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Sunday 7 September 2008

the Langkawi island in the rain


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On the west coast, not far from the Thai border, the favourite holiday spot for Malaysians and Singaporeans is called Langkawi. An island described as a heaven.
Malaysia possesses the special feature to have two monsoon periods. When this one stops on the west coast, it moves towards the east side. I'm sorry not to give the lie to weather forecasts which are similar for decades not to say centuries and foresee the rain in this part of the world in September! I won't see the sun throughout my short sojourn on the island. I can't unfortunately make do with diving since the underwater visibility is disastrous. This assessment will be the main reason of my early departure; I will try my luck on the islands of the east coast.
The next day of my arrival, I rent a scooter and set out on a trip around the island. Its corners are empty of tourists and its lovely beaches desperately dark. The sun doesn't definitely break through this thick layer of inhospitable clouds. I thread my way inland, its undulating relief is covered by a lush vegetation. A cable-car propels me at the top of one of these peaks to enjoy the view. A little bit further, a waterfall makes its way down the hill. This scooter ride invigorates me. Despite the dull colours of the landscapes and the water, I like this feeling of freedom in such an island and wandering about the beaches as a castaway. So, even during the monsoon, it's worth the trip.

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Friday 18 July 2008

The waterfalls around the Blyde river canyon

Bye Bye Botswana. A heartening an encouraging country. Heartening to meet all these inhabitants proud of their identity and of their country and encouraging because it can be an example for a lot of African countries. Democracy and political stability in spite of several ethnic groups which form the country, relationship between White and Black people in a fraternity tone and corruption-free. A country to go and discover.
We drive several hours to get to the town of Sabie in the Limpopo province. A succession of waterfalls scatters around. Whatever we call them, Lone Creek, MacMac, Berlin or Lisbon, each one vies for captivating us and bewitching with their melody. Basin or river embodies the container of these crazy drops drawn towards the edge.

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The mist cuts short the God's Window panorama and we pass to the next stop on the scenic road of the Blyde river canyon. Bourke's luck potholes : a smooth stone gnawed by the water. cylinder-like erosion-bored shapes juxtapose.

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Last stage at the « three rondavels », some rocky greenery-capped bulbs intertwine on the giant meanders of the canyon. The sky is gray and hideous then the nature is in its best to inebriate us. The dull weather hardly grazes the beauty of this scenery.

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Saturday 10 November 2007

The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers

The west coast road vanishes into the small Franz Josef village. The adventurer-wannabes seeking for glaciar expeditions gather in this place. The ideal spot to familiarize oneself with the pleasures of the ice activities. But, living close to the Alps, walking on the glacier doesn't tempt us and the prohibitive rate backs our choice up. However, we go to the bottom of the glacier treading on a small marked-out path.

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We carry on a stroll around the Matheson lake. When the weather is fine, we can enjoy the relection of the mount Cook. We need a lot of imagination to make it out behind the thick veil of clouds. However, the walk is nice.

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Our last stroll of the day drops us off in a viewpoint which overlooks the Fox glacier. A crystalized blue sea which races down the gentle and rocky slopes of the hill.

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