Show everyone the latest shots which make you feel dead chuffed with your camera choice
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This morning I went up to the Manoa Valley and hiked on the Manoa Falls Trail to the 150 foot tall Manoa Falls. Actually, I have been there 3 times since 2007 and the trail is always awesome. It goes through some very lush, green, wet rainforest and everytime I have been up there it rained off and on. The first time there I met some young ladies and when they got to the pool at the bottom of the waterfall they stripped down to their bikinis that they had under their hiking clothes and got under the waterfall. I have some photos here:
Yes, it is a nice walk. It is mostly uphill on a very muddy, slippery trail with many roots and big rocks to trip you up. Although in the morning the temperature isn't high it is very humid there so you are quickly soaked with perspiration. The trail reminds me of some of the parts of West Papua but it was hotter there.
I really miss going up into the rainforest, I used to depend mainly on a friend who had a hut/shed/weekender thingy, (pretty basic, kero fridge, gas stove, plenty of water tho, big rainwater tanks), in the middle of a 120 odd acre property that was all rainforest and surrounded by a state forest...magic place..incredible variety of birdlife, trees, plants etc. But not long after I got my first digital (KM5D) he sold the place.
Ergon were going to put through a new powerline with enormous towers and he and his wife didn't want a property retreat with a big power tower and powerlines visible (would have been 300M away from the hut down at the bottom of the clearing, but certainly visible alright), so my occasional visits to the rainforest have all but ceased since then....I guess it's back to the odd day trip up into the State forest again....when I get myself motivated, it's just not the same as having a place to stay in the middle of the rainforest for the whole weekend...
Greg
ps I read that Irian Jaya excursion of yours, I like rainforest, mountains, maybe the odd rat/pig/mud/flea....but not quite THAT much...
Greg, it sounds like your rainforest is far enough away that it takes some preparation and time to go there. Fortunately, the Manoa Valley is just a 40 minute bus ride away and then a 15 minute walk to the trail head of the Manoa Falls Trail. It is amazing how different it is there to the beach area where I spend most of my time and yet they are so close to each other.
Actually there is rainforest not far away from here, (a lot closer than my friends place was) I've just got to do some investigation as to what's what, and where some decent subjects might be, light angles/per time of day etc. ....you know the drill I'm sure...thing is, a state forest isn't a tourist place where everything is nice and convenient and 'prefound' so to speak, I have to find things on my own, also it's a place that's got lots of rough edges, pretty sure there are no cannibals though, that's one good thing...
Greg
ps. Over the years there have been numerous reports/sightings/footprints of some strange critters in the jungle...the Yowie (Yeti) is one, and a large Jaguar type cat is another...
Ah, so the World has a chance of hearing of a new-found creature of sorts from Australia? That's exciting, Greg!
After all the peruasion that's put in the works to get you on the road to your local rainforest from your local forum members here, maybe you should sharpen your blades, gather a raincoat, some bug-repelling lotion and a multi-purpose hat that can also be used as a weapon to bring down any predators.
Looks like we won't rest until you're temporarily the Indiana Jones of our forum!