SUNDAY'S SPECIAL SPOT - COSTA RICA

Today's special spot is inspired by a favourite song: "Costa Rica" by Vince Vaccaro.

Costa Rica is a lush country situated from coast to coast of Central America. It is a country that has achieved amazing environmental and human development objectives. In addition to being known for exciting ecotours, sensational nature, pristine beaches, and outstandingly diverse flora and fauna, this tropical country is a leader in sustainability and peace. Despite it's tropical climate (it is only 12 degrees north of the equator) its geography provides different weather pending the region. 



Beautiful!!

Photo credit: Flickr - Luc Van der Biest

As a bonus I have included the video by Vince Vaccaro that inspired today's post:

SUNDAY'S SPECIAL SPOT - MADAGASCAR

No, this is not about the Dreamworks film of the same name. It is about the island country of the Republic of Madagascar.  With indigenous wildlife making upwards of 90% of that found on the island it is a bio-diverse locale indeed. However, years of human consumption has caused an increase in de-forestation and many animals are endangered or extinct. We really are a destructive lot (my personal opinion).

The majestic Baobabs (Adansonia) trees towering over the land. A island filled with beaches, tropical forests, highlands, escarpments, lakes and incredible flora and fauna, I imagine Madagascar a place like no other.


Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons, owned by: Attis 1979

SUNDAY'S SPECIAL SPOT - MOUNT KILIMANJARO

The world's tallest free standing mountain is found in the east African country of Tanzania. There  Mount Kilimanjaro rises to astonishing 5895m (19,341ft) at it highest peak. A dormant volcano made up of three peaks (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira), this mountain beckons for visitors to make passage to her apex. Despite her sheer size Mt Kilimanjaro is one of the world's more accessible mountains with its numerous trails in Mt Kilimanjaro National Park



Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa. It is found in Tanzania but is clearly viewed from Kenya as well.

Photo credit: Flickr - Nicola Matthews (citrineblue)

SUNDAY'S SPECIAL SPOT - SHARK BAY, AUSTRALIA

On the western coast of Australia,1200 km (800 miles) north of the city of Perth, lies an incredible "W" shaped bay that is home to hundreds of bird, reptile, amphibian and marine life. Its geology ranges from stunning cliffs to beautiful lagoons all along a 1,500 km (932 miles) coastline. This extraordinary locale is Shark Bay. 



A sensational sunset at Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay. In the 1990s this unique 10,000 km area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A spectacular area it is.

Photo credit: Flickr. Owned by Rosalia C

Sunday's Special Spot - Dawson City, Yukon

GOLD! GOLD IN THE YUKON!! 

Dawson City was the epicentre of the Klondike Gold Rush, turning the area around the Tr'ochek Hwech'in First Nations' fishing camp into a 40,000 person frenzy in search of riches from 1896 to 1899. Named in 1897 after geologist George M. Dawson, Dawson City served as the capitol of the Canadian Yukon Territory from 1898 - 1952, after which Whitehorse was named the capitol.


Old gold rush buildings barely standing, Dawson City, Yukon, Canada.

Now, Dawson City (pop 1300) offers travelers history, events and spectacular natural beauty. Dance hall girls and gambling at Diamond Tooth Gertie's; hiking and breathtaking scenery at Klondike River and Tombstone Territorial Park; Gold Panning Championships in the summer and the Yukon Quest dog sled race in the winter; viewing the Northern Lights and experiencing the midnight sun, I can see why Dawson City would be amazing to visit at any time. It's on my list of places to go.

The photo is from Flickr. It was taken and is owned by travfoto.

SUNDAY'S SPECIAL SPOT - HAWAII

SUNDAY'S SPECIAL SPOT:

Banyan trees, Oahu, Hawaii

I love the flora and vegetation on Oahu, Hawaii. I was especially mesmorized by the banyan trees that were in every place. 

SUNDAY'S SPECIAL SPOT - HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

After reading an article in my most recent copy of Outpost Magazine, I decided that  when I visit this country, this is one area I can not miss. It's limestone cliffs tower majestically above the boats that  dot it's bay. Boats float by full of locals selling their wares to tourists and travelers coming to see the beauty before their eyes. This week we're in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

The stunning beauty of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is located off northeastern Vietnam, near the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea. One can see these amazing karsts (cliffs) by water on popular Junk boats or kayak tours.

This photo is from the Travel to Vietnam webpage and belongs to them.