDLIFE

The Valley Bushveld, less than an hour from Port Elizabeth, has a higher density of animals, birds and insects than any other similar area on earth. Guides take you almost within touching distance of Africa’s legendary wild game and you can experience the sounds and sights of Africa in a malaria-free environment. The evening silence may be disturbed by the howl of the black-backed jackal and each dawn, you’ll awaken to the call of bizarre birds. Much of the vegetation consists of succulent plants, loved by elephants, rhino, kudu and other animals. And they’re on call every day.

SIGHTS

Jeffrey’s Bay

A picturesque town only 70km from Port Elizabeth. More than 30km of unspoilt beaches and safe swimming make Jeffrey’s Bay ideal for families. This is also one of the world's best surfing spots. Its legendary Super Tubes are one of the world's top ten breaks. There are also less demanding breaks, and for first-timers, there’s a surfing school.

For dry-land sports nuts there is golf, tennis, squash, horse riding, cycling and hiking. And if you’ve never tried it, lawn bowls is a true art!

Jeffrey’s Bay is world famous for seashells — over 400 types recorded. The Shell Museum, opposite Main Beach, leads you into the amazing world of shells. Local craftsmen offer delicate shell art.

End your day at the Walskipper Restaurant. Overlooking magnificent St. Francis Bay, this one-of-a kind restaurant has a beachy and informal atmosphere. The floors are of sand, the waitresses barefoot, fires blaze and good smells drift from the ‘braai’, or barbecue. It’s an eating experience not soon forgotten.

SCENERY

VIDEOS

Amaxhosa Dancers in Port Elizabeth



Seaview and Seaview Lion Park



Addo Elephant Park

RECIPES

You know I can never leave without sharing some yummy food from the place we're visiting. So here you go, some South African recipes just for you, enjoy :)

Hertzoggies (Cookies)

South African Recipes