Monday, July 13, 2009

A Different Kind of Farm


This is the Hotel Manisses, a 19th century Victorian Hotel that is one of the more elegant places to stay on the Block. Although I prefer a much more casual lifestyle while staying on the island (so does my budget), the gardens are a lovely place to have cocktails after dark. Featuring sparkling fountains, white, wrought iron furniture, and subtle lighting, it's like relaxing in a private little world of elegance. Late afternoon tapas and wine on the front porch is a favorite and affordable time too.

My favorite part of the Manisses Hotel is Justin's animal farm. Here you will find exotic animals like Llamas, fainting goats, camels, giant tortoises, emus, zebus and red kangaroos, as well as the usual barnyard fowl. Above is a photo of MacDuff, taken from the hotel's webpage. He was inside on the morning I visited last week, so I didn't get a shot of him. An enormous, but serene bull of the Highland Cattle variety, MacDuff is the king of the pasture.


I never miss an opportunity to stroll though the farm and commune with all of its residents.









If I were to come back in another lifetime and get to choose my life and occupation, living on Block Island and running the animal farm would be right up there near the top of the list.

12 comments:

  1. i want to come back as one of your animals.....heehee. though mac does look a little bit more like that camel picture....heehee!!!!thats a beautiful island you visited, nice pics...jack c

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  2. The mind boggles as to what a fainting goat is like!

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  3. What a pleasure it would be to be sitting on that lovely terrace, sharing tapas and wine..I too have been wondering about that goat!

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  4. Great photos! Looks like a great time!

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  5. Would enjoy visiting that farm, too. MacDuff is enchanting.

    :)

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  6. What a lovely place. How I'd love to sip a glass or two (or three) of wine beside those sparkling fountains!

    The animals are great, especially MacDuff as I'm particularly fond of cattle. It looks like they have an idyllic life there. :)

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  7. Lovely! I've always harbored the idea of running an animal farm too! I grew up on a farm and maybe that's going full circle?

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  8. Hello peeps! As I understand it, the fainting goats have a hereditary defect that causes them to become catatonic when startled, and literally "faint", temporarily losing consciousness and toppling over on their sides. I've never seen it happen, thank goodness...I think all the vistors to the farm must be animal lovers and are careful not to do anyhing that might trigger it.

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  9. Omigosh, I was just looking through your last few posts, and that place looks gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS.

    Have a wonderful time...!

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  10. Hi Deedee,
    I didn't know about your son. Sisters for sure. Your message was such a sweet gesture and it made my day. I loved the tour around the farm. Why do they call the goats fainting goats? Your pictures were great I felt I could reach out and touch them.
    Hugs,
    June

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  11. I haven't stopped by for awhile, my bad--forgot how well you capture the beauty of the coast & its people. The animal park sounds great, but I really loved the previous harbor post and the great parade.

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  12. Hi Deedee,

    What a lovely blog you have here. As I was reading your description of being cut-adrift, I can almost feel your emotions. It's really not a good experience, but I always believe that everything happens for a reason and it is always for the better.

    I am a cat lover and I have a cat who looks like your Catboy and we call him Spy.

    Thanks for sharing. Be well always.

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