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CASA
MARIA,
an inn or "posada" in Carabobo State in Venezuela, is truly a
glimpse of paradise as seen by the live-in owners, Norbert and
Gaby Flauger who have set it all up for anyone and everyone with
an interest in nature, be they birdwatchers, insect, reptile or
amphibian buffs, botanists or nature photographers. This is just
the place for anybody who wants to feel right at home while
taking a little time out from everyday life. In the garden alone
at CASA MARIA, 140 different species of birds have been logged
whilst a further 160 have been seen in the surrounding area.
By clicking here, you
can access a list of them all. While you're at CASA MARIA, each
day will bring a whole concerto of insect sounds, enhanced at
eventide with additional calls from frogs galore, resident in
the posada's various ponds.
For birdwatchers:
Please click here for a bird list an additional pictures.
For entomologists: Please click here for special pictures.
For botanists: Please click here to see the plants of Casa
Maria.
For herpetologists: Please click here to see special pictures. |
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Nymphalidae (Anartia amathea) |
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Tropical Screech Owl (Otus
choliba crucigerus) |
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View of the pool |
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Blue-naped Chlorophonia
(Chlorophonia cyanea longipennis) |
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Little frog: big voice Hyla minuta |
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Morpho peleides caterpillar |
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| Night-life at Casa Maria. |
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A National Geographic film-team at
work at Casa Maria. |
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Can you spot the
Chacalaca?
(Garden Casa Maria) |
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There are two
butterfly houses and several small terrariums, backed by a very
respectable nursery garden that functions in support of the
serious research on the local the butterfly and beetle
population carried out at CASA MARIA. |
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There are several
aquariums up to 30,000 litres in size that, besides providing
restful contemplation, also give some idea of the fauna in
Venezuelan and Caribbean rivers. In the 5-acre garden, home to
over 200 species of plants, there is also a swimming pool and a
jacuzzi. |
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Open air aquarium in the garden. |
Butterfly-House |
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Ginger-blossom (Nicolaia
elatior) |
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Main house Casa Maria |
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There are six
thoughtfully arranged bedrooms, including two in adjoining
bungalows, all with ensuite bathrooms and hot/cold water. |
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Guest-bungalow |
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Interior of our guest-bungalow |
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Our bath-rooms are cosy. |
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CASA MARIA offers a
variegated and delicious cuisine and can accommodate any special
preferences, be they vegetarian or other; the home-made and
completely natural jams from local fruits, plus dainty pastries
along with smoked meats have become known well beyond the
borders of Venezuela. |
BBQ
in the evenings |
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The
house is located in the Venezuelan coastal mountain range, the
"cordillera de la costa", at some 760 metres, being about 2,500
feet, above sea level; it is about three hours by car from the
capital, Caracas, and about 1 hour by car from the Caribbean
itself. The climate can be compared to that of central Europe in
summertime: neither too hot nor too cold and, whilst possibly a
little damper, out-and-out rainy days rare.
There are myriad
possibilities for local exploratory trips, including an intact
patch of rain forest at some 940 metres, being about 3,100 feet,
quite close by above the house. Both Gaby and Norbert, himself a
trained engineer and biologist, can accompany guests on
excursions in the area and even further afield.
Click here for a map,
showing the CASA MARIA location.
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If you have
Google
Earth installed, you can click
HERE to get the "kmz-file" and
then you can "fly" virtually to
CASA MARIA. If not, you will need to install Google Earth first
(available at http://earth.google.com). |
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A small jungle river near Casa Maria. |
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Frequently you can observe sloths
in our garden. |
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In the cloud-forest |
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In the
house itself, CASA MARIA keeps a library with a broad choice of
books for guests' enjoyment and, offers a scientifically
narrated 3-D slide show of flora and fauna that is truly unique.
If you click
HERE , you are able to
enjoy some panorama-pictures of CASA MARIA.
To view these pictures, the QuickTime
plug-in must be installed on your computer.
With the cursor you can turn the pictures ....
For those guests who like to keep up with the world at large,
there is a satellite TV system offering CNN, Deutsche Welle and
numerous other international TV options. The above is a quick
overview of what Casa Maria can offer: and all that in three
languages: English, Spanish and German.
You learn more about
us, clicking the above menu.
For any additional
questions, please contact us. |
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