Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

Baobabs, baby

Madagascar's baobab trees include six native species, all distinct from the squat, impossibly ancient Adansonia digitata that are iconic to sub-Saharan Africa. Among those six is the giant baobab, known locally as renala ('mother of the forest'), whose plump trunk can grow to nearly 100 feet high. This parade of 20-plus prime renala specimens is dubbed the Avenue of the Baobabs, a popular roadside stop for those enamored by these supertall oddballs.