Posted on 08/09/2004 10:48:44 AM PDT by cogitator
Some background; in the last couple of weeks, I've been posting pictures of "Great Falls", starting with the Great Falls nearest to me, on the Potomac River. I speculated that there are several "Great Falls" around (there are). A humorous wag posted that one of them must be the "Great Falls of Bire" (rim shot, please).
I replied to him that if Ireland had a great falls, this would be the "Great Falls of Eire". So I Googled to find out if Ireland had a great falls. It doesn't, but in searching, I discovered the "World Waterfall Database", which right now has a great guide to the world's tallest waterfalls. They need help with the most voluminous waterfalls -- it appears that they are relying on volunteer input, and their list of most voluminous is missing virtually all of the world's top high-volume falls (i.e., Guiara, Iguazu, Niagara, Victoria). So if you feel like helping them out, go to it (I don't have time!)
Now, here's the interesting part. In looking at the first page of their world's tallest, I discovered that there was one on a port-of-call I've visited, but didn't have any real chance to tour, an island called La Reunion in the Indian Ocean. If I ever hit the lottery for $100K or higher, I'm going back here for a long vacation. It's like a mini-Hawaiian Islands, all on one island (active basaltic lava-flow volcano called Piton de la Fournaise at one end, tall tropical mountains in the middle, nice beaches at the non-volcanic end with the added perk that they practice European beach etiquette, so the geological attractions aren't the only reason to go...)
But enough of that, on to the picture. First, the link to the page with the picture, and some links, including a description of how to actually get in there; a feat that is not one of the safest things you could do. Seeing these waterfalls by helicopter is probably the best way to do it -- there's that lottery thing again.
And now (drumroll please) for the picture. (Note that the picture "author" is not one of the maintainers of the World Waterfall Database.) For perspective, the two big waterfalls into the "Iron Hole" are about 1000 feet high. The full Trou de Fer cascades sum to about 2,380 feet of drop.
Impressed?
** ping ** (and I sure do mean it this time)
Cooler than dog slobber.... Dang, but that's a sight.
purdy. Looks like a lovely place to get lost for a while.
Great Falls on the Potomac is beautiful- and has the very cool and historic C&O Canal right nearby. It boggles the mind that the broad and stately Potomac that we see in DC is a raging mountain stream in wild country just a mere eight miles upstream.
"Impressed?"
VERY! Beautiful.
Celebrating the wonders of God's Creative work
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