Western Ghats, India

Western Ghats


Mountain range of the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, in the north of the river Tapti southern tip of India along the west coast of India.

They are positioned so rich in biodiversity, biogeography unique Western Ghats - a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity. Although covering an area of ​​180,000 square kilometers, 6% of India's land area, just under that contains more than 30 percent of all plants, fish, cranes, animals, birds and mammal species found in India's Western Ghats. Many species are endemic, such as Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius) and lion-tailed macaque (Macaca Silenus), in fact, India's amphibians and 50%, 67% of fish are endemic to the area .
The area has a spectacular combination of large mammals - about 30% of the world's Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population and 17% of the world's existing tiger (Panthera tigris) call this area their home. Through a number of important national wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves, national parks protect these extensions.

Western Ghats, including a diversity of ecosystems, from tropical wet evergreen forest mountain grassland, containing a variety of medicinal plants and important genetic resources, such as wild relatives of cereals, fruits and spices. They also include a unique ecosystem consisting of Saura mountain grasslands dotted with evergreen broadleaf forest patches.

Western Ghats perform important hydrological and watershed functions. Approximately 245 million people live in the Indian peninsula receives originated most of the Western Ghats water. Thus, the region's soil and water to maintain the livelihoods of millions. With the Indo-Malayan region may be an exception, no other biodiversity hotspots affect the lives of such a large population.

Historically, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has been considerable in the region a strong presence. From the MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation's support through the protection of biodiversity "hotspots" program (1993-2005), since the early 1990s, the organization has been actively involved in the Western Ghats region. The current focus of the work has been to identify and map important wildlife corridors, human-elephant conflict mitigation, strengthening protected area management, and promote sustainable livelihoods and assess the status of key species like tigers and Nilgiri tahr development and protection outside protected areas policies. State and local government agencies, civil society organizations and community groups in the region have developed a strong relationship and partnership.

Agra fort, Delhi, India

Agra fort


Agra Fort is located in Agra, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fort also known as Lal its pull, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. This is its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal approximately 2.5 kilometers northwest. Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.
Akbar built of red sandstone Agra Fort, when he was through with his consolidation of power, the power to join in 1654, Agra Fort worked as a military strategic point of view as well as the royal residence.
. Ever since Babur defeated and killed Ibrahin Lodi in Panipat in 1526, Agra played an important center of Mughal Empire, it is in a ruined condition, Akbar decided to make his capital, and Akbar arrived in Agra in 1558 has been rebuilt with red sandstone. Architects laid the foundation and built a brick, the outer surface of the inner core with sandstone. Some 1,444,000 builders worked for eight years, was completed in 1573.
At the end of his life, his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort, might not seem so harsh punishment, considering the luxury fortress, Shah Jahan was imprisoned. Is rumored, Shah Jahan died in an excellent view of the Taj Mahal's marble balcony, Burj Dubai tower Muasamman.
Fort contains splendid palaces both in red sandstone and white marble built two generations of prolific builders Akbar Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Nearly 500 Akbari buildings built in the Bengal and Gujarat tradition only a few people survived, arrayed in a band in the river.
Some fine structure, it is worth mentioning:

Sheesh Mahal - literally "Glass Palace", which is made up of tiny mirror-like glass mosaics on the walls of the royal dressing room.

Zhiyuan-I-am - This is a public communications between ground and nobility, once housed the Peacock seat.

Diwan-I-Haas - private audience hall, which is used to welcome kings and dignitaries.

Anguri Bagh - this house 85 m2, geometric arrangement of lush gardens.

Cass Taj Mahal - a perfect white marble palace.

Mina Mosque - literally means "day mosque, it is a small mosque open to the public.

Nagina Mosque - literally means "precious stone mosque, its purpose is specifically for the ladies.

Musamman sailing - with a balcony facing the Taj Mahal, a large, octagonal tower.

Manhattanhenge, Manhattan, New York

Manhattanhenge



Twice a year, in the sunset is perfectly aligned with the Manhattan street grid, nicknamed "Manhattanhenge" create a spectacular sunset." John and I Makely create time-lapse recording of the occasion in Manhattan on Wednesday night.

Manhattanhenge attracted hordes of photographers, we know we have Tudor City Bridge early in the day to mark our position. A lot of people like the location, but there is enough space, several photographers standing near the coveted position. Early in the afternoon, we have the perfect spot, although the sun seems to stand still in the middle of the sky, the sun seems to be a very long way to go. The afternoon passed, and the emergence of many photographers, still hours before the actual event to compete for the position. We wait until the buildings block the harsh afternoon sun to unlock our gear, worried that the heat may be damaged. Crowd and excitement kept building throughout the night, until suddenly, low, red sun came out from behind directly above, we believe that the building of 42nd Street. The scene was breathtaking, and quickly trigger the camera shutter sound almost overcome the usual sound of traffic. In just a few short minutes, the sun dipped below the horizon, the end of the whole event.

Taum sauk hydroelectric power station, USA

Taum sauk hydroelectric power station



Hydropower station is usually located near water, or in the source itself, such as a dam on the river. But from the TAUM Sauk hydropower stations over 80 kilometers from the nearest water source - the Mississippi River. St. Francois mountains of Missouri Ozarks, about 140 km south of Lesterville, St. Louis, Missouri, near the top, built-in TAUM Sauk hydropower is a pure pumped storage hydropower station, is designed to help meet peak power demand during the day. Through the turbines during the high demand for electricity, the water is stored in a kidney-shaped water Kupuluofei the top of the mountain is released to a lower reservoir, two kilometers away, the east fork of Heihe. In the evening, when demand for electricity is low, excess electricity on the grid used to pump water to the top of the hill. In essence, the power plant is like a huge battery until it needs to store excess energy.

Although pumped storage hydropower stations around the world and Sauk TAUM plant is worth noting is that it is a pure pumped back into operation - there is no the natural mainstream power generation, unlike most other pumped storage site. It is the largest such project, when it is established.

Sauk TAUM construction of the plant began in 1960 and became operational in 1963. Two reversible pump-turbine units capable of producing 175 megawatts of electricity. They upgraded units in 1999 to 225 MW each. In 2005, the factory had to close the upstream reservoir, suffered a catastrophic failure of the release of 40,000 cubic meters of water in 12 minutes to send a 20-foot peak down Heihe water. The water flood roared Sauk State Park TAUM swept away the park manager's home and his three small children seriously injured.

The plant to return to service after a gap of four years. Reconstruction of the upper reservoir is now considered a milestone in the project, is North America's largest roller compacted concrete dam. 5 backup system in order to prevent another disaster, and nine cameras dotted around the reservoir facilities stationed around-the-clock staff 24-hour surveillance.

Before the failure, the the upper reservoir tourists usually can drive Plouffe the top of the mountain, at the top of the reservoir, take the ramp, viewing platform. The gate also has a prominent Missouri Museum of Natural History. Power plants geology students, because frequented Precambrian / Cambrian unconformity rock layer of the construction of the plant exposed to a prominent example.

Where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic in Eleuthera, Bahamas, North America

Eleuthera

If you want your vacation from the typical resort professional features, then Eleuthera is waiting for you. Nevertheless, to know in advance that it is not suitable for everyone. If you're looking for a party, and then Sierra is not the place you should go.

If you want to spend your time is enjoyable and fun, in an incredibly exotic area in the pleasant, slow-paced environment, they can be the perfect spot.

Mont - Louis Solar Furnace, France

• Mont - Louis Solar Furnace

Solar furnace in mont louis (d SOLAIRE), built in 1949 by Professor Felix Trombe, is the first solar furnace in the world, a huge building, 1420 mirror.

Double reflection solar furnace has been in the past 50 years has been in steady development, and in 1993 took over the development of the company's solar furnace "With the ongoing scientific research, they first use solar industry and manufacturing products, such as ceramic firing furnace, and bronze and ALLUMINIUM products first commercial object manufacturing whistle small train JAUNE pottery and bronze manufacture 4 SOLAIRE, can be purchased at the souvenir shop.
More than 30,000 visitors annually fascinated by the solar furnace in Mont-Louis.

Experiments and demonstrations of the program is a part of the boot access, e.g., the concentration of the solar rays is between 2000 to 2007, to produce a temperature ℃ and 3500 ℃ molten metal, wood, and ceramic cooking ignition.

Venice, Italy

Venice



According to a latest census in 2004, the capital of Venice, the Veneto region, has a population of 270,000 and then. It is located in the northeast of Italy's many small islands belonging to the Venice lagoon.

It is often called the "City of Bridges", stretches along the mouth of the Po river Piave.
A about about 62,000270,000 176,000 residents live in the historic city center or the city of Venice, the lagoon which is the mainland or Tamrac behind like Mestre and Marghera position, all people living in the entire island lagoon (about 100 Venice surrounding islands).

Also known as magnetic point couple, lovers, artists and poets, Venice is a magical city, across many small islands. It is often Gondole Hotel ", which is the use of means of transportation across the numerous canals through the city and the city.

Thanks to this causeway, you can park your car at the entrance to the city, from that point you can reach the historic city center foot or boat. But there is another type of boat, on behalf of the symbol of Venice, "water bus", also called a water bus or taxi. Like any motor land buses, water bus, line select / delete your different points in the city.

Venice Another important feature is the production of glass Murano, turned the city into one of the largest manufacturers in the European glassmaker activities, they use a unique high-quality materials and traditional craft is unmatched.

world's largest chair, Anniston, Alabama

world's largest chair


Laying claim to the chair in the nation's largest, over the years has been a back and forth thing, a 12-foot-high mission style chair, built in 1905 in Massachusetts. Competitors over the years from Tennessee, North Carolina and Vermont, a three-storey plus armchair, advertising Miller Office Furniture in downtown Anniston, Alabama, was founded in the 1980s, this before settling on the 33-foot chair, said to be better than many other big chairs scattered across the planet.

Actual chair itself is powerful, behind the construction of 100,000 tons of steel. Chair of the Italian Grand Prix in the world, at 60 feet; just fine did not tell the people of Anniston.

Intresting Chairs of the world :

• World's Largest Office Chair: Anniston, Alabama
• Giant Italian Chair: Los Angeles, California
• World's Oldest Giant Rocking Chair: Penrose, Colorado
• World's Largest Duncan Phyfe Chair: Washington, DC
• Big Green Chair: Washington, DC
• Giant Adirondack Chair: Mexico Beach, Florida
• Big Rocking Chair: Waldo, Florida
• World's Largest Rocking Chair - Big John: Franklin, Indiana
• Giant Chair: Richmond, Indiana
• Bicentennial Giant Chair: Gardner, Massachusetts
• Large Green Chair: St. Paul, Minnesota
• World's Largest Rocking Chair: Fanning, Missouri
• Dedeaux Clan Giant Rocking Chair: Gulfport, Mississippi
• World's Largest Duncan Phyfe Chair: Thomasville, North Carolina
• World's Largest Chair (Gone): Wingdale, New York
• Large Rocking Chair: Austinburg, Ohio
• Chair of the Giants: Sugarcreek, Ohio
• World's Largest Log Chair: Deadwood, South Dakota
• The Star of Texas: Giant Rocking Chair: Lipan, Texas
• 20-Foot-Tall Mission Chair: Martinsville, Virginia
• World's Largest Chair (Gone): Bennington, Vermont
• World's Largest Muskoka Chair: Gravenhurst, Ontario

The Peninsula, Bangkok, Thailand

 The Peninsula


An ingenious W-shaped design, so that all 370 rooms in this 37-storey tower views of the Chao Phraya River and the city beyond. Although situated in the Thonburi side, across the water from most of the tourist attractions, free water taxi atmosphere and convenient way to skip the notorious Bangkok traffic.

Nobility elegant rooms, all raw silk, teak and marble, never sacrifice form. Intuitive headboard control temperature, lighting, sound and entertainment systems, and even mobile phones. Riverside Thipthara has some of the city's environment candlelight open-air Salas dining restaurant to bring the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and restructuring embankment.

Equally impressive is the 21,000-square-foot ESPA Spa Thai massage and Peninsula Academy, which provides everything from Thai cooking, dancing flower arrangement classes.

Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

 Singita Sabi Sand


South Africa's most luxurious safari experience awaits Sabi Sands Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park. The service can not be more friendly, personalized butler remember your coffee preferences, your morning gamedrives's prepared cup.

Similarly impressive? The design. Ebony 12 suites, fresh off a 2011 renovation, Ralph - Lauren GOES-Bush elegance and weathered leather club chairs, stone fireplace, and a large-scale four-poster mahogany bed.
Each villa overlooking the Shahe an outdoor shower, private plunge pool, bathroom with a romantic clawfoot bathtub. Surrounding boulders embrace a more modern aesthetic with pomegranate wood tables and natural accents, such as butter leather carpets and ostrich egg baskets.

A gym, a spa and access to the lodge wine programs, including limited edition Year not available elsewhere. You can buy these bottles and African jewelry home delivery of home. Should be considered for the exclusive use of the family and group bookings Castleton camp, equipped with its own swimming pool, staff and chef.

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Arusha, Tanzania

 Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge



Ngorongoro at Lo Sopa Lodge on the eastern edge of the crater perch, the bottom of the pit the best game viewing access. They even have their own path, serious cheer you beat the crowd of traffic jams on the game jeep to drive every morning from the other cottages.

The position of the rigid design outdated 1980s up and down the cream and bedspreads and souvenir shops in the Burgundy the tchotchke style accent the 96 rooms. They are still comfortable, top five below you spread out like a war zone, you will probably spend more time in the glass-enclosed balcony antique rocking chair.

Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt


It felt like the Park Hyatt Hotel in a two. The original 23-room mansion, built in 1934 the French designer Leon Dourge, the definition of the elegance of the Belle Epoque: elaborate ironwork,

glass chandeliers and Persian rugs. Next door is a 142 room Posadas construction, fashion, the simple tower opened in 2006. Uniting the two spaces, in addition to the underground art gallery impeccable service. The appearance of the room, according to their time (in the Palacio hardwood floors and silk curtains, natural palate and modern furniture Posadas), with the most high-end technology, a rain shower, deep soaking bathtubs and the hole The stone bathroom jeweled marble.

The Vinoteca sommeliers from 3500 bottles of Argentine wine with regional cheese and chutney foreman Fromager wine.

Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa

Singita Kruger National Park



SINGITA has become the gold standard of the safari industry, it is easy to see why the concession in the Kruger National Park, 33,000 acres, in two cabins. Expected every need (hot water bottle warm morning game drive and blankets), the staff remember your preferences, a surprise every day, whether it is candlelit bush dinner surprise fireside performances.

Tree-cum-urban loft aesthetic given to the views of the the N'wanetsi River and the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains. Lebombo 15 glass curtain wall suite with roughly hewn wood ceilings and pillars mimic the surrounding trees. Full glass front allows you to watch the game from the bed, or you can laze on the elevated deck.

Neighboring Sweni six suites have a similar design. Both have access to a gym, a spa, an art gallery, a boutique and a wine cellar, professional and innovative African Year.

Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica, Central America

Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens


The basis of the Nayara hidden towards the Arenal volcano is still active, it is likely to be considered the definition of oasis. The resort has a volcano, surrounded by tropical rain forest, bursts of bright colors trademarks with Costa Rica, regardless of tropical flowers, vibrant creatures (like a blood-red dragonflies).


50 cabin romance and seclusion of a focus on the private outdoor jacuzzi and four-poster beds around the drapes. Explore the surrounding wilderness guide the rate hike, zipline, horseback riding, rafting, wildlife tours. Then relax poolside bar, a cocktail or rose petals decorated massage.

Discovery Shores, Boracay, Philippines

Discovery Shores


The barefoot elegance undoubtedly the island, 2 and is known as a half-mile stretch of white sand beach is often the softest singled out in the world on the rumors.

88 spacious suites are equipped with large glass walls, look for a scenic rock gardens, but chances are by the water, you will spend more time. A dip in the infinity pool or jet ski crystalline sea.

The people, the head of the sandbar, where they provoke delicious mojitos into the local litchi, mango and other flavors. Once you fully refueling, karaoke OK, your heart, with more than 1,000 songs (mainly English) to choose from resort casual lounge.

Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

 Oberoi Udaivilas


This palatial, 30-acre property, located in central Rajasthan, presided over the banks of Lake Pichola, to maintain the charm of a bygone era through a obvious Mewari's lens.

Royal Service, to ensure that your arrival, as a private boat ferry across the dome of the palace of Udaipur. Your personal butler is to guide you to your room, located in a private courtyard silk parasols and opinions of the Aravalli mountain jagged.

It is hard to believe you less than 3 miles from the city center and landmarks, such as the 16th-century city palace, the hotel can arrange an English-speaking experts to guide you through the myriad of corridors and garden.

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

 Southern Ocean Lodge


Sitting in a sparsely populated island a 30-minute flight from Adelaide this hostel, which is the attitude of modern design and green. 21 spacious suites limestone layer, locals works of art, and an outdoor terrace. The air conditioning is not necessary: Structures use of natural weather patterns.

Owner James and Hayley Bailey's development is full of wildlife on the island, leaving the rest of only one per cent of the total area of ​​land preservation trust. Guests understand the resort's sustainable development policy, check the area's natural beauty emphasizes Baillies appreciation.

Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, MT, Usa

Triple Creek Ranch


Three Creek is a service-oriented, adults-only property in Montana Bitterroot Mountains. 40-acre landscape 23 plush cabins, each equipped with a wood burning fireplace, hot tub, original oil paintings and sculptures, accompanied by locally woven wool feather bed suitable for a rancher.

The range for the interests of the guests, and can include fly-fishing, dinner chef's table, and helicopter tours. Baker and Boulder cabins are the cheapest, but still has a seating area and a fireplace, and provides access to a hot tub. In the winter, do not miss the the snowshoe hiking pass Lewis and Clark to explore the cross-Chief Joseph staff in 1805 as a cowboy boot on your return or chocolate chip cookies.

Singita Grumeti Reserves, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, East Africa

Singita Grumeti Reserves


The entrepreneurial SINGITA have done it again with the new SINGITA exploration, mobile safari camp, which is the latest addition to the company's 340,000-acre concession majestic Serengeti in Tanzania. Other hotels include the tent (still) Sabora, mahogany box, worn leather sport seats, thick Persian carpets.

Falufalu, the six chalets overlooking the of Maiti River, channels Swahili Beach resort, a swimming pool, an open-air lounge, guests SIP sunset cocktails such as elephants gathered in front of the puddle below curve. The reserve is the flagship Sasakwa highlands of East Africa ranch house.

There are the seven bungalows quarters, a garden, and the top of the cliff diving pool. Tennis courts, a spa and a yoga center occupy guests between the twice-daily game drives, including elephants, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle was there to witness. Active travelers by horse riding or mountain biking scenery.

Socotra Archipelago, Yemen, Western Asia

Socotra Archipelago



Sitting alone in the Socotra Islands, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean at the junction of enjoy almost uninterrupted isolation, as it breaks from the Gondwana super-continent (land quality, the Americas, Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, India,), 100 million years ago. Since then, nature has evolved in many weird and wonderful ways.

UNESCO World Heritage exotic plants (trees, oozing blood red juice, bear the stench, toxic cucumbers and other shaped like a bottle), 180 exotic birds, 700 plant and animal species found on Earth without Department.