Hip Hippo

Another one of many hippo mugs I own. Besides a little hippo head (see picture, left), it has a little portrait of a giraffe on the back as well, but it is small enough to be ignored ;-). If you follow my blog, you already know I always try to buy two mugs. One to use and one for the collection. Last year, I found this mug in the Robinson Department Store, in Bangkok - Thailand. A huge hippo mug in a pretty, bright orange gift box! Unfortunately, the mug I used got chipped. I love the smile and the color. And because our National Day is coming up, I thought the orange is very appropriate for this post. 

Masterpiece from Myanmar

I don't think I would get into trouble if I used the title I had first in mind: Burmese Beauty, but just to be on the safe side. When we were living in Thailand, we were blessed with a wonderful woman called Mari. She was working for us as domestic helper and nanny. When she went to Myanmar on home leave, I asked her whether she could bring a hippo for me. I could not let the opportunity pass, to possibly add a hippo from Myanmar to my collection. To be honest, I had little hope. Some time before my request I had been in Cambodia, and tried to find a hippo there. The people in the shops had absolutely no idea what I was talking about, so I thought Myanmar would not be much different. To my surprise she brought back this amazing art piece. It is made with finely crushed semi precious stones. An uncle of a friend of her made it. I was completely speechless. This custom made masterpiece had to be framed right away. I am a very proud owner of probably the only hippopotamus from Myanmar :-). I do hope Mari, all is well with you. We are still missing you very much. 

Mr. and Mrs. Goodwill

Flea markets, l have always loved them. Roaming around and looking for nice things for a bargain, and hippos of course. I am already looking forward to the "Open-Air-Flea-Market-Season" which starts in the second half of April, till about end of September. To get my fix during those off-season times, I have been going to thrift shops and antique centers (see post: Hopewell Junction's Four). Luckily there are also two Goodwill stores very close by. For you to get an idea how severe this addiction is, I will tell you this story about how I found this salt and pepper shakers. I had been going around the store, ready to pay and go home. But then I heard the sound. The sound those carts make. Those large carts, staff members use to wheel in new stuff into the store. Ignore it and go home... or? Well, of course, I turned around to have (what I told myself) ONE last look! And there they were.... standing next to each other. Decorated with a neon orange sticker saying: $ 4.99, and smiling!

* some extra information has been given to me by a few very knowledgeable collectors. These are UTCTI hippos, produced in Japan, and part of a whole set, consisting of a large variety of items. Unfortunately, these "brown face hippos" are not being made anymore. Thank you Sheila and Becky for the information!

Lady in Red

Another title for this post could have been: From Russia with love, because this beauty actually comes all the way from Russia. I love Hippo-Trinket-Boxes. Hippos and bling-bling, it does not get better than that! For years I have been looking and looking... but was not able to find any. Then I won one in a Hippo-Game (see post: Maryann). I never suspected many more would follow, all presents from my dear friends. Last Christmas, my family has been spoiled rotten again by them. And I did not get one, but two trinket boxes. I am sure I will be able to remember when I got this one, and who gave it to me, as red is the color of Christmas and this friend has "red" hair :-). I also love this particular shade of red very much... so "Lady in Red" it is! Dear Sheila and John, thank you so much for making us all feel special and loved. We must have done something good in previous lives, to deserve your friendship. We'll see you soon! 

Hopewell Junction's Four

A few days ago, I decided to check out the Hopewell Junction Antique Center (NY). I heard about it from a lovely lady called Terry, who owns a shop there called: Terry's Treasures. The building is a large house, where many sellers have their space. Four floors filled with small shops, the perfect place for a good treasure hunt. As always, I am hunting for hippos. And as every hunter knows: sometimes you're lucky, and sometimes not so much. This time, I was very lucky! Finding four hippos. Actually, I found three of them, and I was already very happy. To the cashier lady it was pretty obvious that I like hippos. So, she went into a shop and a few seconds later she said "I have found a Pewter one, with a violin!" So that was the number four. First I saw the bit funny looking one (right) made of clay, somewhere tucked between some other animals on a shelf. The larger metal paper weight (Dansk design, made in Japan) was the second one I found, in a display cabinet. And the third (the cute couple in the front) I found near the register, on a table also in the middle of a lot of other animals (Unite Design, "Itty Bitty World" collection, 1986). I am sure this group will be split up (sorted by style, material and size), when I will display my collection properly, but for now, I will keep them together. This sweet cashier lady Diane promised me to give me a call, whenever another hippo comes in. So who knows the "Hopewell Junction's Four" will get some company some day...

(See comments: Yes Donkey & Baby Bird Hippo, I did polish away! ;-))

Terri

A long time ago, I decided NOT to buy any hippo-soft-toys anymore... and then it happened. Waiting for the lady at Barns and Noble to give me my receipt, I see the cutest ballerina hippo ever, displayed on a shelf behind the registers... looking at me, and calling my name! While lecturing my self in my head: "NO! No more plushy-pos. I know, it looks cute but be strong." Then I hear my self say: "Excuse me, is that hippo for sale?" In my head: "Please say no, please say no, please say no..." Obviously, to no avail. I think that Barns and Noble lady was part of the plot too, because she gave me this beaming smile and said: " Sure, isn't she cute?" Oh well, the only thing left to do was admitting defeat by an adorable looking hippo, with pink feet, a shiny bow and a tutu. You will agree, there are far worse things in life. I decided to call her Terri, after my new friend I was about to meet, just a few minutes later. Spending a day seeing new (to me) parts of the city, enjoying beautiful weather and great company (of two wonderful Terris, mind you!) I could not be happier. 

Züny

A few Christmases ago, my friend gave me a very pretty looking leather hippo. On its label it says: Züny, (which means: Funny Zoo, please have a look at this website and blog: Zuny.com.au and read more about this company and its wonderful products). A rather funny story is added to this hippo, about a year later. At one point, my friend showed me a photo of a large leather hippo (Hippo Doorstopper, the big brother of this Hippo Paperweight). She and her husband saw it during their visit to a trade show in Bangkok - Thailand, and of course had to think about me. A few days later, my friend and I decided that we had to plan a trip. My friend wanted to show me this beauty and I wanted to find out where they would sell it. And then, we looked and looked and looked... but did not see any hippo. My friend had forgotten to take a picture of the booth number, because she had been too occupied with the hippo (couldn't blame her!). Finally we found the place... only to find out that the vendor had already left... At least there were some signs left, so we had to remember "Züny", so we could Google it at home. Dear Divya, still missing you so much. The motto of the Züny company is: Make your life funny & easy. That is exactly what you did to all of us... make us laugh and make us forget any troubles or issues we might have, while in your company. Still have to get myself that doorstopper one day :-).

Easter-Po

Most people I talk to, have enough of the winter and the snow. Maybe next year, I feel that way too, but I am still enjoying the winter here very very much. When we left The Netherlands ten years ago, I never could have guessed that I, of all things, was going to miss the seasons most. Of course, Asia does have seasons, and I tell everybody (while whining about the weather), those seasons are: Hot with Rain, Hot without Rain and Very Very Very Hot ;-). How lucky we feel to experience a "proper" winter with lots of snow. So, I don't mind having a few more weeks of winter... but at the same time, I am looking forward to spring too. Maybe a year or so ago, I found this picture of cute looking hippo-cookies on the web. Can't help thinking about springtime and Easter, every time I see it. Then I thought "Easter and Hippos..." and then I smiled. You don't believe me? Imagine an Easter-Hippo carrying a basket, going around your garden, hiding chocolate eggs... you see it? What did I tell you? I know you are smiling now! If you want to know how to make these, please visit: Baking in Heels.  

Sara's Hippos

As I already stated in two previous posts: donated or previously owned hippos are most special to me (see posts: Antonia & Elmo and Diana & Raymond). Little did I know, I would receive a whole bloat one day. When a friend of my youngest daughter heard about my hippo collection, the blue plushies were delivered to me, nicely wrapped in tissue paper, in a bright pink bag. A few months later, she gave me a whole hippo family (Shleich - mouth open: 1996, mouth closed: 1991, and baby: 1996) while I was enjoying coffee with her mum. She told me she knew she had some more hippos, and had been looking for them for a while. I honestly did not know what to say, I was too surprised! Dear Sara, thank you so very much. Being a thoughtful, caring and sweet person already, at the age of nine, I am sure you will become a wonderful and lovely woman, just like your mum. I think it will be nice for you to know, that your hippos will end up in many more places around the world, some day. But no matter where they (physically) will be, you can always come "visit" them here on my blog :-).   

Lady Tracy

To put it precisely, this hippo is knitted by the grandmother of a colleague of our friend. I have seen crocheted hippos, but never seen knitted ones. So this cutie is another first. This colleague came to the office with some knitted snowmen, and told everybody they could be ordered. He also told that his grandmother makes many more things, like animals. Our friend asked if she could see some pictures, and the first picture that popped up was a hippo! As she was about to visit us shortly after, it was a bit creepy... of course it was my message sent through the universe, reminding her not to forget to bring a hippo ;-). We met our friend a few years ago, she was travelling around  the world, enjoying a sabbatical, and we were on  a short break, enjoying the beach. As my daughter put it rightly a few days ago: "If you had not said "hello", we would never have met Tracy. I can add, that if Tracy had not met me, she would not have thought anything, when she saw that hippo popping up on the screen! Dear Tracy, thank you for spending a few days with us. We all enjoyed your company very much (as always). Lady Tracy was complaining she was missing Britain. Hope some Dutch tulips will make her feel more at home here. 

Hippopotamus Anonymous

Before you get any funny ideas, there is NO organization that helps hippos with addictions or people having a Hippopotamus Addiction. I am aware of a few rather severe cases, but nothing life threatening ;-). This painting is signed by Ahichun in 2012. Unfortunately, I have never met the artist. I used to visit my friends at the Art Section (Section 7), of the Chatuchak Weekend Market, in Bangkok, Thailand, regularly. In between two streets, they made a kind of communal hang out place. An old table and a few chairs, often unbearably hot and humid... but by far the best place in Bangkok to share snacks, fruits, drinks, laughs and enjoy great company. Next to the chairs are some racks, full with paintings of multi-color (made with oil paint)-elephants. Those paintings were very popular with tourists, and I have seen many of them being sold, but I never saw the painter (a man, so I have been told...). For a long time, I waited to meet him, so I could ask him for a hippo painting in person, but in all those years, that never happened. At some point I gave up. My friend "A", a fellow artist, was so kind to call, place the order and negotiate a nice price. I love this colorful-hippo-family-on-white-canvas-painting...  A little bit: Hippopotamus Anonymous, and much more: Artist Anonymous.

Mister Stuart

During the Annual International  Hippopotamus Convention, two games are played. For the first game, all participants must bring a hippo-gift. All the gifts are put together, and when your name is drawn, you get to pick a present. You have to open it, tell everybody who brought it, and enjoy the ooohs and ahhhhhs :-). The second game is pretty much the same, for the exception that you can exchange your chosen hippo-gift, for somebody else's gift... making some people try to hide their precious-po, "steal" it back or try (by different techniques...) to make the person change his or her mind. All the ingredients for an evening full of fun, laughs and a few broken (hippo) hearts... 

At some point, this beauty was unpacked by the Master-of-Games: David, then "exchanged"... what prompted him to shrug it off with the comment "Oh, yeah, you take the blue pig"... making everybody laugh. But I had already fallen in love with this blue beauty, so when it was my turn, I exchanged it with my gift. I was very lucky I could keep it! David's comment reminded me of the animation movie: The Lion King (Lion King Quotes)

[Timon and Zazu are cornered by hyenas]

Timon: Please don't eat me.

Pumbaa: Drop 'em!

Banzai: Hey! Who's the pig?

Pumbaa: Are you talkin' to me?

Timon: Uh-oh, they called him a pig.

Pumbaa: Are you talking to *me*?

Timon: Ya shouldn't have done that.

Pumbaa: ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?

Timon: Now they're in for it.

Pumbaa: THEY CALL ME MR. PIG! AHHHH!

Dear Stuart, thank you for bringing this wonderful hippo from your collection. As I told you already, he is called Stuart... but because he was called "pig" (by somebody who should know better ;-))... I have decided it will not be MISTER PIG, but MISTER STUART.

Hippopottermiss

Hippos contribute to world peace! I admit, it is a bit hard to believe if you have seen bulls fight over territory, or a mum stampede whatever is too close to her baby. Also, the idea of "wallow-whole-day-in-mud-and-wiggle-ears-" is not so much associated with peace (at least not by non-hippo-lovers). Maybe I have to rephrase, and say: The existence of hippos contributes to world peace! They bring people from all over the world together, they inspire artists and their images are a source of smiles and happiness. I know, I may not convince many people, but to me it is very true! 

The "living proof" of this statement is a very talented artist called Jen Robinson (she sometimes calls herself: Hippopottermiss, hence the title of this post). She is originally from the UK but lives in France. I had the pleasure of meeting her twice, in the USA. Hippos made by her, are lovingly named: Jen-Pos by her friends and admirers of her work. I have witnessed it myself. Jen-Pos bring many smiles and much happiness to everybody seeing them. Definitely contributing to world peace! I rest my case.

I do have to mention that Jen also makes many more different and equally beautiful animals, as you can see at www.jen-robinson.com, but I will only mention her hippos here, this being a Hippo-Blog after all ;-).

Dear Jen, I feel very fortunate our paths have crossed, thanks to hippos. Your kindness, sense of humor and wonderful personality make me wish more people were like you. Our world would be a much nicer place.  

Inkognito

Inkognito, is German for incognito. Not too difficult to guess. Not that this post is about hippos being incognito, but it has everything to do with the most fun, adorable and cutest printed hippos I know. A few years back, a dear friend of mine found a few hippo postcards in a shop while travelling through Groningen, which is one of the Northern provinces of The Netherlands. When I saw them, I immediately fell in love. Luckily a website address was printed at the back. I wanted to buy more of those cards, and check out whether this company had any more hippo items. Not so much other hippo things, but a few more adorable cards. My absolute favorite is this one called: Nilpferd früh am Morgen, which means: Hippo in the early morning. I can't get enough of looking at her four furry slippers, her over sized toothbrush and her toy hippo that keeps her company.

Artist: Suzan Visser - www.Inkognito.de

Please check out the website of this company! For those of you, not understanding German, please go to the upper left corner on their home page, just under their name, you'll find the flag of the UK, click on that and the site will translate into English. Then look for: Hippo. And you will find the cutest cards ever! Dear Marius, you are the best! Thank you for thinking about me, and to make it possible for me to share this dose of pure Hippo-Happiness!

The Big Six

In my post "Kiboko" (hand carved ebony hippo figurine), I mentioned that my friends also brought a hippo-painting back from their home leave in Tanzania. They told me that the artist sold many paintings of the so called: Big Five. The Big Five refers to the five greatest wild animals of Africa: the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Some people claim that a safari is not a safari, unless you have seen all of them. The fact that hippos are not part of the Big Five, together with the fact that most African people do not like hippos, could explain why my friends could not find any painting with a hippo. They were so sweet to order one for me. I remember they told me they had to do so many last minute errands, including picking up this painting. So happy they did! I had it framed in a shop in Banani Bazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, making it a very "international" piece of art. Dear Didi and Mr. Bo, I love it very much. Not only because of the cute looking hippos, but also because of many fond memories it brings back, every time I see it. If you ever hear of a campaign to get the hippo join the Big Five, please let me know! I will gladly support: The Big Six!

Marbelous Three

Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, will be celebrated this year on Monday January sixth. I remember celebrating it once, in elementary school in The Netherlands, a very long time ago... The teacher made a cake with a dried bean hidden inside. The person finding the bean, would be "the king" for the rest of the day. I still remember the name of my classmate finding the bean. Wikipedia is mentioning "the king" getting a paper crown... but I can't remember whether he got that or not. In France, they put a (usually porcelain) trinket in the cake, calling it a bean. Obviously too fancy for "down-to-earth-Northern-Dutch-people". I think the rewards were: bragging rights (about finding the bean) and probably a sticker :-). It is a bit hard to explain how you get from Three Kings Day to hippos... I think the number three is to blame for the association when I saw this picture. I did not get these marble figurines all at once, but when displayed, they always stand together because they look so similar. Who gave them, or how I got them, I have no idea. I called this post: Marbelous Three. Three (hippo) Kings and Three Wise Hippos, also crossed my mind, but how do you explain that???

The Motherload

Like last year, I participated in the Christmas-Hippo-Gift-Exchange (see posts: Exchange-(Hip)Pos and Keep Out?). Both packages arrived nicely on time. Very happy with that, because now I did not have to worry about ending up without hippo-presents on Christmas. On the other hand, not happy at all, because it was a tough exercise in self-control, I could hear both boxes scream: "OPEN ME!" But that would have made me fly off to the "Naughty List" for sure ;-). Dear Brenda and Carol (Hippo Annie), thank you so much for being my "Secret Santas" this year. I have been spoiled rotten, and as you can see, it was like discovering "The Motherload" of Hippos under the tree. Or should I say, Hippoload?

To all my Hippo-Friends and fellow Hippo-Lovers, I am wishing you a Healthy, Happy and Hippo 2014!

Hippo-Head-Cake

Just before we moved, my dear friend did not give one, but two of these hippo-head-cake-pans to me. Our shipment was already on its way, so these were hand carried to a new oven, on the other side of the world. My friend told me that she and her sons spotted a large basket with animal-head-cake-pans in a department store. They turned the basked up side down... looking for hippos, only to find two. They were a bit disappointed, but they should not have been. The fact that they found one, is already precious to me, not to mention two. I have not made any hippo-head-cakes yet, but I will do so very soon. Dear Divya, thank you for introducing me to hippo-head-cake-pans, I did not know they exist. I knew about hippo-cookie-cutters... this was a very nice surprise to me! I am still missing you so very much. But also very grateful that our paths have crossed. I know we will find ways to see each other, no matter where we will live. 

Kissing Hippos

As I was roaming around in one of my favorite shopping malls in Bangkok (JJ Mall), a funny looking black and white cow drew my attention, and pulled me into a tiny shop full of animal paintings. Not long after, I was ordering a large painting with eight hippos (see post: Hippo Night Watch). While discussing the details, this cow kept staring at me, making me wonder whether they would make a hippo. Of course they would! After a few weeks, I came back to pick up my painting, and my funny looking "cow-look-alike-hippo", who turned out to be orange, like all the hippos in the painting. Then, I saw another hippo (purple) on the ground... next to the cow, that started  it all. "What? You made two hippos?" How could I leave the shop, knowing there was still another hippo left... so I ended up going home with a large painting, and TWO "cut-out-of-hard-board" hippos. I convinced myself, I would find a place for all of them... The purple one had a tail, a bit too tiny for my taste, so that was being fixed on the spot. I did not have the idea about them kissing when I saw them in the shop, but when I had to hang them.... there seemed to be no better way... At the moment they are still packed and stored, as we have moved, and I do not have the space to display them, but who knows, in our next home they will be touching each other again... kissing (or about to...) like in this photo, or maybe switch them around so they will be "touching butts" for a change ;-).

jano_ole@yahoo.co.th

Hippo Baby Bank

Time for some "hippo-cuteness" after these last two scary posts. Let me introduce you to the second Hippo-Bank on my blog (first one, see post: Marius), my one and only Hippo-Baby-Bank. Unfortunately, not much I can say about this, as I have no idea how I got it. All I know is that I have had it for a long time already.

What? Don't you think my back is cute? OK, what about the front then?

Scary Hippo - Part Two

While writing the previous post, I remembered I have another scary hippo in my collection. I find the number of interpretations by artists of one single animal so fascinating. From cute and cuddly to flat out scary, and everything in between. I found this mug in a store in Bangkok, and almost did not buy it, because it looks too scary. Like the hippo in the previous post, the fact that it was a hippo, won me over. If possible, I always buy two mugs, one for the collection, and one to use. Of this particular mug, they only had one, so I do not use it. But if they had two, I wonder whether I would.... because holding this mug by its scary hippo head is not very inviting... especially in the morning, when I really do need my coffee... I prefer a mug with a friendlier hippo face ;-).

But I do love this mug. I think it is great that somebody can make a hippo you almost can hear roaring: "Don't you dare touch me!"

The Hippo Has Landed!

Normally I do not buy toy-hippos made of plastic for myself. Often, I get them as presents... but sometimes I just can't help myself. I found this hippo in a tiny gift shop in a hospital in Bangkok. I looked at it for some time, because it was a toy.... made of plastic.... and looking a bit scary. But the fact that it was a hippo, won eventually. I had the idea of making it look like it just landed on the railing of my balcony. After trying different poses, I liked this angle best, but not all feet did fit on the railing. The fact that the hippo was actually too large to fit precisely on the railing, turned out to be just the right thing. Because now it looks like he is just holding on with the toes of his hind foot. Making it look very plausible that hippos can fly, land on the railing of your balcony and scare you! 

One Hundred!

Time for a mini-celebration! And before you get any ideas... I did not get one hundred hippopotamuses, but this is the One Hundredth post on my blog :-). This blog was initially mend to be a personal archive, as I started to forget how certain items became part of my collection. But then I got to know the International Hippopotamus Society (www.hippos.com) and I never could have imagined how that would impact my life and this blog. I feel my blog is not only an archive anymore but it has also become a vehicle for sharing Hippo-Happiness! I was very curious to see what would come up through Google Images, if I searched for: Hundred Hippos. And this wonderful picture surfaced... with that exact title. You can order a print on www.redbubble.com. It represents the One-Hundred-Hippo-Posts, it reflects my feeling of being part of a huge, wonderful and caring bloat and as you can see... there is room for many more... hippos and posts ;-)!

I know there are quite a number of loyal followers of my blog. Thank you for making it so much fun for me to keep posting! And to the occasional visitor: I hope you will, after reading some of my posts, love hippos too. 

Pincherette (hip) Pos

I considered to call this post: "Welcome to the USA, part two", because this was another surprise gift that found its way to our new home. A very nicely decorated (with hippos, of course) little box was delivered. My daughters rolled their eyes and gave me "you-must-be-kidding" look, together with the "More hippos? Really?" and "Let me guess... another hippo!" remarks. I never would have guessed to find such a wonderful hippo-gift. A vintage pincherette ashtray. To be honest, I was not familiar with this kind of ashtray. Only after using Google, I found out that the cigarettes are placed in the hippo's mouth, explaining the name "Pincherette" (I know, a lot of catching up to do... especially on fancy hippo-items like this ;-)). This ashtray will not be used as ashtray, but it will spend the rest of its life as "fancy-hippo-decoration". Dear David, thank you so much for this perfect gift. You must have remembered the remark about me being a "Human Magpie"... absolutely loving everything bling-blingy and shiny. You couldn't have given these Pincherette Pos a better home! 

Welcome to the USA!

A few months ago, we moved to the United States of America. We ended up in a lovely house in a very nice neighborhood. During the first few weeks, many neighbors came to our house to introduce themselves and welcome us with home made pies and cookies! I had seen this being done in movies... but it never occurred to me that people actually (still) do this. A very nice surprise for all of us. Although we have left many friends behind in Asia, it is nice to live closer to many of my hippo-friends. And it were a few very special hippo-friends that made us feel even more welcome. Not long after we moved in, this wonderful Limoges (hippo) Box was delivered. A "Welcome-to-the-USA" gift. For this photograph I laid it down, because I wanted to show the inside of this pretty box as well. It is not only a very nice piece, it is also my first Limoges Box. Dear Sheila and John, thank you for sending this lovely gift, welcoming us to your country, your amazing friendship.... and for making all of us laugh so much! Dart gun anyone? ;-)

Shaking Hippos

And what did you think? Hippos living in Antarctica... shaking because they are cold? Or did you think about shaking real hippos, to wake them up? Most likely, you saw the picture first, and already knew this is about (hippo) salt and pepper shakers! Another first. As a collector, I am clearly an amateur, because I know of some "professional" collectors, having a Hippo-Salt-and-Pepper-Shakers-Collection, as part of their hippo collection. Apparently I have always looked in the wrong places, because I could not find them. I was so happy when I could buy my first set during the the Annual International  Hippopotamus Society Convention / Reunion, taking place in Denver, Colorado - USA, September 2012. Unfortunately, I can't remember who brought them, so if you read this, please let me know. I would like to be able to thank you personally for bringing these shakers. You really made my day. And then, that same year, I got a set of lovely salt and pepper shakers as a Christmas gift (see post: Keep Out?) So who knows, maybe it will not be long, before I have a Hippo-Salt-and-Pepper-Shakers-Collection too!

Beads of Beauty

When you know somebody is a collector, it makes things easy and difficult at the same time. Easy, because you always know what to get that person for birthdays and or special occasions. Difficult, because of the stress: "Does he or she has this already?" "Would he or she like this?" And what if you can't find anything at all? For my parents in law it is particularly difficult, because they are living so far away, so "casually-checking-out-what-Lien-already-has" is not really possible for them. And adding to this... hippos are not very easy to find. To me, it makes hippo presents in general very special, because I know it takes some effort and special attention. This beaded beauty was a gift for my birthday this year, a real treat! Dear Zwany and Jan, thank you for giving me this lovely hippo present. And just for the record: No! I did not have it yet, and Yes! I love it very much!

Are you coming along, or what?

At least one reader of my blog will recognize this hippo immediately! I had brought two of them to Denver, last year, to give away during the Hippo-Games (see posts: Maryann and Hipporita Time). I had bought this hippo for myself some time ago at the Chatuchak (JJ) Market in Bangkok, Thailand. I thought it would make a perfect gift for the game. When I came back to this shop I found two more hippos, and decided to buy them both (I felt bad to split them up ;-)). I made several pictures at different angles of my own hippo, but I liked this pose best. It looks like he wants to say: Are you coming along, or what? Dear Diane, I am very happy they have found a loving home. Just now,  I think it is more likely that my hippo is turning its head and greets you: Sa wa dee kaaahhhh!

Kong Fu Po

Every collector knows that "the find" can show up at any, and often, most unexpected places. A long time ago, I was doing some grocery shopping in an "Asian Supermarket". A rather dodgy looking place, with freezers scattered all over the place and only a few working tube lights. But it was the best place to find a great assortment of Indonesian chilly pastes, frozen shrimps and egg noodles. While zigzagging around freezers and piles of boxes, I found this hippo, just sitting there, between the bottles of oyster sauce and "long-life" noodles. Made in China, and lost? It was a very surreal sight, I could not believe my eyes. It looks rather fancy but it is made of a very light-weight kind of plastic. If it were ceramic and larger, it could easily have been the center piece of my collection, because the details and colors are quite nice. Now, it is part of the "plastic-pod"... standing out, because it is definitely the most beautiful plastic-y one. Maybe I should create a "curiosity-pod"... first member: Kong Fu Po. 

Soap or Bacon?

These two hand carved hippos from Kenya, are made out of talc. In this form better known in English as Soapstone. I do not know when or where I bought them. The only thing I can remember is that they came from Christmas markets in Germany, just like the previously posted sleeping hippo (see post: Nilpferd), but of which city or cities, I forgot. If I feel figurines (especially large ones) made out of this particular stone, it is not too difficult for me to imagine why it is called Soapstone. This made me wonder why in Dutch it is called "Speksteen", which would translate as "Bacon-stone" to English. I don't see or feel anything "bacon" about them.... It could be that the smoothness of the stone, made Dutch people think of a piece of greasy bacon? Maybe the color? Maybe they were hungry, and thought of food all the time? Food for thought, I would say. I am sure, these two hippos do not care whether they are made out of soap or bacon, as long as it is the stone, which makes them look beautiful, forever!

Dino-Po

Don't you think its body looks a bit like a large dinosaur egg, too? I found this wonderfully hand made South African hippo in a tiny shop, about 10 years ago in Utrecht, The Netherlands. We were about to move abroad, almost everything was packed already. While doing some last minute shopping, I stumbled upon this ceramic beauty, and couldn't resist. At home, I did not bother to unpack it, and put it in the "hippo-box" (to be stored) right away. It would be a few years later that we decided to have our things in storage, shipped to our new home in Indonesia. I was so happy to see my collection again, but to finally unpack this "new" hippo, was an extra treat. I call this post Dino-Po... but I think I will have to come up with a more arty or cozy sounding name. On the other hand... it is one of the very few hippos in my collection, feeling like a dinosaur egg, when you hold it... not that I have ever held one, but let's just say.... a huge egg! Oh well, Dino-Po it is!!

Hippo Birthday Painting

This hippo painting came together with another hippo-present. You can find that present on this blog, see post: Hippe (Potamus) the Hippo-Head. My dear friend, who made the hippo head, decided to make a painting. "I thought about a happy birthday card" she said "but, then I thought it would be more fun to make a painting". This kind of casual remarks make me so jealous, because only gifted and creative artists like her can make it sound like it is the easiest thing to do. Not for me. I don't know how to hold a brush and my ceramic art achievements exist of an odd looking ash tray and a candle holder, made in primary school. Worst part: they both look similar.... just to put things in perspective here. 

Painting made by Mrs. Anneke van der Zijden - Steenmeijer 

Hippe, waar bèèèèèèèèèn je??? Is Dutch for: Hippe, where aaaaaare you??? Hippe, of course being the hippo head. This painting is made for my 36th birthday by the absolute coolest hippo-artist I know. Dear Anneke, missing you and Hans very much. La Douce France is a little bit closer, now we have moved, but still not close enough to enjoy your company more often. Don't forget to "kiss the (your) cook" ;-).

Flea Market Find

It is time for another: First! This lovely marble hippo figurine is my very first flea market find! I love roaming around at flea markets, always on the look out for hippos. But they are not easy to find. I remember the guy asking seven and a half Dutch guilders for it (pre-Euro-era... a very long time ago, indeed ;-)). I also remember that it was one of my first bargaining attempts. As I had no idea what I wanted to pay, I simply told the guy it was too expensive. "OK, five guilders then (around five US$)" the guy said. I was so happy! Finally, I found a hippo... and I (sort of) bargained!! The only "problem" with this figurine is that the head is heavier than its body, so it does not take much to make it tilt forward. I just realized it is also my first hippo made of marble. A "double-first-hippo". I don't have many of those.

Gloria (again)

As you already might have read, I just love Gloria (see post: Hollywood Hippos). When the movie Madagascar 3 was released in Bangkok (June 2012), I went with a group of seven to the cinema. We all had our sets (drinks with popcorn), but I told them that when the movie was over, I had to get one of those special sets: huge plastic bucket (to be filled with popcorn) and a plastic drinking cup. For the cup they had different lids.... each with a different character of the movie. "Could you please give me a Gloria-lid for my cup? And NO drink" "????" "It is for my collection, and I do not want my cup to become dirty"... things didn't improve with that last remark ;-). But, yes, I got my cup with special lid, including the "you-must-be-weird-look" and another huge bucket of popcorn that was devoured by the rest of the gang... because I was too busy admiring my cute looking Gloria... happy as a hippo!

Kuda Nil

Kuda Nil means (Surprise! Surprise!) "Hippopotamus" in Indonesian. A few years ago, I bought this mug in a department store in Jakarta, Indonesia. It a was rather funny event. While walking in, I almost bumped into an enormous pile of these hippo mugs. It made me a bit suspicious, I really thought they had to get rid of them or something. I circled around the pile a few times, but I could not find any evidence of a clearance sale or special promotion going on. Just there, in the middle of the "kitchen-ware-household-department", displayed as newly arrived item. The only thing missing was a sign saying: Get one today! NO household can do without! 

As always (if I have the chance) I bought two of them. I am very lucky I did so. Unfortunately, the quality of these mugs is not very good, the one I used chipped very easily and the color of the paint also faded a bit. So I still have the "spare" one for my collection. I always handle it with extra care. 

In hindsight I should have bought the whole pile, as it would have been great to have shared them with my fellow hippo collectors. But at that time, I did not have the honor to know them. All I can do now, is ask my Indonesian friends to keep an eye out for me! 

Hippo-Head-Candle-Holder

Thailand is not only famous for its silk, but also for its ceramics. The most famous one is called: Bencharong, colorful and wonderfully hand painted pieces (google images for an impression). The other more modest looking one is called Celadon (www.baanceladon.com). Pieces are easily recognized, as they have one color only (emerald green, white, blue or brown) and a crackled glaze. Most of the time the decoration is carved into the pieces but sometimes parts are painted too. Some time ago, I bought a few wonderfully hand made bowls in a shop of a Cultural Center (near Kanchanaburi). I like those very much. To be honest, I am not much of a fan of the Celadon that you can find in department stores and souvenir shops, as it is mass produced in factories. But of course, as always, there is an exception... and this exception comes in the form of a (very much mass produced ;-)) Hippo-Head-Candle-Holder. As the elephant is Thailand's national animal, all animal related items are almost always elephants. To find anything "hippo" is very, very unusual. I wonder for how much longer the department stores will carry them. I hope... indefinitely! 

Didi

Even though my dearest friend Albina is not particularly fond of hippos, she has brought many beautiful ones from Tanzania, including one that was custom made for me (see post: Kiboko). I also showed the bottle opener (see post: Hippo-Opener) and I still have 2 more lovely paintings to share in future posts. This wooden figurine is one of my favorites. I love it because you can clearly see that the artist has a good sense of humor, making a hippo sitting like this. And if you look closely, it even does have a bit of an attitude :-). It did not have a name until now, but I have decided to call her Didi. Didi means: older sister, in Nepali. As my friend is older and like a sister to me, I always call her Didi. At some point she started to call me Didi too.... So this figurine is named after both of us! Dear Didi, we can't wait to finally visit your home country next year. Of course I am excited to see many hippos in the wild, empty the handicraft shops and get the best coffee in the world. But most of all, we all love to see you, Mr. Bo and Ms. Patty again, it has been way too long. Little wooden Didi will have to do till then. 

Hippomallow

After three years we have left Bangkok. I am missing Thailand already. The food and the smells, but most of all our dear friends. We are meeting a lot of nice people already, so I am sure our stay in the USA will be wonderful too. Going through my pictures, I found this one. Marshmallows... hippo style. Unfortunately, the taste and texture are not that great (to my taste), but the packaging could not be better. I am not sure if they are for sale here in the USA, but if you fancy any, head to Bangkok, Gourmet Market. I do not know why they are called Mallow Plus. On the other hand... the smiling blue hippo is definitely a plus!

Wobbly-Hippo-Head

If you have been in a taxi in Asia, you have seen the "wobbly" figurines... decorating almost every dashboard. In Thailand, the Maneki-neko, or "lucky-cat-with-waving-paw", Hello Kitty and flowers (in a pot with "dancing" leaves) are very popular. Then, there are the occasional dog and lion, but I have never seen a hippo. I know they exist because I have one! No idea how I got it, the only thing I know is that it is in my collection for a very long time. It is just a silly toy, but I can't help myself. Every time I see it, I just have to touch his head. Not everybody who sees my collection, notices him, but if they do.... his head must wobble!

P.s. I just learned from my dear friend Sheila, that these toys are actually called Bobbleheads! Thank you for letting me know. So the last sentence of my post should be: .... his head must bobble!

Eau d' Hippo

This post is not about a recently launched celebrity fragrance and it is also not about the smell of hippos, but it is about water and about hippos! Last year, I shared the story about the opening of the Hippopotamus Grill Restaurant in Bangkok (see post: Hippopotamus Grill Restaurant). Unfortunately, the chain does not sell any merchandise anymore. The only thing they have are specially labeled bottles of water. I do not know whether all branches of this chain do have this, or that it is only here in Thailand. It certainly gives the dining experience a very nice touch. Of course I was a bit disappointed I could not buy anything else, but I was happy to bring a few bottles home. Who wouldn't want to have something special at home to offer to guests... Hippo-Water anyone?

Blue Blob

Some time ago, I already shared my one and only hippo printed on silk (see post: Wood Cut on Silk Screen) by Mr. Sitthisak Natheechaichana. He is not only a talented wood carver but also a very accomplished painter. He loves to mix and match colors in his abstract work and he likes to paint animals, mainly cats. I thought it would be nice, not only to have a printed hippo but a painted one by him as well. I really love the colors and the enormous smile on this hippo's face, so I was very happy. Coming home, my husband looked at it and said: "I do not like it, it looks like a huge blue blob to me..." Appreciate artistic looking hippos much? Ha ha. Well, you can't always agree on everything. Luckily there are a few other hippo paintings that he does like. The funny thing is, the remark "blue blob", kept coming back in my head. I couldn't come up with a better name for this painting. So, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you.... The Blue Blob!

Super(hippo)model

According to Wikipedia, the term supermodel refers to a highly-paid fashion model, who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. All this does not apply at all to the model I love to work with as a photographer, but he is a supermodel to me! I already featured him on this blog (see post: Boris), showing a travel bag. From time to time, I am experimenting with camera settings. It is already difficult to get children or pets to sit perfectly still for a few seconds... let alone for any time longer than five minutes. Luckily, Boris never runs out of patience and does not need to be bribed ;-). I converted this photo to black and white because I did not want any distraction from colors. I just love how contrasts and textures appear... making Boris look ultra fluffy!

Hippo Puzzle

My collection started as a Hippo-Figurine-Only-Collection. Slowly but surely other hippo-items made their way to my house. Hippo-mugs, hippo-banks, hippo-socks, hippo-soap-trays, hippo-soft-toys... hippo-anything! At some point I even had a little hippo-mushroom-brush... Some years ago, as space was limited, I decided not to collect any hippo-(soft)-toys anymore. Many toys found their way to orphanages, schools and friends. Except this three-part-wooden-hippo-puzzle.... it survived many "clean ups". Somehow, I grew very attached to it. Therefore, I have convinced (at least) myself that it falls into the category: puzzles, and not in the one of toys... Self deception can feel so good... once in a while ;-). I forgot how I got it, but I am determined to keep it. So when you are visiting me and suddenly feel the urge to solve a hippo-puzzle, I have just the thing for you. No peaking! :-)

Hippo-Opener

A few years ago, my dear friends brought this bottle opener for me from Tanzania, together with  some other hippo-presents. I liked it very much but to be very honest, looking at the two screws, I had my doubt whether it would work. So, for a rather long time I did not use it and kept it in the cabinet, together with the rest of my collection. Of course, that day came... I needed a bottle opener and couldn't find one, so I took out "the hippo". I found out that it works perfectly, is easy to use and on top of that so much more fun than one of those "normal" openers! Dear Mr. Bo and Didi, my apologies for doubting your lovely present. The good thing is: every bottle is now opened with "the hippo", while thinking of you. Sometimes, I can almost hear it say: "you see how easy this is?" I can't wait to see you all soon, it has been way too long.... and yes, you have all the right to tell me "told you so!"