Not-so-Wordless Wednesday

a lunar landscape in Plaine des Sables, La Réunion

Since we have a total solar eclipse today and as part of the celebration of 40th year of man’s first step on the moon, here are some “lunar” landscapes.

the "solitary" panorama goes on and on...

Well, of course, the shots are not really from the moon. It is from the southern part of La Réunion Island and the landscape is not caused by meteorites hitting the area (as in the case of the moon) but by volcanic eruption.

a deserted yet spectacular vast landscape giving you a certain sense of freedom

And I don’t think the moon sky would have this color as the lunar atmosphere is not the same as that of the earth’s. But I believe many who have visited the Plaine des Sables (literally means Sand Plains) on the way to Piton La Fournaise would have imagined it as traveling across the lunar surface.

alone but not lonely... that is what the view conveys...

For us who didn’t and with a very high probability of never setting foot on the moon, I guess this is the closest thing we can have to a lunar experience (well, at least, to me) *smiles* . And the vista that greeted us when we reach this place is that of extra-ordinary beauty. To use the title of Buzz Aldrin’s new book, the view is really one of Magnificent Desolation.

magnificently desolate

see my other wordless wednesdays
see other wordless wednesday participants