Journeys

The Quebrada de Humahuaca has evidence of life 10,000 years ago, from hunter-gather tribes to Incan culture and Spanish colonisers. Leather-clad Gauchos, hidden amongst high mountain valleys can still be found herding horses beneath the snowcapped Andes.

Buffeted by Atlantic Ocean winds, the single track Fishermans’ Trail follows the dramatic coastline, carved and sculpted into this powerful landscape of towering cliffs, soft sand dunes and wild beaches. Yet still a natural happiness lingers in the air.

Under the Julian Alps lies Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled, where traditional boats take people across to the "Church of Maria of the Lake.” Beehives are everywhere; only the Carniolan Honeybee is allowed: its honey tastes superb and has healing properties!

The white waves of the Mekong splash against silent rocks, contrasting forcefully with the powerful serenity of the land. In the foreground, the glowing saffron-robed Buddhist monk, a ubiquitous figure in Laos, is taking the first steps of his journey.

Every day the River Dart changes: sometime peaceful; sometimes stormy - always beautiful. As the sun slowly sets over Dartmouth Harbour, fishermen come home after their day of fishing. Still and quiet, the day wanes - as if all life has slowed down.

Streets made of old stones and pieces of bricks meander in and round the bridges; but travelling consists mainly of ferries, water taxis and gondolas. Venice, separated by canals and linked by bridges, is a city of natural beauty, romance ….and stories.

A mysterious magic makes up this country. At sunset we walked U Bein Bridge with saffron-robed monks; at sunrise we saw temples and stupas shining golden. We saw Inle Lake fishermen rowing one-leg; and in a Buddhist Monastery, we celebrated the Full Moon.

Windows and doors are shuttered against the blazing heat; terracotta pots filled with geraniums tumble down steps; and as the sun intensifies, it seems to pour white light down. Everyone sleeps; everything searches for shade. Everyone rests.

Using methods 2,000 years old, sea water flows into salt pan lakes in “Ria Formosa,” Portugal, bubbling beneath the surface as salt slowly forms, evaporating into crystals. The circling dove strengthened the message of stillness - and natural power.

This is the story of the numerous, enigmatic swans guarding the bridges and canals of Medieval Bruges. Swans symbolise purity, love, divination and balance; so each bridge signifies a mythical pathway, a transition to…..the mystery which the swans uphold.

With the Basilica San Pietro in the background, crowds of people hurry across the square. In this sunshine layered landscape, hundreds of pigeons come fluttering: circling, weaving in and out, they highlight the healing energy of this ancient place.

Here, patch-worked with streams and waterfalls, and caves in which rust oxide Bushman paintings create a picture book of the past, I saw in my mind a mother holding a child’s hand, walking, walking, walking…as they have done since the beginning of time.

Journeys