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East Sussex, United Kingdom
I'm a 62yr old AOL refugee, living on the south coast of England. I love travelling and sharing my photos. I live with Nina and Katinka, my two Maine Coon cats.

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Crystal Clock

Friday 19 December 2008

Our desert retreat!


I thought that in the depths of winter you may like to see some flowers! These were outside overhanging my patio at the hotel I stayed in in the desert in Madagascar. It was a wonderful place called Relais de la Reine which means 'the throne of the queen', a French built and owned place set in the desert which reminded me of the American mid west. There are birds there, like the Bensons Rock Thrush, which are only found in this desert and nowhere else in the world. The place is full of birds, butterflies and lizards. We had three days there, the rooms were beautiful, I even had my own patio to sit on overlooking the gardens and pool. Below are some of the photos I took in the grounds.

This was my room with mosquito net which the maid used to let down in the evening while we were at dinner.


The bougainvillea which grew next to my room.



A cute lizard which was on the eaves of my cabin.


One of his friends!


I don't know what these flowers are but thought they were pretty!

These wooden statues were in the gardens outside the restaurant.




Views from the restaurant.


The patio outside the restaurant where you could eat if you didn't mind sharing your meal with flies!


The gardens were beautiful, they looked so natural in this setting.



The pink is bougainvillea, the purple is a jacaranda tree.



The steps leading to the restaurant.



I loved the wooden statues, they'd look nice on my balcony!




The blue sky would look nice over my balcony too! Lol!

Looking down at our cabins, how I wish I was back there in the desert heat!

My patio on the right with the bougainvillea overhanging it.

It was very lush considering we were in the desert!





I showed you this locust before, we found him by the roadside with a female friend.


His lady friend, I've neven such colours on an insect before, they were beautiful, they almost looked hand painted!


This next one is one of the biggest butterflies I've ever seen. They were all over the hotel grounds and were the size of a starling! When I was on my patio I kept seeing shadows going across the grass and thought it was a bird till I looked up and saw these butterflies going overhead. At the airport you have to walk out onto the tarmac to get on the plane. As we passed the back of the plane this huge butterfly came fluttering towards the engine. As it got near to the plane the engines blew it backwards at about sixty miles an hour! It just did somersaults for fifty yards then came flying back, it seemed to be having great fun!

This is the end of my postings on Madagascar and as you can see we did stay in some wonderful hotels and beach huts. It was a great trip and I loved seeing the lemurs in the wild, all the birds and chameleons too. If ever you get the chance to go I can highly recommend it, the scenery's stunning, the people are friendly and the wildlife is second to none. I hope you liiked the photos as much as I liked taking them!
I'll leave you with my favourite sunset photo, I'm keeping this journal for travel photos so probably won't post here again till I come back from the Caribbean in April.
Have a good weekend, stay warm and have a great Christmas and a very happy new year. I'll be posting on my old private journal so if you need access let me know and I'll add you.

18 comments:

Linda :) said...

I loved all your Madagascar pictures!!! This was my favorite trip!!!
and may I be allowed to read your private blog.... :)

gina said...

the only thing i would have enjoyed more than your photos would have been taking some there myself!! :) i'm amazed at the beautiful locust and butterfly! they are stunning...and speaking of stunning...so is that last photo! thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. it has really given me a desire to go myself one day. :)

Jan said...

Thankyou for sharing this paradise with us ,I laughed out loud at your wishes for your balcony ,What a wonderful trip ,..love Jan xx

Joan said...

What wonderful pictures of sunshine and warmth on this almost the shortest day.I love Bougainvillea are beautiful and are one of my favourites. We were told in Sicily Oleanders are planted to keep the lizards off the roads and away from you homes. Love Joan

lisa said...

PLEASE send me an update when you post in your private blog.
WOWOWOW...the steps are GORGEOUS...the flowers are GORGEOUS...the lizards? Ewww, lol. But the one locust with all those colors? UNREAL. What a trip you had huh? I am so blessed to be able to see your pics. Be safe my friend. XOXO

Charles said...

He Jeannette, I was wondering if you could add me to your journal.

Helen said...

Those were so great pictures Jeannette. Those locasts were beautifully colored. Outstanding story about the beautiful butterfly. Helen

Sandra said...

Oh Jeannette, it looks so lovely with the beautiful bougainvillea and those butterflies. Those insects DO look hand-painted, why can`t we have such beautiful creatures over here? My own bougainvillea is in a pot and has to be brought indoors every winter or the frost will kill it...sigh. Have a wonderful Christmas. :o)

Love Sandra xxxx

Lisa said...

Such gorgeous pictures!! You make me with I was there too. I love the wooden statues and the steps...omg, they are gorgeous. I would like to have them as well. That locust & butterfly are amazing. I really enjoyed seeing all of your photos and your commentary about your wonderful vacation.
xxx

Shelly said...

Jeannette, what a wonderful trip you had and what beautiful photos!! I love it all. Thank you for sharing it with us. And Merry Christmas. Love, Shelly

nancy said...

Love the photos. the bugs and critters pictures were great espectally the colors in them. LOve the last one too. Happy New Year! Nancy

Liz in Virginia said...

Wow! How beautiful! You are so lucky to be able to travel to so many places.
HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU AND YOURS!!

Kathy said...

Hi, Jeannette...... I love the pictures. That colorful bug is absolutely beautiful. I have never seen anything like it.

What a wonderful trip. You saw so many rich, wonderful things. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure.

Happy New Year, my friend. I hope 2009 is a wonderful year for you.

Hugs,
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Hi Jeannette ,lovely to read and see your beautiful photos ,lovely flowers and those steps were amazing ,sorry I haven't commented lately don't find it as easy to do as before .Happy New Year to you and your loved ones ......Love Jeanxxxx

Kath said...

A little late after my break but just doing catch up.These are Fantastic.breathtaking pictures Jeannette.I don't like creepy's and things as such but I just cannot get over the beauty of the flowers.Just wonderful.I have realy enjoyed your trip and you do the most perfect job with your camera.Thankyou for sharing with us the trip of a lifetime.May I wish you and yours "A Very Happy New Year 2009" and I wish you everything you wish for yourself.I would very much like to follow your private Journal if you would add me thankyou."HAPPY NEW YEAR" Thankyou for your kind comments in my journal throughout 2008 much appreciated.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

Amanda said...

((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))I am glad I found your Blog again.I love the pics and you are right,sch beatiful colors on the pretty bugs.I am glad you had a good time.Happy New Years.I hope this year will be a great year fr you and your family.

CINDY said...

found your blog through anothers and so glad i did. the pictures are awesome, they belong in a magazine. i will be back to visit.

MariesImages said...

Stunning images....& BUGS! I never saw such pretty bugs! They did look hand painted. Beautiful place~
Marie

My Creative Spirit award given to me by Gina

My Creative Spirit award given to me by Gina

Superior Scribbler award given to me by Jeannette

Superior Scribbler award given to me by Jeannette







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