BEAUTY OF GOD: 2009-11-01

Friday, November 6, 2009

Unusual hotel

Catacombs as an underground hotel. What do you think about it?
As for me, it's great! So who is the first to book a room there? ))

Top 10 Bachelor Party Destinations

No.10 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

You can't get much better than a Marlin fishing trip in the Mexican sun with a couple of cervezas onboard. Unless, of course, you follow up the fishing with a trip to El Squid Roe, the ultimate place to party when it comes to Cabo. Just ensure you go later in the evening because the party doesn't get going until midnight. Not one for the frenzied college crowd? Try The Giggling Marlin or Sammy Hagar's famous hangout, Cabo Wabo.

Hotspot: Looking for well-oiled sun worshippers in bikinis? Medano Beach has what you need.

No.9 - Scottsdale, Arizona

Fore! One of the newest trends in bachelor parties is going on golf excursions. And with over 200 golf courses, Scottsdale is the perfect place to practice your backswing. After a long day on the links, Kona Grill cures your craving for steaks and grilled entrees. Afterward, make your way to SIX and keep your drinks cold on the ice bar that practically runs the length of the dance floor. Or head to Axis/Radius, another attraction in downtown Scottsdale.

Hotspot: Babes Cabaret. If you plan ahead, you can even roast your buddy onstage.

No.8 - Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Snow, beer, babes who ski -- what else do you need? Whistler has long been known for its ski slopes and killer village filled to the brim with snow bunnies. And the restaurant and club scene is nothing to sneeze at either. Buffalo Bill's just about guarantees a hangover the next day. According to the locals, this is the granddaddy of all clubs when it comes to Whistler. Fun music and an upbeat crowd guarantee a wild night for the bachelors. Need a place to rest and enjoy a cigar between shots? Head to the upscale Mallard Lounge and Terrace in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Hotspot: The Boot Pub. Whistler's one and only strip joint is the perfect location to find

No.7 - Manhattan, New York

One bite of the Big Apple and your buddy will be thrown out of the Garden of Eden. First, feast on money steaks at the Penthouse Executive Club. This joint combines the best of all worlds -- Kobe steaks and strippers. And what would a trip to New York be without a visit to The House That Ruth Built?

Hotspot: Larry Flynt Hustler Club. Larry Flynt knows how to entertain, and with private lap dance rooms, VIP suites and a full bar, the Hustler Club does not disappoint.

No.6 - New Orleans, Louisiana

The groom-to-be has to experience at least one Mardi Gras during his single days so he can scream "show me your beads" with a clear conscience. And due to many online bachelor party planners out there, you can now rent out a private balcony.

However, even if you're not going for Mardi Gras, you can still create a killer bachelor party right on Bourbon Street. The Cats Meow is a wild karaoke club that caters to the uninhibited party crowd. Even if karaoke is not your thing, you're almost guaranteed to find some party women there. Razoo Bar & Patio is another favorite when it comes to clubbing. And no trip down Bourbon Street is complete without landing in the landmark bar Pat O'Briens, home of the world-renowned Hurricane, a rum-based drink best enjoyed in a Hurricane glass.

Hotspot: Temptations Club. Conveniently located right on Bourbon Street, this is one of those strip clubs that's as rowdy inside as Bourbon Street is outside.

No.5 - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

This Canadian Hollywood is the perfect place to club and keep an eye out for celebrities. Granville is the street to hit for a night out with the beautiful people. Check out Roxy Night Club if you're looking for bachelorettes with a similar fate (or just some of her friends, for the single groomsmen in the bunch). Hope to catch Heather Graham's eye? You can find celebrities hobnobbing at trendy AuBAR.

Hotspot: The Cecil Hotel, one of Vancouver's largest strip clubs, is in the middle of the Granville action, making it easy to access while moving from club to club.

No.4 - Chicago, Illinois

Frank Sinatra believed Chicago was his "kind of town" and we agree with the classic crooner. Catch a Cubs game (hey, they've got to win the series one of these years, right?). Afterward, head to Division Street and check out Finn McCool's or the Zebra Lounge. After hours, head to Deja Vu, as in "weren't we this hammered last night?"

Hotspot: VIP's: A Gentleman's Club. This strip club caters to bachelor parties and is known as the top topless dance club in town.

No.3 - South Beach, Florida

Hey, P. Diddy thinks it's cool, so how can we argue? South Beach, Florida is the place to find women in bikinis driving in convertibles, sun goddesses oiling themselves on the beach and some of the trendiest nightclubs in America. Nikki Beach Club, often referred to as one of the sexiest places on Earth, is a good place to start the festivities. Between Priv, Wax, Liquid, and Amnesia, you'll be partying into the wee hours. For the best bachelor hotel, head to the Clevelander, smack-dab in the middle of the hopping club section.

Hotspot: Club Madonna. Exotic dancers on three different stages make for some serious eye candy.

No.3 - South Beach, Florida

Hey, P. Diddy thinks it's cool, so how can we argue? South Beach, Florida is the place to find women in bikinis driving in convertibles, sun goddesses oiling themselves on the beach and some of the trendiest nightclubs in America. Nikki Beach Club, often referred to as one of the sexiest places on Earth, is a good place to start the festivities. Between Priv, Wax, Liquid, and Amnesia, you'll be partying into the wee hours. For the best bachelor hotel, head to the Clevelander, smack-dab in the middle of the hopping club section.

Hotspot: Club Madonna. Exotic dancers on three different stages make for some serious eye candy.

No.2 - Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Montreal is unarguably one of the best bachelor party locations in the world. Take a walk down Crescent Street or St. Laurent Boulevard and you'll see hordes of beautiful women from all over the world, a slew of trendy bars and nightclubs and, most importantly, renowned strip clubs visited by many bachelor parties. To start the night off right, head to Tokyo Bar on St. Laurent. Then, walk down the street and head to Globe and Buona Notte for some celebrity watching. Then head to Crescent Street and check out Newtown, Jacques Villeneuve's restaurant/lounge/nightclub, or simply parade your buddy down the street while you stare at some of the hottest women in the world. For real partying, you can even go to Time Supper Club located on St. Jacques Street.

Hotspot: For the best strip clubs in downtown Montreal, head to Wanda's, Chez Pare and/or Club Super Sexe. These strip clubs are renowned in Montreal for bachelor parties.

No.1 - Las Vegas, Nevada

Sin city. Need we say more? From the casinos to the strip clubs to the lax alcohol laws, Las Vegas is the No. 1 place for bachelor parties. If women doing acrobatics on wires above a packed dance floor is the kind of stimulus you crave, you'll love the Rum Jungle dance club in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Ice has a cool party atmosphere, as does the other place to see and be seen, Rain, in the Palms Casino Resort. Of course, the best place to see beautiful women dressed up in leather and sexy tops continues to be the Hard Rock Hotel.

Hotspot: Sapphire Gentleman's Lounge. Las Vegas' largest strip club (actually known as the world's largest), located right off the Vegas strip, boasts 13 VIP skyboxes and an elevated center stage.

World's Most Famous and Historic Squares

A square is a place usually situated in the center or heart of a city where people meet or gather for recreation purposes, political purposes and other purposes. Here are 8 of the worlds most popular and significant squares in the world. This squares, one way or the other, played a vital role in shaping their country's history.

Decembrists Square

One square with great historic significant is Decembrist Square, a popular square located in Russia, now known as Senate Square and is formerly known also as Peter's Square before 1925. It is a city square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The square is located on the left bank of the Bolshaya Neva right in front of Saint Isaac's Cathedral. In 1925 it was renamed Decembrist Square to commemorate the December Revolt, which took place there in 1825.

The Decembrist revolt or the Decembrist uprising took place in Imperial Russia on December 26, 1825. Russian army officers led about 3,000 soldiers in a protest against Nicholas I's assumption of the throne after his elder brother Constantine removed himself from the line of succession. Because these events occurred in December, the rebels were called the Decembrists. This uprising took place in the Senate Square in Saint Petersburg. In 1925, to mark the centenary of the event, it was renamed as Decembrist Square. The revolt was suppressed by Nicholas I.

Azadi Square

One of the few famous squares in Asia is Azadi Square, a very famous square in Theran, Iran where the Azadi tower is situated in the middle of the square. Azadi means "freedom" in Persian. Called Shahyaad or Remembrance of the Shahs (Kings)") Square before the Iranian revolution, it is the place where many of the demonstrations leading to the Iranian Revolution on December 12, 1979, took place.

Tianamen Square

Another popular square located in Asia is Tiananmen Square, the largest open-urban square in the world. It is a historic large plaza near the center of Beijing, China's capital. It was named after the Tiananmen which literally means "Gate of Heavenly Peace" which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance as a symbol because it was the site of several key events in Chinese history. Outside of China, the square is widely known for the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 where hundreds of students who participated were allegedly killed by government soldiers by indiscriminately firing at them.

Trafalgar Square

In Europe, UK in particular, one of the most popular squares is the Trafalgar Square, a square in situated in central London, England. It was formerly named King William the Fourth's Square. Because it is situated in the heart of London, it is a tourist attraction; its trademark is Nelson's Column which stands in the center and the four lion statues that guard the column. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar of 1805, a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars.

Red Square

Another outstanding square that can be found in Russia is Red, the most famous city square in Moscow, and arguably one of the most famous in the world. The square separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from a historic merchant quarter known as Kitay-gorod. As major streets of Moscow radiate from here in all directions, being promoted to major highways outside the city, the Red Square is often considered the central square of Moscow and of all Russia.

Grand Place

Another distinct square in Europe is the Grand Place, a well known square for its large "flower carpet". Grand Place is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels next to the Atomium and Manneken Pis. The display of begonias is arranged on the square every two years for a few days in the middle of August, and attracts many tourists. In Dutch, it is called the Grote Market and Grand Place in French. It is the central market square of Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

St. Peter's Square

Square is called piazza in Italian. Italy has many popular squares or piazzas, one of which is Saint Peter's Square, known in Italy as Piazza San Pietro. This famous square is located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the papal enclave within Rome.

Time Square

In North America, particularly in the US, Times Square is one of its most popular squares. It is located in Manhattan, New York City. This famous square is formerly called Longacre Square. Times Square was renamed after the One Times Square (formerly Times Building), the former offices of the New York Times, in April 1904. Times Square has achieved the status of an iconic world landmark and has become a symbol of its city. Times Square is principally defined by its animated, digital advertisements.

10 Of The Worst Natural Disasters Ever

Hurricane Katrina

On August the 29th Katrina hit Louisiana, most notably New Orleans where 80% of the city flooded because the flood protection system was breached in more than fifty places. The hurricane caused over $80 billion in damages and over 1800 people were confirmed to have died with over 700 missing.

Cyclone Nargis

At the end of April and start of May of 2008, the Nargis Cyclone hit Sri Lanka and Burma. In Sri Lanka the flooding had caused landslides in ten districts, whereas in Burma it hit the town of Bogale with over 10,000 deaths. The cyclone caused roughly $10 billion in damages and over 135,000 died with over 50,000 missing.

1931 China Floods

In winter of 1930 China suffered from heavy snowstorms which then defrosted in the spring of the 1931 this raised the river levels, so in July when the rain increased and 7 cyclones hit, the rivers began to flood. The rivers affected were the Yellow River, Yangtze River and the Huai River. The damages the floods caused was indescribable and the death toll estimations ranged from 400,000 to 4,000,000.

Bhola Cyclone

On November the 12th 1970 the cyclone struck Bangladesh which was then still Pakistan. The cyclone was the deadliest ever recorded, with the death toll be estimated as high as 500,000. The aftermath of the storm led the government losing control of the area, which then led to the Bangladesh Liberation War which ended up in the creation of Bangladesh.

Banqiao Dam Failure

The dam was built in the early 1950’s and was designed to cope with up to 12 inches of rainfall per day, but in August 1975 over the rainfall was over 40 inches per day. This led to the dam failing. The flood waters then caused a large wave which was 10km (6.2miles) wide and 3-7m high. The flooding caused over 150,000 and nearly 6,000,000 buildings collapsed.

Nevado del Ruiz Volcano of 1985

On November 13th 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano which had laid dormant for almost 150 years erupted. Even though geologists had warned the authorities of an imminent eruption, the authorities didn’t listen and failed to evacuate the town of Armero where after the eruption 20,000 out of the 29,000 inhabitants died. The eruption cost Colombia $7.7 billion.

Tangshan Earthquake of 1976

On July 28th 1976, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit China with the epicenter being near Tangshan in Hebei. The chinese government initially reported the death toll to be over 650,000 but they later changed that to be roughly 250,000 with over 160,000 severely injured.

Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004

On December 26th 2004 a 9.3 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami which killed more than 225,000 people in 11 countries. The waves which hit the coastlines were as high as 30m in some areas. The worldwide response was fantastic, more than $7 billion dollars was donated in humanitarian aid.

Mount Vesuvius

On the 24th and 25th of August 79 AD, Vesuvius erupted. The eruption lasted 18-20 hours and produced a rain of volcanic rock which covered the city of Pompeii and also destroyed the city of Herculaneum and killed up to 25,000 people.

10 of the Worst Restaurant Names ever

FU KING Chinese Restaurant in Lake City, Florida.

Kum Den Restaurant in Melbourne, Australia.

My Dung Restaurant in Rosemead, California.

Gassey Jack's near Orange City, Florida.

The owners of this restaurant named "Hitler's Cross," in the Indian city of Mumbai, finally changed its name after protests from the community.

Flavors of Negros Restaurant.

Sar's Oriental Cuisine, in Tacoma, Washington.

See Thru Chinese Kitchen, in Chicago.

Poopsies Food & Drinks.

Colon Restaurant, in Barcelona, Spain. While it sounds horrible in English, it actually means "Columbus" in Spanish, as in Christopher Columbus.

20 Best Places To Live

20. Stockholm, Sweden

Quality of Life Index: 104.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 20
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 20 (101.5)

19. Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Quality of Life Index: 104.6 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 17
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 70 (92.3)

18. Melbourne, Australia

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 17
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 35 (99.2)

17. Berlin, Germany

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 216
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 29 (100.1)

16. Ottawa, Canada

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 19
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 42 (98.5)

15. Toronto, Canada

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 15
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 18 (101.9)

14. Brussels, Belgium

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 14
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 24 (101.2)

13. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 13
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 26 (101)

12. Wellington, New Zealand

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 12
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 47 (97.3)

11. Copenhagen, Denmark

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 11
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 3 (106.2)

10. Sydney, Australia

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 10
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 11 (104)

9. Bern, Switzerland

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 9
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 215 (102.3)

8. Frankfurt, Germany

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 7
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 8 (104.8)

7. Munich, Germany

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 7
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 2 (106.5)

6. Düsseldorf, Germany

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 6
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 6 (105)

5 Auckland, New Zealand

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 5
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 243 (98.1)

4. Vancouver, Canada

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 4
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 6 (105)

3. Geneva, Switzerland

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 2
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 35 (99.2)

2. Zürich, Switzerland

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 1
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 14 (102.6)

1. Vienna, Austria

Quality of Life Index: 105.5 (Base is 100)
2008 Rank: 2
City Infrastructure Ranking (Index): 18 (101.9)

10 Beautiful Yet Deadly Mega Metropolises

pollution, transportation, water quality, sanitation, crime, natural disasters – you
name it. A mega metropolis with a population of 10 or even 20 million will have massive ones especially if it is disadvantaged due to geographic location. Seriously, would you want to be the mayor of one of the world’s biggest cities? Let’s take a look at ten of these mega metros around the world and see what’s bothering them most.

Many institutes and non-profit organisations such as the Blacksmith Institute, Mercer Human Resource Consulting and the World Health Organization keep track of pollution and “dirtiest cities” around the world. We have taken their lists and results into account and cities like Bogota, Karachi, Manila, Mumbai and Sao Paulo and even London, Paris, Athens, New York, Los Angeles and others were strong contenders. However, our focus was on global cities and one major problem that overshadowed others. So, without further ado, our list of Ten Deadliest Mega Metros in alphabetical order.

Beijing’s old town, bathed in smog:

1. Beijing, China

Beijing’s main environmental problem can be clearly seen even by visitors who have just arrived in the city: a thick layer of smog that is constantly covering the city like a blanket. The city’s rapid development, like much of the rest of the country’s, and an increased population and resultant energy consumption saturated mainly by coal power plants have produced this polluted environment.

13 million people live in the urban area that is Beijing and 17 million in the whole Beijing municipality. Air pollution levels are five times over the WHO’s safety standards. Dust storms also plague the city when winds blow sand from the Gobi desert southward. Water is not only scarce but also contaminated: Almost 90% of the city’s underground water is affected by pollution, leaving millions without access to clean drinking water.

Many people have taken to wearing face masks in public:

Clean-up efforts by the Chinese government have included car-free days in the city, the introduction of electric bicycles, a great “green wall” to stop sand storms from the encroaching Gobi desert, a ban on plastic bags and other measures that were often put in place years ago. Still, the effects of the pollution can be felt even internationally with acid rains in Tokyo and Seoul and even as far as Los Angeles.

Rio de la Plata with Buenos Aires on the left as seen from space:

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is a city that has everything going for itself: a rich history and culture, a pleasant climate and a good metro to shuttle around the 13 million inhabitants of this financial and commercial hub. If only it weren’t located in a flood plain with more than one third of the city’s land at risk of floods.

Though many of the city’s lagoons and creeks were channelled and rectified to evade the city’s infrastructure, increased urbanisation, a building boom and shrinking green spaces have led to problems even with heavy rains: With no place for water to go, even heavy showers can cause flooding of some areas in Buenos Aires, bringing with it water pollution and resulting health risks for the population.

A flooded store in Buenos Aires:

Some critics of the current urban planning and official “disaster management” measures disapprove of treating floods as an emergency in a city where they have occurred so regularly for decades, namely in 1905, 1966, 1977, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2008.

Not a fata morgana but the pyramids at Gizeh taken from Cairo Tower at sunset:

3. Cairo, Egypt

With air pollution levels 10 to 100 times higher than the WHO safety standards, living in Cairo is like smoking a packet of cigarettes a day. Dangerous levels of lead, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other gases form a deadly mix that affects all of Cairo’s citizens, while causing environmental damage, economic loss and last but not least, the destruction of ancient monuments. What has caused this alarming level of air pollution?

The view on a better day:

Urban industries, decades of unregulated car emissions and chaff and trash burning are the culprits. Plus, the city’s dry and hot desert climate and desert dust exacerbate the harmful effects of the pollutants. What’s being done? The Egyptian government started imposing air quality standards for industries and is trying to instile a sense of accountability in its citizens – all 17 million of them that make up the urban area that is Cairo.

Favelas in Caracas:

4. Caracas, Venezuela

Caracas is known for its rich culture and history and its population including suburbs is estimated at 6 million. It is also the capital of Hugo Chavez country and since Chavez took over in 1998, Venezuela’s official homicide rate has climbed by 67%. At 130 murders per 100,000 residents, Caracas is the murder capital of the world, having overtaken even once notorious Bogota.

Protests in Caracas:

Some speculate that the actual figure is closer to 160 per 100,000 because the state omits prison-related murders, uncategorised deaths and those resulting from resistance to arrest by the Caracas police.

The urban sprawl that is Dar es Salaam:

5. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, Arabic for “House of Peace,” is Tanzania’s vibrant economic and cultural center. The lack of a mass transit system in this city of 3 million assures that it is far from peaceful and overcrowding is putting a strain on the city’s sanitation programs. Solid waste, entering the Msimbazi River, contributes to widely spread infectious diseases among the city’s population and other problems like carcinogenic effects, reproductive system damage, respiratory problems and damage to the central nervous system. Data on waste generation is inadequate or not available and therefore an efficient solid waste system cannot even be planned.

Urban waste at Msasani Bay beach, Dar es Salaam:

But the problem is not only the removal and recycling of “regular” garbage; there is also the problem of hazardous waste such as industrial and medical waste. There is no system in place in Dar es Salaam and no checks for hospital owners and industrialists who simply dump their hazardous waste at the Vingunguti dumping site without warning.

What’s being done? Programs promoting public awareness about the importance of proper sanitation and the establishment of a sanitary landfill are considered some of the most important measures to improve living and environmental conditions.

Dhaka from above:

6. Dhaka, Bangladesh

As Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka is no doubt the country’s economic, cultural and political hub. Environmental problems such as air and especially water pollution and congestion have contributed to the fact that Dhaka, a city of 12 million, is consistently ranked among the world’s least liveable cities.

Dhaka’s water situation especially is dire as river, canal and wetland pollution by different industries still goes largely unchecked, even though the city’s water has turned black in certain areas. In addition, 70% of Dhaka’s households are not connected to a waste water system so that human waste goes directly into one of the city’s rivers – Buriganga, Shitalakhya or Balu.

Even the river banks have become dumping grounds:

No wonder that that the authorities can do little to purify this stinking brew. Currently, the water is “purified” for drinking by simply adding chlorine ammonia sulfate, therefore leaving millions without safe drinking water.

Urban sprawl, affectionately called Jo’burg:

7. Johannesburg, South Africa

Finding crime statistics that do not focus on homicide alone is not easy but sadly, Johannesburg has stuck out for decades when it comes to crimes like theft, muggings, robbery and assault. Especially the city center has been a crime haven due to many businesses leaving for the suburbs, desertification of business areas after office hours, urban decay, slum development in the city center and high unemployment rates.

Depending on where one draws the boundary lines, Johannesburg has 4 million inhabitants (municipal city), more than 7 million (greater metropolitan area) or more than 10 million (including the Ekhuruleni, the West Rand, Soweto and Lenasia). In any case, Johannesburg is one of Africa’s two global cities, the other being Cape Town.

Johannesburg’s crime centers mapped out:

In recent years, the drastic measures that have been taken and growing economic stability have caused crimes rates drop. Closed-circuit TV systems at every street corner in Johannesburg’s central area, installed since last December, have proven quite effective. However, the situation is still far from ideal and Johannesburg does want to put its best foot forward when hosting parts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, so the city has enlisted former mayor Rudy Giuliani’s help. For him, it’ll be a déjà-vu because he had to deal with very similar problems in New York City back in the ‘90s.

Did anyone say Megalopolis? - Mexico City:

8. Mexico City, Mexico

Though the core city has “only” about 9 million inhabitants, the population of Greater Mexico City is estimated at 19 million, making it the third largest in the world. Its location in a valley has caused a thermal inversion where cool mountain air cannot reach the city but sits like a layer on the warm air below – like a steaming bowl of hot, polluted air.

While the traffic is certainly one cause, Mexico City’s more than 50,000 unregulated factories add more than their fair share to the 24,000 tons of pollutants that are emitted annually. For only about 31 days in a year is Mexico City’s air is actually considered safe to breathe and it is said that 100,000 children die because of pollution every year. Asthma and other chronic lung diseases are also prevalent.

Factories on the outskirts of the city:

What has the city been doing? Trying to reduce traffic by permitting only cars with a certain number plate colour on certain days has not been working well because those who can afford their own cars simply alternate between their first, second or even third one. Busses, trucks and taxis still running on leaded petrol are not affected by the ban but at least an underground rail system is now taking some pressure off the streets. Plus, the city is monitoring air pollution so that on bad days, factories can be closed, school hours changed and travel restrictions implemented.

Industrial Moscow:

9. Moscow, Russia

When picturing Moscow, many think of the city’s cultural heritage with its many impressive structures, maybe the corruption, the city’s high cost of living and industrial structures that riddle and pollute the city. However, few know that new radioactive waste sites are found in Moscow every year as the city expands. How did tons of low- to medium-level radioactive waste get to the banks of the Moscow River in the south of the city?

They were dumped by some 2,000 Cold-War-research institutes and industries in what were then the outskirts of the city. As the city expands, more and more of its radioactive secret is being discovered and now painstakingly shovelled away by nuclear workers and technicians who bury it in special tombs. But all these years, many of Moscow’s residential neighbourhoods were exposed to radiation levels several times higher than what is considered safe.

Power plant in Kapotnia, Moscow:

Since 1996, routine radiation surveys are conducted for all new construction. But still, of Russia’s 65 nuclear plants, almost one third are located within the Moscow region, home of close to 17 million people. Among the most dangerous ones sitting on the biggest pile of radioactive waste are the Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, the All-Russian Research Institute of Chemical Technology, the Plant of Polymetals and the Molniya Machine Works.

And if all those years of contamination weren’t enough, the site is also precariously
close to the Moscow River Bank, so that a contamination of the water would be possible if the work wasn’t carried out with outmost care – painstakingly with spades rather than bulldozers.

Rush hour in New Delhi:

10. New Delhi, India

As with many of the world’s biggest cities – and the Indian Capital is the eighth biggest with 16 million inhabitants – water is Delhi’s main problem. Getting water in the first place and purifying it are the two biggest challenges. Many drains of the city’s industries of all sizes empty directly into the city’s water lifeline, the Yamuna River.

Toxic chemicals like arsenic, mercury and fluorides regularly seep into the city’s underground water system and pollutants like nitrates, potassium, phosphates and heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, nickel, lead and zinc are affecting people and the environment. Even those who do not get in contact with these chemicals through contaminated water will most likely do so later on through the fruits, vegetables, meat and grains they eat, the places they work, and the air they breathe.

Just round the bend from Delhi’s famous Juma Mosque, the Yamuna is full of garbage:

After this tour de force of natural disasters, toxins, crime, murder, nuclear waste, air pollution, water pollution, industrial pollutants and lack of sanitation, one can clearly see how life in a metro can be deadly. What inspired us at Environmental Graffiti are the contradictions that these megacities show. They may be deadly, yes, especially in the long run, but then they offer something to millions of people that other parts of the world cannot: hope. Therefore one can say that megacities are the nerve centers of our world and that by looking at them, we can anticipate many of the issues that we will all have to deal with sooner or later.

The 10 Oldest Still-Inhabited Cities

Urban society may seem a modern phenomenon but cities have been around for a lot longer than one might think. Indeed, once nomadic tribes began to settle in one location, they saw that it was good, became fruitful, and multiplied. Decades, centuries and millennia passed while war, climate change and human migration all took their toll. Relatively few ancient cities have managed to survive the test of time. Here are 10 that have not only survived, but continue to thrive.
Damascus, Syria

Damascus, the current capital of Syria, has a long and colorful history that stretches back nearly 12,000 years. Located in a fertile region well-watered by the Barada river, Damascus was a prime target of numerous kings and conquerors - and often wound up on the losing side.

Over 4 million people live in metropolitan Damascus today and, partly due to a skilfully constructed network of canals built nearly 3,500 years ago, boasts a multitude of parks and green spaces. Since 1979 Damascus has been UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jericho, West Bank

The ancient city of Jericho is the world’s oldest walled city, with evidence of stone fortifications dating back nearly 9,000 years; long before the “walls came tumblin’ down” events depicted in the Bible. Archaeological digs have turned up traces of habitation that are even older: up to 11,000 years ago!

Not only has Jericho been continually inhabited for over one hundred centuries, scientists have uncovered a virtual layer cake of settlements - 20 in fact, built one on top of the other down to the present day. Now that’s something worth blowing your horn about… oh, wait.
Susa, Iran

Dating back to approximately 8000 BCE, the ancient Iranian city of Susa rose to prominence again and again under Elamite, Babylonian, Achaemenian, Greek, Parthian, Sasanian and Persian civilizations.

Today Susa is known as “Shush” though things have rarely been quiet there over its very long life. Susa is where the sole representation of the Code of Hammurabi was found. The 7-foot tall basalt stele was taken back to Susa in the 12th century BC and rediscovered in 1901. It now resides in Paris’ Louvre Museum.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria

One way of measuring a city’s age is to note the number of names it has had. In the case of Plovdiv, the list begins with Eumolpias, changing to Philippoupolis when it was conquered by Philip II of Macedon (Alexander the Great’s father) in 342 BCE. Centuries passed and Philippoupolis became Trimontium, then Philippoupolis again, then Paldin, Filibe and finally Plovdiv.

Presently home to around 380,000 (580,000 in the metro area), Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s oldest - signs of urban activity there go back nearly 9,000 years.
Jerusalem, Israel

Holy to a number of the world’s leading religions, 5,000-year-old Jerusalem was already settled centuries before any of them had their tenets put to paper, papyrus or pre-fired clay. According to the entry on Jerusalem in Wikipedia, “In the course of its history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times.”

Sadly, those numbers are likely not the final score for this exceptional city 747,600 people call Jerusalem, Yerushalayim, Al-Quds and… home.
Tyre, Lebanon

Source of prized Tyrian Purple dye and home base of those legendary master traders, the Phoenicians, Tyre was truly a wonder of the ancient world. The city was located on a walled island just off the coast of Lebanon and managed to thwart every siege until Alexander the Great built a causeway so his soldiers could march up to the city walls.

The causeway changed the flow of the sea currents and caused the island to become permanently joined to the mainland. Today Tyre is Lebanon’s fourth-largest city and can proudly trace its history back nearly 6,000 years.
Athens, Greece

The capital of Greece is home to over 4 million today and is the 5th-most populous capital city in the EU. With its soaring Acropolis and majestic Parthenon symbolizing the golden age of Classical Greece and the foundation of Western civilization, Athens has been lived in for approximately 3,400 years.

The city has not always enjoyed prominence, however - by the early 19th century it had deteriorated to a backwater town with only a few thousand citizens. That all changed when Athens was named capital of Greece in 1834, with the city truly coming of age due to the many infrastructure improvements completed in time for the 2004 Olympic Games.
Lisbon, Portugal

Due to its exceptional harbor situated where the Tagus river empties into the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon has always been an ideal military and commercial location - incidentally attracting settlers to serve the soldiers and traders. Archaeologists have uncovered Phoenician objects at Lisbon dating back to 1200 BCE; remnants of what was likely a Phoenician supply base for ships voyaging to and from the British Isles, an ancient source of tin.

Disaster struck Lisbon in 1755 when one of the most destructive earthquakes ever to strike Europe, accompanied by a massive tsunami and wildfires, leveled much of Lisbon and killed tens of thousands of residents.

Lisbon quickly bounced back from the disaster to regain her rank as one of Europe’s leading cities, a distinction she still holds today.
Varanasi, India

The city of Varanasi, formerly known to English-speakers as Benares, has been a religious and cultural center for at least 3,000 years. Over one million pilgrims from across the Hindu world visit Varanasi each year to participate in ceremonies and swim in the sacred Ganges river.

Varanasi is as close to being a true “living city” as one could imagine. Every bit of space is utilized, every disused building is re-worked into a new purpose and over centuries of conflict and conquest, the city heals itself through the power of human conviction and devotion to a greater glory.
Cholula, Mexico

Arguably the oldest continually inhabited city in the western hemisphere, Choloula was a contemporary of more famous Teotihuacan yet never suffered the crisis that saw it’s neighbor abandoned in the 6th century CE. By the late Aztec period more than 100,000 people lived in Cholula, and the city near Puebla is home to over 90,000 today.

Cholula rose to prominence in the 2nd century BCE but settlement on a more modest scale goes back a further thousand years. The partially excavated monumental buildings at Cholula are among the largest in the world, with the Great Pyramid of Cholula being the largest man-made monument ever made! Its base covers approximately 25 acres and the pyramid’s total volume is estimated at 4.3 million cubic yards.

What’s it take to make a long-lived city? The same thing any realtor will tell you: location, location, location! Prime real estate does tend to attract the wrong crowd - conquerors have a way of ruining anyone’s backyard barbeque - but once all the fuss has died down people do what they’ve always done; keep on coming back for more.

10 Bizarre Traditions

Iyomante Ritual

The Ainu people (an indigenous tribe from parts of Japan and Russia) are a once-suppressed ethnic minority whose religious roots are animist. Because of their worship of nature, they developed a tradition in which bears were killed in order to send their soul to heaven to bless mankind. This ritual (Iyomante) involves the slaughter of a hibernating mother bear in her cave. Her cubs are raised in captivity for two years and then fatally choked or speared in a sacramental act meant to show religious devotion. The villagers then drink the bear’s blood and eat its flesh. The skull is placed on an upturned spear which is wrapped with the bear skin. This bizarre type of scarecrow is then worshipped. The Ainu people believe bears are gods walking among humans. Unfortunately, due to a law change in Japan which revoked the ban on the ritual, it is now occurring again in some places.

Living With the Dead

Because funerals are an incredibly important aspect of life for the Torajan (an ethnic group in South Sulawesi, Indonesia), it can take many months for a family to raise sufficient funds to pay for the festivities. During this period of months, the dead body is wrapped in clothes and kept under the family home. The Torajans believe that the deceased soul remains with them until the burial. Torajan funerals are a grand affair which also frequently involve the sacrifice of buffaloes (the more important the deceased the more buffaloes are killed). When the person is finally ready to be buried for good, their coffin is usually placed in a cave and their effigy is placed at the cave mouth looking out (as can be seen in the picture above).

Masai Spitting

This isn’t just regular spitting we are talking about. The Masai tribe (an ethnic African group found in Kenya and Tanzania) have an unusual way of greeting friends: they spit on one another. Furthermore, when a new child is born, the Masai men will spit on it and say it is bad – believing that if they praise the child they will curse it to a bad life. When greeting elders, a Masai warrior will spit in his hand before offering it to be shaken – as a sign of respect. Masai tribesmen are well known through the media because of their practice of elongating their earlobes.

Feeding The Dead

Fairly recent discoveries in the Vatican of old Roman burial grounds have uncovered a fascinating tradition that was previously forgotten: the Romans would eat with their dead and even feed them. Many of the graves found contained pipes that led from the outside of the grave to the body within – this was used to pour honey, wine, and other foods into the dead. Similar pipes in Roman Graves have also been found in England. Ancient Romans would often picnic at the graves of the dead as they believed they were feeding the soul of their departed loved ones. The inscription on the grave above describes the location of a food shop nearby so mourners and visitors can buy food for themselves or the dead.

Yanomamö Ash Eating

The Yanomamö are a large tribe of people from Venezuela and Brazil. They have been largely untouched by modern life and so retain many of their ancient customs – one of which is the focus of this item. Yanomamö religious tradition forbids the keeping of any part of the body of the dead; for this reason, when a Yanomamö dies, his body is taken to be burned and the bones are crushed and combined with the ashes. These are then divided amongst the family and eaten. Because absolutely no part of the body must remain, the vessel that contained the ashes is then destroyed. The tribesmen believe that a person dies because a Shaman or member of another tribe has sent evil on him. This leads to much conflict and inter-tribe battles.

Hanging Coffins

The limestone caves surrounding Sagada in the Philippines are home to the region’s dead. While many people are buried in the caves, a long standing tradition in the area also means that the face of the cliffs are dotted with coffins. The coffins can also be found in other places around the world – particularly China where the nearly extinct Bo People (an indigenous minority Chinese tribe) practice this tradition regularly. The Toraja people (featured in item 9) also sometimes hang coffins of young children – though wealthy adults are normally placed in caves.

Mourning of Muharram

To commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali (a grandson of Muhammad), some groups of Shia muslims take to the streets and whip themselves with specially designed chains with razors or knives attached. Other groups slit their heads open with knives (as can be seen in the image above). This awful tradition (called matam) is also practiced by children or forced on them by parents who do the cutting (as can be seen in the introductory image to this list on the front page). Matam is mostly found in Bahrain, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Iraq, and while some Muslims frown upon the practice, many major Muslim leaders endorse it.

Thousands of mourners slit open their heads with swords, big knives and razor blades streaming their blood to signify their grief over the martyrdom of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) – the tragedy which caused the sky to rain blood and the earth to bleed – and thus paid rich homage to Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) who sacrificed everything in defending Islam which is today under obligation to him.

Eating Death

The Aghoris are members of a Hindu sect who worship Shiva, whom they see as the supreme god. Because they believe that Shiva created everything – they consider nothing to be bad. For this reason they engage in a variety of sexual practices, they drink alcohol, take drugs, and eat meat. Nothing is considered taboo. But the thing that makes their ancient traditions bizarre is that they are also practicing cannibals and their temples are cremation grounds. An aghori lives in the cremation ground and is able to support himself there – his clothing comes from the dead, his firewood comes from the funeral pyres, and food from the river. When a person is cremated, an aghori will coat himself in the ashes of the body and meditate on the dead.

The most shocking aspect of the Aghori life is their cannibalism. Dead bodies that are found floating in the river are gathered up and meditated on. The limbs are then removed by the Aghori and eaten raw. If you are interested in watching a fascinating documentary on the Aghoris, you can watch an excellent one here in full. If you want to watch an extremely gruesome video of the aghoris, you can find one on youtube by searching for “Aghori sadu eating human”.

Baby Tossing

Every year in Solapur (a region in Maharashtra, India) parents get together to throw their babies off the top of a 50 foot tower. The babies are caught in a sheet held by other villagers on the ground. The parents believe that the practice will give their children long and healthy lives. This is practiced mostly by Muslims but some Hindu families also engage in it. Parents that partake are usually those who have become pregnant after praying at the Shrine of Baba Umer Dargah. Local authorities provide policing for the event despite the fact that national government is opposed to it.

Satere-Mawe Initiation Rite

The Satere-Mawe people from the Amazon region of Brazil have an agonizing initiation rite for their boys. In order to become a man, the boy must insert his hand into a glove which is woven with drugged bullet ants which have one of the most painful stings in nature. The boy must wear the glove for a full ten minutes and he must do this twenty times over the course of several months. A television reporter (Steve Backshall) undertook the ordeal and described it thus:

“I put my hands into the gloves. Actually, it wasn’t that bad: pretty unpleasant, but bearable; just like the single sting, but repeated over and over again. I stuck it out for the full 10 minutes. [... M]y crew took me out of the line-up and off to get some medical tests done[.] That’s when things started to go wrong. I had suffered several hundred stings, and all of a sudden I went beyond pain. First, I started wailing, then, once that had passed, the floodgates opened — deep, guttural sobbing, uncontrollable shaking, writhing, convulsing. I started to drool, and suddenly I wasn’t responding to anything at all. My legs wouldn’t hold me up, and our doctor was shouting at me to keep moving and not to give in to the urge to lie down and let it take me. If there’d been a machete to hand, I’d have chopped off my arms to escape the pain.”

10 of the World's Worst Beaches

Goa, India
India's smallest state is known for three things: Hindu worship, biodiversity, and the beach. All of which results in one of the more absurd religious vacation scenes in the world (and they're all pretty absurd). Sacred cows roam freely on the sand, taking cover under tourists' umbrellas. It would be kind of cute, if not for that unusual whiff of piña colada mixed with livestock manure. Visiting Americans be warned: Cow tipping is not cool in Goa.

Plum Island, Massachusetts

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with keeping America's beaches safe from harm, but for some years now, they've been doing a pretty good job at the opposite. A federal jetty system installed on the Merrimack River has been diverting pristine beach sand from Plum Island's coastline since early last century, eroding the sleepy town to a tiny strip. The Corps has kept it alive through regular dredging, but that abruptly stopped ten years ago, and now the government predicts that twenty-six beachfront homes could be destroyed by 2019. Which is all the more reason to move to Martha's Vineyard, the Obamas' alleged vacation spot of choice.

Port Philip Bay, Australia

Most lifeguards are understandably worried about swimmers drowning while they're on the job. But the safety officers at this beach on the southern Victoria coast Down Under say they're too busy "combing the sand for syringes and broken glass," according to Melbourne's Herald Sun. Sharp debris has plagued the area since 2005, when a seven-year-old boy was pricked by a needle in the sand and rushed to the hospital. Last year, the Port Philip Council picked up one thousand tons of trash on the shore and blamed a combination of storm-water runoff and litterbugs. Hopefully they're not members of the country's rising HIV-infected population.

Wildwood, New Jersey

In this Jersey Shore resort town, shoulder-less button-ups and plastic door-knocker earrings aren't a fashion statement — they're a uniform. The 1994 documentary Wildwood, N.J., which has recently been made available on DVD, interviewed local young women to glean some insight about the culture. What they found wasn't very pretty. One refers to her female anatomy as a "check to cash," while another explains the more practical purposes of the boardwalk's ubiquitous acrylic nail salons: Girls in Wildwood like to fight. A lot. "I put some girl in the hospital," one says. "She's still in the hospital."

Fujiazhuang Beach, China

Gazing at the coastline in China's Dalian region is like playing an Asian-themed game of Where's Waldo?, only with more bare skin. Simply one of the most overcrowded vacation destinations in the world, Fujiazhuang brings tourists from Japan, Korea, and even Russia because of its mild climate and convenient location. You could be searching for a "sweet spot" to put your towel down for a few days. Potential upsides: group sandcastle-building, the (still remote) possibility of that paddle game not being quite so boring.

Huntington Beach, California

At Surf City USA, a "sick" wave can have a queasy double meaning. Since 1999, a number of mysterious germs have forced the popular beach to periodically shut down after giving visitors bouts of "diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramping, or fever," according to the EPA. A $5.1 million dollar study in 2002, unfortunately, turned up no conclusive findings — scientists say the culprits could include anything from sea gull feces to stray sewage. This, of course, still doesn't deter the local surfers. "You can't stop us from having a good time," one told USA Today. "It's California. You have to go to the beach." As long as you can find the porta-potty.

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong

Every urban beach has its problems, but only Repulse Bay has had the honor of being nicknamed "Repulsive Bay." Since it was developed into a beach town in the early 20th century, pollution from constant construction have commonly led to "red tide" algae growth that kills marine life and leaves a funny odor on visitors' swim trunks. The local government's red tape doesn't help: Officials conveniently forgot to tell fish farmers about a red tide bloom two years ago, and in 2005, a lifeguard strike left the beach virtually unprotected. Despite this, Repulse Bay remains one of the most exclusive neighborhoods for Hong Kong's condo-hungry elite.

Orange Beach, Alabama

Locals refer to this short stretch of Florida-Alabama Gulf coastline as the "Redneck Riviera," probably because the only people who hang out on its beaches (read: sand dunes and wild sea oats) are locals "vacationing" from Florida and Alabama. Recently, the deserted area has been paved over with condos like the twenty-four-story Turquoise Place, where units start at $1.25 million. But don't buy in yet: The small town suffers regular hurricane damage, and there isn't much beach volleyball on the two-mile stretch of sand, either — one resident told the New York Times last year, "You can go out there and walk for miles and never see another living soul." Makes for nice, long walks, though...

Blackpool, England

Rising pop star Little Boots escaped her hometown of Blackpool at a young age. We can't say we blame her. The beach resort opens its arms to Britain's trashiest tourists, who take advantage of the famously cheap drinks at 130 bars. Attractions include "kids throwing up, bottles smashed, punch-ups, screaming girls," one taxi driver told The Mirror. A few years ago, the local police launched Nightsafe, designed to deter visitors from the excessive alcohol that's allegedly responsible for Blackpool's high rate of violence. But no one's ready to claim the beach family-friendly. One dad told the newspaper, "There's no way [our kids are] leaving our sides here."

Doheny State Beach, California

Hollywood isn't the only depressing underbelly of Southern California's shimmering coastline. The state is home to some of the most polluted beaches in the country. The most egregious offender, according to the National Resources' Defense Council: Doheny, which has been named the most polluted beach in the state three years in a row, once with 91 percent of samples exceeding national health standards (by contrast, a safe beach has less than 10). Things got so out of hand that the NRDC sued the EPA a few years ago for neglecting the California's beaches. Surfers are apparently too distracted to care.

10 Really Slow Things

1. The Slowest Kentucky Derby winner record since the course was changed to its current 1.25-mile length in 1896: Stone Street. He finished the race in 2:15 in 1908, 16 seconds slower than the fastest horse to win the race – Secretariat, of course. He probably would have been much faster, but the track conditions were terrible and muddy that day.

2. The Slowest Sports Day of the Year: the day after the MLB All-Star game in July. There are no baseball games, no basketball, no football, no hockey, not even golf or tennis.

3. Slowest Car in the World: According to a May report from Motor Trend, it’s the Smart ForTwo, which takes 14.70 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

4. Slowest Concert in the World: Written by composer John Cage, the organ piece started on September 5, 2001, and will end 639 years later. The next sound change is scheduled for July 5, 2012.

5. Slowest Mammal: The three-toed sloth. It moves at a maximum of 10 feet per minute, making it the slowest animal ever. Coming in at a close second would be my husband while grocery shopping.

6. Slowest-flying birds: there are two birds that can fly as slow as five miles per hour: the American and the Eurasian woodcock. The fastest-flying bird, by the way, isn’t the Hummingbird. Its wings beat the fastest, for sure, but the peregrine falcon moves the fastest at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.

7. The Slowest Mouse in all Mexico: the aptly named Slowpoke Rodriguez. He’s Speedy Gonzales’ cousin, and while he may be slow in movement, he makes it a point to mention that he’s not slow en la cabeza. Here he is in action:

8. Slowest Marathon Time Ever: 54 years, eight months, six days, eight hours, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds. In 1912, an Olympic marathoner from Japan just disappeared right in the middle of the race. Supposedly he stopped to get a drink at an outdoor party and ended up staying longer than he meant to. Once he realized how long he had spent, he was too embarrassed to finish the marathon, and quietly went back to his hotel and left for Japan the next day. In 1966, he finally returned to finish the run he started.

9. The Slowest Man in Baseball (maybe): Ernie Lombardi is often called the slowest man in baseball, or at least one of them. He played from 1931 to 1947 and lumbered a bit due to his height and weight – some say it was nearing 300 pounds near the end of his career. One manager said Lombardi ran like he was carrying a piano on his back – and the man who was tuning the piano. Despite his slowness, he had a great arm and did OK when he was up to the plate as well – at 190 home runs, he has earned a spot on the top 500 MLB home run hitters (#312, in case you were wondering).

10. The Mammal with the Slowest Heartbeat: the blue whale, which has a heartbeat of only four to eight beats per minute, depending on whether it’s diving or not.

Impressive Inselberg Formations

An inselberg, commonly called monadnock in the United States, is a prominent hill or rocky mass rising out of a plain. Inselbergs are one of the top rock formation tourist destinations. They are also favorite sites for hiking and climbing.

Pilot Mountain (USA)

One of the most distinguished natural features in the state of North Carolina, USA is a 738 m (2,421 ft) high quartzite inselberg called Pilot Mountain. The name came from its original Native American name Jomeoke, meaning “great guide” or “pilot” as the distinctive structure served as a guide to the earliest inhabitants of the region. The Mountain has two distinctive knobs, named Big and Little Pinnacle. The vegetation covered rounded top of the Big Pinnacle, also called “The Knob” (shown here) rises 430 m (1,400 ft) high above the surrounding terrain.
Mount Mulanje (Malawi)

Rising sharply from the surrounding terrain of Chiradzulu Malawi, Mulanje Massif also called Mount Mulanje is a massive inselberg with a maximum summit elevation of 3,002 m. Just like Stone Mountain, Mulanje was formed as a result of the upwelling of magma from the earth’s crust millions of years ago. Its existence was first revealed to the world in 1859 by David Livingstone although archeological exploration reveals evidence of human visits as early as the Stone Age. The rock formation is part of the protected Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve.
Stone Mountain (USA)

Stone Mountain is a 251 m (825 ft) high granite dome inselberg in Georgia, USA. The structure was formed as a result of the gush of magma from within the Earth’s crust. The magma hardened to form granite within the crust 8-16 km (5-10 miles) below the surface. The mountain is also defined as a quartz monzonite rock and is famous not only as a rock formation but also for its north face sculptured artwork, the largest bas-relief in the world, where three figures of the Confederate States of America are carved on the huge rock. Stone Mountain has a base circumference of more than 8 km (5 miles).
Suilven (Scotland)

One of the most distinctive mountain in Scotland is Suilven, a rock formation which is made up of Torridonian sandstone. The structure rises from a wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs and lochans known as Inverpolly. Suilven forms a steep-sided ridge about 2 km high. The dome-shaped western summit of the ridge is the 731m (2399 ft) high Caisteal Liath (Grey Castle). The 723 m high central point is called Meall Meadhonach (Round Middle Hill), and at the eastern end sits Meall Beag (Round Little Hill). The mountain is a favorite site for hiking and climbing.
Mount Monadnock (USA)

Mount Monadnock or Grand Monadnock is known as one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world. Rising at 965 m (3,165 ft) high, the inselberg is the highest point in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. It’s bare and isolated peak provides expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The mountain’s name is where the American term monadnock originated.
Mount Cheminis (Canada)

Mount Cheminis is a dome shaped inselberg sitting on the Ontario-Quebec border of Canada. When traveling east on the Trans-Canada highway 66, it can be seen rising 500 m (1,640 ft) above sea level looking like a mirage in the distance. The rock was discovered in the 1600’s by French explorers. Legend has it that the inselberg was used as a place of sacrifice by the earliest settlers of the area. Mount Cheminis is sometimes called Mont Chaudron or Sugar-loaf Mountain; it is a remnant of the last ice age.
Enchanted Rock (Texas, USA)

About 15 miles (24 km) north of Fredericksburg, Texas, USA sits Enchanted Rock, a huge pink granite pluton rock formation. The inselberg covers approximately 2.6 sq km (640 acres) and rises 130 m (425 ft) above the surrounding landscape. The structure was formed as the surrounding sedimentary rock was exposed to erosion. It got its name from the early Native American settlers who believe the rock has magical and spiritual powers. Enchanted Rock is a favorite site for hiking and camping in central Texas.
Uluru (Australia)

Uluru or Ayers Rock is not only one of the most renowned inselberg, but is one of the most famous rock formations in the world. The 348 m (1,142 ft) high sandstone sitting in the Northern Territory of Australia is a sacred site to the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. It is also famous for appearing to change color as different light strikes at different times of the day and year, with sunset a particularly stunning sight as it briefly glows red. Uluru is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sugarloaf Mountain (Brazil)

Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janiero, Brazil is another world renowned rock formation and favorite tourist destination. The name of the 396 m (1,299 ft) high peak is said to refer to the rock’s resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. Some people believed that the name was derived from the word Pau-nh-acuaqua (high hill) in the Tupi-Guarani dialect. The prominent inselberg is one of the several granite and quartz monoliths that rise straight from the water’s edge of the Brazilian capital. Sugarloaf looks so familiar, the mere sight of it in a movie is enough to tell that the setting is in Rio.

Jugurtha’s Table (Tunisia)

Jugurtha’s Table lies 60 km (37 mi) southwest of El Kef, a small city northwest of Tunisia. The stunning rock formation was named after the Libyan King of Numidia (present day Algeria) who fought a mighty battle against the occupying Romans, using the massive flat topped rock as a fortress. The mountain can be seen as far as 50 km (31 mi) away, rising 1200 m (3,937 ft) out of the Tunisia-Algerian border plains. It looks almost perfectly flat as if it was somehow been flattened by man. The inselberg appears barren but when you climb the top you can see Roman ruins, arches and walls, huge Roman cisterns dug deep into the stone to catch rain water and tiny beehive-like house dating from prehistoric times. In spring, its 800,000 sq m surface is covered with wild flowers.
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Elemental ‘Earth Art’ : 15 Epic Landscape Formations

From alluvial fans and massive holes, the sheer scale and splendor of certain magnificent land formations is difficult to capture in words or even images. Here are some of the most profound, stunning and awe-inspiring examples of ‘natural art’ in the world.

Cathedral Caves, New Zealand

The magnificent Cathedral Caves are found in Catlins, New Zealand on the South Island. Featuring two massive caves with distinctive narrow, tall openings, tourists enjoy exploring them from the broad, sandy beach of Catlins. The two caves are actually one cave, so you can enter through the first and exit from the second. Because the caves are in these towering beach bluffs, they can only be accessed for two hours at low tide.

Alluvial Fan, China

This stunning alluvial fan sprays across the Kunlun and Altun mountain ranges, which are located at the Southern end of China’s Taklimakan Desert. Alluvial fans are defined as soft, relatively flat, gently sloping planes of loose rock and sediment, comonly found in mountains and deposited by water. This is one of the largest in the world.

Mt. St. Helens, Oregon, United States

This volcanic mountain of St. Helens, part of the Cascade Mountain range that runs through the Pacific Northwest into Canada, is famous for its violent explosion in May of 1980 that devastated the region and sent a cloud of ash and debris around the world. Over 200 square miles of forestland were flattened and turned to ash. A new lava dome has continually grown in the decades since, and with steam escaping daily and mild tremors, scientists keep a close eye on it. As you can see from the lower right image, the land has gradually begun to rebound, with light vegetation and animals beginning to return – until the next eruption.

Brandberg Massif, Africa

Like a giant, knobby mesa, the Brandberg Massif rises out of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa. This granite intrusion is riddled with caves full of art and is home to many unusual plants and animals that flourish in the hot, dry environment.

Shoemaker Impact Structure, Australia

Hundreds of millions of years ago – between 1000 and 600, scientists estimate – a meteor crashed into Australia and created this 30km wide basin formerly known as the Teague Ring (it was renamed after a renowned USGS scientist named Eugene Shoemaker). It is arid and harsh, full of dry lakebeds and encrusted with salt.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The iconic, massive and complex Great Barrier Reef is just as beautiful from the aerial view as when one is swimming near it. Home to an incredibly diverse array of sharks, fish, plants, coral and other marine wildlife, the Barrier Reef stretches over 2,600km in the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia. It’s the largest reef system in the world, with 900 islands and 2,900 coral reefs. Like the Great Wall of China, this unique structure is one of the few structures made by organisms (in this case coral, not people) that is visible from space.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

Images via Rick Searfoss, Steven Pinker and Cedar City Tourism Bureau

The famous Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful examples of earth art. Carved over the course of 6 million years by the waters of the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 4 to 18 miles wide and in places over a mile deep. The steep-sided gorge was once populated by Native Americans and artifacts of up to 12,000 years in age have been found. The Grand Canyon was one of the first lands to be preserved and made a national park .

African Richat

This unique structure in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania can be seen from space. It is 50 miles wide and rather unusual for the fairly featureless Sahara. Though people often refer to it as an impact structure, it’s actually the natural result of hundreds of thousands of years of erosion. Formed from layers of sedimentary rock, fierce winds and shifting sand dunes have worn away at the material, leaving a crater impression behind. It is also known as the Eye of Africa.

Namib Sand Dunes, Namibia

The Namib Sand Dunes are part of the Namib Desert, which is Africa’s 2nd largest desert after the Sahara. The desert is famous for these massive and eternally shifting sand dunes, which are larger than any others on earth and can reach up to 1,000 feet in height. One of the oldest deserts on earth, Namib is home to unusual plant and animal species that can survive the incredibly harsh, arid conditions.

Alien Boulders?

Of course no earth art series would be complete without the requisite conspiracy theory. Rock outcrops and unusual formations that seem difficult to explain away through natural phenomena are popularly held up as proof of aliens, unknown civilizations, government conspiracies and more. Usually, these rock structures – such as the ones shown here, in Oklahoma and West Virginia – can in fact be explained by geological history and even weather, intentional in design as they may appear to be.

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Case in point: Giant’s Causeway. Though it certainly looks chiseled and hewn, this incredible rock bridge is completely natural. 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which are mostly hexagonal. These basalt rocks were formed when molten lava was pushed through cracked chalk beds. As the lava cooled, the liquid basalt contracted into the distinctive shapes that are so famous.

Barringer Meteorite Crater, Arizona, United States

The Barringer Meteorite Crater in Arizona was formed 50,000 years ago when a meteorite impacted land in what is now Arizona. Basically a giant hole, the Meteorite Crater (or Meteor Crater) has 150 rims with stones the size of houses and spans a mile. It’s also 570 feet deep. Remnants of meteoric iron are scattered around the crater for miles.

The Green Bridge of Wales

The Green Bridge of Wales, in Pembrokeshire, was formed through the natural erosion of limestone, of which the arch is made. It’s the largest natural arch in Wales and one of the biggest in the world, to boot. Due to coastal erosion and waves, eventually it will collapse.

Alum Bay, Isle of Wight

The gorgeous waters of Alum Bay off the Isle of Wight are distinctive enough, but the special exhibit on display here is the cliffs. Seen at certain times of day, particularly sunset, the cliffs deceive the eye and appear to be striped in diverse bright colors. In truth the cliff sands do vary in color noticeably, but certain shadows and angles heighten the difference into a dramatic display.

The Himalayas, Asia

The Himalayas, which separate the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau in Asia, are the largest mountains in the world. Mt. Everest, the tallest peak on earth, is found in this astonishing mountain range of icy, jagged peaks and soaring ridges. (Over 100 of the range’s mountains are higher than 7,200m.) The range is over 2,400km long, and its water basin supports 1.3 billion people.

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Thursday, November 5, 2009

15 Girlie Drinks No Man Should Be Seen Ordering

“I’ll have an Appletini neat please.” Whoa! What in the name of masculinity did you just order? Just as easily as you earned your man card by swilling bourbon, it can be revoked for ordering “girlie drinks.” No disrespect ladies, but men have a code of conduct to uphold in regards to booze. Men, I ask you, would you order a Cinnamon Kiss in the presence of Chuck Norris? My point exactly. So pay attention, because these beverages are taboo for men.

Appletini

In the late 1970’s an Irish bartender known as Barry Lovern created the original apple martini. Three parts vodka, one part schnapps and one part Cointreau, this liquid apple delight is commonly ordered at bars across the U.S. The problem with the Appletini is that after several of them the sweet liqueur will begin churning your stomach. Now you’re feeling sick and the only person to blame is yourself for this terrible alcohol preference.

Banana Daiquiri

Everyone claims that while you’re in the Caribbean climate you should enjoy tropical fruity beverages. Wrong! You find yourself a duty-free bottle of spiced rum and get to work. Originating from Cuba, this drink is nine parts white rum, four parts lime juice, one part Grenadine, half a banana and half a lime. Blend all ingredients except for the fruit and pour into cocktail glass. Place the half lime on top of the banana half, insert banana into beverage and serve. Man law states that no man should ever order a drink in which fruit genitalia is the garnish. Ever.

Champagne Cocktail

There is only one instance in which champagne, by itself, is acceptable for a man to drink and that is New Year’s Eve. Champagne cocktails consist of six ounces of champagne, one sugar cube and a dash of bitters. The sugar cube is dipped in the bitters for a few seconds, then placed in the bottom of the glass. The champagne is poured over it and served. Nothing advertises your arrogance as ordering a champagne cocktail does. If drinking champagne is unavoidable, then we firmly suggest you chug it from the bottle.

Chocolate Kiss

Let’s clear the air right now: I don’t care what your girlfriend says, alcohol and chocolate do not mix. This sensual drink contains one ounce Crème de Cacao, one ounce Frangelico, one ounce of vodka and one Hershey’s kiss. Pour liquid ingredients into shaker with ice, shake well, strain, drop in Hershey’s kiss, and garnish with chocolate mint. Beware the chocolate mustache this drink can leave behind, which is rather embarrassing as it proves you’re oblivious, as well as pathetic. A good rule of thumb is that if the drink contains candy you should avoid drinking it at all costs.

Girl Scout Cookie

As if we weren’t bombarded enough with Girl Scouts selling overpriced cookies outside Walmart, the happy-go-lucky spirit of these tenacious tweens has entered the last bastion of manhood: the bar. With half an ounce Bailey’s Irish cream, half an ounce of Kahlua coffee liqueur and half an ounce of peppermint schnapps, this taste bud bending beverage is sugar, spice, and everything nice. Thus it has no business being in a place of desperation, delusion, and dirty toilets. As a man you can be seen eating an entire sleeve of Girl Scout cookies, yet if caught drinking a Girl Scout cookie you become the week’s inside joke.

Cosmopolitan

This gem is three parts vodka citron, one part Cointreau, one part fresh lime juice, two parts cranberry juice and lemon twist for garnish. One of the heavy hitters in the “girlie drink” category, the Cosmopolitan was created in the late 1970’s, but reached the height of its popularity in the 1990’s. With the help of a program aired on HBO called “Sex and the City,” the Cosmopolitan gained notoriety – especially in New York City where the show was set in and filmed. Everything about this drink counts as reasons not to be seen ordering it.

Dreamsicle

Honestly? A Dreamsicle? What are you, eight years old? No man can be seen ordering this drink, or any variation of it, such as a Creamsicle. This one is one part vodka, half part triple sec, six ounces of orange juice and a tablespoon of half and half. Mix vodka, triple sec, and orange juice in a shaker, pour into cocktail glass and float with half and half and there you have one of the least masculine drinks imaginable. If that weren’t enough, mixing half and half with alcohol, such as cheap vodka, encourages curdling, especially if the bartender mixes improperly.

Fuzzy Navel

The only time this beverage is acceptable for a man to be seen drinking is never. One of the most awkward moments shared with your bartender will be requesting a Fuzzy Navel. Only two parts orange juice and two parts peach schnapps, the fuzzy navel is not only weak, but loaded with sugar. You can drink ten of them and you will remain sober, and the odds of vomiting are nearly a sure thing.

Harvey Wallbanger

This fancy titled drink is nothing but a screwdriver in disguise. Three parts vodka, one part Galliano and six parts fresh orange juice, the Harvey Wallbanger is definitely a drink a man shouldn’t be ordering. Garnished with either an orange peel or a cherry atop the floating Galliano, this drink is severely sweet. In the 1970’s a surfer in southern California named Harvey was known to float his cocktails with Galliano, and upon leaving the bar one night he banged his head when he walked straight into the wall, hence the Harvey Wallbanger.

Screaming Orgasm

At first glance, nearly all men would and will say that a Screaming Orgasm is desirable and rewarding. Before we get our minds stuck in the gutter, let’s see what it takes to make a Screaming Orgasm. One ounce vodka, one and a half ounce Bailey’s Irish cream and half an ounce of Kahlua is what it takes to get the kitten purring. Pour vodka into shaker followed by Bailey’s, stir and add Kahlua and ice. Shake, strain into shot glass and serve. This drink packs a punch and will tire you out after a few rounds, just like any screaming orgasm should, but can you really be seen asking for it by name? Probably not.

Sex on the Beach

In this crazy world, a “Blowjob on a Pier” can lead to “Sex on the Beach” which ultimately leads to a “Screaming Orgasm.” Sounds like the tagline to an erotic love-noire. Blowjob on a Pier is the sister mix of Sex on the Beach, which happens to be one of the most popular drinks among bars today. One part peach schnapps, one part vodka, one and a half parts cranberry, orange, pineapple juice and garnished with orange peels and cherries, this cocktail is the fruitiest of the fruits. Guys who order this drink are usually wearing a pink polo shirt with the collar popped, a pukka shell necklace and undoubtedly the khaki pants. Pretentious as it is pretty, Sex on the Beach is a great idea for guys, but not a great drink to be heard ordering.

Slippery Nipple

This oddly named drink first appeared in New York City during the 1980’s; however, no evidence exists to credit the individual who created the cocktail. Pour half an ounce of Sambuca into a shot glass and then pour half an ounce of Bailey’s Irish cream on top of the Sambuca an dyou have a Slippery Nipple. Take notice the cream sits atop the Sambuca, as they will not mix together alone. This is a sign to stop while you’re ahead, because this shot is garnished with cherry and occasionally a dash of Grenadine. Ordering half dozen slippery nipples tends to make you look like a boob, so switch to something harder!

Tootsie Roll

Now this drink we can see fat guys lining up down the block to get. Half an ounce dark crème de cacao and half an ounce of orange juice combine to make a deceptive drink known as a Tootsie Roll. Served in a shot glass, the Tootsie Roll is extremely sweet and inadequately potent. Adding Kahlua will up the ante on alcohol content, as well as the heaviness in your stomach. If you remember the aforementioned rule of thumb regarding orange juice you would know not to order this drink.

White Russian

White Russians have a notorious reputation of turning the consumer into a wild, belligerent man-beast. With four parts vodka, one and a half parts Kahlua and two parts fresh cream, the White Russian packs a knockout punch. The popularity of the drink has resurfaced due to a cult film called The Big Lebowski, where the protagonist dubbed “the Dude” constantly requests, makes and ingests White Russians throughout the movie. For all these reasons some men like the idea of drinking White Russians, but once you spend a night praying to the porcelain God afterward, you’ll think otherwise.

White Zinfandel

Wine is an acceptable choice for a man to drink, but only if it’s red wine. White Zinfandel is a pink colored blush wine that doesn’t have the same complexities of a deep, rich red wine. Sitting at the bar drinking with your buddies, are you honestly going to order White Zinfandel? You sacrifice your dignity and machismo in doing so, as well as your cool nickname. Finally, no one likes a grown man tanked on wine spilling his guts to everyone he knows, while at the same time everyone laughs at him for being such a lush.

Worlds BEST & BIGGEST

WORLD'S BIGGEST INDOOR SWIMMING-POOL

World Water Park ..... Edmonton, Albert , Canada ..............SIZE....5 Acres

WORLD'S BIGGESTOFFICECOMPLEX. CHICAGO

Chicago Merchandise Mart.....Illinois , USA

WORLD'S BIGGEST SHOPPING MALL

South China Mall, Dongguan, China.........892,000 meter-square Shops on 6 floors

WORLD'S BUSIEST AIRPORT...............NEW YORK

J.F.K International Airport , New York ....................USA

WORLD'S WIDEST BRIDGE........ AUSTRALIA

Sydney harbor bridge, Australia........16 lanes of car traffic.....8 lanes in the upper floor, 8 in the lower floor

WORLD'S LONGEST BRIDGE.........CHINA

Donghai Bridge , China ........................32.5 kilo meters

WORLD'S BIGGEST PASSENGER-SHIP

MS Freedom of the Seas......4300 passenger Capacity Inside

WORLD'S BIGGEST PLANE...............AIRBUS

Airbus A380...........555 Passengers

WORLD'S BIGGEST BUS

Neoplan Jumbo -cruiser........2 in 1 bus....double deck bus......170 passenger capacity

WORLD'S HIGHEST STATUE................BRAZIL

CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE.....RIO.D.J....BRAZIL

WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING......... DUBAI

Burj Dubai..........900 meters high. To be finally completed 2008

WORLD'S BIGGEST STADIUM..........BRAZIL

MARACANA STADIUM............ RIO D.J............ BRAZIL...............CAPACITY...199,000

WORLD'S BIGGEST EXCAVATOR

Built by KRUPP of Germany.............45,500 tons......95 meters high......215 meters long

WORLDS BIGGEST TOOL

WORLD'S BUSIEST AIRPORT: NEW YORK

J.F.K International Airport , New York, USA

WORLD'S LARGEST PALACE: ROMANIA

Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, Romania. Has more than 500 bedrooms, 55 kitchens,120 sitting rooms.

WORLD'S BIGGEST STADIUM: BRAZIL

Maracana Stadium, Rio D.J, Brazil. Capacity: 199,000

WORLD'S COSTLIEST STADIUM: ENGLAND

New WEMBLEY STADIUM, London. 90, 000 capacities. Cost: $1.6 billion

WORLD'S LARGEST MOSQUE: PAKISTAN

Shah Feisal mosque. Islamabad, Pakistan
Inside hall capacity: 35, 000. Ooutside overflow capacity: 150,000

WORLD'S BIGGEST HOTEL: LAS VEGAS

MGM Grand Hotel. Las Vegas. Has 6, 276 rooms

WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE HOTE: DUBAI, U.A.E

Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai. Only 7 Star Hotel in the World
Cheapest room: $1000 per night. Royal suit: $28,000 per night

WORLD'S BIGGEST CHURCH BUILDING: NIGERIA

Winners' C hapel. Located in: Canaanland, Otta, Nigeria
Inside Sitting Capacity: 50,000. Outside Overflow Capacity: 250,000

WORLD'S BIGGEST ROMAN-CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL: IVORY-COAST

Terrorist Organization Logos

Terrorist groups, like any organization, need brand identities. With so many groups claiming credit for terrorist acts, and so many videotapes being put out featuring men in ski masks, it’s hard to keep track of which group committed what violent act. So terrorist organizations have logos. It recently occurred to me that someone had to actually design those logos. But how did they decide who gets to do it? Did the job go to whichever terrorist had a copy of Adobe Illustrator?

Stars

It occurs to me that “stars inside circles” is a subgroup of this category.

One Gun

Notice that there’s a little bit of overlap between this group and the last group. The last two “Stars” logos featured a gun, but I decided that the star motif was strong enough to keep them in the “Star” group. The first logo in this group has a star, too, but it’s small.

The bottom three logos are presented in the order they were designed, each inspired by the one before it.

Two guns crossed

Why settle for one gun, when you can have two?

Other weapons crossed

Guns are so barbaric. Here are some logos which feature blades instead.

Crossbones

White supremacists seem to prefer skulls over swords. Hey, haven’t I seen that Combat 18 logo somewhere before?

Animals with multiple heads

The SLA’s seven-headed cobra, below, was apparently taken from an ancient Sri Lankan symbol.

Other

What to make of the rest? I’m not sure what the Oromo Liberation Front logo is supposed to suggest. And that “EPB” logo doesn’t inspire terror at all. It looks like an Olympic team logo. I’ve never heard of the Creativity Movement before, and now I still have no idea what they stand for. What’s with the “W”?
Quick Disclaimer: I picked these terrorist groups from a list of designated terrorist organizations on Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_organisations

Barren Desert Lands Exploding With Color

The word desert often conjures images of undulating sand dunes and vast, arid wastelands, but sometimes there’s more hidden in the driest plains of the world – colors that even the best artist would find hard to create. Yet, when things are left to the divine hand of Mother Nature, she never ceases to amaze. Below are some of the kaleidoscopic colors our globe’s deserts have to offer. Enjoy.

1. This amazing image of moonset was taken at Joshua Tree National Park, in the Mojave Desert, US. The image was captured in a single exposure, and the intense, pure tones are all natural. Impressive photography.

2. Just east of Page, Arizona is the wonderful Antelope Canyon, part of the Navajo Nation Reservation. It attracts both professional and amateur photographers keen to capture the amazing undulations and myriad colors of the ancient rocks.

3. Located in Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia, Dead Vlei is a clay bed surrounded by the highest sand dunes in the world, some reaching 300 meters high. The 500-year-old trees are mere skeletons, once fed by the Tsauchab River.

4. The Painted Desert in Northern Arizona is an impressive sight, and grants such amazing photo opportunities it’s difficult to choose just one to represent the area. This image offers a close-up view of the type of terrain that produces this colorful landscape.

5. It’s a rare treat to see snow in the desert, and rarer still to capture a sunset such as this on a winter’s night. This winter wonderland is Antelope Valley, California.

6. This stunning image was captured in the Central Desert of Iran, between Tabas and Khoor. Despite the dry climate, Tabas is also known for having one of the oldest public gardens – the 300-year-old garden of Bagh-e-golshan.

7. The desert globemallow is an extremely drought-tolerant plant and so is found in many arid parts of the world. This particular shot was taken in Sabino Canyon, Tuscan, Arizona. The flower is most commonly an orange color but also appears in hues of pink, white and red.

8. Taken in Jaisalmer, Rajastan, this wonderful image manages to capture a kaleidoscope of colors in one shot. The simple composition is a winner, too.

9. The Mojave Desert is thought to be home to between 1,750 and 2,000 species of plants. These yellow blooms were photographed near the Tweny-nine Palms area, in the Californian part of the desert. The Mojave covers a whopping 22,000 square miles and occupies parts of four different states in the US.

10. On first glance this picture looks like the little mounds left behind by sand worms on the beach. It’s only when you see the tyre tracks in the sand that the real scale of the formations are evident. The photograph was taken in an area near the White Desert, Egypt, called the Old Desert.

11. The aptly named Artist’s Palette is an area in Death Valley, in the southwestern part of the United States. The varied hues in the exposed clay and mudstone are due to the area’s rich mineral content.

12. This cool photo is just a small snippet of a vast salt lake in Khoor, Iran. It contains a small amount of water in the winter months but during the summer, when temperatures soar, salt crusts are left behind on the surface, forming this scale-like pattern.

13. Looking like the remnants of a snow fall, these chalk deposits can be found in the White Desert, an area to the north-east of Qasr el-Farafra, Egypt. The other-worldly landscape is dotted with brilliant white boulders, which jut up through the desert sands, making for fabulous photographs.

14. Only around the corner from the volcanoes, lagoons and salt plains of Uyuni, Bolivia, is yet another stunning landscape. This image was captured on the way to Tupiza, which sits at an elevation of about 3160 m above sea level.

15. It wouldn’t seem right to do an article about deserts without including the token camels and impressive sand dunes shot. So, here it is. This photograph was taken in Kumtag Desert, near Turpan, one of the old Silk Road cities in China.

Hidden Treasures Of Pirates In Flash

Famous Pirates : Ahoy mateys! Meet some of the pirates of the Whydah. Pictured from left are Hendrick Quintor, John King, Sam Bellamy and John Julian.

Underwater explorer Barry Clifford holds some of the treasures recovered from the wreck site of the Whydah, which sank in 1717. Many of these artifacts will be on display in the new National Geographic exhibition, “Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah From Slave Ship to Pirate Ship.”

This gold ring recovered from the wreck site of the Whydah has been the subject of much conjecture. Some believe the cryptic letters are the abbreviation for a Welsh “good luck” wish. Others speculate that they may be of African origin. Another theory has it that the ring once belonged to a Royal Navy seaman named Teye, who later turned pirate.

When this bell was discovered, it provided the final confirmation that the wreck site was indeed that of the Whydah, which sank in 1717. The bell is part of a new National Geographic exhibition, “Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah From Slave Ship to Pirate Ship,”

This pistol with its brass serpentine side plate was recovered from the wreck site of the sunken ship Whydah.

This gold coin was one of many found at the wreck site of the Whydah, which sank in 1717.

And more pirate booty! Coins and artifacts recovered from the wreck site of the Whydah, which sank in 1717.

The quality and engraving of this turtledove seal suggest that it was made for a wealthy buyer.

Fascinating Fractals in Nature

From clouds and snow flakes, to crystals and blood vessels, approximate fractals are easily found in nature. Coined by french mathematician Benoît Mandelbrot in 1975, a "fractal" is a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole, a property called "self-similarity". In the case of natural fractals, they display self-similar structure over an extended -but finite- scale range.

Meet some of the most beautiful fractals we've found in nature.

Peacock fractal

Coastline fractal

Coastline fractal in midwest USA

Snow flake fractal

Sea shell fractal

Sea urchin fractal

Fractal tree

Tree Leave fractal

Queen Anne's Lace fractal

Lightning fractal

Manic Monkey Waiters in Japan

Not your typical monkey business, two furry critters are making a monkey out of top-notch maître d’s as they serve tables waiting on hungry customers in Japan, working for nothing more than mere peanuts — or rather, soya beans, to be specific.

The two monkey waiters are the star attraction at the Kayabukiya tavern, a traditional “sake house” north of Tokyo, which employed the uniformed Japanese macaque.

Yat-chan and Fuku-chan serve customers drinks and hot towels to clean their hands before they order, as per Japanese custom, and are given soya beans as tips which they get to eat in their down-time.

Four-year-old Fuku-chan has only 2 years experience under his furry belt, so his work load is limited to hot towels.

The macaque monkeys are actually family pets that have been allowed to help in the bar. It all came about when tavern owner Kaoru Otsuka noticed 12-year-old Yat-chan had started aping him, and realized they were capable of working in the restaurant.

“Yat-chan first learned by just watching me working in the restaurant.” said Kaoru.

“It all started when one day I gave him a hot towel out of curiosity and he brought the towel to the customer.”

Both monkeys are certified by the local authorities, which means that animal rights regulations regularly visit the premises to ensure the creatures aren’t being mistreated.

“The monkeys are actually better waiters than some really bad human ones.” said Takayoshi Soeno, a customer at the restaurant.

Shoichi Yano, a regular at Kayabukiya’s, says the animals are like her children.

“Actually, [they're] better.” she said. “My son doesn’t listen to me but Yat-chan will.”

Some customers claim that Yat-chan can even understand their exact orders.

“We called out for more beer just then and it brought us some beer!” said customer Miho Takikkawa, who came to the tavern specifically to meet the monkeys.

“It’s amazing how it seems to understand human words.”

The monkeys work in shifts of up to a maximum of two hours a day due to Japanese animal rights regulations.

But owner Otsuka is hoping to train another generation of monkey waiters, after receiving three new baby monkeys this year.

Monkey Waiters in Japan

Legendary Great Blue Hole of Belize

The Great Blue Hole — the world’s largest blue hole — is a massive underwater sinkhole off of the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of the Belize mainland. The hole is near perfectly circular in shape, more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) across and 480 feet (146 meters) deep.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is the result of repeated collapses of a limestone cave system formed during lower sea level stands in the course of the last ice age.

The outer edge is merely a few feet underwater at high tide. It’s 480 feet (146 meters) deep instead of the shallower 390 foot depth because the atoll is on a geological fault block that’s been subsiding into the basin through geologic time. It’s not an easy place to reach.

This incredible geographical phenomenon is one of the most astounding dive sites in the world, made famous by Jacques-Yves Cousteau who declared it one of the Top 4 scuba diving sites on Earth. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso and his 1-man submarines to the hole to chart its depths and examine stalactites suspended from overhanging walls.

Contrary to rumors, Cousteau did not lose his son Philippe here — he died elsewhere in a helicopter accident. Neither did Cousteau randomly use explosives to destroy the patch reefs while navigating the Calypso in the Blue Hole. He did selectively remove — by limited blasting — a very small area to enable the Calypsoto reach the Blue Hole.

It has been likened by some to a journey into a prehistoric place in time. Great depth creates the deep blue indigo color that causes such structures to be known as ‘blue holes.’ Except for 2 narrow channels, coral surrounds the hole and breaks the surface in many areas at low tide.

Pederson’s cleaning shrimp are everywhere inhabiting the ringed and knobby anemones, and neon gobies advertise their cleaning services from the various coral heads. Angelfish, butterflyfish, hamnlets, and small groupers are also commonly seen. Elkhorn coral grows to the surface and purple seafans sweep at the calm surface waters, glittering their rich hues.

The walls are sheer from the surface until a depth of approximately 110 feet (44 meters) where you begin to encounter stalactite formations which actually angle back, allowing you to dive beneath monstrous overhangs. The water is motionless and visibility often approaches 200 feet (61 meters).

The deeper areas inside the Blue Hole don’t have the profusion of life associated with most drop-offs as a result of poorly circulating waters and little light.

Locals feel it should be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s protected by the Belize Audubon Society and is a Belize National Monument. It became a World Heritage site in 1997

For millions of years the Blue Hole was a dry cave in which massive stalactites and stalagmites slowly formed. When the last ice age ended thousands of years ago, sea levels rose to cover the cave. When diving the Blue Hole, you swim under what is left of the old ceiling to view the remaining stalactites and stalagmites.

A major earthquake likely caused the cave ceiling to collapse forming the sinkhole, and the upheaval had the effect of tilting Lighthouse Reef to an angle of about 12 degrees. All along the walls of this former cavern are overhangs and ledges, housing pleistocene stalactites, stalagmites and columns.

Evidence for this are the shelves and ledges carved into the limestone by the sea, which run the complete interior circumference of the Blue Hole at various depths. The first of these ledges is found between 150 and 165 feet (45 to 50 meters) and best visited on the south side.

The base of the ledge is perfectly flat and cuts back into the rock some 15 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters). This creates an ever-narrowing cavern until the roof reaches the floor right at the back. V-shaped ledges cut into solid limestone bear stalactites, stalagmites and columns which do not exist in the shallower waters of the Blue Hole.

The deeper one dives into the Blue Hole, the clearer the water and the more breathtaking the scenery, as the array of bizarre stalactites and limestone formations which mold its walls become more complex and intense.

On the western side at a depth of 230 feet (70 meters), there is an entrance through a narrow tunnel into a large cavern. In total darkness the stalactites, stalagmites and columns exist in an undisturbed world.

The floor is covered with very fine silt which billows into great clouds with the slightest movement from a passing diver. In the farthest corner, another narrow tunnel leads upwards into a 2nd cavern and another leads to a 3rd cavern where the skeletal remains of turtles which found their way in, never made their way out.

Some of the tunnels are thought to be linked right through to the mainland, though it has never been conclusively proven. The mainland also has many water-filled sinkholes which are connected to caves and tunnels.

2-foot long cores revealed outstanding sedimentary laminations during a study by Robert F. Dill and divers from the Cambrian Foundation in 1997. There is no oxygen near the bottom, and hydrogen sulfide prevents bottom dwellers from burrowing and disturbing the sediment.

Preliminary analyses of the short cores showed fluctuating pollen, spores, mercury, and arsenic levels ranging from 15 and 21 ppm (parts per million). Other events recorded in the short cores included hurricane or large storm layers. The storm layers are light-colored and beautifully laminated.

Water doesn’t circulate freely in the Blue Hole, so there is very little marine life below its shallow depths. In the deeper waters of the Blue Hole, one might see the scarce sighting of sharks. Caves are filled with huge stalactites and stalagmites at the 150 foot level — some ranging from an incredible 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 meters) long and 5 to10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters) in diameter.

The temperature at a depth of 130 feet (40 meters) is about 76 degrees F (24 C) the year round.

Lighthouse Reef, an atoll approximately 25 miles long and 10 to 12 miles wide, has a typical enclosed lagoon. The depths in this lagoon vary from 5 to 25 feet (1.5 to 7.5 meters), where many scattered coral formations known as patch reefs are found within.

Near to The Blue Hole, the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument encompasses 10,000 acres of the atoll and 15 square miles of surrounding waters.

Astonishing Mystical and Bewitched Caves

Caves — a mysterious world of the underground for which no 2 are alike with vast chambers and complex labyrinths of stalagmites and geological formations carved into earth and sea beds over centuries. Throughout history primitive peoples have used caves for shelter, burial, and religious sites — several are even told to bear curses. Here are 5 of some of the most astonishing, mystical and bewitched caves of breathtaking wonderment.

Carlsbad Caverns
Located in the Guadalupe Mountains approximately 18 miles (29 kilometers) southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico lies the celebrated underworld of Carlsbad Caverns, an incomparable realm of gigantic subterranean chambers and incredible, whimsical cave formations 750 feet below ground.

Flowstone is a form of speleothem that forms where calcium-carbonate-rich water trickles down the walls of a cavern. Over time travertine accumulates in unusual drapery and ripple-shaped patterns, reflecting the constantly changing pattern of surface water flow and mineral accumulation.

Said to be the largest natural cave system in the world by certain terms with 81 known caves, the Big Room is 4,000 feet (1219 meters) long, 625 feet (190.5 meters) wide, and 255 feet (78 meters) high at its highest point.

You can hike into the interior rooms on your own via the natural entrance, or take an elevator directly down into the center of the public cave area.

The Sword of Damocles, the long stalactite on the right, was named by
park rangers in 1928

Unlike a large proportion of caves which are the product of carbonic acid dissolution, Carlsbad Caverns have developed as hydrogen sulphide gas from underlying oil and gas deposits seeped upwards and combined with fresh water to form sulphuric acid which has eroded the limestone.

Human occupation of the park area began with the arrival of Palaeo Indians around 12,000 B.C. followed by archaic hunters who settled in the region about 6000 B.C. and remained until 800 A.D. Pictographs left by the hunters are found in several park caves including the copiously decorated Painted Grotto, Upper Painted Grotto and Slaughter Canyon Cave

Painted Grotto.

An unusual method of exploration was invented in 1985. In a dome area 255 ft (77.7 meters) above the Big Room floor not far from the Bottomless Pit, a stalagmite leaned out. Using helium filled balloons attached to a balsa wood loop, the explorers — after several tries over several years — floated a light weight cord that snagged the target stalagmite.

Once the cord was in position up, over, and back to the ground, a climbing rope was pulled into position, and the explorers ascended into what they named The Spirit World. A similar, smaller room was found in the main entrance corridor, and was named Balloon Ballroom in honor of this technique.

In 1993, a series of small passages totaling nearly a mile in combined length was found in the ceiling of the New Mexico Room which was named Chocolate High. It was the largest discovery in the cave since the Guadalupe Room was found in 1966.

Rock of Ages in the Big Room

Hall of Giants

he Bottomless Pit was originally said to have no bottom — stones were tossed into it, but no sound of the stones striking the bottom was heard. Later exploration revealed that the bottom was about 140 feet (40meters) deep and covered with soft dirt. The stones made no sound when they struck the bottom because they were lodged in the soft soil.

Jim White explored many of the rooms and gave them their names, including the Big Room, New Mexico Room, King’s Palace, Queen’s Chamber, Papoose Room, and Green Lake Room. He also named many of the cave’s more prominent formations, such as the Totem Pole, Witch’s Finger, Giant Dome, Bottomless Pit, Fairyland, Iceberg Rock, Temple of the Sun, and Rock of Ages.

Bats
A large, unadorned rocky passage connected to the main entrance corridor was mined for bat guano in the early 20th century where the majority of the cave’s bat population lives.

Carlsbad Cavern Amphitheater

Beginning of 1-mile descending hike to Carlsbad’s Big Room

Hundreds of thousands of bats fly out at sundown, exiting in a rapid spiral and flying their separate ways in search of food.

16 species of bats live in the park, including a large number of Mexican Free-tailed Bats. It’s estimated that the population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats once numbered in the millions but has declined drastically in modern times, with a current population peak of several hundred thousand when the young pups are flying in the fall.

The cause of this decline is unknown but the pesticide DDT is often listed as a primary cause. Populations appear to be on the increase in recent years but are nowhere near the levels that were once there.

Witch’s Finger

Top of the Cross

Cave Pearls in Lower Rookery Cave

King’s Palace.

Guardian of the Domes.

Cave entrance

Lechuguilla Cave
Lechuguilla Cave is as of 2006, the 5th longest cave known to exist in the world at 120 miles (193 kilometers), the 3rd longest known limestone cave in the U.S., and the deepest in the continental United States at 1,604 feet (489 meters), located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. It’s most famous for its unusual geology, rare formations, and pristine condition, bearing the largest collection of hydromagnesite balloon-like formations and subaqueous helictite formations.

Boulder Falls — the long passage the cavers discovered in 1986 ended at an overhanging abyss. Using ropes, the cavers rappelled 150 feet down through this hole, which they named in honor of the loose stones it shed as they rappelled down.

The entrance is located in an old mining pit called Misery Hole in an obscure corner of Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico. Restricted to approved scientific researchers, survey and exploration teams, it’s not accessible to the general public, and the exact location of Misery Hole — a 90 feet (27 meter) entrance pit — is kept relatively hidden in an attempt to preserve the cave in its most undisturbed state.

These cave pearls found in Boulder Falls were just a taste of what was to come deeper in the cave

BEAUTY OF GOD

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