Tonga: East Coast of 'Eua 29 - Lokupo Escarpment

Amelia Royan, on October 20, said:

A most beautifully framed exotic jungle dear Ian, a botanist's paradise, and relatively near the sea too. You really are having a wonderful time in Tonga, as your photos so clearly show, there is a wide variety of locations for photography here :))

Greetings from a cool, dull, windy and rainy UK, Amelia

bdeh, on October 20, said:

Very beautiful Ian. Greetings Berend

Theolfa, on October 20, said:

Another beautiful scene, Ian, and I can almost feel the humidity. Theolfa

Ian Stehbens, on October 23, said:

Thanks Berend and Theolfa. It was a very special exploration, for there was so much variety, and many different perspectives: on top, underneath, over the edge, on the cliff, between beach boulders. Really is a great place to visit.

Ian

Ian Stehbens, on October 23, said:

Warm greetings to those in rainy, windy, dull and cool UK!

Here we are at the end of October, and it is still like winter here in Tonga - only now are the local deciduous trees covering themselves in leaf. Day after day here it is 23C and night after night it is 20C. It should be more like 30C and 26C. The locals can't believe it and we are not complaining.

Some people have all the luck!

Amelia I hope it isn't summer in Norway when you return or the world is in trouble.

Dear Theolfa and Amelia,

I don't know whether you realise that here on this coral island there are almost no biting things, no snakes and therefore one can wander through this verdant landscape without any concerns other than the possibility that if the vines are too thick you may miss seeing a sinkhole before you plummet!

Warm regards from cool Tonga.

Ian

Theolfa, on October 23, said:

Every time I read your notes, I'm reminded of Robinson Crusoe! Now I'm wondering what happens when one plummets down a sinkhole. Have you had this experience, Ian?

Lilypon, on October 23, said:

Oh my :D What a treat it is to these prairie eyes to see the above tropical lush paradise@

Ian what brought you to Tonga?

Ian Stehbens, on October 23, said:

Dear Canadian friends, Pam and Theolfa:

As we explored this rugged landscape from one end to the other, Kepueli was my quiet helper and guardian the whole time. Perhaps I should rename him, Friday, Theolfa. This time we didn't go caving, except to enter a few, but next year when I come back we will explore one or two.. we're sure to find a skeleton or two on the cave floors right beneath a sinkhole. It has happened.

You may remember, Pam, introducing me to the expression "those rocks" to refer to a mountain or two. The kind of understatement we use in Aus too. Here on 'Eua there are plenty of interesting rocks, and though they are not continental sized rocks, they throw out their challenges. And I appreciate what you mean about prairie eyes, for when out on our outback plains a little bit of cultivation is a "sight for sore eyes."

And Tonga? Pam, I decided to retire early and use my experience to serve as a volunteer for a few years in some critical situations; hence my wife and I are in Tonga for 5 months/year, Indonesia 1mth/yr and responding to other situations on a casual basis... over the next 3 years or so. We are transforming cultures of violence, training peacebuilders, assisting with post-conflict reconciliations and the like. And in the midst of this I might get an occasional photo opportunity, or take 3 days to indulge in some exploration as on 'Eua Island.

Warmest regards to you both from the South Pacific.

Ian

©IR Stehbens, on October 24, said:

EXPLORING THE RUGGED EAST COAST OF 'EUA

Part 29

Lisiate certainly knew and could read the landscape. The long abandoned vehicle track was discernable and that made the rest of our afternoon retreat like a 'walk in the park'.

The upper cliffs are very prominent to the south, but we were heading north and there the cliffs had retreated further west and were less prominent. The old areas of cultivation were very overgrown by deep swathes of tropical grasses or by creepers and vines that were reclaiming the area for the rainforest.

Gently and slowly we ascended into the shoulder of formerly cultivated land beneath the upper cliffs, then the track became clearer as it ascended in a single switchback the top escarpment. We emerged to a wide panorama to the sea and along the remaining section of rugged coast that we would explore, "tomorrow".

Nikos Demiris, on October 24, said:

Magnificent view! It's nice walking in the mountains and close to nature! Very beautiful photo.

Greetings from Greece

Nikos

M.Kranenborg-Torn, on October 24, said:

What a nice jungle. Greetings from Greetje.

Lilypon, on October 25, said:

As always Ian your life's journeys/adventures are so incredibly fascinating. I congratulate you and your wife for your newest (and maybe most challenging) undertaking.

Cheers from a much cooler Canada, Pam

Ian Stehbens, on October 26, said:

Dear Nikos, Greetje and Pam,

This landscape of high cliffs and coastal cliffs and intervening jungle was special to explore, whether I was up high or down by the surf. What made the green jungle especially nice was that there are no snakes or thorny plants on this coral island. Thanks for your appreciative replies.

Plenty of challenges, Pam, but inspiration, experience, creativity and high ethics give us strength and direction.

Warm regards to you all.

Ian

《阿鵬》B@ngk☺k, on October 26, said:

Ian, you know what, this picture makes me want to grab the "South Pacific" sountrack to listen to the music again. Absolutely lush and splendid vegetation.

w☺rap☺ng《阿鵬》from Thailand

Craig Robbins, on October 26, said:

What a wonderful looking location, Ian. Beatifully photographed as well.

I won't be on Panoramio for a few weeks, so in that time keep well and keep taking lots of great pictures for all of us to enjoy :) In three days I will be at Lake Kutubu!

Cheers, Craig

Ian Stehbens, on October 27, said:

You beauty, Craig. Have a fantastic time. May it all be filled with the incredibly unexpected! PNG here he comes!!

And you will be here on this turf next year!!

Ian

Ian Stehbens, on October 28, said:

Hello w☺rap☺ng,

If the sound of "South Pacific" makes you want to ascend and descend these cliffs and scrub-bash through this luxuriant vegetation, then it is powerful emotive music. Thank you for your appreciation of the photo. Enjoy your time away.

Ian

H George, on November 11, said:

A great shot, Ian! Have you seen my challenge I have set for you?

Mahdi Kalhor, on November 11, said:

Very nice photo that shows us a beautiful landscape.

All the best from Iran,

Mahdi

Ian Stehbens, on November 15, said:

Dear HG and Mahdi,

Greetings to Melbourne and Tehran!

I have certainly enjoyed the opportunity to explore this special island, Mahdi. So I am pleased to share it with you.

And HG:Thanks for the affirmation and the challenge. I'll have to ask my wife, HG, for she knows a little about insects. My knowledge of insects is limited to mosquitoes and flies - being an Australian. Hope you avadagudweekend and you didn't forget the aerogard :))

Ian