New Years at Kanyemba Lodge: Part 2

 For a photographer, few times are better than the quiet sunrise, when it's just you, your camera, and the awakening world. This year at 5:15 a.m. on New Years Day, I was standing on a wooden deck overlooking the Zambezi River contemplating the last year.  I believe that moments of beauty often bring healing to my heart. And watching the sun crest over the horizon I felt at peace with life. 

 Seeing as I was already up, I dragged Dom out on another speed boat adventure so I could take advantage of the fantastic light that was swirling around in the New Year. We took off to see what other wild animals we could find. 

 The purple billed heron is a massive, beautiful bird. You can see more photos of this one and the weekend here at my professional blog.

The crocs were out in full force, I was happy to shoot them with a long lens and keep my distance. I learned that this one was female, the ones that are brighter in coloring female, the darker ones are male.

My favorite shot of a large hippo harem! 

It was an amazing morning! We stumbled upon a bachelor herd of elephants. Bachelor herds are all young males and usually one older male who is responsible for herd and for teaching the young bucks the ways of life. They were playing in the water when we arrived. What is about elephants that is so awe inspiring? They are the most majestic creatures, and it always seems to me that they are regarding me in the most human-like fashion.

I wish I could explain the glory of the trees in Zambia, some are over a 100 years old and they are gorgeous. This one is a sausage tree (See the sausage-like bean bods in the leaves?)

Here is a male crocodile, who wasn't too keen on showing us his face, which suited me just fine. 

We spent most of the rest of the day by the pool, enjoying the company of our friends, and the glory of complete relaxation. But I couldn't resist snapping a photo of a creepy, crawly friend in our bathroom in our room. Does anyone know it's name? It looks like a walking stick, but was such an intriguing little critter.

 I finished off New Years day like I started it by documenting the sunset of one of the most perfect days of my life.  Welcome 2011! May you bring many adventures my way!!

 © Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

New Years at Kanyemba Lodge: Part 1

Dominic & I took off for our first "real" Zambia outing over New Years with our friends, Phil & Katherine Nervig, their cousins Brit and Mike, and their kids Jack and Sam. We drove about 3 hours to Kanyemba Lodge, which was spectacular! It sits overlooking the Zambezi River and offers spectacular views, on the water wildlife spectating, and various other activities.

Within ten minutes of arrival, I was sipping a gin & tonic, eying the pool overlooking the Zambezi River and I had already seen my first vermit monkey.  I admit in advance that this post and the ones following it probably has TOO many photos, but I shot over 600 this weekend so I figure that for me this was narrowed down.

We took a refreshing dip in the pool had lunch, and then hopped on board the speed boat to spy out some game park wild life.

Dom and I saw our first hippos! There were literally hundreds of them on the river. Fun hippo facts include: Hippos do not swim...they walk on the bottom of the river. They are nocturnal animals, and spend all day in the water, and come on land during the night to eat. They can stay under water for 5-7 minute intervals before having to pop up for air, and they do this all day even while they are sleeping. If a mother has a male calf she will hide him from the father as hippos are very territorial. Male hippos will fight "to the death" in order to gain a herd, or as I called them hippo harems.

After some animal viewing, the speed boat stopped at a sand bar where we all chilled out with some New Year's champagne watching the scenery at sundown. That my friends is the perfect way to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new!!

I loved the hippo footprints all over the sand bar. Here are theirs and mine. Just in case you wanted a size comparison, I am a 7 1/2. :)

We arrived back to the lodge in time for a spectacular dinner, and an evening full of good friends, bananagrams, and ringing in the New Year!

 © Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

Grace the Christmas Cat

Well Dom and I caved and got a pet, I consider it a halfway cave as cats are much easier than dogs. We'll see if we leave post without one of those. Grace is about 2 1/2 years old and she has been living at the American Embassy where she is spoiled rotten! Well the Embassy is moving to a new location in the new year and we were recruited as Grace's adoptive parents. She is a very sweet cat, and I felt horrible this morning when I had to go and cat nab her, take her to the vet to be poked and prodded, and then locked her in our master bathroom while she adjusts to the new living quarters.  But she did behave beautifully at the vet and didn't bite or scratch once!

Initially, she crawled behind the bidet in the master bath and would not move. Not even the good tuna cat food would get her out. But once i removed the cat carrier from the room, Grace was golden! She came right out and allowed me to pet her. Something tells me this aversion to the cat carrier does not bode well for our future travels. She is such a beautiful and curious cat, I think she will adjust rather nicely in our family. Something tells me she's going to be a Mama's girl as she already crawls into my lap and loves to snuggle up beside me.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Spirit

Yesterday I received some sad news from my friend Katie Haley Kilpatrick, her mom's house burned down on December 23rd. Luckily, everyone was safe but her mom lost her home and everything in it. I haven't gotten to speak to Katie directly except by email so I have little information behind the cause of the fire.

However, it made me realize how little all the "things" at Christmas matter. And that we should be cherishing each moment we have together because that is a bigger gift than anything underneath the tree.

I encourage you all to pass along some Christmas love to Katie and her family, by donating to Abilene Teachers FCU in her name Wanda Haley. You can also send her funds via paypal at wonderh@email.com or send a check to her temporary address at 7363 County Rd 487, Merkel, TX  79536.

***Update****

See Katie's blog for more info. 

Holiday Love & Hippos

Painting HGTV Style with Sherwin-Williams....

Well I have been in Lusaka about 3 weeks, and while I love our house, this week I decided it was in serious need of some color. I know it was painted right before our arrival but the entire house is beige. Our furniture is a nice neutral brown (brand new which is a huge perk for those of us in the foreign service) but this means my house is beige and brown.

So Dom has given me the go ahead to get it painted and I am so excited! Is it sad that at 28, I have NEVER gotten to chose paint colors for my house? Considering my addiction to HGTV, it's a travesty. Needless to say I have had the best time just dreaming about my house colors!

I found a great online tool at Sherwin Williams called the visualizer where you can upload the photos of your house, mask in the walls, ceilings, etc. And test your paint colors! For the record, I thought it was super easy to navigate, but then again I use masks on a regular basis. The best news for me is that even though I don't think we have a Sherwin Williams we do have a paint color matching place where I can print off swatches and have them make the colors I want.


Anyhow here is the first batch of rooms I "visualized" over the weekend! This gives you a chance to see the new digs as well, though in a slightly less beige version.

Living Room:

Dining Room:

Kitchen:

Entryway/Hallway:

Hopefully I will get to the bedrooms and office this weekend! I cannot wait to do some home improvement!