Natural splendour, real musics, wines, wordpower
Looks rather like a Paris-styled raccoon.
(Primatologist Alison Jolly’s 1967 description of Madagascar’s emblematic mammal)
Lemur catta – the ring-tailed lemur – is the most “adaptable” of circa 107 lemur species.
However, like other lemurs, its post-1967 story is one of potentially catastrophic decline, mostly via destruction of suitable habitat.
Comments closedNo faux chateaux or Californianesque excess here: these seven Australian wineries are grand, not grandiose.
All will almost certainly offer you a lovely location, and a warm welcome from knowledgeable, unpretentious folks.
Each has a range of genuinely-excellent wines that begin at prices well south of $30.
Three will also serve you a delicious, affordable lunch.
One Comment4.39 pm, Thursday 19 July 2018, southwest edge of Lake Monger.
One CommentToday in Perth was one of this city’s not at all rare, uncanny winter days – the kind which turns visitors into immigrants.
Comments closed“Languid”, “calm”, “quiet”, “gentle”…could such words ever properly describe a market, let alone a butcher’s shop within one?
They did in fact fit our experience of the covered market in Antsirabe, late on the morning of 12 May 2018.
One CommentChapter Two is international, and includes a musical bonus – audio of two of my favourite rain songs. (one of them is an “unissued” version)
Comments closedI live in a sundrenched metropolis. Today has been gloriously wild, intermittently very wet, ever-changing, mostly cool.
Many fellow residents of Perth regard such days as “miserable” or “horrible”, to be endured, not enjoyed…and not at all photogenic.
They are wrong/blind; dry, warm sunny days are not the only “good” kind!
Comments closedNearly half of the world’s circa 200 species of chameleon live only in Madagascar, including the most massive – Parson’s chameleon, Calumma parsoni.
Its spectacular ability to change colour is a means of communication rather than camouflage.
Comments closedRing-tailed lemurs (pictured above, in Anja National Park) are its emblematic animal.
Parson’s chameleon (pictured below, near Ranomafana) is the world’s biggest chameleon.
Comments closedWe are in France for our first time.
However, this bit of France is very much closer to Madagascar than to Paris!
Reunion is a spectacular volcanic island; its (and the entire Indian Ocean’s) highest peak soars more than 3,000 metres above the sea…and rather more than half of the whole mountain is below the sea’s surface.
Comments closed
