The Great Solar Eclipse of 2017 crossed the continent, from Oregon to South Carolina, and gave millions of people the chance to witness one of the most awe-inspiring events in the natural world.

But you had to be within the "path of totality", a narrow band across the earth's surface several thousand miles long but only about 70 miles wide. Outside that band you would only see a partial eclipse, not a total eclipse.

And there is no such thing as a "partial total eclipse", despite the impression blogs and the news media might give. I honestly think that's why so many people misunderstand the utter beauty of the spectacle; they may have seen a partial eclipse in the past that was total somewhere else, and even though they weren't in the path the news kept gushing about it being a total eclipse, so they assume they must have seen a total eclipse and just didn't find it all that impressive.


Posted by Dan 08/29/2017, revised 09/06/2017

Splat would like to attend also.
Posted by Kim 01/03/2011

Well, I was gonna write all about the rest of Laos and Cambodia but I've fallen dreadfully behind so let's take up from our reentry into Thailand.

This time through Thailand began with a 24 hour trip from Siem Reap, in Cambodia, all the way to Krabi, with a brief stopover in Bangkok long enough to arrange the next leg. Krabi is well known for its world class climbing. The small beaches in Krabi are isolated from the mainland by towering Limestone cliffs.

Rock climbers paradise

The main beaches are Aow Nang, the busy primary stop accessible from the mainland, Railey East and Railey West, two beaches on the peninsula and accessible by boat, and Ton Sai, a tiny cove that can be accessed by boat or from Railey at low tide. Aow Nang is used as a jumping off point for the islands in the area or to catch boats to the other beaches. Railey's beaches have excellent climbing but are dominated by expensive family resorts and the families that go with them. Ton Sai is wonderfully removed from the resort beaches and far cheaper. The result: Ton Sai abounds with rock climbers from around the world; it is to rock climbing what Koh Tao is to diving.

The first day we were able to rent gear and enjoy some of Krabi's epic climbing at Ton Sai, a short walk from our bungalow. By the end of the day we could feel the effects through our unconditioned arms and opted to make the next day a day of rest.

Posted by nik 12/03/2008, revised 02/06/2009

When you are new in a country or area or city, there are always the locations/ attractions that people ask you, "Have you seen this yet? Have you done that yet? Have you gone there?" Well I have finally gone to one such place that I've been hearing about since my arrival in Quito. Mindo is a beautiful escape for those who love the natural world. It is located in the cloud forests of Ecuador, about 3 hours outside of Quito. These are high-elevation forests that are fed by the rains that precipitate out of clouds rising up the flanks of the Andes. With hundreds of species of birds, flowers of every color of the rainbow, and crisp, clean, refreshing rivers, it is quite a weekend treat.

I got to see a toucan! I took this photo with my friend Heather's SLR camera... and now I'm hooked.

It should be noted that due to this trip, I am now resigned to the fact that my next earned income will be going towards a nice SLR camera and lenses with which to capture the incredible and colorful life of the world around me! But for now, I just make do with the camera I have, and capture the wildlife that comes close enough for the capability of my lens.

Have a peek at some of the birds my lens and I saw!
(the pictures at the beginning of this album are not from Mindo)

Photo album: Birds and flowers and smiles in Mindo
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2349064&id=19700757&l=d016e16106

Posted by Whitney 04/07/2011, revised 04/07/2011