Drugs, cannibals & the volcano.

[gus]

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[DoctorIt]

:lurk

(MrsIt says she likes the classic picnic tablecloth in the hut)

[KevXman]

Interesting story Gus. Sounds like one to remember or maybe try to remember. One thing though, next time don't hold back. If you don't like someplace, just come right out and say so. (Big grin.) Enjoyed the tale!
— Kevin

[gus]

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[gus]

Interesting story Gus. Sounds like one to remember or maybe try to remember. One thing though, next time don't hold back. If you don't like someplace, just come right out and say so. (Big grin.) Enjoyed the tale!
— Kevin
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[gus]

:lurk

(MrsIt says she likes the classic picnic tablecloth in the hut)
Yeah i noticed it also. I became very familiar with it during my stay.

[gus]

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[DoctorIt]

those woven baskets/sacks are really cool. no lack of coconuts either!

[Cuong]

The people's colorful clothes make the photos look like drawings.

Cuong

[gus]

The people's colorful clothes make the photos look like drawings.

Cuong
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[gus]

those woven baskets/sacks are really cool. no lack of coconuts either!
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[gus]

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[gus]

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[gus]

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[ian408]

Truly a trip to a different place.

Some of the best and most relaxing places I've been are the Caribbean Islands.
I think it's because the people are happy--if Vanuatu is anything like that;
it's got to be heaven on Earth.

[gus]

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[Art Scott]

Wow....what a series of photos......sounds like a fantastic
place to holiday:thumb:thumb:thumb:bow:bow:bow

[gus]

Truly a trip to a different place.

Some of the best and most relaxing places I've been are the Caribbean Islands.
I think it's because the people are happy--if Vanuatu is anything like that;
it's got to be heaven on Earth.
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[gus]

Wow....what a series of photos......sounds like a fantastic
place to holiday:thumb:thumb:thumb:bow:bow:bow
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[gus]

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[bfjr]

enjoying the trip, goes better with my own version

of

Kava !!! :seamus :s85

[Art Scott]

getting more and more great photos.....is that Mrs Gus and Gus's baby girl in the photos? If so nice looking fam DUDE!!

Would $70 for a pound of dried Kava powder in the US about right??:D

[Ann McRae]

WOW! Gus, what an adventure! Beats the heck out of anything i/we have ever done. Bravo to Mrs. & little gus for participating! And I agree with Ian - the always smiling, very relaxed and friendly attitude sure reminds me of the Caribbean peoples I've met/places I've visited.

Thanks for sharing your amazing vaca. I am looking forward to more.

ann

[Cuong]

What kind of imaging power are you packing on this adventure?

Cuong

[gus]

getting more and more great photos.....is that Mrs Gus and Gus's baby girl in the photos? If so nice looking fam DUDE!!

Would $70 for a pound of dried Kava powder in the US about right??:D
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[gus]

enjoying the trip, goes better with my own version

of

Kava !!! :seamus :s85
.

[gus]

WOW! Gus, what an adventure! Beats the heck out of anything i/we have ever done. Bravo to Mrs. & little gus for participating! And I agree with Ian - the always smiling, very relaxed and friendly attitude sure reminds me of the Caribbean peoples I've met/places I've visited.

Thanks for sharing your amazing vaca. I am looking forward to more.

ann
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[gus]

What kind of imaging power are you packing on this adventure?

Cuong
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[gus]

...

[gus]

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[gus]

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[Art Scott]

What a cool group of photos these last ones are :bow:bow:bow:thumb:thumb:thumb .....really like the attacking natives and also the top of the volcano shots..........damn I am starting to think maybe of not moving to the Czech Republic but I don't much care for heat.......and your in the heat down there and humidity.....Oh yeah.

[gus]

What a cool group of photos these last ones are :bow:bow:bow:thumb:thumb:thumb .....really like the attacking natives and also the top of the volcano shots..........damn I am starting to think maybe of not moving to the Czech Republic but I don't much care for heat.......and your in the heat down there and humidity.....Oh yeah.
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[gus]

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[Yuri Pautov]

Gus!
Thank you so much for this fantastic story with all these wonderful photographs!
Realy cool journey!
Yuri

[gus]

Gus!
Thank you so much for this fantastic story with all these wonderful photographs!
Realy cool journey!
Yuri
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[Richard]

:jawdrop
Great stuff, Gus. Keep 'em coming.

[gus]

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[Art Scott]

This last photois almost surreal being almost totally reddish yellow.......wonder who too the photo.......gives me the feeling of one of my parties from the mid to late 70's or early 80's...........that heady feeling:D:wink you have kava.....I had waterpipe....:rofl

[DoctorIt]

Mate, next time you say "we're going on a resort vacation", I'm booking the same trip, immediately.

Unbelievable. Truly.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/296911776_5E5VY-S.jpg

[Cuong]

Fantastic photos and wonderful story telling.:thumb I'm impressed that you pack an arsenal of equipment with you.:bow

Cuong

[gus]

Mate, next time you say "we're going on a resort vacation", I'm booking the same trip, immediately.

Unbelievable. Truly.
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[gus]

Fantastic photos and wonderful story telling.:thumb I'm impressed that you pack an arsenal of equipment with you.:bow

Cuong
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[VisualXpressions]

:jawdrop I'm seriously impressed Mate! reminds me of some of my own exploits while serving in the US Navy in the South Pacific... I miss it sometimes... You said in the beginning that you didn't like resorts but your family did, was the trip to Tanna the compromise? :rofl Spend a few days at a resort and a few days in a hut on the side of a volcano? What a great vacation!

Nice shots too! I love the ones of the Natives jumping out of the jungle to shock and surprise! did you get more than one of the valcano?

Cheers
Winston

[gus]

:jawdrop I'm seriously impressed Mate! reminds me of some of my own exploits while serving in the US Navy in the South Pacific... I miss it sometimes... You said in the beginning that you didn't like resorts but your family did, was the trip to Tanna the compromise? :rofl Spend a few days at a resort and a few days in a hut on the side of a volcano? What a great vacation!

Nice shots too! I love the ones of the Natives jumping out of the jungle to shock and surprise! did you get more than one of the valcano?

Cheers
Winston
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[gus]

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[dogwood]

Wow-- not much more to say than that. Very cool read and journey and photos. A whole new world for me!

[javierplumey]

Mesmerized. I was supposed to be packing for a trip to Batimore, but this is way more interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[gus]

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[gus]

Wow-- not much more to say than that. Very cool read and journey and photos. A whole new world for me!
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[gus]

Mesmerized. I was supposed to be packing for a trip to Batimore, but this is way more interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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[gus]

Mate, next time you say "we're going on a resort vacation", I'm booking the same trip, immediately.

Unbelievable. Truly.
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[DoctorIt]

Im going back next year. You still be in 0z ? There wont be any resorts the next time though.I'm in. Doesn't matter where I am :nod

[javierplumey]

Thanks for stopping in javier. Just make sure you get there to witness it one day. You honestly wont regret it. Just dont drink the village kava :deal

I showed the pictures to my wife who was similarly amazed. I'd have to do a resort with her, though, she gets skittish around the mosquitos.

[ian408]

Reading this demonstrates the difference between a traveler and a tourist.

It just gets better and better. Thanks Gus!

[Lee Massey]

Wow Gus... That is hardcore... :thumb

I totally enjoyed the narrative and the photography. Sounds like an unforgettable trip. When I need a reference for an adventurous trip, I will be sure to return here to re-read this photo journal...

Thanks for sharing...

Lee

[gus]

I'm in. Doesn't matter where I am :nod
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[gus]

I showed the pictures to my wife who was similarly amazed. I'd have to do a resort with her, though, she gets skittish around the mosquitos.
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[gus]

Reading this demonstrates the difference between a traveler and a tourist.

It just gets better and better. Thanks Gus!
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[gus]

Wow Gus... That is hardcore... :thumb

I totally enjoyed the narrative and the photography. Sounds like an unforgettable trip. When I need a reference for an adventurous trip, I will be sure to return here to re-read this photo journal...

Thanks for sharing...

Lee
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[draggin]

Gus, that was an amazing adventure you told and was lined with many lovely pictures, unbeleivable :bow

Tim

[raebrown]

What an amazing adventure Gus. We thoroughly enjoyed reading it...glad you survived both the attacks and the Kava!

[Panther]

Howdy Gus,

What an amazing read, I followed each installment like it was an adventure novel, and images were wonderful and stellar in their own right.

I hadn't ever heard of Kava before, so this was also an added mystery.

I can't imagine being that close to the Volcano, and the images of it were breathtaking.

The images really showed how friendly and caring the town people are and their warm smiles really shown through in your shots.

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful journey.

Kindest Regards,

Craig

[gus]

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[gus]

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[gus]

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[Awais Yaqub]

:clap:clap:clap

Great stuff mate

:huh

[gus]

:clap:clap:clap

Great stuff mate

:huh
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[jpl]

Great pictures. Great story. As someone else said you are truely a traveller and not a tourist.

[gus]

Great pictures. Great story. As someone else said you are truely a traveller and not a tourist.
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[goofry]

Wow, you just set a new standard for Journeys in the forum.

I started reading this thread the first day you posted and just came back to it tonight. I'm sure glad I did.

Wonderful images and story.

Thanks so much for sharing with all of us!

[gus]

Wow, you just set a new standard for Journeys in the forum.

I started reading this thread the first day you posted and just came back to it tonight. I'm sure glad I did.

Wonderful images and story.

Thanks so much for sharing with all of us!
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[Art Scott]

Jeeeeeeeez DUDE, how frikin' close to the lip were you???:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow

Fantastic Shots. Oh I think I said that earlier........When I grow up I wanna be just like Gus!!!!

[saurora]

I don't even know where to start, Gus! What an amazing journey and your shots were just mind-boggling!!! You are so right about the people and how beautiful and friendly they are....just love their smiles. Those volcano shots are incredible. The foliage is so lush it just doesn't look real. I can't even imagine being there! You tell a great story as well as being a great photographer. This thread made for a really enjoyable evening! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait for your next vacation. :thumb

[gus]

Thanks for sharing! Can't wait for your next vacation. :thumb
No thank you for following this far saurora. Im far more suited to leisure than work.

how frikin' close to the lip were you?
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[leaforte]

Nice shots. Sounds like a great holiday. My fav is 'crabs', I like the motion in the background compared to the foreground. And the curiosity, and focus, of the young man.

[kangamangus]

Wow, amazing story!!!!!!!!!!!

I love it!
Thanks for sharing!

Must be quite an expierence drinking Kava in such a strange place!

[ehughes]

Amazing Gus... :bow Great stuff...

[Elaine]

Now that's a vacation the likes of which I've never seen!!! I think it's incredible that you're able to take your family on trips like this. What an education. Your images of the people and volcano are magnificent and your storytelling is compelling.

[gus]

Wow, amazing story!!!!!!!!!!!

I love it!
Thanks for sharing!

Must be quite an expierence drinking Kava in such a strange place!

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[Zanotti]

Gus:

I read this all, a bit transfixed. I think of myself as a type of a world traveler - having lived in the US, Europe and a small stint in China. But, I have never seen a world like this.

I am a bit aghast at the whole kava experiance. Not that I have issues (I too grew up in the 70's) but at the sheer moxie you show in going to these places alone and trusting the locals to take care of you.

I have beein in Mexico City and backwater China where they would have taken my kindeys and left me for dead first.

Anyway, the photos are fantastic. The feeling of being there, the adventure and the story kept me glued to the entire thread. I have to say, I also read some your and Dr IT adventures in Oz and wish I were there. I met Eric at one of the MOA morotcycle rallies in USA and have been a bit of a folllower of his adventures. By association, I now follow you via the internet as well. But this trip have me mesmerized.

Some day, I want to go too!


Z



PS: I sold a lens in Flea market to a guy in Austrailia and it worked out fine - I get your rif in the whole flea market thread!

[gus]

Gus:

I read this all, a bit transfixed. I think of myself as a type of a world traveler - having lived in the US, Europe and a small stint in China. But, I have never seen a world like this.

I am a bit aghast at the whole kava experiance. Not that I have issues (I too grew up in the 70's) but at the sheer moxie you show in going to these places alone and trusting the locals to take care of you.

I have beein in Mexico City and backwater China where they would have taken my kindeys and left me for dead first.

Anyway, the photos are fantastic. The feeling of being there, the adventure and the story kept me glued to the entire thread. I have to say, I also read some your and Dr IT adventures in Oz and wish I were there. I met Eric at one of the MOA morotcycle rallies in USA and have been a bit of a folllower of his adventures. By association, I now follow you via the internet as well. But this trip have me mesmerized.

Some day, I want to go too!


Z



PS: I sold a lens in Flea market to a guy in Austrailia and it worked out fine - I get your rif in the whole flea market thread!
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[DoctorIt]

G'day Z. man every time i see your name i immediately think of bubba (http://www.geocities.com/irishdaffy/bubba_basics.htm).young bloke over on advrider actually calls himself BubbaZanetti :nod

even more coincidental, we went to the same school, and he lived just down the road. we shopped at the same BMW shop.


Mmmm, curry :D


Zanotti! :wave

[Art Scott]

Meeting up with the good doc tonight for a curry. We almost have him australianised :rofl we eat a lot of curries here.

Ride safe.

Curries?? from Paste or powder?
I can always use new curry recipes.......here I am stuck with Mae Ploy paste...not bad and it is what all the asian resturants use.....but if I can get better I want better.....of course I always put in plenty of chili sauce for heat factor....:rofl

[MichelleL]

Gus - what a fantastic account of your adventures!! :thumb

I've gotta say - you walk where angles fear to tread. Look forward to more of your tales in the future.

MichelleL

[gus]

Curries?? from Paste or powder?
I can always use new curry recipes.......here I am stuck with Mae Ploy paste...not bad and it is what all the asian resturants use.....but if I can get better I want better.....of course I always put in plenty of chili sauce for heat factor....:rofl
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[gus]

Gus - what a fantastic account of your adventures!! :thumb

I've gotta say - you walk where angles fear to tread. Look forward to more of your tales in the future.

MichelleL
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[Art Scott]

Im surrounded by curry restaurants :rofl 4 all within a mile of me.
You lucky dawg!!!! Not one good Indian reaturant in this area.......
Indian??

Ok I was off topic sort of ....

now back to your locally programmed diversion of Drugs, Cannibals and the Volcano.........

[davev]

Gus.
I clicked the reply button, then just stared at the keyboard for a couple of minutes trying to think of what to say.

I sat with you in Glacier and talked to you about your safari trip, some of the things that you had to trust others to do, to help take care of you and yours.
Your confidence in yourself and your family allow you to take such fantastic trips. I still don't know what to say.

Although I couldn't take a trip like this, (I'd starve to death without fast food) the thought of taking one is what every little boy fantasizes about.

You manage to bring your trips to life though your shots and your words.
Thanks for posting this thread, it was a really fun read.

And although your daughter might like the comforts of home, she's still out there with Mom and Dad, seeing the world that many of us will never see, except in photos.

As she gets to an age to were she starts telling stories to others, what stories do you think she'll tell?

So to sum it up, Gus, you're that man that a lot of us wanted to grow up to be.
Your wife is a saint, and your daughter will have the most interesting "What I did on my summer Vacation" paper ever. :D

davev.

[seastack]

Excellent, excellent, excellent, a real treat, thank you very much for that. What is it that you do to make money? Seems that's a good candidate for a mag piece. Cheers!

[gus]

Gus.
I clicked the reply button, then just stared at the keyboard for a couple of minutes trying to think of what to say.


davev.
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[gus]

Excellent, excellent, excellent, a real treat, thank you very much for that. What is it that you do to make money? Seems that's a good candidate for a mag piece. Cheers!
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[Art Scott]

Thank you seastack. Im an electrician whom has always wanted to be a journalist but am seriously lacking in education in that department. Heck i would have trouble even spelling if it wasnt for the computer guiding me :rofl I often think i would like to study journalism part time though.

It seems to me that you ahve what us americans call the gift of gab.......I don't know how long it took you to knock out his story but it was well documented in both photos and text.....and yea even with spell check available we all have a tought time spelling...of course it would help if I wore my glasses when typing:rofl but I just hate bifokals...I loks so un kewl in them..........

Seriously you should just sit down and do a book on this Journey or the one to Glacier.....Dude you got the gift ......use it.

[DoctorIt]

...and your daughter will have the most interesting "What I did on my summer Vacation" paper ever.Except it's winter down here. :D

[grimace]

Mate, next time you say "we're going on a resort vacation", I'm booking the same trip, immediately.

Unbelievable. Truly.

Simply amazing!!

[gus]

Simply amazing!!
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[schmoo]

Gus.
I clicked the reply button, then just stared at the keyboard for a couple of minutes trying to think of what to say.

I sat with you in Glacier and talked to you about your safari trip, some of the things that you had to trust others to do, to help take care of you and yours.
Your confidence in yourself and your family allow you to take such fantastic trips. I still don't know what to say.

Although I couldn't take a trip like this, (I'd starve to death without fast food) the thought of taking one is what every little boy fantasizes about.

You manage to bring your trips to life though your shots and your words.
Thanks for posting this thread, it was a really fun read.

And although your daughter might like the comforts of home, she's still out there with Mom and Dad, seeing the world that many of us will never see, except in photos.

As she gets to an age to were she starts telling stories to others, what stories do you think she'll tell?

So to sum it up, Gus, you're that man that a lot of us wanted to grow up to be.
Your wife is a saint, and your daughter will have the most interesting "What I did on my summer Vacation" paper ever. :D

davev.

:agree

I don't know what to say, but thank god Dave already said it. Thank you, Dave. Thank you, gus.

[devbobo]

Gus,

totally awesome mate, it reminds me of the time I have spent in Solomon Islands minus the volcano.

Getting out and mixing it with the native folk in their villages is the only way to get a true perspective of how they live. I wish I could go back with my digital camera :rolleyes

Cheers,

Dave

[gus]

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[Angelo]

Gus:

Absolutely amazing images and adventure tale. You make me feel like I was actually there!

In addition to the fantastic volcano shots these two are indeed publication worthy :thumb:thumb:thumb




http://www.smugmug.com/photos/296543094_aNjbi-XL.jpg


http://www.smugmug.com/photos/296544626_8STRA-XL.jpg

[gus]

Gus:

Absolutely amazing images and adventure tale. You make me feel like I was actually there!

In addition to the fantastic volcano shots these two are indeed publication worthy :thumb:thumb:thumb.

[Angelo]

Tks Angelo. They could hide 10 feet in front of you & you have no idea they were there. They literally covered themselves in leaf litter & jumped up at you when you were about to step on them.

I'm certain if they did that right in front of me I'd create my own "litter" :lol4

[Cameron]

Ok, I'm late to the game here and just finished reading through this thread - THANK YOU for sharing such an amazing journey!!! Incredible...

[WilliamClark77]

Wow! I've been keeping up with this story since you started it. Several times I have started to reply, but all I could do was stare at the keyboard wishing words would come to me. I've enjoyed this thread every bit as much as a good Tom Robbins novel. What you lack in education (as you say) is more than compensated by captivating story telling ability.

Your story is my dream vacation. I feel better knowing there's still places on this over crowded glode where one can trust people.

A few years ago I "vacationed" for several weeks in Columbia and Equador. I actually went there to have a surgery my insurance would not cover after an injury. Your experience was what I hoped for. The people were similiar to your description for the most part: Beautiful, honest, caring, and loved hearing about the United States. I wsh I had went during a better political time. The few times I tried to get away from the city the police would make me return as soon as I was spotted due to guerilla activity. They said that caucasians were routinely kidnapped and held for ransom. After hearing of two whites being taken while I was there I quit pushing my luck and stayed in crowds. I hope I can return to another quiet, simple place. You're definately living a life I envy. Thanks again for sharing.

[gus]

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[ian408]

Having spent time with Gus, I can honestly say that his written stories are
every bit as good as the oral stories.

You say you haven't the education to be a journalist. But when I hear your
stories or read your writing, I would respectfully disagree. Yours is a writing
style that envelopes the reader in the story in a way I wish I could. Add to
that some fantastic photos...you certainly have a gift.

[dlplumer]

Brilliant, simply brilliant :clap :clap :clap :clap

[gus]

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[Llywellyn]

Wow, this was simply an amazing read. And those photos of the natives in leaf litter that jumped out at you as well as those close-up volcano shots just floored me. Absolutely stunning and gripping. The volcano bursts remind me of the shots of solar flares! :huh

Thank you so much for sharing.

[gus]

Wow, this was simply an amazing read. And those photos of the natives in leaf litter that jumped out at you as well as those close-up volcano shots just floored me. Absolutely stunning and gripping. The volcano bursts remind me of the shots of solar flares! :huh

Thank you so much for sharing..

[DaddyO]

Hell of a ride Gus. Thank you. :thumb:D Michael

[black mamba]

I hardly know what to say. It's rare enough to run across someone who has the riveting story-telling abilities you have. And for that someone to also possess the photographic skills you have is truly extraordinary.

I feel as though I was with you every step of the way on your journey and it's an escapade of life that I'll treasure forever.

Tom

[gus]

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