Strange Planet

Strange Planet

Yes it is right here on Earth but there is no landscape anywhere like it. 

Waking up on this island called Socotra would have you looking around 

in wonder and disbelief 

that you are actually on Planet Earth.

Dorstenia gigas - apparently does not require any soil and sinks roots straight into the bare rock

It also has a distinct personality and likes to smile for the camera

 Socotra is one of those "lost world" islands (separated from the world six million years ago) where intrepid travellers - particularly those seeking exotic nature and wildlife in a remote tropical setting - can go days on end without rubbing shoulders with that less-than-endangered species: tourists. Known for decades as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, it's the world's tenth richest island for endemic plant species. And it's the biggest island in the Middle East…125 km in length and 45 km across. Meanwhile, the landscape is one of contrasts; for example, it has isolated nature preserves with dazzling wildlife, including 900 species of plants, the famous Dragon's Blood Tree "dracaena cinnabara," some of the rarest birds that exist nowhere else in the world, and picturesque sandy beaches.

Fairy-tale and possibly haunted shipwrecks. There are diving tours available.

To give you a glimpse of Socotra's and Yemen's in general totally unique architecture, check out this place located on the mainland: Al Hajarah, Yemen - Walled city in the mist

The name Socotra is derived from a Sanskrit name, meaning "The Island of Bliss"

This island is a birder's paradise as well, with 140 different species of birds, 10 of which are not found anywhere else in the world. A unique Socotra warbler, sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow, and cisticola are among the ones found here. There are also Socotra Cormorants

Getting around can be a challenge, as there are almost no roads. Despite the fact that this island has around 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni government put in the first roads just 2 years ago - after negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site. You might prefer a camel ride to what is bound to be a bumpy and slow 4x4 ride... It is a quiet and peaceful enclave in an otherwise troubled world. If you decide to visit there, you can forget about beachfront hotels and restaurants; this island is geared towards eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life. 

Also found in Socotra's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) - and yes, it's related to what's sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge

The trees and plants of this island were preserved through the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old... the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy. 

 The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers... and from above, they have a distinct mushroom look

Flowers in Holland

Keukenhof – known as the Garden of Europe – is one of the best places to view the abundance of spring flowers in the South Holland region of the Netherlands

 

 Amsterdam's flower market – the Bloemenmarkt – reflects the 

country's passion for cut flowers and plants

 Around seven million bulbs are planted each year 

in the park at Keukenhof, in an area of 32 hectares

 Tulips originated in the east and were brought to Holland 

from the Ottoman Empire in the mid 1500s

The Bloemenmarkt - set on the capital's Singel canal 

and said to be the world's only floating flower market -

has a score of stalls where you can buy all sorts of plants, flowers, bulbs and seeds

 

The mild climate of Holland, with its wet springs makes it an ideal place for bulb cultivation

 In springtime, the lowland area by the North Sea is carpeted with fields

of gladioli, hyacinths, lilies, daffodils, crocuses... and, of course, tulips

 Keukenhof - literally 'kitchen garden' - is part of the hunting grounds 

of the ancient Teylingen estate

 This year, the theme for the Keukenhof exhibition is  

Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers

 The patchwork quilt of colours in the Keukenhof park, just outside Lisse 

in South Holland, is a veritable feast for the eyes

 The bulbs of Keukenhof are re-planted each year according to the current trends and in collaboration with a number of gardening magazines

 Spring in Keukenhof is one of the main tourist attractions of the Netherlands

Happy Spring

Located just 12 miles from Belize City, Caye Chapel has been operating as a very exclusive destination. The island offers 8 stunning beachfront villas and 11 marina view casitas in a spectacular Caribbean setting with a Par 72, 18-hole championship golf course. The island features a deep water marina capable of accommodating yachts up to 140 feet. Plus, a paved private airstrip, a huge formal clubhouse and restaurant with conference facilities, and over two miles of manicured sandy beaches. 265 Acres $45 Million

Grennell Caye is probably one of the easiest islands to access right out of Belize City. Located near the deep water channel. The island has a long sandy beach with 3 feet elevation nearly the entire length of the northwestern shore. There is a caretakers house on the north tip of the island with a large shady area that is well maintained. The center of the island is low with standing water that appears to be about 8 inches deep. The ground is solid and would accept filling well with plenty of material to the north of the island.

Little Monkey Caye - 0.75 acres

Little Monkey Caye is located just off shore and near the mouth of the Monkey River. This little island is by far the cheapest island in the Caribbean and a terrific project for those looking for an easy way to start in the Caribbean. It's located outside the marine reserves and very close to Monkey River town where a ready and willing labor force is ready to help your development. The Monkey River Tour is a popular attraction among tourists and many resorts offer excursions to this area to view the howler monkeys that live nearby. I think this could be a great little attraction for these tours. After a thorough search, I can confirm that there there are no "little monkeys" on this island. It is just a name... But with a seawall and filling this would still be cheapest island in the Caribbean! Only US$55,000

Manta Caye

Manta Caye is located on one of the World's most breathtaking locations, the Glover's Atoll. Manta Caye is the site of a former resort of the same name. The resort has since been closed but the infrastructure remains and can easily be revived. The resort once catered to the hard core diver seeking the world's best diving location. Most diver's agree that this location definitely fits that description. The island is currently inhabited by a caretaker that keeps the island in good, clean condition. The island seems best suited for another diver resort or a private estate. Yachts frequent the Glover's Atoll on their way between Guatemala and the rest of the Caribbean. They'll often moor overnight within the protection and pristine waters of the Atoll. If your search is for absolute paradise, this could be it. Access to Manta Caye is best by helicopter which is roughly a 35 minute ride from Belize City. The ride, at roughly 60 miles, would take about 2.5 hours by larger high speed boat. Most small resorts, currently operating on the Atoll, transfer their guests from Dangriga which is 30 miles away and roughly a 1.5 hour ride by larger speed boat.  12 acres - US$5,500,000

 Another view of Manta Caye

 Melody Key, Florida

 Narara, Near Fiji - 23 acres

 North Pelican Caye

The Republic of Palau

A 400 mile long strand of pearls laid across blue sea best describes this jewel of the Pacific. Made of limestone coral reefs lifted above sea level, from the air they look like giant mushrooms, the Republic of Palau, in Micronesia, is truly nature at its most majestic.

There are more than 250 islands in the Palau, famous for its diving, it is rated as one of the world’s best diving destinations.

Yadua, Near Figi

Beacons Of Hope

 Old Light House

 

Lighthouses are not just a thing of beauty.  They are also inspiring and beacons of hope which is why I like them so much.  When I am battling on the rocky seas of life I love to get into a contemplative mood while looking at the Lighthouse pictures and ornaments that adorn my office, home and garden.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Outer Banks, NC

 

L'Anse Amour

 

Lobster Cove Lighthouse

 

Long Point Lighthouse in Twillingate

 

Prince Edward Island-Canada

The Coffee Shop Where Everyone Pays for Everyone Else's Drinks

The main conceit of the 2000 Kevin Spacey film Pay It Forward is that if one person does a kindness for three strangers, and those three people each do kindnesses for three strangers, and so on, one person can change the world.

Rarely do we see this acted out in the real world the way it was cinematically—one scene finds a man giving away his brand-new Jaguar to a guy having car troubles—but on a smaller scale, these sorts of random niceties happen far more often than you might think. Today, it's selflessness at a small coffee house in Bluffton, South Carolina.

It all started two years ago at Corner Perk, a small, locally owned coffee shop, when a customer paid her bill and left $100 extra, saying she wanted to pay for everyone who ordered after her until the money ran out. The staff fulfilled her request, and the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has returned to leave other large donations every two to three months.

"People will come in and say, 'What do you mean? I don't understand. Are you trying to buy me a coffee today?'" the shop's owner, Josh Cooke, told the local news. "And I say, 'No, somebody came in 30 minutes ago and left money to pay for drinks until it runs out.'"

It took a while, but word has started to spread around the tiny coastal town, home to about 12,000 people. Now, more and more customers have been leaving money to pay for others' food and drink. Cooke says some people don't even buy anything when they come in; they just stop to donate and head right back out.

A medium cup of coffee at Corner Perk costs $1.95. That may not seem like a lot, but for a family struggling to save money in these tense and difficult economic times, two bucks saved at the right moment probably feels like a million. And a jolt of generosity is a better pick-me-up than caffeine any day of the week.