Dragon of Shandon 2011

Cork, Ireland Just a quick reminder to anyone who is lucky enough to be in Ireland this Halloween — the Dragon of Shandon is coming on Monday! A very toothy smile from the 2010 parade.   Here's the scoop on this year's parade: Join Cork Community Art Link in the historic heart of Shandon, Monday October …

aww...

Mentioned on Frommers.com! :D

Cork, Ireland Yay!  TourAbsurd got mentioned on Frommers.com!  :D   How to Start a Travel Blog: 4 Easy Tips Read more: http://www.frommers.com/articles/7476.html   In celebration, I am sharing a picture of a gorgeous mama and baby camel discovered on Cute Overload. Have I mentioned that I love camels?  Oh, yes, I believe I have.     …

The awesome power of Haka.

Another travel blogger linked this video on Facebook today.  It's awesome and fantastic.  Seriously.  Gets the blood moving and makes you wish you were Māori.   Can't see it?  Watch it on YouTube: http://youtu.be/JuhcZX9rFRM   I remembered how much I loved watching haka and listening to Lisa Gerrard's gorgeous soundtrack from the movie Whale Rider.  …

Spider Woman (Rock!)

Canyon de Chelly, AZ, USA Today's post is by Vera Marie Badertscher (pictures by Charnell Havens) and should probably have been titled something like "Amazing Navajo Art and Tradition" or "The Natural Beauty of the American Southwest," but I could not pass up the opportunity to be silly.  You see, the very first photo is …

I’d like to thank the Academy…

OMG OMG OMG!  Clyde filmed a personal message for me! I am ridiculously giddy right now!   Video not displaying? Click here to watch it on YouTube: http://youtu.be/KuWxSB0If50   It's like Conrad Birdie from Bye Bye Birdie, only it's Clyde the Camel from How To Draw Camels!  Oh, the greatness, the honor, the celebrity!  …I …

She’s got NY in the bag!

New York, USA Christine sent me this cute piece about shopping in New York city.  As I have not yet been to the Big Apple — shocking, I know! — I find stories like this to be fascinating!  Some day I, too, would like to go shopping (or at least pretend shopping) in New York …

Swiss Mountains (of chocolate!)

Zermatt, Switzerland Today's post comes, not from the sunny dunes of Morocco, but from the scenic slopes of Switzerland!  (Say that 5 times fast!  ;)  I have not yet been to Switzerland, though I have a feeling that after reading this story by Meg, my mother may request that I organize an expedition!     …

A virtual day in Marrakech

Marrakech, Morocco Today's post is by Amanda of MarocMama.  She's been answering many of my questions about Morocco both in the comments of TourAbsurd and by email.  I am really grateful for all her help! This post will help you come along (in spirit) for my first visit to Marrakech.  In fact, she's even included …

Featured photo: New Zealand Kea

Mount Cook, New Zealand This photo was taken by my friend, Dave, who recently visited New Zealand.  He graciously gave me permission to publish it in support of the Blog4NZ event.  Beautiful bird!     Here's what Dave says about the photo: "Photo of a Kea (the world's only high altitude parrot) at the base …

Morocco prep: camel sketch

23 Feb. 2011 Cork, Ireland Looking forward to my trip to Morocco in March.  Fellow travel blogger, Phil (from www.philintheblank.net), has a thing for drawing camels — and for getting others to do likewise.  I find this amusing and have been thinking about it since I found out.  It's been a while since I sketched …