NO WINE IN THE INN LEFT

CANNING VIETNAM
 

Image akphilanthropy.com



"One day you will ask me which is more important? My life or yours? I will say mine and you will walk away not knowing that you are my life."

Khalil Gibran.

A pledge to this little one.
Such are the realities.
Vietnam is a country with eventful history, a capital replete with many ancient architectural works complete with 600 pagodas and temples including Hanoi's famous One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049, so one thing automatically comes to mind.

This is a country of a people, who have taken such pride in preserving rich, rich history, but find it of complete inconsequence to snatch the very essence of another's.

Continent Africa's wildlife is under serious siege from an Asia determined to make Tiger Brew Wine using lion bones. 

Seriously this is no joke.

Asia's traditional medicine market was supplied by Asian species, but Oriental concoctions are now reliant on skeletons, literally the skeletons of our lions in substitute of tiger bones having dispatched off all their tigers. Official records show that South Africa exported 418 lion carcasses to Vietnam and Laos from 2009 to 2010.  Although the official trade from South Africa is legal, it is not illogical that such trade shall stimulate an illegal market for lion bones from other African range states to satisfy the market.

And the very sad fact is this. The Asian market prefers the wild animal variety for apparently being more potent compared to captive-raised animals. So despite a thought process espoused by SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association that Africa as a whole should support the farming of lions, an action that would then eradicate canned lion hunting for the export of the same lion body parts to Asia, that same, same Asian market wants the wild variety. So, nothing really changes. But all this is a complete no brainer. From canned hunting, another very obscene practise where mostly hand-reared or semi-tame lions are placed for purposes of hunting in a confined space with no escape, to the actual edible consumption of body parts, Africa's species must be protected.



Image safarisonline.co.uk

Basically if one has gobbled up their 'supply' its just too very bad. In Africa the only ones that should be doing the gobbling-up are the lions, whilst we watch them in luxurious style, complete with fine dining, as they cook up a storm during the Wildebeest migration.

PRESERVING HOLIDAY MEMORIES KENYAN STYLE

Stunning vistas. Bespoke hotels. Sumptuous feasts. I wish.

Image: Viajes Savannah Africa Safaris  Image: Serena Hotels

Nairobi is not much fun now. It's pouring here with a vengeance. Good for agriculture, bad for holiday. Rain has a way of putting a damper quite literally on things especially if stuck in the city with no break in the sun to look forward to.

Came to mind that apart from a cute cropped T, stack of photos, not much else bears witness of that last holiday down in sunny Mombasa.

Should have done the following.
Creative ways of capturing a vacation and taking it home.

CULINARY: Keep a culinary journal, or ask Chef to jot down a thing or too. You could take the other way out and buy a Cookery Book. Then, once back home pull out your new bag of tricks and host a dinner party. Keep hosting one, even just for yourself, until the next jaunt off.

Image: Amazon.com

Tip: When next in Kenya look out for Javed Jafferji (photographer) and Elie Loseleben Swahili Kitchen published by Gallery Publications 2005. The book hosts some truly fine recipes. Sadly unavailable on Amazon, this gem of a buy last spotted at Text Book Centre, Galleria (Langata).

ATTIRE: Buying a Jambo Kenya or I've Been to Wherever T may be all good, but invest in something that will up your decor, and flavor your style.

Image: Kikoy.com

Tip: Buy a Kikoy (rectangular woven Cotton cloth) not Batik when shopping in Kenya. Batik's stay on the walls. Kikoys in contrast can be that stunning table decor, perfect back drop to lay on spicy coastal dishes. One day table art. Next day body art, hello Sarong. 

COFFEE TABLE: Consider turning a glass top coffee table into a visual showcase of your travels. Pictures can be placed under the glass with corresponding souvenirs, artfully placed on the table. Change scenes with each vacation.

Image groundofferings.com

Tip: Do not nick flora or fauna. Please leave the Starfish where you found it. Stop by instead a curio Kiosk (Stall) or the hotel shop and pick something up. Once home, sit back and enjoy your holiday memories with Kenya's gold. Kenya Coffee. World famous.