A new dream adventure trip. . . . . . . . . and the winner is -

I always see myself in this particular painting by the talented American artist

 Jessie Willcox Smith.

Philadelphia born, she was one of the most prominent female 

illustrators of the late 19th early 20th century.

I excelled in geography which was always my favorite subject at school. 

I adored maps, looking at them, tracing them, coloring them.

I loved learning who lived where, what they grew on the land, how they 

made their living, the weather they had to contend with, what made each

 continent and country so different.

I never thought I would actually set foot in all seven continents (I have to thank

 my great friend Paula for that, who else would have taken me to Antarctica in 2013). . . . 

 . . . . . or that many of my exotic travels would happen when I reached my golden years!

The game brought up some interesting responses as you can see if you

 return HERE where all your comments are now visible. I will respond later to 

your questions on that post.

I've already visited some of the countries. Others are on my 'maybe someday' list.

A couple are perhaps a wee bit dangerous in the current world upheaval so I'm

not chomping at the bit to visit them.

Thanks to everyone who joined in.

Seven of you guessed the correct country, amazing KENYA.

We will be based in the most amazing safari camp in the Mara Plains.

Bob pulled one of those names out of his safari hat . . . . . . and the winner

 is. . . . . . . . ROSEMARY a great UK blogger who takes and shares the most

 beautiful photos.

Congratulations dear Rosemary, I know that you, like me, enjoys traveling to

 wonderful places. Please send me your mailing address via e-mail (it's in my profile) 

 and I'll be posting a memento from Kenya when I return in late September.

Closer to trip time I'm going to love showing you all where we are going. It's going to be

 a very exciting safari I'm certain, and at last I will get my real 'Out of Africa' fix on this one!

Travel to where? A new guessing game.

Ready for another little travel guessing game?

 Had to send our passports away when we returned from Ireland.

Always a concern as having your precious passport in, or close by your hot little 

 hand, is much more comforting. Knowing it's 'out there' perhaps flying overhead

 without you relaxing squished in economy with your knees under your chin, or 

traveling on a bumper to bumper dangerous highway to an embassy in our

 bustling nation's capital, can be disconcerting.

Knowing it arrived, thanks to online 'tracking', and was signed for by the embassy

receptionist, was the first sigh of relief. Waiting almost two weeks for the 

welcome FEDEX truck to arrive at the end of the driveway was a bit nerve wracking.

However they're back, visas attached and, other than a few vaccination updates,

we'll be ready to roll come September.

A new country calls - and it's on one of those far off continents. Bob and I will be

 traveling with long time friend Paula again, off to a place she is very familiar with.

After exiting our arrival city we'll head west where we'll be enjoying luxurious quarters

 with just 12 other guests. . . . .'far from the madding crowd' surely?

Country views will be phenomenal and wildlife magnificent.

Weather should be warm as the equator will be just to the north. . . .and we'll not

be far from a big valley, and west of the lake.

More details after you have a guess - just name the correct country from

these not too obscure clues.

There will be a small prize from that country later, when I return.

I'll toss all right answers in the hat and have Bob pull out a winner.

I think this one will be easy peasy for many of you. 

Leave a comment by this Friday, on this post only please.

I won't post any comments until Friday night - and I'm sure

we will have a winner by then!

Edited:  Not many guesses yet! You have a good chance

 to win something from far away. 

Hope you join in - leave your comment here no later

 than Friday, early evening.