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Madagascar Madness


Kim

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The village of Ambalavao is peppered with older buildings with a distinctive look.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Bread for sale

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Rickshaws, or pousse-pousse as they are called here

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The churches always seem to be the nicest buildings

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Gate

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Kim, Thanks for the pics. I'm enjoying a hot afternoon in the airconditioning looking at some beautiful pics. Very nice.

regards

Tyrone

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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We pull into the parking for 'les Bougainvilleas' for lunch, just across from this Dypsis lutescens.

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Foodie notes:  slow-roasted pork with rice and diced tomato and onion.

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Back on the road, the scenery gets more and more dramatic.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Why did the chameleon cross the road?

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To change to the other side?

South Gate

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It's a really noticeable landmark

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  • Upvote 1

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Stopped in here for a coffee break, quite a pachypodium collection.

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Popular item for wall decor

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Oh, look where we are:

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My first glimpse of Bismarckia nobilis in habitat:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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But we had to leave to check into the hotel, and see something else.  Hotel greeter?

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Nicely located

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The hotel was a cluster of small stone buildings, very new.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Kim --

(swoon!)

That hotel is SO totally San Diego . . . .  Sorta . . . .

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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There was all kinds of cool stuff growing on the rocks:

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But the most interesting part was behind the buildings:

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Ravenea rivularis!!

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  • Upvote 1

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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It was nearly sunset and we were chasing daylight.  We raced out to the Bismarckias on the plain.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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I really need to plant another 500 Bismarckias! :D

Leilani Estates, 25 mls/40 km south of Hilo, Big Island of Hawai'i. Elevation 880 ft/270 m. Average rainfall 140 inches/3550 mm

 

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Great trip Kim.  Thank you for all the shots of life on the island there.  I really like the pictures in post 90.  That is an incredible landscape.

dk

Don Kittelson

 

LIFE ON THE RIO NEGRO

03° 06' 07'' South 60° 01' 30'' West

Altitude 92 Meters / 308 feet above sea level

1,500 kms / 932 miles to the mouth of the Amazon River

 

Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil - A Cidade da Floresta

Where the world´s largest Tropical Rainforest embraces the Greatest Rivers in the World. .

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Click here to visit Amazonas

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Kim!  I love in post #81, pic3, the lady looking up like "what the heck is she taking a picture of?"   :)

And Hey! I recognise the area of post#91, pic 2!  Its my "desktop pic" from when Gary took his trip and posted photo's!  :)

Luv it!  Luv it!

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

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With the addition of the dramatic geography shots, I feel like I'm looking at the most interesting place on the planet. No words for it.

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

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To a palm collector, this place is hard to beat. Great photos, Kim.

Jeff

Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Kim,

I believe the tree in the 4th photo of post #50 may be Dombeya cacuminum, often called the "Strawberry Snowball Tree" here (for some reason unknown to me).

Unbelievable photos.  Really spectacular!

Jason

Menlo Park, CA  (U.S.A.) hillside

Min. temp Jan 2007:  28.1 deg. F (-2.2 deg. C)

Min. temp winter 2008: 34.7 deg. F (1.5 deg. C)

USDA Zone 10A since 2000

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Thanks for posting not only the palms :P  but also the local color.

"If you need me, I'll be outside" -Randy Wiesner Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10Bish

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Hike to la Piscine Naturellee

So!  Here's a quick look at our hotel before breakfast.  Our room is here:

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Nice stonework and nice location:

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View from our balcony:

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Fancy fruit for breakfast at the Relais du Roy hotel:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Well of course the hotel has a stone palm:

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I think this is supposed to be me admiring the Dypsis lutescens:

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Slow-moving lawnmowers:

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Steps to lobby:

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  • Upvote 1

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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We load up the vehicle:

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Today we are hiking to La Piscine Naturelle (the Natural Pool) and expect to see...PALMS!

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Lala is our guide for the day.  His presence is required and his English is very good.  Some of his ancestors are entombed in the cliffs in the park.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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That's not exactly the type of architecture I visualised for Madagascar! And nice artwork on the lawnmower! :D

Leilani Estates, 25 mls/40 km south of Hilo, Big Island of Hawai'i. Elevation 880 ft/270 m. Average rainfall 140 inches/3550 mm

 

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Add a stone to the pile and make a wish.  If I remember right, it's kind of like the Trevi Fountain in Rome; if your wish comes true you will return to Isalo.  Or something like that!

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Unique plant in dry areas:

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Bruno, Lilia, Lala, and Steve on the hot trail:

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View from the trail to the plain below:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Wildflowers:

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Sealed tomb:

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Bluffs we have scaled:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Rock with vividly colored lichens growing on it:

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This is the area where Lala's ancestor's are entombed.  To reach the tombs, people are lowered with ropes.  It's a wonderful viewpoint.

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Wet valley below:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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This is a very dry area, but certain things flourish here:

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It takes a long time for a pachypodium to develop this interesting shape:

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  • Upvote 1

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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The canyon edge:

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It's green down below where the spring runs:

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Perhaps I should explain the "ancestors' tombs" a bit.  In Madagascar it is the custom to bury the ancestors in the cliffs, first in a coffin:

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Then 4 years later, they return and unearth the coffin and carry it to town where a celebration ensues with much eating and drinking (of rum) and the family shares memories of the family member who passed.  The bones are removed from the coffin and carefully re-wrapped in silk shrouds, then carried back to the cliffs, and lowered down to be entombed in a final, smaller resting place.

Another tomb in an interesting rock formation:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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At last!  Dypsis onilahensis!  And many more in the canyon below -- see their crowns poking up along the canyon rim in the background:

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Closer look at trunk:

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Descending into the narrow canyon, a palm with seeds:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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There are many palms in the cool and shady canyon:

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And at last we reach the pool:

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Unfortunately it is filled with sand as a result of the cyclone from a week ago, but the water is still flowing and it makes a pleasant destination. Steve above, Bruno below:

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Blue dragonfly:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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After the hike we return to the town of Ranohira for lunch at Chez Berny.  The interior is typical for the region:

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Those are various flavors of rum in the jugs.  I did not sample them. :)  When the appetizer arrives, we conclude this is a five-star restaurant.  Check out the mango dish:

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After lunch, the kids get out of school nearby.  They are all wearing their purple uniforms and I can't resist a couple of pics:

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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There isn't enough daylight for another hike today, but the proprietor of the restaurant, Berny, a French-descended Malagasy, has a lemur on a camping property not far away, and we haven't seen any lemurs yet, so off we go.

We arrive at the deserted camping area and park near the lemur house where he sleeps safely at night.  Bruno walks us down to the pandanus-surrounded oasis where the lemur hangs out.  We call "Maki, maki, maki!"  The lemur is habituated to (French-speaking) humans, and we hope he will respond.  Lilia wanders off to find plants.  Steve goes down to the edge of the water.  Bruno goes back to the vehicle to look for something to feed the lemur.  "Maki, maki, maki!"

Suddenly I feel a furry presence between my ankles;  I look down and there is a furry ringed tail!  It's the lemur standing calmly between my feet.  I instinctively reach down to pet his tail, as though he were a cat, and he looks up at me as if to ask, "Got any snacks?"  This magic moment doesn't last long; after a moment of wonder he scampers into a tree:

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But he comes down again to poke around the garbage:

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  • Upvote 1

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Kim,

What an amazingly spectacular hike! Was that an all-day kind of excursion?

Bo-Göran

Leilani Estates, 25 mls/40 km south of Hilo, Big Island of Hawai'i. Elevation 880 ft/270 m. Average rainfall 140 inches/3550 mm

 

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Turns out he likes butter cookies, and he grabs my fingers to take the cookie bits.  The black pads on his fingers are soft and cool:

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He also responds to the sound of crinkling paper, like candy being unwrapped -- ooo, what have people been feeding this guy?  Watching him bound forward like a giant frog is a little intimidating.  He really gets friendly with Steve, jumping on his bended knee, then up on his shoulder:

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Bruno et le maki:

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As you can see, the sun is setting, the end of a perfect day.  More pictures later.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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(bgl @ Mar. 29 2008,17:42)

QUOTE
Kim,

What an amazingly spectacular hike! Was that an all-day kind of excursion?

Bo-Göran

Bo, it was slightly more than a half-day excursion, not a long hike at all, but rather hot.  (And I banged up my heel on a rock, aggravating my planar fasciitis, so I was limping most of the way.)  There are many trails to hike;  I think Gary LeVine did three in a single day.

About the fancy hotel -- yes it's not what you expect in Madagascar, but tourism is developing.  We visited another tented hotel under construction, similar to tented camps used on safari in Kenya and Tanzania, which will open soon.  Perhaps the IPS will get there for a biennial someday, but the country is not ready for 200 people at a time just yet.

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Top of the world stuff!Thank you for sharing some beyond incredible things.Bob Dyaniliski cheek to cheek pyramids glowing in the dark hotwires!

What you look for is what is looking

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Kim,

I can't believe you guys were there only a few days. It looks like you spent weeks there.

This is the kind of thread I wish would never end. I'm glad there are more pics on the way.  :)

animated-volcano-image-0010.gif.71ccc48bfc1ec622a0adca187eabaaa4.gif

Kona, on The Big Island
Hawaii - Land of Volcanoes

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Kim-  that is such a cool cool vacation and I love the expression on your face on the second picture of post 109.

Gene

Manila, Philippines

53 feet above sea level - inland

Hot and dry in summer, humid and sticky monsoon season, perfect weather Christmas time

http://freakofnaturezzz.blogspot.com/

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Thank You as always, Kim.  Great stuff!

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

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Kim, every time I come back to take a look at your thread there's so much more to see! Just incredible!! I must agree with Dean as it seems like you were there for weeks! Thank you so much for sharing this special trip with all of us.

Dave Hughson

Carlsbad, Ca

1 mile from ocean

Zone 10b

Palm freaks are good peeps!!!!!

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