BEAUTY OF GOD: 2009-09-13

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Socotra Island - The Most Bizzare Place on Earth

Socotra is a small Yemeni archipelago of four islands and islets in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Horn of Africa, about 350 kilometers south of the Arabian peninsula. Socotra is one of the most isolated landforms on Earth of continental origin. The archipelago features narrow coastal plains, a limestone plateau with caves, and mountains which rise to 1,525 meters above sea level.

Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic, i.e. found nowhere else on Earth.

Socotra is home to more than 800 species of plants, some 240 of which are endemic to the island, and there are certainly many more plant species that have yet to be discovered. The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there.

A Dragon’s Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is seen in front of the Skund mountains on the island of Socotra, Yemen. The tree is so named because any injury to the bark results in a deep red liquid excreting from the scar – compared in the past to the "Blood of Dragons".

The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers... and from above they have a distinct mushroom look.

There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg.

A Socotran Fig Tree (Dorstenia gigas) with a bizare swollen trunk that almost has human proportions grows against a limestone rock face on the island of Socotra. The plants are one of over 300 plant species endemic to the island.

The Sapphire Mines Of Madagascar

The tiny village of Ilakaka, Madagascar had barely 40 residents before 1998. Then, a large deposit of sapphires was discovered along a nearby riverbed, and caught the eye of some Thai businessmen in the gem trade. Word got out, and Ilakaka swelled to tens of thousands of residents - the center of a sapphire boom, today the source of nearly 50% of all the sapphires in the world. Illegal miners mixed with large-scale operations, all operating under little or no regulation, in a wild-west atmosphere of potential fortunes, lawlesness, violence and hardship.

The Unreal Art by Hermin Abramovitch

Birds Eye View of Australia

Fantastic aerial photos of Australia.

Amazing Underground Lakes

Underground lakes or caverns are basically large pools of water that gather or accumulate underneath the earth’s surface. As the earth surface moves, empty spaces and caverns are sometimes formed below the surface. And water found on the top of affected areas seep into these spaces through the cracks and fissures created by the movement. Over time, the water accumulates in these underground caverns to form what we now call underground lakes.

Top 10 Weirdest Fruits And Vegetables

Kiwano Melon

Romanesco Broccoli

Buddha’s Hand

Durian

Monstera Deliciosa

Banana Lapa-paw

Pitaya (Dragon Fruit)

Jabotacaba

Carambola (Star Fruit)

Goat’s Beard

Pamukkale - The Cotton Castle Of Turkey

An unusual natural and historical site with the sparkling white castle -like cascades, Pamukkale is one of the most important highlights of Turkey, unique in the world. The site is named in Turkish as "Pamukkale", that means "cotton castle", parallel to the glorious and spectacular view of the site. The dazzling white calcareous castles are formed by limestone-laden thermal springs, creating the unbelievable formation of stalactites, potholes and cataracts.

The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" which is in total about 2700 meters long and 160m high. It can be seen from a great distance, eg. when driving down the hills on the opposite side of the valley to the town of Denizli, which is 20 km away. Pamukkale is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which enjoys a temperate climate over the greater part of the year.

The tectonic movements that took place in the fault depression of the Menderes river basin did not only cause frequent earthquakes, but also gave rise to the emergence of a number of very hot springs, and it is the water from one of these springs, with its large mineral content — chalk in particular — that created Pamukkale. Apart from some radioactive material, the water contains large amounts of hydrogen carbonate and calcium, which leads to the precipitation of calcium carbonate. The effect of this natural phenomenon leaves thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, making the area look like a fortress of cotton or a frozen waterfall.

The mineral-rich waters rise from the ground at a temperature of 35°C and tumble down the mountain from a height of 100 metres, forming a myriad of pools. Cream colored stalactites are formed as the water overflows the pools, creating a breathtaking sight unequalled in the world. Water is the sole instrument in the creation of this gleaming fairy castle that resembles cotton (hence the name "Cotton Castle"). There are an abundance of hot springs in this wonderland which are recommended for the treatment of heart disease, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, nervous disorders, rheumatism, eye and skin diseases, nervous and physical exhaustion, and digestive maladies.

Sandstorm in Saudi Arabia

A massive and powerful sandstorm hit the capital of Saudi Arabia Riyadh on March 10.

The Raw Deer

People of North Russian know that eating raw food, or better to say as it was in nature, can be very beneficial to your health.

The only problem is that the food available during long polar nights in raw state in these lands is meat and blood - the flesh of the freshly killed deers they breed. So, they eat it as it is - raw and uncooked. People say, that this is the only source of vitamins, especially vitamin C for them, and due to this habit they maintain to survive in severe Northern climates for hundreds of years.

Children participate in such bloody lunches since the early age and perceive the taste of raw flesh and blood in no other words as “Tasty! Delicious! Awesome!” or even “The best thing to eat in whole life”.

Beautiful Lavender Fields

The lavender plant is grown for extraction of lavender oil from the flowers.

Forces of Nature

They have the power to shake the universe. They helped form the earth beneath our feet. They can bring both blessings and devastation. No human can control them. No man can fully comprehend their awesome majesty. No year since the beginning of time has the earth failed to witness their coming. Natural disasters can happen at any time or place. They can bring sorrow, but they can also teach important lessons about who we are, what is important to us, and what joys life can hold for every human being.

Power of Trees

Check out the amazing strength of nature!

Top Ten Coolest Aquariums

A well-designed and maintained aquarium is a treat for the eye, a conversation piece, and a satisfying hobby. Some are much more than that.

1. AquaDom: World's Largest Cylindrical Aquarium

The AquaDom breaks all records as the largest cylinder aquarium in the world, at over 25 meters high. Filled with about 900,000 liters of seawater, it contains some 2600 fish of 56 species. It is placed at the lobby of the Radisson SAS Hotel in Berlin.

Combined with a vast amount of sandblasted glass, the giant AquaDom gives a transparent-like feeling to the lobby. Guests and visitors are able to travel through the aquarium in a glass-enclosed elevator to reach a sightseeing point and restaurant under the glass roof. Two full-time divers are responsible for the care and feeding of the fish and maintenance of the aquarium. The AquaDom was opened in December 2003. It cost about 12.8 million euros.

2. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium In Japan

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the world's second largest aquarium and part of the Ocean Expo Park located in Okinawa, Japan. The main tank holds 7,500-cubic meters of water and features the world's largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish and plant species in the main tank.
The aquarium is currently trying to breed Whale Sharks.

3. Pieter van Suijlekom's Reef Aquarium

Pieter van Suijlekom’s Reef Aquarium is a fantastic saltwater tank system with a total volume of 2074 gallons.

4. Fish Highway Aquarium

The Fish Highway is a water-filled overhead tunnel connecting two (or more) aquariums. As long as no air gets in, fish can travel from one tank to another! For a simpler version, you might try the Fish Condo, which is three connected fishbowls.

5. Artistic Aquarium

The aquarium can be work of art, or it can be the medium for art. Takashi Amano introduced Japanese gardening techniques into aquascaping, turning them into displays of natural art.

6. Phone Booth Aquarium

Benoit Deseille and Benedetto Bufalino turned a phone booth into an aquarium as part of Fête des lumieres 2007 (Light Festival) in Lyon, France.

7. Toilet Aquarium

Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime. Put some fish in a man's toilet, and he will never have a boring trip to the pot again. This is the clever thinking behind the Fish 'n Flush.

Fish 'n Flush is a patented, two-piece aquarium toilet tank, designed by AquaOne Technologies, Inc., an innovator of water-management systems. The aquarium has a 2.2-gallon capacity. When you flush, it looks like all the water is draining out of the tank and the fish are going down, but it's an optical illusion: the fish are actually safe in an outer aquarium made of high-polished plastic. What you see draining is the toilet water in a separate tank behind the aquarium.

8. TV Aquarium

Ever wondered what to do with that ancient 26" wooden TV set laying around in yours or your grandparent's garage? Here's a perfect destination for it! Even if you don't have the old TV, it shouldn't be too hard to buy one for almost nothing, and in no time you can have your favorite program broadcasting all day long, with no commercials.

At the Siam Ocean World in the Siam Paragon shopping center in Bangkok, there is a fabulous car there that cannot be driven. Why? Because it is filled to the top with water!

Dozens of fish call this extremely modified vehicle their home. And just so you know, the doors to this car are welded shut just in case any mischievous person thinks it funny to release that much water and fish onto the mall floor.

10. Sink Aquarium

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Towers Around The World

Highest Towers - of the World

Location : Paris

Height : 318 Meters

Floors :

Built : 1887

Location : Dubai

Height : 321 Meters

Floors :

Built : 1999

Location : Shanghai China

Height : 421 Meters

Floors : 88

Built : 1998

Location : Chicago Illinois

Height : 443 Meters

Floors : 110

Built : 1973

Location : Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Height : 452 Meters

Floors : 88

Built : 1998

Location : Shanghai China

Height : 492 Meters

Floors : 101

To Be Completed : 2007

Location : Taipei Taiwan

Height : 508 Meters

Floors : 101

Built : 2004

Location : Guangzhou, Shanghai China

Height : 514.8 Meters

Floors : 131

To Be Completed : 2010

Location : WTC Manhattan NY

Height : 541 Meters

Floors : 69

To Be Completed : 2010

Location : Tokyo Japan

Height : 600 Meters

Floors :

To Be Completed : 2007

Location : Dubai

Height : 705 Meters

Floors : 160

To Be Completed : 2008

Location : Shanghai China

Height : 1228 Meters

Floors : 300

To Be Completed : 2020

World's Tallest Tower

The the worlds newest tallest building is about to be completed, lookx amazing, should be safer than going to space to get a better view of Earth.
SPECIFICATIONS - BURJ DUBAI (DUBAI TOWER) AND DUBAI MALL, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Key Data
Order year : 2003
Construction start : 2004
Project type : Mall, residential and retail facilities and world's tallest skyscraper
Location : Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Estimated investment : Dh800 million (mall, residential and retail facilities); Dh3.9 billion (tower)
Completion 2006 (mall); 2007 (tower)
Retail space : 5 million square ft²Shops : 1,000
Car parking : 16,000 spaces Key Players
Sponsor : EMAAR Properties PJSC
Lead contractors, designers, architects and engineers : DC Architects PTE Limited, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Bauer Spezialtiefbau, Middle East Foundations, Turner Construction Corporation, Grocon, Lerch, Bates and Associates Incorporated

This image is from BBC comparing the biggest buildings. You can't say they don't have a vision. Remarkably, the inspiration for the tower comes from - a flower. The Hymenocallis is a plant widely cultivated in Dubai , India and around the region. It's harmonious structure is one of the organizing principles for the design.

Burj Al Arab

Dubai - A desert Paradise in the Arabian Gulf

Dubai is incomparable. Blessed with sunshine 350 days a year, the town is situated right off the beautiful coast of the warm Arabian Gulf. Tourists from all over the world relax along the natural, golden beaches. They indulge in exquisite restaurants and chic bars, play tennis and golf or test their equestrian skills.

The world’s top athletes compete in Dubai for the highest prize money in their disciplines. And all well-known, international companies reside in one of the architecturally unique and exciting skyscrapers in the heart of the pulsating metropolis. People with different cultures and religions living together in harmony, a cosmopolitan culture, dynamic economy, the highest infrastructural standards as well as a fantastic quality of life and literally no crime whatsoever - that's Dubai.
Dubai is simply unique!

In preparation for the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, tennis legend, Andre Agassi and the world No. 1, Roger Federer, couldn’t resist the temptation to have a friendly knock about on the world’s highest tennis court, the helipad of Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel. Both players are in Dubai to compete in the US$1 million Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, which is the first round of the two-week Dubai Tennis Championships.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Nature Macro Photography by Shawn Palmquist

CLICK NOW
COLLECTION OF WORLD'S BEST WALLPAPERS
WOW WHAT A BEAUTY
AMAZING NATURE
NATURE OF GOD
JAZZ OF LIFE
COOL PHOTOS BANK
BEAUTY OF WILDLIFE
BEST PHOTOS OF THE WORLD

"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."

Awesome nature photography by Shawn Palmquist, professional and experimental photographer, based in USA.

INCREDIBLE NATURE

Creative and super professional nature photography by Veronika Pinke, female photographer, based in Germany. Beautiful pictures with absolutely amazing colors.