A Place in Florida - Did Adam and Eve Live Here?

There's a place in Florida that an old-time preacher contended was the Garden of Eden, where Adam plucked the apple. . . well, you know the story, do not you? If you're hardy, you can go there and decide for yourself whether this preacher knew what he was talking about.

This place in Florida is not your average tourist attraction. In fact, not a whole lot of people know about it. Still fewer go there. This article will tell you why, how to get there and what you'll find when you do.

The Baptist preacher, Elvy E. Callaway, was a lifelong Bristol resident who spent his entire life trying to convince anyone who would listen that Adam plucked the apple for Eve was on a tree along the banks of the Apalachicola River north of Bristol. There is little evidence that many believed him - certainly not Biblical scholars.

So why Callaway did think this was the original Garden of Eden?

He based his evidence on a Biblical passage that said a river in Eden spawned four other rivers (which does the Apalachicola River), and that Noah built his ark with a rare species called Gopher Wood, which grows along the Apalachicola. He chose to ignore certain other Biblical passages and even geography Fashioning in his theory.

Not many people go looking for this place in Florida because Bristol is off the beaten path it's on State Highway 20 About 45 miles west of Tallahassee. If you go, once you're in Bristol, you'll want to head north on State Highway 12 for about a mile and a half.

Careful. Do not blink - you might miss it - because there are no signs pointing to Callaway's Garden of Eden. But you will find signs that preserve a little bit of history: Garden of Eden Road, leading off to the west. A short distance up the road, there's a trail head that links up with the Garden of Eden Trail.

But be forewarned: If you're Infirmer or faint of heart, do not take this trail, no matter how much you want to see this place in Florida. It's full of steep descent and Climbs.

The place is now preserved by the Nature Conservancy, not because it believed Elvy Callaway's theory, but because his Garden of Eden is one of the few areas where steephead Ravines exist.

What's a steephead Ravine? That's a place that has unique plants and animals, some found nowhere else on Earth.

The strenuous trail that leads to Callaway's Garden of Eden is 3.5 miles round trip, taking you to Alum Bluff on the Apalachicola River and back. Presumably, Callaway's Eden was on or near the bluff, 135 feet above the river.

The Nature Conservancy's Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve does not Lure tourists like many other places in Florida do. But those who survive the trek to the Bluff are likely to tell you what they think of Elvy Callaway's theory.

Gene Ingle 2009 - You may reprint this article on your site, blog, autoresponder, etc., so long as you leave all the links in place - including the link to http://www.gipublications.com - and do not edit or modify the content.

Gene Ingle is an award-winning writer-editor-Cartographer who has driven nearly a million miles in Florida researching places on maps you probably never heard of. This place in Florida is one of 213 featured in "The Famous Florida Trivia Game" available at http://www.ebookserendipity.com - Test your knowledge. It's fun and it's free.

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Danum Valley Travel Tips - Accommodation and Things To Do

To visit Danum Valley, staying at least a night is a must given the traveling distance to the Danum Valley Conservation Area. But what a way to stay overnight in the lush tropical lowland virgin rainforest in unison with over 200 species of birds and over 100 species of mammals including some that are endemic to Borneo.

For the standard visitors, the only feasible option is to stay at the prestigious Borneo Rainforest Lodge, about 2 hours by road from Lahad Datu town. Established in 1994, the Borneo Rainforest Lodge caters specifically for visitors to Danum Valley.
The Lodge offers luxurious accommodation built with local timber and river stones. The chalets or “sulap” are designed after the dwellings of traditional Sabah Kadazandusun, the major indigenous group.

There is in fact another accommodation option at the Danum Valley Field Centre, about 35km from the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, but it is restricted to only researchers and scientists on assignment. The Centre, nevertheless, occasionally provide educational nature programs for specific group visits.

However, if you wish to visit and stay at the Danum Valley Field Centre, you would need to obtain permission from the Sabah State government via the Yayasan Sabah (i.e., Sabah Foundation).

While staying at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, visitors can also participate in exciting excursions organized by the lodge in the fascinating natural environment of Danum Valley. There are guided nature walks or treks, tree top canopy walk (i.e., a suspension bridge in the canopy of trees), unlimited bird watching, beautiful waterfalls and rivers where you can have a 'wonder dip'.

There are also video and slide presentations by the naturalist explaining further the flora and fauna, and the mission behind the Danum Valley Conservation Area. Additionally, do not miss out on visiting an ancient burial site of the Kadazandusun where many legendary tales can be foretold. Another must, is the 'Night Safari' (weather permitted).

If you do not wish to follow the standard nature tour or excursion, you can always make own arrangement with the rangers at Danum Valley for another more challenging excursions. This is more for the true adventures or trekkers. However, prior arrangement (i.e., before your arrival at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge), is advisable to avoid any disappointment.

If you are on a package tour, you can request your tour company to arrange for you. Normally, there will be no change in your package rate although you will need to make own payment to the rangers.

Rest assured that the rangers are professionals with long experience and excellent knowledge of this astonishing world, and trekking with them will not only be educational, but make your visit and nature tour to the "Lost World" in specific, and Sabah in general, truly unforgettable.

For more info on Danum Valley nature tour, please visit the URLs below:

http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-ld01.shtml

http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-ld02.shtml

Sandakan Turtle Island Park

The Turtle Islands Park in Sandakan, Which comprise several uninhabited islands lying within the Sulu Seas, offers a unique wildlife experience cum beach holiday not found any where in Borneo. The marine park is essentially gazetted way back in the 1960s for turtle conservation and is the best destination for observing nesting sea turtles, mostly the Green Turtles.

For tourists, the best known island is Selingan or sometimes referred to as Turtle Island. Selingan is the largest island in the marine park and has been developed to house the park’s visitor centre, basic tourist facilities and a turtle hatchery.

There is also a privately-run chalet accommodation at Selingan. Turtles nest all year round but the best times to visit the island are between July and October when the seas are calmer, although it is not as predictable as it used to be.

The other islands are usually off bounds to the casual visitors except for the nearby Libaran Island, where there is also a privately–run chalet accommodation. To get to Selingan, you will need to take boat trip from a jetty downtown Sandakan town. It takes about an hour by speed boat to reach Selingan.

Upon arrival, you will notice that the island appears to be deserted and inhabited. Don’t worry, Selingan has been carefully developed and most facilities are neatly tucked away in the centre of the island, keeping the beach vegetation intact.

As turtle landings usually occur at night after dinner (or sometimes early morning), you can simply enjoy an island-beach relaxation during the day. Snorkeling is a perfect activity and the most ideal location is on the western part of Selingan.

For educational purposes, you can visit a small Visitor’s Center, which opens daily from 5.00pm to 9.00pm. This is a good place to learn about the sea turtles as well as other wildlife and nature in Sabah.

At night, once there is landing, you will be notified by the park ranger immediately. You will be escorted tot he nestling turtle to witness the unique egg-laying activities.

Some rules like not making too much loud noise or shining your torchlight directly on the nesting mother will be conveyed to you by the Park Ranger or a guide. The ‘show’ will end with the mother turtle covering sands on her nest and proceed gingerly back to the sea.

You may also visit the protected turtle hatchery to witness young turtles being released into the sea after a period of incubation (normally 50-60 days).

For more Selingan Island wildlife tour info, please visit the URL below:

http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-sdk05.shtml

Sarawak Cultural Village

The Sarawak Cultural Village is a MUST visit destination for anyone who is visiting Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo, especially on a Family Adventure Vacation.

Located about 35km from Kuching city and tucked away on the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, the Sarawak Cultural Village is built on a 14-acre site of equatorial vegetation, next to a scenic man-made lake.

Sometimes referred to as a living museum, the Village depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle.

The village boasts seven ethnic houses representative of the Malay, the Chinese, the Penan and the longhouses of the Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu and the Melanau.

Take a stroll around the village and observe the inhabitants of the various houses displaying their skills in making traditional handicrafts such as beading, wood-carving, bamboo-carving, pua-weaving, etc. You can also view traditional methods of making sago, and crushing sugar cane.

One of the highlight is to take a look at how the Penans make blowpipes and other hunting instruments, and try out your blow piping skill..., aimed normally at a balloon from a distance.

Another highlight is the 45 minutes live cultural dance show at the theatre. You will be entertained in the comfort of the air-conditioned mini-theatre where award-winning dancers and musicians present their famous multi-cultural performances.

Their spectacular costumes and elegant dance routines will provide an entertaining and educational introduction to Sarawak's ethnic groups and their cultures. There are two cultural performances each day, scheduled at about 11:00am (morning show) and 4.00pm (afternoon show).

You can also have your lunch at the village at Restaurant Budaya. On offer is an exciting array of refreshing drinks, beverages pastries traditional cuisines and fruits. And don't forget to taste the rice wine of Sarawak, called 'tuak' - What better way to end your tour.

Some of the annual events held at the Sarawak Cultural Village include the Gawai Open House (Dayaks' Harvest Festival) in June and the Rainforest World Music Festival, usually in July of each year. The Sarawak Cultural Village is indeed a unique destination for a memorable family adventure vacation.

For more tour info, refer to the URL below:

http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-kch03.shtml