Spicy Sculduggery- The Trade Routes of Friendship

The penchant for possessing the world’s most luxurious spices, commercialised by East Indian Trading companies in the 1600’s, has shifted from high sea endeavours, the fascination of faraway lands, and struggles for ‘spice stock market supremacy’, into a mainstream malaise of mass-produced spice packets and tea bags of all varieties. Despite the swipe and pay ease of availability, the historical racketeering and skulduggery associated with trading spice routes, and the smuggling of the ‘illicit’, remains an allure embedded in history books, block buster movies, and the…

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01/05/2024

OF HISTORY AND HOPE

“Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.” Ronald Reagan, West Berlin, 1987. “The wall will be standing in 50 and even 100 years.” GDR Head of State Erich Honecker East Berlin, January 1989. “It comes into effect according to my information, immediately.” Günter Schabowski, East Berlin, November 9th, 1989. “Now what belongs together will grow together.” Willi Brandt (Berlin’s Mayor), November 10th, 1989. “The wall was not brought down by Washington, Bonn…

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21/09/2019

blessing / friendship / Gratitude / RAMBLINGS / sisters / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

A Fruit Salad of Friendship

350 kilometres for the road trip rest 2,400 kilometres behind us that was just the best. 350 kilometres where our travel trail ends 2,400 kilometres of the very best of friends. 350 kilometres where she’ll search out new places 2,4000 kilometres leaving behind favourite spaces. 350 kilometres for more selfie photographs 2,400 kilometres of soul searching and laughs. 350 kilometres glow new morning skies 2,400 kilometres a windy road to goodbyes. 350 kilometres awaits her husband’s embrace 2,400 kilometres of memories we cannot replace. 350 kilometres…

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29/01/2019

Gratitude / perspective / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS

Humbled By History

In an ultimate game of archaeological hide and seek, the Ancestral Pueblo People established themselves in palatial cliff dwellings in what is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mese Verde: the modern day ‘humility through history’ experience. (Not mentioned anywhere on the park information or brochures!) Climbing down a rickety wooden ladder on the ranger lead tour, we are confronted with our modern day insignificance emanating from the eerie ‘Cliff Palace’. The largest multi storied, sophisticated cliff dwelling in the park, now a ruin. It…

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30/08/2018

Courage / Determination / Empowerment / Gratitude / LIFE RAMBLINGS / milestones / perspective / positive thinking / RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized / victory

Premium Unleaded

The excitement is electric in a sporting match when a goal is kicked or crucial point or run is scored. There’s a visceral frenzy in the moment, an identity with success and optimism invested in what’s to come. Energy is recharged as the intangible manifests into reality. We believe, identify, support and confirm value in the sweat, pain, progress and ultimate end goal. Momentum is achieved, investment solidified, sweetness celebrated. There’s no guaranteed outcome to positive progress. No automatic equation for an overarching victory. There’s identification…

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18/07/2018