#castara

[illustratedjai-art]

Elja Raniwesfv (FFXIV Warrior of Light) - Art Nouveau Commission

This is @castaras 's Warrior of Light from Final Fantasy XIV (now free to play, etc…). We packed as much meaning into this bad boy as we could! From the little crystla in his hand, to the city behind him, to, of course, all the various flowers. I'm not 100% sure this is the most flowers I've packed into an illustration, but it's definitely up there!

The flowers here are: Persicaria - Restoration Snowdrops - Spring after Winter, Hope Nightshade - Dark thoughts / truth / falsehood Forget me nots - Forget me not (natch!) Ivy Geranium - New love (your hand for the next dance) Celandine - The future / future joy Cornoilla - Success / Victory Scabiosa - Unfortunate love / I have lost all Eucalyptus - Protection White Heather - Protection Juniper - Protection [Image description: An art nouveau pastiche image, featuring a young man with long hair and bunny ears. The background is made up of a circle (with a city scape) in the top left, a curvy rectangle (with a scene of snowdrops) in the bottom right, and a pillar with purple flowers growing up it along the left. The man is sititng on the rectangle and leaning back against the pillar, with his right leg drawn up, and his right arm oustretched, resting on his knee. He is wearing an outfit of mostly yellows and reds, with black trousers. Both his hands have sprays of flowers in them. The purple flowers from the pillar are also growing around his left arm. He's looking off towards the city in the circle, almost like it's a window.]

[dragonsongmakhali]

It's #FFXIVSwap time!

My gift for @castaras - some action shots of their handsome bunboy Elja! He likes cold places, so I hope he enjoys the snow here!

And finally, watching over House Fortemps

[clivemwilliams]

Tobago 2024

Saturday 27th April

Early start today as we were picked up from our apartment at 7 :00 am by Newton who we later discovered is Tobago’s answer to David Attenborough and is the island bird expect. Most years he goes to Leicestershire for the annual global Birdfair!

Newton took us up into the rainforest which was 500 meters above sea level and noticeably cooler – that is slightly below 30c compared to slightly above 30c. It’s the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere dating from 1776 – established by the French. Once again we saw some amazing and different birds and I managed to take a few photos (well over 500 actually).

The highlight was a pair of manakins performing a courtship dance which involved a lot of jumping up and down !

After lunch we went down to the beach and fortunately we were not attacked by sharks – my cunning plan of using Judith as a decoy was not needed on this occasion.

We also discovered a mini supermarket which we didn’t previously know about as well as a few shops selling local crafts.

In the evening we went to a local bar for a BBQ and a steelpan instrumentalist who was pretty amazing.

We also discovered the local Castara Methodist Church but it’s quite a climb up a steep hill and we can’t find out the times of the Sunday services so we won’t be going on Sunday- I also note from Facebook that their last service lasted over 2 hours so that also influenced our decision !

We now have a quiet few days with no bird tours arranged so going to spend it on the beach and in the local bars and cafes whilst I plan the best spot for some good sunset photos !

We’ve also acquired a new friend called Harry (followers of Death in Paradise will know why!) see last photo.

[anonarat]

I have been tagged by @evelhak, and it has been a long while since something like that has happened, so let's go:

5 Songs - Gira Gira by Ado. It's on YouTube, please watch it with subtitles if you don't speak Japanese, it is worth it. Gunpowder Tim vs. The Moon Kaiser by The Mechanisms. It gives you a very good idea of what The Mechanisms are about. Birth of a New Witch by Luck Ganriki. My personal favourite track on the Umineko OST, and that's saying a lot because that OST is full of bangers. Song of the Ancients -Atonement- by Keiichi Okabe. Another song from a video game, justice for Devola and Popola! That's why I Gave Up on Music cover by Shiranui Flare. One of the first music tracks uploaded by Flare, and one of the early reasons why I became an elfriend.

Three Ships you Like - Gosh, there are so many to choose from. I think my first is Freezerburn (Weiss/Yang) from RWBY. They have a great dynamic, although content for them isn't exactly plentiful these days, I do believe that it is the best ship for both of them. Next comes KuroMayaNana (Claudine/Maya/Nana) from Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight. KuroMaya is good, throwing Nana in there adds some real spice though. Just think about the dynamic of Maya and Claudine both *knowing* that Nana was stronger than Maya throughout the auditions. Finally... Edeleth (Edelgard/Byleth) from Fire Emblem: Three Houses. I will not defend my actions.

First Ship Ever - Mudshipping (Isaac/Mia) from Golden Sun. Golden Sun was my first true fandom, and mudshipping was the default, because at that point... there weren't many female characters that were as fleshed out.

Favourite Childhood Book - Redwall by Brian Jacques. This is where I fell in love with fantasy. Should I ever get a pair of pet rats, one would be named Cluny (the other would Ratimus Prime).

Currently Reading - Demonic Devourer Book 2 by Aaron Shih. Yeah this one is power-fantasy popcorn, but with the way things are, it lets my brain turn off for a bit during work. I'm not counting the untold half-finished books that I'll get to someday(tm).

Currently Watching - For the first time in a long while, I've been watching a fair bit of anime as it's released, so this'll be a bit long. The Apothecary Diaries best show from last season, though not as strong currently, the last episode was incredible. Shangri-La Frontier continuing from last season, and good mindless fodder. The Witch and The Beast which does monster of the week over 2+ episodes and is great. Both of the protagonists are incredibly compelling. Solo Levelling mostly because it's been hyped up. It hasn't impressed really, but it also hasn't been a tremendous let down. I'll give it the season, but if it doesn't step up its game and gets a second season, I'll probably drop it. A couple of others that I don't really have anything to say about.

Currently Craving - Things that interest me. That's all I ever really crave, because my primary positive to negative emotional spectrum isn't happy to said, but interested to bored.

No suggested number of tags, so if anyone else wants a go, feel free. I will, however, send a few tags out with no pressure: @mellowdarkness; @castaras; @shoujospirit

[lokrow]

Artfight Rhapsody!

@glassgob's Waffles, Frog's Frogsona, Castaras' Elja and @somsnom's Blue Cheese!

[tobagoadventures]

As a Trinidadian, my love for Tobago runs deep. It’s not just the picturesque beaches or the lush green landscapes that captivate me, but the unique charm and tranquility that this island paradise offers. Tobago holds a special place in my heart, and every visit feels like a homecoming.

Growing up in Trinidad, I was always aware of the allure of Tobago. Its reputation as a tropical haven, just a short ferry or plane ride away, enticed me from a young age. As soon as I set foot on Tobago’s shores at the age of 18, I was instantly captivated by its beauty and serenity. One of the things I adore about Tobago is the warm and welcoming nature of its people. From the locals who greet you with genuine smiles to the vibrant culture that permeates every aspect of life, Tobago exudes a sense of community and hospitality that is truly unmatched.

The pristine beaches of Tobago are a sight to behold. From the most popular and talked about Pigeon Point with its crystal-clear waters and powdery white sand, to the hidden gems like Englishman’s Bay and Castara Bay, each beach offers a unique experience. How can I forget my favorite beach? Store Bay, just saying the name brings calmness. Store Bay beach boasts stunning turquoise waters, and soft golden sand. The overall atmosphere is relaxed, making it an ideal spot for a day of sunbathing and enjoying the natural beauty of Tobago. Whether I’m lounging under the shade of a palm tree, snorkeling amidst colorful coral reef or simply taking a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, the beaches of Tobago never fail to leave me in awe.

As a Trinidadian, my love for Tobago is not just about the physical beauty or the tourist attractions. It’s about the connection I feel with this sister island, the sense of peace and tranquility it brings to my soul. Tobago is my escape, my sanctuary, where I can truly unwind and reconnect with nature.

In this blog, I aim to share my experiences, insights, and adventures as a Trinidadian exploring the wonders of Tobago. Join me on this journey as we delve into the hidden treasures, uncover the local secrets, and embrace the magic that Tobago has to offer. Together, let’s celebrate the love affair between Trinidad and Tobago, and showcase the beauty of this Caribbean gem.

Pigeon Point beach taken on my recent visit 😍

[izatrini]

Snorkelling Castara - Trinidad & Tobago Express Newspapers

Snorkelling Castara  Trinidad & Tobago Express Newspapers http://dlvr.it/Sxyzfz

[vacationbyowners0-blog]

Bedrooms Castara Cottage Apartments

Castara Cottage is an open, natural style Caribbean house situated in Castara, Tobago. The split-level house offers flexible and comfortable, holiday rental accommodation in three private self-catering apartments which can sleep 10+ people

[travopo]

Fun Things to Do in Castara | Travel Guide (2023) | Best Tourist Places

[selectivexamnesia]

Castara, January 2023.

[intrinidadandtobago]

Castara Bay, Tobago

[old-vintage]

Antique old letter photo postcard. The Synagogue on Castara street after the fire in 1914 during World War I. Luneville, France www.oldvintage.net

[clivemwilliams]

Tobago 2024

Thursday 25th April

I like the way that the lodge brochure describes the unique design of the bedrooms which ‘maximises natural airflow’. This translates to me as ‘if you fancy a nice draught leave the doors open’ which is what we have been doing – even at night ! Temperatures have stayed above 30c since we got here and i think we must have just got used to it as it doesn’t seem too bad to both of us.

Today we went on another birding tour - I want to make it clear that we are not birdwatchers or twitchers in the true sense as they can appear as a bunch of losers - I’d describe us as just plain bird lovers taking an interest in the many different varieties of birds. Today we were picked up by our guide William and taken to a number of wetland areas for a completely different experience from yesterday. Wetland birds are a bit bigger than most of the rainforest ones so easier to spot and photograph. Also, unlike in the forest where you are usually looking up into the trees, with wetland birds you are usually looking straight ahead.

After 40 minutes of driving through familiar place names such as Scarborough and Plymouth we arrived at our first stop, the Magdalena Luxury Hotel and Golf Resort ! Admittedly this was not quite what I’d expected but there were some amazing birds in the numerous lagoons and mangrove swamp. Unfortunately there was no time for even a quick 9 holes although the course did look great.

We drove on to a few other wetlands sites, one of which was next to the school that Dwight Yorke went to (!) before returning via the backroads to our lodge for a late lunch – great news for those concerned about Judith’s diet – there was no fish !

Just looked up the population of Tobago which is only about 60,000 ie 3 times size of Tiverton, which explains why everyone seems to know everyone else !

The afternoon was again spent by the pool – again by ourselves, whilst I sorted through the morning’s photos (some good ones so quite pleased) and some of which were taken from the car – bit lazy I know but too good an opportunity to miss !

To all of Judith’s fans, tonight’s meal was king prawns and a form of macaroni cheese together with vegetables and lentil fritters. I volunteered to have all the prawns (they were massive !) and left Judith to the macaroni cheese.

Tomorrow we move on to Castara, a beach resort and more touristy where we are staying in a self catering appartment for a week. More on that in the next instalment.

[tobagobookings]

Castara welcomes you into the week. 🌴

[victory7things-blog]

Sundown @ Castara beach aka little Jamaica/Beautiful vybzzzz #Castara Bay #Tobago #Blissed Vybzzz #Lovely Place #Focused #Future #Forward #Love #Light (hier: Castara Bay, Tobago) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Ff13bI1-W/?igshid=l9onkbhsb9rv

[trinbagoculture]

Keep it clean. Trinidad and Tobago.