Hannah’s travelogue
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Bugaku
Itsukushima Shrine, on Miyajima island. There was a wedding taking place during our visit, followed by a Bugaku performance - a traditional ceremonial sword dance. The volunteer guide who was with us said she had only seen this once or twice, so we were pretty lucky. It was a very graceful dance, with slow movements - but it was the setting that really made it.
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Route 66
Driving between the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree we spun along old Route 66 for a blast. In about 10kms this was the only route sign we saw, so having driven over it, we did a u-turn and drove back, pulling over to take some photos. The road was empty, which was pretty fabulous as it meant we didn't get run over...
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Titus Canyon
Since this is apparently a road only suitable for 4-wheel drives, we didn't bring our little car down it. Instead we drove to the exit of the canyon (it's a one way route), and walked a short way up. The morning light is great for photography in the canyon, as the light starts seeping in, gradually illuminating the canyon walls.
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Kelso Dunes
Make sure you have the time to actually wander around these dunes, as they are "Singing Dunes" - run down them, and they will sing to you.
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Silhouette Sunset
Driving through the Mojave National Preserve as the sun set was a special experience. Though we were late to get to our hotel, all I could think about were the amazing colours I could see in the rear-view mirror as the sun went down, silhouetting the land, and the Joshua Trees.
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Joshua Tree
Of the National Parks we went through in Southern California, Joshua Tree was the one that most surprised me. I don't know quite what I was expecting, but I don't think it was this marvellous landscape of boulders, cacti and the eponymous Joshua Trees. It's high on the list of places to head back to. I loved the space, and more than that, the emptiness. It's definitely somewhere to park up and then walk away from the car. The best bits of this park are out there waiting.
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It's a big rock
Joshua Tree National Park is full of big rocks - enough to make anyone wish they were a climber.
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Hotel Nipton B&B
There's a limited number of places to stay around the Mojave National Preserve if you don't have a motorhome or a tent, but this little place is just on the eastern edge of the reserve. It's an absolutely gorgeous B&B with about four or five rooms and a large sitting room and porch, and the breakfast is brilliant.
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Road to the Top
Climbing Sand Dunes is always harder than you want it to be, although it is definitely worth it for the fun to be had in leaping down them. The Dunes at Mesquite Flats in Death Valley are stunning, especially in the evening light, and we made our way to the top of this one. 18 months later, I'm still shaking sand out of my boots.
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Cathedral Rock
For once we got the timing right! After getting the light wrong at so many spots around Death Valley in the two days we were there, we finally got it right with Cathedral Rock, reading the rocks in the mid-morning when the light was catching them perfectly as we stepped out of the shadows of the trail.
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Hannah Swithinbank has been a member since 5 December 2007 and goes by Swiv.
Currently in Scotland.
Subscriber since December 2007!
I am studying for a PhD in Ancient History and I travel in my spare time on my spare scholarship money!
Or: I fit in my studying and teaching around my travelling and amateur photography.
It depends on your point of view.
You can also find Hannah at www.flickr.com/photos/swiv.
