PUSHING THE BORDERS

Just got in from a short cruise in the Bahamas, my first time there. My wife is a Disney addict, and so what better than go on a Disney cruise. Besides,it was her birthday. So we did. We were in port twice, once in Nassau, and the other on a small island under lease to the company for its exclusive use, Castaway Cay. What was interesting to me was the delightful weather, something I didn't anticipate. After living in Florida for over 20 years I came to expect the nearby islands to be hot, tropical places. We found the opposite to be true. The constant sea breeze kept the temperatures from feeling oppressive. In truth it never got that hot, topping out at no more than 30 degrees. In fact going into the water felt cool to the touch, and I don't remembering even sweating at all during the entire cruise. Here are a few pics from Castaway Cay.

The dominant palm were coconut palms. I'm guessing these were the 'Malayan Dwarf" variety, but I'm no palm expert. There were many hundreds of them. In places Yucca alnifolia was a common companion.



Bismarkia nobilis was another common palm on the island, and has become a favored palm on the mainland too. The most obvious feature of them is their size - they are utterly massive. Everything around them feels tiny in comparison, and the silver blue coloration of the fronds is stunning as well. They really look like they are "on steroids" - the body builders of the palm world!



The day we were there afternoon storms kicked up, forcing us to board the ship a bit earlier than hoped. Here's a shot of the coastal environment as we hurried back to avoid the deluge. Lovely place.

That looks like a lot of fun. I envy you getting a break from this suffocating heat!

Coming back has been difficult. Between the insane dew points, high temperature and crappy air quality, I just want to be somewhere else! That said, I'm still happy to be back home.

I’m not generally a palm fan, though I have a couple of the hardier palms, but I have always thought that Bismarkia nobilis is one of the world’s greatest “WOW” plants, looking almost like a metallic sculpture than a living plant. That said, I also think a flowering Yucca is a sight to behold but it’s just such a common sight that people become unaware of it. I remember commenting once on the old GOTE site that I couldn’t understand why people would remove the flower spikes but each to his own I guess.

Your comments Tom about the Japan come at a time where I have just been reading that Japan has become one of the world’s most popular travel destinations so whilst you long for what you have just had, others long for what you have now!

Martin, I just wrote a long, personal diatribe about my ideas and feelings concerning living in Japan, and after review, decided to delete all that. This is a plant forum after all.

Suffice it to say, I'd rather live in a place where a person's true needs are met without question, than in a winner takes all society. So it that regard, this place IS the place to be. I also recommend traveling here for those who are interested.

Bismarckia are remarkable trees. I too am not a palm-nut, but I find these guys just a wonder to behold. I'd love to live in a place where you could grow one properly.

Coconut heaven on "Disney Island":