Aloha everyone in the Hawaiian Life Community! How are you all today? Here we are into August already and with many of my friends coming from and going on vacation, I thought about places you can go. So today it's all about a beautiful Zoo in Hawaii and if you are nowhere around there, we have zoos all over the states and throughout the world! I'm sending a couple articles from Mike that are quite interesting if you want to take a vacation. This week's video pick from Greg is ƜƛƖƤƠƲԼƖ which is keeping in the Hawaiian theme...
*Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens*
Ahhh August is here and for lots of people it is the month that people go on vacation. One of the many things to do in the summertime is to take in a zoo. Whether you have young kids or teenagers or just a lover of animals yourself, a zoo is a great way to enjoy a day or work it into a part of a vacation. There is only one natural tropical rainforest zoo in the United States and it sits right in Hawaii on the Big Island off Highway 11 in Hilo... Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens! Being funded by the county of Hawaii and private donations, it's a great place to go on a budget. The wealth that you will take from the beautiful gardens will stay with you forever...
It sits on 12 acres of land with over 80 animal species and more than 100 different types of palm trees. Now I am a huge animal lover but knowing there are over 100 species of palm trees...Yay! ;-) There is sooo much to see that if you're in the area or it is part of your vacation, you might want to plan a two day trip there or more. With the economy going the way it is, this is a great way to spend some time because of the free admission. There are picnic tables so you could even bring your own snacks or lunch, plus numerous benches to rest and just sit in the peacefulness of this beautiful wonder. Make sure you have plenty of water with you and plenty of sunscreen as well!
Of the beautiful 12 acre grounds, one acre is dedicated to the most popular animal at the zoo, a beautiful white bengal tiger named Namaste! Namaste has called the zoo home since 1999, coming from India where those tigers are being hunted and almost extinct. A magician from Las Vegas donated him when he was 7 months old and weighing 80 pounds. He now weighs over 500 pounds and enjoys a diet of three whole chickens, ten pounds of meat, ground bone and vitamins every day. If you would like to be present when Namaste is fed, then be in the area around 3:30pm.
This is just one of many interesting animals to enjoy. There is a giant anteater, bearcat, coatis, deer, a feral goat & pig, kinkajous, sloth, and tropical squirrel to name a few, along with many monkeys as well. As far as birds, you will find the endangered Nene, the state bird, along with cranes, the Hawaiian hawk, ducks, toucans, parrots, pheasants, and beautiful peacocks that roam throughout the zoo! There are many different reptiles, like geckos, iguanas, lizards, turtles and tortoises, as well as many different colored frogs and butterfies as well.
Throughout this beautiful rainforest are the lovely wonders of the gardens. There are many different exotic and tropical trees, shrubs and flowers to take you away to a peaceful place. The Lehua that provides food for many of the native birds, the African Tulip tree, Octopus tree, Indian Mulberry, Candlenut, Guava and Trumpet tree are just a handful. Beautiful flowering shrubs like the state flower, the Yellow Hibiscus, Wild Poinsettia, Snow Bush, Purple Allamanda, and the Calliandra, Power-Puff that resembles the blossoms of the Lehua!
Flowers are everywhere... and the ponds have lovely Water Lillies and Orchids of many varieties. All of which will excite the eyes but last & not at all least is my favorite palm trees... Pritchardia, which is Hawaii's only native palm, Red Sealing Wax palms, Ivory Nut palms, the unique Bismarck palm, Areca triandra and vestiaria, Ruffle palm, Fishtail palm and the beautiful Ivory Cane palm that has seeds that look like different colored beads hanging from it. There are many more of all different shapes and heights. With a gift shop included, there is much to see and do at the beautiful Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens...
I hope you have a safe and happy week. Make sure you check out the merchandise in our Store Front here at Hawaiian Life. Stop by and say Hi at the Fan Page. Remember to drink plenty of water in this hot summer heat and do all you can to stay cool!
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The first light of dawn, the crisp cool air, the birds sing, one deep breath and I am whole...~MLD
Go green... Smile it produces positive power!~MLD
Free yourself from what most people consider love and you will start to find the essences of real love...~MLD
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Di @DianneLittle >>.❀.<< Mike @HawaiianLife
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Find peace in the sway of the palm tree.~MLD