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São Tomé and Príncipe (Wikipedia)
OK, I confess I had to look this up on the map. São
Tomé and Príncipe is an African island nation close to the equator
and is part of a volcano chain featuring striking rock and coral formations, rainforests and beaches.
On the larger island, São Tomé, is the Lagoa Azul lagoon. Ôbo Natural Park, a biodiverse jungle preserve, covers much of São Tomé and is distinguished by Pico Cão Grande, a skyscraperlike volcanic rock.
S9YY is a
DXpedition by DL1AWD, DL1AOB, DG5AA, DL8ALU and DK8YY
I can't imagine what possessed them to want
trek all the way to this island, can you? Meanwhile, hardy
ri1f hams are freezing
on an island near the North Pole. |
Nicely in the QSO zone |
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From
Lonely Planet...
Floating in the Gulf of Guinea, this two-island nation, Africa's second-smallest,
(remember that Pointless, fans) blends natural wonders with a gripping history.
Once a vast network of plantations and a centre of global cocoa production, São Tomé & Príncipe (STP) has suffered an economic collapse since independence from Portugal in 1975. In the countryside, squatters inhabit once great mansions; in the capital, historic colonial buildings slowly decay on broken streets. Nevertheless, the country remains amazingly safe and welcoming to visitors, particularly ecotourists, for whom the advancing jungle is a delight.
This is particularly true on tidy and unspoiled Príncipe, an island of just 7000 people. A canopy of green broken by spires of primordial rock, Príncipe is a magnificent Lost World, offering fantastic beaches, jungle exploration, snorkelling, fishing, birdwatching and a handful of interesting (if expensive) accommodations, with minimal tourist pressure.
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It's a tough gig, but someone has to do
it... |
