Harambe Drum Party

I could go to Disney World and just hang out in Harambe Village all day long. It's alive with the constant beating of drums as threads of other live music are intertwined throughout the streets as you make your way around. These guys were throwing a drum party out on the main street. They know how to draw a crowd! If there are similar — but more authentic — villages in Africa like Harambe, I need to book a trip. And I have a good feeling there are. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Lantern

Morocco is the only country at Epcot's World Showcase that was actually designed by the country itself. Even more impressively, the King of Morocco is the sponsor of the showcase. Every other country showcase is sponsored by a corporate partner. I imagine it was a huge coup when the King of Morocco secured one of the coveted slots at Epcot and you've really got to respect his reluctance to allow a corporate sponsor to brand their showcase even after all these years. 

I think all of this makes Morocco feel like the most authentic of the countries in Epcot and it has always been my favorite. You can almost get lost back in the souk for a few minutes when you hear a street party working it's way through the alleys.  

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7. 

Baobab

The baobab tree may be one of the most important trees in the world. It provides water, sustenance and shelter in even the most harsh conditions from Madagascar to Australia.

It's also fittingly known as the "Tree of Life." Each tree holds hundreds of liters of water that can be tapped and produces a fruit the size of a coconut called monkey bread. Mature trees even have hollow trunks, providing shelter from the elements for both animals and people. In fact, there are even several pubs and shops built right into baobab trees.

Because this is Disney's version of a baobab. I have a sneaking suspicion this might be a very good reproduction. I guess I need to book a trip to Africa or Australia to make sure the next one I see is the real deal. Hopefully, I can find one that doubles as a pub.

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.