Socorta Island

Forwarded message:

It is of Rare Landscape on Earth Socotra is one of those "lost world" islands (separated from the world six million years ago) where intrepid travelers - particularly those seeking exotic nature and wildlife in a remote tropical setting..... When you look around, it's hard to believe that places like this still exist. It is like being on a different planet .... These pictures and information are excellent Viewing and reading. Socotra Island : you have to see it to believe it . This island simply blows away any notion about what is considered "normal" for a landscape on Earth. Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island and taking a good look around you. After a yelp of disbelief, you'd be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth's history. The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of 4 islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos Islands , this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic, I.e. Found nowhere else on Earth. The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high. The name Socotra is derived from a Sanscrit name, meaning "The Island of Bliss "... We almost tempted to call Socotra the other "Mountains of Madness" - the trees and plants of this island were preserved thru the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old... We begin with the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy - The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers... And from above they have a distinct mushroom look: There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg: Dorstenia gigas - apparently does not require any soil and sinks roots straight into the bare rock: Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia gigas, is this "bucha" vegetable, found as far north as Croatia. Also found in Socotra 's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) Getting around can be a challenge, as there are almost no roads Despite the fact that this island has around 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni government put in the first roads just 2 years ago - after negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site. It is a quiet and peaceful enclave in an otherwise troubled world. If you decide to visit there, you can forget about beachfront hotels and restaurants; this island is geared towards Eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life. This island is a birder's paradise as well, with 140 different species of birds; 10 of which are not found anywhere else in the world. A unique Socotra warbler, sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow and cisticola are among the ones found here. There are also Socotra Cormorants: There are diving tours available ... To give you a glimpse of Socotra's and Yemen's in general totally unique architecture, check out this place located on the mainland: Al Hajarah, Yemen - Walled city in the mist Socotra is one of those "lost world" islands (separated from the world six million years ago) where intrepid travelers - particularly those seeking exotic nature and wildlife in a remote tropical setting - with that less -than-endangered species, tourists. Known for decades as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, it's the world's tenth richest island for endemic plant species. And the biggest island in the Middle East 125 kilometers in length and 45 kilometers across. Meanwhile the landscape is one of contrasts, for example, it has isolated nature preserves with dazzling wildlife (including 900 species of plants, and the famous Dragon's Blood Tree "dracaena cinnabara"and the some of rarest birds that exist nowhere else in the world), and picturesque sandy beaches.

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Fw:Some interesting signs

Sorry the attachment was missing. I am attaching it now

# Sign on a railway station at Patna :
Aana free, jaana free,
pakde gaye to khana free.


# Seen on a famous beauty parlor in Bombay :
Don't whistle at the girl going out from here.
She may be your grandmother!




# Seen on a bulletin board:
Success is relative
More the success, more the relatives.



# Sign at a barber's saloon in Juhu, Bombay :
we need your heads to run our business.



# A traffic slogan:
Don't let your kids drive if they are not old enough - or else they never will be.....




#THE BEST ONE :
Its God's responsibility to forgive the terrorist organizations
It's our responsibility to arrange the meeting between them and god.'
- Indian Armed Forces -

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Fw: A beautiful message from George Carlin

A Beautiful message from George Carlin

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
The paradox of our time in history is that

· We have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

· Wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints.

· We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

· We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

· We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

· We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

· We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

· We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

· We've added years to life not life to years.

· We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

· We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

· We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

· We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

· We write more, but learn less.

· We plan more, but accomplish less.

· We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

· We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. An embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
If you don't send this to other people....Who cares?
George Carlin

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Fw: A beautiful message from George Carlin

A Beautiful message from George Carlin

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
The paradox of our time in history is that

· We have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

· Wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints.

· We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

· We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

· We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

· We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

· We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

· We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

· We've added years to life not life to years.

· We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

· We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

· We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

· We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

· We write more, but learn less.

· We plan more, but accomplish less.

· We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

· We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. An embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
If you don't send this to other people....Who cares?
George Carlin

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A very nice forward

Try this out.

13837 * your age * 73 = !!!!!!

It doesn’t work beyond 99.

Cheers!

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