All posts by Zacharia Thomas

10 Amazing Places That Completely VANISH Underwater

Submerging temple

10 Amazing Places That Completely VANISH Underwater

 

 

 

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The Submerging temple of Mahadev in Kavi Kamboi, Gujarat
Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as the Submerging temple is one of the most unusual Shiva shrines in India.
Situated in Kavi Kamboi, Gujarat, this 150 year old Shiva Shrine is flanked by the Arabian Sea on one side and the Bay of Cambay on the other. According to Kumarika khand in Skand Purana, this Shivling was established by Bhagwan Kartik after he killed Tarkasur. What makes this Shivlingam unique is that it can be seen only during low-tide hours. At high tide, it totally disappears, thus earning the name ‘disappearing temple of Mahadev’.

Source : stambheshwarmahadev.com

10 Biggest Architectural Fails

Architectural Failure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb3DExis8xo

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Image Credit : wikiwand.com

Aon Center
The Aon Center (200 East Randolph Street, formerly Amoco Building) is a modern supertall skyscraper in the Chicago Loop, Chicago, Illinois, United States, designed by architect firms Edward Durell Stone and The Perkins and Will partnership, and completed in 1974 as the Standard Oil Building. With 83 floors and a height of 1,136 feet (346 m), it is the third tallest building in Chicago, surpassed in height by the Willis Tower and the Trump International Hotel and Tower. The building is managed by Jones Lang LaSalle, which is also headquartered in the building. Aon Center formerly had the headquarters of Aon and Amoco; Aon’s US operations are still headquartered here.
John Hancock Tower
200 Clarendon Street, (previously John Hancock Tower) and colloquially known as The Hancock, is a 60-story, 790-foot (240 m) skyscraper in Boston. The tower was designed by Henry N. Cobb of the firm I. M. Pei & Partners and was completed in 1976. In 1977, the American Institute of Architects presented the firm with a National Honor Award for the building, and in 2011 conferred on it the Twenty-five Year Award] It has been the tallest building in Boston for more than 40 years, and is also the tallest building in New England.

Playground at Pier 1
Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre (34 ha) park on the Brooklyn side of the East River in New York City. The park has revitalized 1.3-mile (2.1 km) of Brooklyn’s post-industrial waterfront from Atlantic Avenue in the south, under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and past the Brooklyn Bridge, to Jay Street north of the Manhattan Bridge. The site includes Brooklyn Piers 1–6, the historic Fulton Ferry Landing, and the preexisting Empire–Fulton Ferry and Main Street Parks. Two Civil War-era structures, Empire Stores and the Tobacco Warehouse, will also be integrated into the park. It was built on land reclamation with the soil from the new World Trade Center site

Tacoma Narrows Bridge
The 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, was a suspension bridge in the U.S. state of Washington that spanned the Tacoma Narrows strait of Puget Sound between Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula. It opened to traffic on July 1, 1940, and dramatically collapsed into Puget Sound on November 7 of the same year. At the time of its construction (and its destruction), the bridge was the third-longest suspension bridge in the world in terms of main span length, behind the Golden Gate Bridge and the George Washington Bridge.
Lotus riverside Complex
Lotus Riverside is a residential apartment complex located in Minhang District, Shanghai, China. On June 27, 2009 at 5:30am local time, Block 7, one of the eleven 13-story buildings of the apartment complex, collapsed, killing one worker.
Ray And Maria Stata centre
The Ray and Maria Stata Center (/steɪtə/ stay-ta) or Building 32 is a 720,000-square-foot (67,000 m2) academic complex designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The building opened for initial occupancy on March 16, 2004. It sits on the site of MIT’s former Building 20, which had housed the historic Radiation Laboratory, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Tropicana Field Stadium
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, that has been the home of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) since the team’s inaugural season in 1998. The stadium is also used for college football and since December 2008 has been the home of the St. Petersburg Bowl, an annual postseason bowl game. It is currently the only domed stadium in Major League Baseball that is not retractable. Tropicana Field is the smallest MLB stadium by seating capacity with tarp covered, obstructed-view seats. It opened in 1990 and was originally known as the Florida Suncoast Dome until 1993 and as the Thunderdome from 1993–1996.
Walkie Talkie Skyscrapers
20 Fenchurch Street is a commercial skyscraper in London that takes its name from its address on Fenchurch Street, in the historic City of London financial district. It has been nicknamed ‘The Walkie-Talkie’ because of its distinctive shape. Construction was completed in spring 2014, and the top-floor ‘sky garden’ was opened in January 2015.The 34-storey building is 160 m (525 ft) tall, making it the sixth-tallest building in the City of London and the 12th tallest in London.
Sampoong Department Store
The Sampoong Department Store collapse was a structural failure that occurred on June 29, 1995, in the Seocho-gu district of Seoul, South Korea. The collapse is the largest peacetime disaster in South Korean history as 502 people died and 937 were injured. It was the deadliest modern building collapse until the September 11 attacks in New York City, and the deadliest non-deliberate building collapse until the 2013 Savar building collapse near Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Skyscaper in Stilts
The Citigroup Center (formerly Citicorp Center and now known as its address, 601 Lexington Avenue) is an office tower in New York City, located at 53rd Street between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue in midtown Manhattan. It was built in 1977 to house the headquarters of Citibank. It is 915 feet (279 m) tall, one of the ten tallest skyscrapers in New York, and has 59 floors with 1.3 million square feet (120,000 m²) of office space.
The building is one of the most distinctive and imposing in New York’s skyline, thanks to a 45° angled top and a unique stilt-style base. It was designed by architect Hugh Stubbins and structural engineer William LeMessurier. The building is currently owned by Boston Properties, and in 2009, was renamed 601 Lexington Avenue.
Source : wikipedia

 

10 Everyday Things That Aren’t Legal In NORTH KOREA

North Korea

10 Everyday Things That Aren’t Legal In NORTH KOREA

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Image Credit : cnn.com

North Korea DRPK, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DRPK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang is both the nation’s capital as well as its largest city. To the north and northwest the country is bordered by China and by Russia along the Amnok (known as the Yalu in China) and Tumen rivers.The country is bordered to the south by South Korea, with the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two.
Following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II in 1945, Korea was divided into two zones along the 38th parallel by the United States and the Soviet Union, with the north occupied by the Soviets and the south by the Americans. Negotiations on reunification failed, and in 1948 two separate governments were formed: the communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the north, and the Republic of Korea in the south. An invasion initiated by North Korea led to the Korean War (1950–1953). The Korean Armistice Agreement brought about a ceasefire, and no actual peace treaty was ever signed…………………………………….
Source : wikipedia 

10 Expensive Things Owned By The Sultan of Brunei

10 incredible tropical islands you can rent from just £240 – and you’ll have them all to yourself │ Making your dream holiday become a reality just got a whole lot easier…

10 James Bond locations you can actually visit: the best trips to follow in the footsteps of your favourite 007 movies │ If you love a Bond classic, you might want to take note, as this week we’ve stepped back in time to find out how you can visit some of the iconic locations all over the world

10 Mind-Blowing Facts About President TRUMP’s AIRLINE

Donald John Trump

10 Mind-Blowing Facts About President TRUMP’s AIRLINE

Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is the 45th and current President of the United States. Prior to entering politics he was a businessman and television personality.
Trump was born and raised in Queens, New York City, and earned an economics degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He then took charge of The Trump Organization, the real estate and construction firm founded by his paternal grandmother, which he ran for four and a half decades until 2017. During his real estate career, Trump has built, renovated, and managed numerous office towers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Besides real estate, he started several side ventures and has lent the use of his name for the branding of various products and properties. He owned the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1996 to 2015, and he hosted The Apprentice, a reality television series on NBC, from 2004 to 2015. His calculated net worth as of 2017 is $3.5 billion, making him the 544th richest person in the world.
Donald John Trump first publicly expressed interest in running for political office in 1987. He won two Reform Party presidential primaries in 2000, but withdrew his candidacy early on. In June 2015, he launched his campaign for the 2016 presidential election and quickly emerged as the front-runner among 17 candidates in the Republican primaries. His final opponents suspended their campaigns in May 2016, and in July he was formally nominated at the Republican National Convention along with Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate. Many of his campaign statements were controversial or false.
Trump won the general election on November 8, 2016, in a surprise victory against Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. He became the oldest and wealthiest person to assume the presidency, the first without prior military or government service, and the fifth elected with less than a plurality of the national popular vote. His political positions have been described by scholars and commentators as populist, protectionist, and nationalist.
Source : wikipedia 

10 Most Dangerous Railway Bridges In The World

10 Most Expensive Private Jets In The World

Private Jets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_EtF6NUEE0

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Image Credit : pinterest.com

Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya is an Indian businessman and politician. The son of businessman Vittal Mallya, he is the ex-chairman of United Spirits Ltd, the largest spirits company in India and continues to serve as Chairman of UB Group, an Indian conglomerate with interests in beverage alcohol, aviation infrastructure, real estate and fertiliser among others.
Donald John Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American businessman, television personality, politician, and the 45th President of the United States.
He was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York City where he lived until enrolling at age 13 in the New York Military Academy. Trump received an economics degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. In 1971, he took charge of his family’s real estate and construction firm, Elizabeth Trump & Son, which was later renamed The Trump Organization. During his business career, Trump built, renovated, and managed numerous office towers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. He has lent the use of his name in the branding of various products. He owned the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1996 to 2015, and he hosted The Apprentice, a reality television series on NBC, from 2004 to 2015. As of 2016, Forbes listed him as the 324th wealthiest person in the world and 113th richest in the United States, with a net worth of $4.5 billion.
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry (born Emmitt Perry Jr.; September 13, 1969) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, writer, and songwriter, specializing in the gospel genre. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2011, Forbes named him the highest paid man in entertainment; he earned US$130 million between May 2010 and 2011.
Joseph Lau Luen Hung
Joseph Lau Luen Hung (born 21 July 1951 in Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong businessman, investor, and convicted felon. He owns a 61% stake in Chinese Estates Holdings. His fortune is estimated by Forbes at $13.3 billion as of March 2016.
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich, born 24 October 1966) is a Russian billionaire businessman, investor, and politician.
Abramovich is the primary owner of the private investment company, Millhouse LLC. Abramovich is best known outside Russia as the owner of Chelsea Football Club, a Premier League football club.
According to Forbes, Abramovich’s net worth in 2016 was $8 billion, making him the 13th richest person in Russia, and the 151st richest person in the world.
Al-Waleed Bin Talal
Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud ‎‎,( born 7 March 1955) is a Saudi businessman, investor and philanthropist and a member of the Saudi royal family. He was listed on Time magazine’s Time 100, an annual list of the hundred most influential people in the world, in 2008. Al-Waleed is a grandson of Ibn Saud, the first Saudi king, a half-nephew of all Saudi kings since, and a grandson of Riad Al Solh (Lebanon’s first prime minister).
Hassanal Bolkiah
Hassanal Bolkiah, GCB GCMG (full name: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien; born 15 July 1946) is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei. He is also the first and incumbent Prime Minister of Brunei. The eldest son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak (Queen) Damit, he succeeded to the throne as the Sultan of Brunei, following the abdication of his father on 4 October 1967.
The Sultan has been ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the world; Forbes estimated the Sultan’s total peak net worth at US$20 billion in 2008.
Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov
Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov (born 9 September 1953) is an Uzbek-born Russian business magnate. According to January 2015 Forbes website data, Usmanov is Russia’s richest man, with a fortune estimated at $14.7 billion, and the world’s 58th richest person. The December 2013 Bloomberg Billionaires Index reported an estimated net worth of $19.6 billion, making him the 37th richest person in the world.[5] In May 2014, The Sunday Times listed him as the second richest person in the UK with an estimated fortune of £10.65bn.

 

 

10 MOST EXTREME VEHICLES EVER MADE

10 Most Heavily Guarded Homes On Earth

10 Most Unusual Restaurants In The World

Unusual Restaurants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1qqahqJWG0

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Image Credit : commons.wikimedia.org

 

Dick’s Last Resort
Dick’s Last Resort is a small bar and restaurant chain in the United States, known for its intentional employment of an obnoxious staff The chain consists of seventeen restaurants. The restaurant has its origins in the owners’ original opening of a “fine-dining” establishment. The establishment was a failure, which resulted in bankruptcy. Rather than continue with the upscale restaurant motif, the owners retooled their efforts and decided to “go sloppy”. The end result was a success, leading to the creation of six additional locations.
Dick’s Last Resort teaches its servers to be obnoxious. In addition to the staff, the decor is considered to be “wacky”. The restaurant uses picnic-style tables and no tablecloths. Patrons of Dick’s are expected to be insulted, or placed in uncomfortable situations. Adult bibs and large, hand-made, paper hats are given to diners to wear during their stay There are no napkins on the tables: they are generally thrown at the customers by the serving staff.
Ninja New York
Japanese cuisine just got more interesting. At Ninja New York, diners are wowed, and often at the edge of their seats, with ninjas jumping around, pop rocks on sushi rolls, smoke machine action, magicians, and an overall festive and upbeat atmosphere. The restaurant’s décor aspires to mimic a ninja village from the feudal days, providing patrons with a sense of what it was like back when.
Devil Island Prison Restaurant, China
This restaurant was initially conceptualized to scare people from a life of crime. Upon entering this restaurant, patrons are allocated a number, photographed, fingerprinted, and optionally handcuffed. The interior of the restaurant is designed after a prison, with sliding jail doors, metal floors, and rusty iron bars. Patrons dine in a prison cell and are served by waiters dressed in black-and-white striped inmate uniforms. Food includes fried, coffin-shaped bread.
Modern Toilet Restaurant
Modern Toilet Restaurant is a unique bathroom-themed restaurant chain, based in Taiwan, with several branches throughout Asia.
Everything in the 2,800-square-foot (260 m2), three-story restaurant is based on items from a bathroom. The checkered tile covered walls are adorned with showerheads, while plungers hang from the ceiling along with fæces-shaped lights. The chairs are actual unworking toilets, dishes are served on plastic miniature toilet bowls, and drinks in miniature urinals. Owner Wang Tzi-Wei opened Modern Toilet after the success of his ice cream shop that sold swirls of ice cream served in mini toilets. It is not odd for Taiwan to host restaurants with unusual themes. Taiwan also has eating locales that resemble jailhouses and hospitals.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
Ithaa boasts the title of the world’s first all-glass undersea restaurant, located 16 feet below sea level at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island hotel. Ithaa serves caviar and Maldivian lobster—just a couple of the menu items to be enjoyed while taking in the 180-degree panoramic views of the water above you.
Heart Attack Grill
Heart Attack Grill is a hospital theme restaurant: waitresses (“nurses”) take orders (“prescriptions”) from the customers (“patients”). Each patient dons a hospital gown before ordering and those who do not finish their meal receive a paddling by one of the “nurses” with the option to buy the tainted paddle afterwards.
Cannibalistic Restaurant
Japan has just invented another way of eating, where a “body” is made from food and placed on an operating table, much as though in a hospital.
You can operate anyway and anywhere you want by cutting open the body and eating what you find inside. The body will actually bleed as you cut it and the intestines and organs inside are completely editable. It’s a banquet of Cannibalism.
Cabbages & Condoms
As one of the most unique restaurants in Metropolitan Bangkok, the Cabbages & Condoms (C&C) Restaurant has attracted international attention. Conveniently located near one of Bangkok’s main business districts, C&C is very popular among local and foreign clients.
The restaurant was conceptualized in part to promote better understanding and acceptance of family planning and to generate income to support various development activities of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA)

10 Outrageous Things You’ll Only See In Dubai, UAE

10 Ridiculous Facts About North Korea

North Korea DRPK

10 Ridiculous Facts About North Korea

Image result for north korea images
Image Credit : cnn.com

North Korea DRPK, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DRPK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang is both the nation’s capital as well as its largest city. To the north and northwest the country is bordered by China and by Russia along the Amnok (known as the Yalu in China) and Tumen rivers.The country is bordered to the south by South Korea, with the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two.
Following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II in 1945, Korea was divided into two zones along the 38th parallel by the United States and the Soviet Union, with the north occupied by the Soviets and the south by the Americans. Negotiations on reunification failed, and in 1948 two separate governments were formed: the communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the north, and the Republic of Korea in the south. An invasion initiated by North Korea led to the Korean War (1950–1953). The Korean Armistice Agreement brought about a ceasefire, and no actual peace treaty was ever signed…………………………………….
Source : wikipedia 

10 Secret Homes Hidden From Society

10 Secret Places Most Tourists Don’t Know About

Las Pozas

10 Secret Places Most Tourists Don’t Know About

Las Pozas
Las Pozas (“the Pools”) was created by Edward James, more than 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level, in a subtropical rainforest in the mountains of Mexico. It includes more than 80 acres (32 ha) of natural waterfalls and pools interlaced with towering Surrealist sculptures in concrete.
Las Pozas is near the village of Xilitla, San Luis Potosí, a seven-hour drive north of Mexico City. In the early 1940s, James went to Los Angeles, California, and then decided that he “wanted a Garden of Eden set up . . . and I saw that Mexico was far more romantic” and had “far more room than there is in crowded Southern California”.In Hollywood in 1941, his lifetime friend and cousin, Magic Realist painter Bridget Bate Tichenor, encouraged him to search for a surreal location in Mexico to express his diverse esoteric interests. In Cuernavaca, he hired Plutarco Gastelum as a guide. They discovered Xilitla in November 1945. Eventually Plutarco married a local woman and had four children. James was “Uncle Edward” to the children and frequently stayed with them in a house Plutarco had built, a mock-Gothic cement castle, now a hotel – La Posada El Castillo………………….
Source : Wikipedia 

10 Secrets Flight Attendants Don’t Want You to Know

Cabin Crew

10 Secrets Flight Attendants Don’t Want You to Know

Flight attendants or cabin crew (also known as stewards/stewardesses, air hosts/hostesses, cabin attendants) are members of an aircrew employed by airlines primarily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights, on select business jet aircraft, and on some military aircraft.
The role of a flight attendant derives from that of similar positions on passenger ships or passenger trains, but it has more direct involvement with passengers because of the confined quarters on aircraft. Additionally, the job of a flight attendant revolves around safety to a much greater extent than those of similar staff on other forms of transportation. Flight attendants on board a flight collectively form a cabin crew, as distinguished from pilots and engineers in the cockpit.
The German Heinrich Kubis was the world’s first flight attendant, in 1912. Kubis first attended the passengers on board the DELAG Zeppelin LZ 10 Schwaben. He also attended to the famous LZ 129 Hindenburg and was on board when it burst into flames. He survived by jumping out a window when it neared the ground………………………………
Source : wikipedia 

10 Secrets RUSSIA Doesn’t Want You To Know

10 Simple Things Kim Jong-Un SECRETLY Enjoys

Kim Jong-un

10 Simple Things Kim Jong-Un SECRETLY Enjoys

Image Credit : wikipedia

Kim Jong-un is the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly referred to as North Korea. Kim is the second child of Kim Jong-il (1941–2011) and his consort Ko Yong-hui. Little is known for certain about Kim Jong-un. Before taking power, he had barely been seen in public, and many of the activities of both Kim and his government remain shrouded in secrecy. Even details such as what year he was born, and whether he did indeed attend a Western school under a pseudonym, are difficult to confirm with certainty.
Kim was officially declared the supreme leader following the state funeral of his father on 28 December 2011. Kim holds the titles of Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Chairman of the National Defence Commission, Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, and presidium member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Kim was promoted to the rank of Marshal of North Korea in the Korean People’s Army on 18 July 2012, consolidating his position as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces[9] and is often referred to as Marshal Kim Jong-un or “the Marshal” by state media.
Kim obtained two degrees, one in physics at Kim Il-sung University, and another as an Army officer at the Kim Il-sung Military University.
On 9 March 2014, Kim Jong-un was elected unopposed to the Supreme People’s Assembly. He is the first North Korean leader born after the country’s founding. He was named the World’s 46th Most Powerful Person by the Forbes list of The World’s Most Powerful People in 2013.
Source : wikipedia 

10 Times Rich People Took It Too Far

10 Unbelievable Boats Only The Richest Can Afford

Super Yacht

10 Unbelievable Boats Only The Richest Can Afford

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Image Credit : youtube

A Luxury yacht (also super yacht, large yacht and mega-yacht) is a very expensive, privately owned, professionally crewed sailing or motor yacht.
There is no industry-wide standard for the difference between super-yacht and mega-yacht. The only legal distinction is between yachts above 24 metres (79 ft) and below, as in some countries those above 24 meters must have a permanent crew onboard.
This term began to appear at the beginning of the 20th century, when wealthy individuals constructed large private yachts for personal pleasure, such as Charles Henry Fletcher’s Jemima F. III, at 111 feet, the largest motor- powered yacht in the world in 1908. More examples of early luxury motor yachts include the Cox & King yachts, Charles L. Seabury and Company’s yachts, M/Y (motor yacht) Christina O, and M/Y Savarona. Early luxury sailing yachts include America’s Cup classic J class racers such as Endeavour and Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock.
Source : wikipedia 

11 Cars You Won’t Believe Exist!

Cars Won’t Believe Exist!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sCHKdsRlzQ

Image Credit : wikipedia

Rinspeed sQuba
The sQuba, developed by Swiss company Rinspeed, is the world’s first car that can be driven both on land and under water.[1][2] The original idea by Rinspeed founder and CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht was inspired by the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. The chassis from the Lotus Elise is used as the base for this vehicle.
Peel P50
The Peel P50 was a three-wheeled microcar originally manufactured from 1962 to 1965 by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man. It was listed in the 2010 Guinness Book of Records as the smallest production car ever made.[3] It had no reverse gear but a handle at the rear allows the very lightweight car to be physically manoeuvred when required.
Kiravan
The KiraVan® Expedition System is comprised of a highly modified Unimog-based tractor, a fully custom composite trailer, and turbo-diesel motorbike. It supports a crew of three for on & off-road operations, with a significant compliment of custom advanced Glass-Cockpit, Driveline, Suspension, Hydraulics, Power, COMMS, NAV, Electro-Optical and scientific technology. It is an ongoing advanced vehicle R&D program designed and integrated by Applied Minds, LLC.
BMW Gina
The GINA Light Visionary Model is a fabric-skinned shape-shifting sports car concept built by BMW. GINA stands for “Geometry and functions In ‘N’ Adaptations”. It was designed by a team led by BMW’s head of design, Chris Bangle, who says GINA allowed his team to “challenge existing principles and conventional processes.” Other designers include Anders Warming..
Devel Sixteen
Devel Sixteen, and it might be the king of lofty statistics. Its Dubai-based backers are claiming it’ll use a 5,000-horsepower V16 and will reach a top speed of 348 miles per hour. The sprint to 62 mph will take just 1.8 seconds.
Terrafugia Transition
The Terrafugia Transition is a light sport, roadable airplane under development by Terrafugia since 2006.
The Rotax 912ULS piston engine powered, carbon-fiber vehicle is planned to have a flight range of 425 nmi (489 mi; 787 km) using either automotive premium grade unleaded gasoline or 100LL avgas and a cruising flight speed of 93 kn (107 mph; 172 km/h). Equipment includes a Dynon Skyview glass panel avionics system, an airframe parachute, and an optional autopilot.
On the road, it can drive up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) with normal traffic.
Superbus
The vehicle is a 15-meter-long electric vehicle with seating for 23 passengers accessible from 16 doors with a cruising speed of 250 kilometres per hour (160 mph) and a range of 215 kilometres (134 mi).
VW XL1
The Volkswagen XL1 (VW 1-Litre) is a two-person limited production diesel-powered plug-in hybrid produced by Volkswagen. The XL1 car was designed to be able to travel 100 km on 1 litre of diesel fuel (280 mpg‑imp; 240 mpg‑US), while being both roadworthy and practical. To achieve such economy, it is produced with lightweight materials, a streamlined body and an engine and transmission designed and tuned for economy.
F 015
The visionary research vehicle was born, a vehicle which raises comfort and luxury to a new level by offering a maximum of space and a lounge character on the inside. Every facet of the F 015 Luxury in Motion is the utmost reflection of the Mercedes way of interpreting the terms “modern luxury”, emotion and intelligence.
Splinter
The Splinter is a two-seater American supercar concept made of wood. It was created by a team led by Joe Harmon, an industrial designer from North Carolina. There are no plans to mass-produce this vehicle.

 

12 Incredible Facts About Russia

13 Stunningly Beautiful Places In America

Colorado Springs' paradise

13 Stunningly Beautiful Places In America

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Image credit : gardenofgods.com

Colorado Springs’ paradise
Explore Colorado Springs’ paradise in one magical stop. Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark. Imagine dramatic views, 300′ towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. This world-class Visitor & Nature Center and museum is the most visited attraction in the region with all new interactive exhibits. Learn how the amazing red rocks got there with the NEW Geo-Trekker theater experience, shown every 20 minutes. Delight in one of Colorado’s most photographed views while eating in our glass-enclosed café or from our terrace overlooking Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. Where else can you eat inside a postcard?
Source :gardenofgods.com 

15 Expensive Things Owned By Amazon Billionaire Jeff Bezos

15 Insanely Awesome Limos

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Facebook

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Google

15 Things You Didn’t Know About House Of Saud

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Mark Zuckerberg

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Mukesh Ambani

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Sultan Of Brunei (Hassanal Bolkiah)

16 Strange and Beautiful Vintage Cars

16 Strangest Tourist Attractions From Around The World

Cat Island

16 Strangest Tourist Attractions From Around The World

Image Credit : wikipedia

Tashirojima (田代島?) is a small island in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan. It lies in the Pacific Ocean off the Oshika Peninsula, to the west of Ajishima. It is an inhabited island, although the population is quite small (around 100 people, compared to around 1000 people in the 1950s). It has become known as “Cat Island” due to the large stray cat population that thrives as a result of the local belief that feeding cats will bring wealth and good fortune. The cat population is now larger than the human population on the island. There are no pet dogs on the island due to the large cat population.
The island is divided into two villages/ports: Oodomari and Nitoda. Ajishima, a neighbouring island, used to belong to the town of Oshika, while Tashirojima was a part of the city of Ishinomaki. On April 1, 2005, Oshika merged with Ishinomaki,[3] so now both islands are a part of Ishinomaki.
Source : wikipedia 

162m ‘vertical pier’ opens in UK’s Brighton. (‘The British Airways 360′) The attraction is set to open to the public on Thursday August 4.

162m vertical pier

‘London Eye-on-Sea’: Vertical pier to open in Brighton

https://goo.gl/GeVSQs

The i360 on the site of the West Pier - artist's drawing
Image credit : thisbrighton.co.uk

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The designers of the London Eye today insisted their long-awaited “follow-up” in Brighton will win over its vocal critics as quickly as the hugely successful South Bank landmark.
The “vertical pier” on Brighton’s seafront opens to the public on Thursday — 12 years after it was first conceived by the husband and wife architectural team who dreamed up the London version, Britain’s most popular paid-for attraction.
Officially known as the British Airways i360, the “London Eye-on-Sea” will lift up to 200 passengers at a time in a circular pod that rises 138 metres up a steel pole at 0.4 metres a second.
The £46 million structure is the thinnest tall tower on Earth at just four metres wide and will be the highest observation platform in Britain outside London, giving views of up to 26 miles.
However, many locals have expressed bitter objections to what they have dubbed the “iSore”, with one critic describing it as “a bonkers outsized flagpole”.
David Marks, co-founder with his wife Julia Barfield of the Marks Barfield architectural practice, said there had been a similarly critical response to London’s huge ferris wheel in the run-up to its launch in March 2000. He said: “Before the London Eye opened you had characters like former arts minister Lord St John of Fawsley calling it a ‘white elephant’ and some others who were implacably opposed.
“Now the vast majority of people who have experienced it and have seen it as a finished piece of engineering have come round to it. It is greatly loved by most Londoners and I hope the same thing will happen in Brighton.
“I have to say that of the people we meet or bump into nearly all are incredibly positive and excited about it, I can’t remember the last time anyone said anything negative to us.”
The tower stands at the point where the ruined West Pier once joined the Brighton esplanade. Ms Barfield said: “The residents of Regent Square were opposed to the West Pier originally and said it was going to spoil their view. People are slow to embrace change, so let’s see.”
The pod will take 20 minutes to rise and descend during the daytime and slow to 30 minutes in the evenings when there will be a bar open during the “flight”.
The Standard’s Sophia Sleigh took an advance trip in the pod and from 450ft up said she was “treated to spectacular panoramic coastal views that stretched for miles, offering a view until now only afforded to seagulls”.

 

18 Astonishing Instances of Body Art

Tattoos

18 Astonishing Instances of Body Art

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Body art is art made on, with, or consisting of, the human body. The most common forms are tattoos and body piercings. Other types include scarification, branding, subdermal implants, scalpelling, shaping (for example tight-lacing of corsets), full body tattoo and body painting.
It is also a sub-category of performance art, in which artists use or abuse their own body to make their particular statements. More extreme art can involve mutilation or pushing the body to its physical limits.
In more recent times, the body has become a subject of much broader discussion and treatment than can be reduced to body art in its common understanding. Important strategies that question the human body are: implants, body in symbiosis with the new technologies, virtual bodies, among others.
Source : wikipedia 

18 Photos You Won’t Believe Weren’t Photoshopped

Photos Not Photoshopped

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbtwMf2qyg0

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Cocunut Crab
The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is a species of terrestrial hermit crab, also known as the robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest land-living arthropod in the world, and is probably at the upper size limit for terrestrial animals with exoskeletons in recent times, with a weight of up to 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). It can grow to up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length from leg to leg. It is found on islands across the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific Ocean as far east as the Gambier Islands mirroring the distribution of the coconut palm;
Meet Dave
Meet Dave is a 2008 American comedy science fiction film directed by Brian Robbins and written by Bill Corbett and Rob Greenberg. It stars Eddie Murphy, Elizabeth Banks, Gabrielle Union, Ed Helms, Scott Caan and Kevin Hart. The film was released on July 11, 2008.
Bucket-wheel Excavators
Bucket-wheel excavators (BWEs) are heavy equipment used in surface mining.
The primary function of BWEs is to act as a continuous digging machine in large-scale open-pit mining operations. What sets BWEs apart from other large-scale mining equipment, such as bucket chain excavators, is their use of a large wheel consisting of a continuous pattern of buckets used to scoop material as the wheel turns. They are among the largest vehicles ever constructed, and the biggest bucket-wheel excavator ever built, Bagger 293, is the largest terrestrial (land) vehicle in human history by weight (14,200 tonnes), according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Ile De Re
Île de Ré is an island off the west coast of France near La Rochelle, on the northern side of the Pertuis d’Antioche strait. Its highest point has an elevation of 20 metres (66 feet). It is 30 kilometres (19 miles) long and 5 kilometres (3 miles) wide. The 2.9 km (1.8 mi) Île de Ré bridge, completed in 1988, connects it to La Rochelle on the mainland.
Mount Ontake
Mount Ontake , also referred to as Mount Kiso Ontake, is the second highest volcano in Japan (after Mount Fuji) at 3,067 m (10,062 ft). The volcano has five crater lakes, with Ni no Ike at 2,905 m (9,531 ft) being the highest mountain lake in Japan.
Ontake is a major sacred mountain, and following older shamanistic practices, actors and artists have gone to the mountain to put themselves into trances in order to get divine inspiration for their creative activities.
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
This visually stunning 4 star hotel has an impressive façade. The structure is a lively stacking of various examples of the traditional houses to be found in the Zaan region. Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam offers superb rooms, a Wellness Club with swimming pool and free WiFi throughout.
Snake Manu
‘Snake Manu’, an Indian man who makes a living from this eye-watering trick of inserting live grass snakes into his nostrils and pulling them out of his mouth.
The silver surfer
The Silver Surfer is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character also appears in a number of movies, television, and video game adaptations. The character was created by Jack Kirby, and first appeared in the comic book Fantastic Four #48, published in 1966.

20 Amazing Man Made Islands!

Man Made Islands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze9c4tDNv7o

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Palm Islands
Palm Islands are three artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali, on the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As of November 2014, only Palm Jumeirah has been completed. This island takes the form of a palm tree, topped by a crescent. After completion, Palm Jebel Ali will take a similar shape; each island will be host to a large number of residential, leisure and entertainment centers and will add a total of 520 kilometers of non-public beaches to the city of Dubai.
The World Islands
The World or The World Islands is an artificial archipelago of various small islands constructed in the rough shape of a world map, located in the waters of the Persian Gulf, 4.0 kilometres (2.5 mi) off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from Dubai’s shallow coastal waters, and are one of several artificial island developments in Dubai.
Thums Islands
The THUMS Islands or Astronaut Islands are a set of four artificial islands in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Long Beach, California. They were built in 1965 to tap into the East Wilmington Oil Field. The landscaping and sound walls were designed to camouflage the operation and reduce noise, and they are the only decorated oil islands in the United States.
The Pearl-Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar in Doha, Qatar, is an artificial island spanning nearly four million square metres. It is the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals. As of January 2015, there are 12,000 residents.
Willingdon Islands
Willingdon Islands is the largest artificial man-made island in India, which forms part of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. Much of the present Willingdon Island was claimed from the Lake of Kochi, filling in dredged soil around a previously existing, but tiny, natural island. Willingdon Island is significant as the home for the Port of Kochi, as well as the Kochi Naval Base (the Southern Naval Command) of the Indian Navy and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, a constituent unit of Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Mexcaltitán
Mexcaltitán de Uribe, also known simply as Mexcaltitán, is a small man-made island-city off the coast in the municipality of Santiago Ixcuintla in the Mexican state of Nayarit.
Balboa Island
The Balboa Island community consists of three modified or artificial islands in Newport Harbor.
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Souece : wikipedia

26 Creatures Suffering From Albinism

Albinism humans

26 Creatures Suffering From Albinism

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Albinism  humans is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. It is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia. Lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancers. In rare cases such as Chédiak–Higashi syndrome, albinism may be associated with deficiencies in the transportation of melanin granules. This also affects essential granules present in immune cells leading to increased susceptibility to infection.
Albinism results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles and is known to affect all vertebrates, including humans. It is due to absence or defect of tyrosinase, a copper-containing enzyme involved in the production of melanin. It is the opposite of melanism. Unlike humans, other animals have multiple pigments and for these, albinism is considered to be a hereditary condition characterised by the absence of melanin in particular, in the eyes, skin, hair, scales, feathers or cuticle. While an organism with complete absence of melanin is called an albino an organism with only a diminished amount of melanin is described as leucistic or albinoid. The term is from the Latin albus, “white”.

In humans, there are two principal types of albinism: oculocutaneous, affecting the eyes, skin and hair, and ocular affecting the eyes only.
There are different types of oculocutaneous albinism depending on which gene has undergone mutation. WIth some there is no pigment at all. The other end of the spectrum of albinism is “a form of albinism called rufous oculocutaneous albinism, which usually affects dark-skinned people.”
According to the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, “With ocular albinism, the color of the iris of the eye may vary from blue to green or even brown, and sometimes darkens with age. However, when an eye doctor examines the eye by shining a light from the side of the eye, the light shines back through the iris since very little pigment is present.”.
Because individuals with albinism have skin that entirely lacks the dark pigment melanin, which helps protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, their skin can burn more easily from overexposure.
The human eye normally produces enough pigment to color the iris blue, green or brown and lend opacity to the eye. In photographs, those with albinism are more likely to demonstrate “red eye,” due to the red of retina being visible through the iris. Lack of pigment in the eyes also results in problems with vision, both related and unrelated to photosensitivity.
Those afflicted with albinism are generally as healthy as the rest of the population (but see related disorders below), with growth and development occurring as normal, and albinism by itself does not cause mortality, although the lack of pigment blocking ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of melanomas (skin cancers) and other problems.
Source : wikipedia 

30 Expensive Things Owned By Super Rich Billionaires of The United Arab Emirates

30 Mind-Blowing Facts About President Trump’s Luxurious Life | Compilation

Donald John Trump

30 Mind-Blowing Facts About President Trump’s Luxurious Life | Compilation

Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is the 45th and current President of the United States. Prior to entering politics he was a businessman and television personality.
Trump was born and raised in Queens, New York City, and earned an economics degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He then took charge of The Trump Organization, the real estate and construction firm founded by his paternal grandmother, which he ran for four and a half decades until 2017. During his real estate career, Trump has built, renovated, and managed numerous office towers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Besides real estate, he started several side ventures and has lent the use of his name for the branding of various products and properties. He owned the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1996 to 2015, and he hosted The Apprentice, a reality television series on NBC, from 2004 to 2015. His calculated net worth as of 2017 is $3.5 billion, making him the 544th richest person in the world.
Donald John Trump first publicly expressed interest in running for political office in 1987. He won two Reform Party presidential primaries in 2000, but withdrew his candidacy early on. In June 2015, he launched his campaign for the 2016 presidential election and quickly emerged as the front-runner among 17 candidates in the Republican primaries. His final opponents suspended their campaigns in May 2016, and in July he was formally nominated at the Republican National Convention along with Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate. Many of his campaign statements were controversial or false.
Trump won the general election on November 8, 2016, in a surprise victory against Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. He became the oldest and wealthiest person to assume the presidency, the first without prior military or government service, and the fifth elected with less than a plurality of the national popular vote. His political positions have been described by scholars and commentators as populist, protectionist, and nationalist.
Source : wikipedia 

4 Real Flying Cars That Actually Fly

Flying Cars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRZNLBL7Px4

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The PAL-V One
PAL-V International B.V. is a Dutch company who are developing a roadable aircraft, the PAL-V ONE (Personal Air and Land Vehicle ONE).
The PAL-V ONE in flight is an autogyro or gyrocopter, with a foldable pusher propeller providing forward thrust and a free-spinning rotor providing lift. Directional stability is provided by twin boom-mounted tailfins.
It has a tricycle undercarriage with relatively large wheels.
On the ground, the propeller and rotor are stopped and power is diverted to the wheels, allowing it to travel as a three-wheeled car. Unusually, it leans into turns like a motorcycle, a solution pioneered by the Carver vehicle, also produced by a Dutch company.
The PAL-V One has two seats and a 160 kW flight certified gasoline engine, giving it a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) on land and in air, and a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 910 kg.
The Terrafugia Transition
The Terrafugia Transition is a light sport, roadable airplane under development by Terrafugia since 2006.
The Rotax 912ULS piston engine powered, carbon-fiber vehicle is planned to have a flight range of 425 nmi (489 mi; 787 km) using either automotive premium grade unleaded gasoline or 100LL avgas and a cruising flight speed of 93 kn (107 mph; 172 km/h). Equipment includes a Dynon Skyview glass panel avionics system, an airframe parachute, and an optional autopilot.
On the road, it can drive up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) with normal traffic. The Transition Production Prototype’s folded dimensions of 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) high, 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) wide and 18 ft 9 in (5.72 m) long are designed to fit within a standard household garage. When operated as a car, the engine power take-off near the propeller engages a variable-diameter pulley CVT automatic transmission to send power to the trailing-suspension mounted rear wheels via half-shafts powering belt drives. In flight, the engine drives a pusher propeller. The Transition has folding wings, pusher propeller and twin tail.
I-TEC Maverick
The I-TEC Maverick is a powered parachute aircraft with a roadable fuselage. Equipped with the largest powered parachute certified by the FAA, the Maverick received experimental aircraft airworthiness certification on April 14, 2008, with N-Number 356MV.
AeroMobil
The AeroMobil s.r.o. AeroMobil (variously also styled Aeromobil and AEROMOBIL by the manufacturer) is a Slovak prototype roadable aircraft, designed by Štefan Klein and first flown in 2013. The aircraft will be produced by AeroMobil s.r.o..
Source : wikipedia

7 REAL TRANSFORMING VEHICLES YOU HAVE TO SEE

8 Insane Water Toys Everyone Must Try

Insane Water Toys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksNvozC78qA

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Subwing
Being dragged underwater by a speedboat while clinging to a two-foot-wide board might sound ill advised, but getting the hang of the Subwing is easier (and more pleasant) than it sounds. And at low speeds, this is a rip-roaring way to see the coral and fish at deeper than snorkeling depths.
Wokart
n a word, revolutionary, the first patented designer watercraft in the world with a mid mounted outboard engine.
Fast, responsive, agile and fun through the combination of motoring (Go Kart), boating and never seen before innovations like the mid mounted engine which provides class leading high speed 90° turns.
The patented WoKart has a unique asymmetric catamaran layout designed by Dr. Albert Nazarov. WoKart transforms water into roads and gives the feeling of driving on water, even in areas where Jet craft are no longer permitted.
Jetsurf
Born from a need to push the limits of conventional watersports, Jetsurf is devoted to the development and design of the best motorized surfboards in the world. While lacking a coast, the Czech Republic offers highly qualified, technical expertise in hydro – mechanical engineering and no shortage of enthusiastic riders who have aided in the astounding success of this small firm.
From humble beginnings in a tiny workshop, Jetsurf is now the world leader in producing the fastest, lightest and most dynamic craft for this unique and fast – growing sport.
The Jetovator
The Jetovator is a water sports accessory that extends the ability of an existing personal watercraft (PWC). The Jetovator does not come with its own power source and and requires a minimum of 180 hp personal water craft to operate. The Jetovator redirects the water thrust from the jet unit of the PWC along a sixty-six hose to the Jetovator bike. This water thrust is then used to propel and elevate the Jetovator into the air. The rider can also redirect the water thrust of the two front nozzles in order to maneuver the Jetovator in all directions.The PWC, which provides the power, follows behind the Jetovator using the hose as a tether.
Jetlev Flyer
Carbon Sports GmbH in Germany is the only manufacturer worldwide that produces the astonishing, complete carbon fibre made JETLEV-FLYER JF-300 with a powerful 300 HP four stroke marine engine.
Jetlev-Flyer has received the CE report of conformity from the German Lloyd (DNV-GL). This document is the European certification that certifies the Jetlev-Flyer on a continental and international level.
Flyboard Jetpack
Flyboard® Legend is a board connected to a PWC turbine allowing the user to rise into the air, dive and jump out of the water and perform various freestyle figures. The Flyboard® Legend is connected to the PWC by a hose, (18 or 23 meters long) redirecting the water flow pressure to nozzles placed either side of the board. While managing the PWCs’ throttle, the user can reach up to 12 meters high (height varying according to the PWC power). The hydro-propulsion forces created offer a unique sensation and a total freedom of movement to the rider.
Seabob
Seabob is an underwater scooter. The SEABOB will glide along powerfully with you aboard. Feel the awe-inspiring manoeuvrability. And the new-found desire for water will never relinquish its hold on you again.
Seabreacher
Innespace Seabreacher (or Sea Breacher) is a two-seat semi-submersible personal watercraft “submarine”, with a shape based on that of a dolphin, and the ability to imitate a dolphin’s movement. The two seat vessel is powered by an Atkins Rotary Marine engine coupled to a Hurth V-drive transmission.

 

8 Mind-Blowing Backpacks & Suitcases

8 Reasons why quitting salt is good for your health

Quitting Salt

8 Reasons why quitting salt is good for your health

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Salt
Table salt or common salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of salts; salt in its natural form as a crystalline mineral is known as rock salt or halite. Salt is present in vast quantities in seawater, where it is the main mineral constituent. The open ocean has about 35 grams (1.2 oz) of solids per litre, a salinity of 3.5%.
Salt is essential for life in general, and saltiness is one of the basic human tastes. The tissues of animals contain larger quantities of salt than do plant tissues. Salt is one of the oldest and most ubiquitous food seasonings, and salting is an important method of food preservation.
Some of the earliest evidence of salt processing dates to around 8,000 years ago, when people living in an area in what is now known as the country of Romania were boiling spring water to extract the salts; a salt-works in China dates to approximately the same period. Salt was also prized by the ancient Hebrews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Hittites, Egyptians, and the Indians. Salt became an important article of trade and was transported by boat across the Mediterranean Sea, along specially built salt roads, and across the Sahara in camel caravans. The scarcity and universal need for salt has led nations to go to war over it and use it to raise tax revenues. Salt is used in religious ceremonies and has other cultural significance.
Salt is processed from salt mines, or by the evaporation of seawater (sea salt) or mineral-rich spring water in shallow pools. Its major industrial products are caustic soda and chlorine, and is used in many industrial processes including the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride, plastics, paper pulp and many other products. Of the annual global production of around two hundred million tonnes of salt, only about 6% is used for human consumption. Other uses include water conditioning processes, de-icing highways, and agricultural use. Edible salt is sold in forms such as sea salt and table salt which usually contains an anti-caking agent and may be iodised to prevent iodine deficiency. As well as its use in cooking and at the table, salt is present in many processed foods.
Sodium is an essential nutrient for human health via its role as an electrolyte and osmotic solute.Excessive salt consumption can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, in children and adults. Such health effects of salt have long been studied. Accordingly, numerous world health associations and experts in developed countries recommend reducing consumption of popular salty foods. The World Health Organization recommends that adults should consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium, equivalent to 5 grams of salt per day.
Source : wikipedia

 

8 SMALLEST INNOVATIONS – They Will Shock You

A Day in the Life of US Air Force Aerial Refueling Aircraft : KC-135 Stratotanker Refueling F-16’s

A workflow for submitting photos to microstock photography sites.

Abbey of Saint-Germain d’Auxerre

Abbey of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre

Abbey of Saint-Germain d’Auxerre

2bis Place Saint-Germain, 89000 Auxerre, France Phone: +33 3 86 18 02 90

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The Abbey of Saint-Germain d’Auxerre was a Benedictine monastery in central France, dedicated to its founder Saint Germain of Auxerre, the bishop of Auxerre, who died in 448. The abbey reached the apex of its cultural importance during the Carolingian era; the source for its early history is an account of the Miracula Sancti Germani Episcopi Autissiodorensis (“Miracles of Saint Germain, Bishop of Auxerre”) written before ca. 880. The earliest surviving architectural remains are also of the ninth century.

In 1927, beneath the 17th-century frescoed plaster walls of the crypt, were discovered ninth-century wall frescoes, the only surviving large-scale paintings of their date in France to compare to the illuminated manuscripts.

During the Revolution, several bays of the nave were demolished and the secularized abbey was used as a hospital. The former nave extended beneath the present forecourt.

In the late twentieth century the abbey’s residential and service buildings were remodeled as a museum, presenting prehistoric, Gallo-Roman and medieval finds from Auxerre. An exhibition in 1990 brought the abbey’s cultural impact into focus. The former abbey church remains in use for worship at stated times.
Source : wikipedia 
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Accademia Gallery of Florence

Accademia Gallery

Accademia Gallery of Florence

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The Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) in Florence is a renowned art museum that houses an impressive collection of sculptures and paintings, with a particular focus on works from the Renaissance period. Here are some key details about the Accademia Gallery:

Location: The Accademia Gallery is located in the heart of Florence, Italy, near the Piazza San Marco. It’s easily accessible and a central part of the city’s cultural and artistic heritage.

Michelangelo’s “David”: The centerpiece of the Accademia is Michelangelo’s iconic marble sculpture, “David.” This masterpiece is considered one of the greatest sculptures ever created and is a symbol of Renaissance art.

Other Sculptures by Michelangelo: In addition to “David,” the Accademia Gallery houses several unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo, known as the “Prisoners” or “Slaves,” providing a unique insight into the artist’s creative process.

Renaissance Art Collection: The museum features an extensive collection of Renaissance paintings, including works by artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Andrea del Sarto.

Musical Instruments: The Accademia also houses a collection of historical musical instruments, offering a diverse range of artifacts beyond traditional visual arts.

Florentine Gothic Art: Visitors can explore Florentine Gothic art through a display of religious paintings from the 13th to the 16th centuries.

Conservation and Restoration Workshops: The museum includes workshops for the conservation and restoration of artworks, providing insight into the efforts to preserve and protect cultural heritage.

Visitor Experience: Due to the popularity of “David,” the Accademia Gallery can be quite busy. It’s advisable to book tickets in advance to skip the lines and make the most of your visit.

The Accademia Gallery offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the artistry of Michelangelo and other Renaissance masters. It’s a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of Florence’s cultural heritage.
Source : openai.com
Visiting hours : 08.15 AM to 06.15 PM Monday Closed
Entrance : https://shorturl.at/sET39
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Acropolis

Acropolis

Athens 105 58, Greece
Phone : +302103214172

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This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The word acropolis is from the Greek words ἄκρον (akron, “highest point, extremity”) and πόλις (polis, “city”). The term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece. During ancient times it was known also more properly as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king.

While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the site’s most important present remains including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.The Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians during the Morean War when gunpowder being stored in the Parthenon by the Ottomans was hit by a cannonball and exploded.

During the Julio-Claudian period, the Temple of Rome and Augustus, a small, round edifice, about 23 meters from the Parthenon, was to be the last significant ancient construction on the summit of the rock . Around the same time, on the North slope, in a cave next to the one dedicated to Pan since the classical period, a sanctuary was founded where the archons dedicated to Apollo on assuming office. During 161 AD, on the South slope, the Roman Herodes Atticus built his grand amphitheatre or Odeon. It was destroyed by the invading Herulians a century later but was reconstructed during the 1950s.
Source : wikipedia 
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Visiting hours & Entry : https://bit.ly/3eG5rBV

Nearby places

Theatre of Dionysus (285 m),Kanellopoulos Museum (288 m),Anafiotika (377 m),Odeon of Herodes Atticus (226 m)

 

Acropolis Museum

Acropolis Museum

Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece
Phone : +302109000900

File:New Acropolis Museum 5.jpg
Image Credit : wikipedia

The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. It also lies over the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.

The museum was founded in 2003, while the Organization of the Museum was established in 2008. It opened to the public on 20 June 2009. More than 4,250 objects are exhibited over an area of 14,000 square metres. The Organization for the Construction of the new museum is chaired by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Professor Emeritus of Archaeology, Dimitrios Pandermalis.
Source : wikipedia 
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Visiting Hours & Entry : https://bit.ly/32g9hL4

Adavi Eco Tourism

Adavi Eco Tourism

Adavi Eco Tourism

Located 10 kms. from Konni on the banks of River Kallar.

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Image credit : konniecotourism.org

Row with the ripples of nature’s gentlest waters and float towards vistas remote and exotic. Bringing you closer to the forest environs as well as the wildlife, the adventurous coracle rafting in Adavi, the first of its kind in Kerala, is all set for its maiden voyage.

A picturesque forest patch, 10 km from Konni on the banks of river Kallar, Adavi has nearly 5-km river frontage.

Coracle rafting or Bowl Boat riding is an innovative venture, which promises a never-before experience to travellers at Adavi eco tourism. Coracle is a round bamboo raft on which a group of four can row. At Adavi, one can row the coracle on paying Rs. 200 for an hour. The rafting begins from Mundommoozhy and goes through Thottikayam, Idikallu, Thattathikayam and finally would reach Irattayaar. Tickets for rafting can be obtained from the Konni Eco-tourism Centre. A slender bamboo variety locally known as kallanmula obtained from the Mannarappara forest region is used for the making of the coracles used at Adavi. A butterfly park, a rehabilitation centre for elephants, whitewater rafting, adventure trekking, tree-top huts, bamboo cottages, canopy walkways and eco-friendly tourist cottages are the other attractions that would soon come up at Adavi.

For more details contact:
Eco Tourism Office, Konni
Ph: +91 468 2247645

Source : keralatourism.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzaiZQ4V8EI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0gmkCn-WrM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmngWSwnNJI

Reviews

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Adventure Cove Waterpark

Adventure Cove Waterpark

Adventure Cove Waterpark

8 Sentosa Gateway,

Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269

Phone : +65 6577 8888

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Make a big splash at this aquatic adventure park at Resorts World ™ Sentosa.
Beat the heat with a day out at Adventure Cove Waterpark ™. Seven thrilling water rides, such as Pipeline Plunge, will get your heart rate up while dropping you down an elevated chute and then sending you careening down banked turns, radical twists and dips before splashing out in a pool of water.
But if all you want is a lazy day in the sun, grab a friend and a tube, and take a leisurely ride down Adventure River, drifting past 14 stunning habitats including a lush jungle garden, a mysterious grotto and an underwater tunnel with a sea of marine life swimming above and around you.
Swim with the fishes
The Rainbow Reef, meanwhile, allows you to snorkel in a lagoon with 20,000 friendly fishes playing hide-and-seek in the man-made reef. Or you might want to wade among dozens of rays in Ray Bay, lightly touching their velvety wings as they swim past you.
The kids have not been forgotten too, with the likes of features such as Seahorse Hideaway, a shallow wading pool complete with playful fountains that are just the right size for tots.
You can head to the Bay Restaurant for some nourishment after frolicking in the water. Indulge in Asian and Western delights al-fresco style on the terrace overlooking the waterpark, the perfect way to round off a delightful day of fun.
Source : yoursingapore.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWXdyTDfFeE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTU7v48-U2Q

Reviews

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Opening Hours

10am – 6pm daily

Admission

S$36 / Adult

S$26 / Child (4-12years)

S$26/ Seniors (60years and above)

Getting there:

By Sentosa Express : Alight at WaterFront Station

By Bus :

-Sentosa Bus 1 or Bus 2 and alight at Resorts World Sentosa (Basement 1)

-RWS 8 and alight at RWS 8 bus stop outside The Forum, Sentosa

By Foot : Take a stroll down the Sentosa Boardwalk to Resorts World Sentosa

Nearest Carpark

Resorts World Basement Car Park

Agasthyakoodam

Agasthyakoodam

Agasthyakoodam

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Part of the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) of mountains, Agasthyakoodam, at a height of 1,890 m above sea level, is the second highest peak in Kerala. Teeming with wildlife, the forests of Agasthyakoodam abound in rare medicinal herbs and plants, and brilliantly hued orchids. A bird watcher’s paradise, this legendary mountain is accessible by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam and also from Bonakkad. Trekking to Agasthyakoodam is believed to be healthy, the very air here is supposed to have healing properties. It is believed that sage Agasthya, the mythological character lived here.

Women are not allowed up the peak and permission is required to trek. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking, for which a forest pass has to be obtained the wildlife office in Thiruvananthapuram.

Contact Details :

Wildlife Warden

Forest Department

PTP Nagar, Thiruvanathapuram

Phone : +91 471 2360762

Source : keralatourism.org

There is a full-sized statue of Agathiyar at the top of the peak and the devotees can offer pujas themselves.

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Murti of Agasthya Muni at the top of Agasthyamalai hill

Source :wikipedia

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is among 20 new sites added by UNESCO to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves in March 2016. The International Co-ordinating Council added the new sites during a two-day meeting on March 19, 2016 in Lima, bringing the total number of biosphere reserves to 669 sites in 120 countries, including 16 transboundary sites.

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Reviews

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Ahar Cenotaphs

Ahar Cenotaphs

Ahar Cenotaphs

Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001

Phone 0294 247 0004

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The Ahar Cenotaphs are a group of royal cenotaphs located in Ahar, about 2 km east of Udaipur, in Rajasthan, India. The site contains more than 250 cenotaphs of the maharajas of Mewar that were built over approximately 350 years. There are 19 Chhatris that commemorate the 19 maharajas who were cremated here.

Source : Wikipedia

These memorial monuments have striking columns raised on big platforms sheltered by of arched roofs. The cenotaph which is dedicated to Maharana Amar Singh is most arresting. The other cenotaphs include cenotaph dedicated to Maharana Sangram Singh, Swaroop Singh, Shambhu Singh, Fateh Singh, Bhupal Singh, Bhagwat Singh Mewar and Sajjan Singh. These cenotaphs are made out of marble and possess the finest carvings. The cenotaph of Maharaha Sangram Singh is another attraction that has fifty-six pillars in its porch. It possess octagonal dome in its centre with the support of eight small pillars. In 1734, Maharana Sangram Singh was cremated here with his twenty-one wives.

Ahar Archeological Museum
Archeological Museum in Ahar is another attraction that is gaining popularity these days. Ahar museum is made to preserve the excavated items of the ancient period by the Government. This museum houses an unusual assortment of antiques that dates back to the 10th century. Here you can see earthen pots, iron objects and other artifacts that used to be part of the lifestyle of primordial people. The museum doesn’t comprise many things, but these unusual things are really worth seeing.

Source : udaipur.org.uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_kEvMT6iQQ

Reviews

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Visiting hours : 10.00AM to 04.30PM, Closed on Fridays

Entry fee : Rs.3/- per person

Ajmer Jain Temple

Ajmer Jain Temple

Ajmer Jain Temple

Dargah Bazar, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305001

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Nasiyan_Jain_Temple.jpg/320px-Nasiyan_Jain_Temple.jpg
Image Credit : wikipedia

Ajmer Jain Temple, also known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan, is an architecturally rich Jain Temple. It was built in the late nineteenth century. The main chamber, known as the Swarna Nagari “City of Gold”, has several gold-plated wooden figures, depicting several figures in the Jain religion..

This marvelous Jain temple, built in 1865, is also known as the Golden Temple, due to its amazing display in the double-storey temple hall. The two-storied structure of Nasiyan Temple is divided into two parts, where one is the worship area comprising the idol of Lord Adinath and the second is the museum including a hall. The hall is filled with a huge golden diorama depicting the Jain concept of the ancient world, with 13 continents and oceans, the intricate golden city of Ayodhya, flying peacock and elephant gondolas, and gilded elephants with many tusks.

An estimated 1000 kilograms of gold has been used in the construction. The interiors of the temple is decorated with the inner chamber that has silver balls suspended from its ceiling and is surmounted by a vimana (spire). The interiors are also embellished with the silver linings and precious other stones.

Reviews

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Visiting hours : 09.00AM to 04.00PM

Entry fee : Rs.10/- for Indians and Rs. 25/- for foreign tourists

Akshardham temple

Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple

Noida Mor, New Delhi, Delhi 110092

Phone : 011 434402344

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Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is a Hindu mandir, and a spiritual-cultural campus in New Delhi, India. Also referred to as Delhi Akshardhamor Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture. It is the largest Hindu temple after the Akshardham in Gandhinagar both inspired and developed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasawasi Shri Ashakar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans construct the temple.

The temple, which attracts approximately 70 percent of all tourists who visit Delhi, was officially opened on 6 November 2005 by Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam. It sits near the banks of the Yamuna adjacent to the 2010 Commonwealth Games village in eastern New Delhi. The temple, at the center of the complex, was built according to theVasti shatra and Pancharatra shastra .

The complex features an Abhisheka Mandap, Sahaj Anand water show, a thematic garden and three exhibitions namely Sahajanand Darshan (Hall of Values), Neelkanth Darshan (an IMAX film on the early life of Swaminarayan as the teenage yogi, Neelkanth), and Sanskruti Darshan (cultural boat ride). According to Swaminarayan Hinduism, the word Akshardham means the abode of God and believed by followers as a temporal home of God on earth.

The main attraction of the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is the Akshardham Mandir. It rises 141-foot (43 m) high, spans 316-foot (96 m) wide, and extends 356-foot (109 m) long. It is intricately carved with flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities.

It is entirely constructed from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble. Based on traditional Hindu architectural guidelines (Shilpa shastras) on maximum temple life span, it makes no use of ferrous metal. Thus, it has no support from steel or concrete.

The mandir also consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, nine domes, and 20,000 murtis of sadhus, devotees, and acharyas. The mandir also features the Gajendra Pith at its base, a plinth paying tribute to the elephant for its importance in Hindu culture and India’s history. It contains 148 life sized elephants in total weighing a total of 3000 tons.

Under the temple’s central dome lies the 11-foot (3.4m) high murti of Swaminarayan seated in abhayamudra to whom the temple is dedicated. Swaminarayan is surrounded by images of the faith’s lineage of Gurus depicted either in a devotional posture or in a posture of service. Each murti is made of paanch dhaatu or five metals in accordance to Hindu tradition. The temple also houses the murtis of Sita Ram, Radha Krishna, Shiv Parvati, and Laksmi Narayan.

Exhibits

Sahajanand Darshan [Hall of Values] The Hall of Values features lifelike robotics and dioramas which display incidents from Swaminarayan’s life, portraying his message about the importance of peace, harmony, humility, service to others and devotion to God. Set in 18th century India, the audience experiences eternal messages gleaned from ancient Hindu culture such as non-violence, vegetarianism, perseverance, prayers, morality, and family harmony through 15 3-D dioramas which make use of state of the art robotics, fibre optics, light and sound effects, dialogues, and music. The hall also features the world’s smallest animatronic  robot in the form of Ghanshyam Maharaj, the child form of Swaminarayan

Nilkanth Darshan [Theatre]

The theatre houses Delhi’s first and only large format screen, measuring 85-foot (26 m) by 65-foot (20 m). The theatre shows a 40-minute film specially commissioned for the complex, Neelkanth Yatra, to recount a seven-year pilgrimage made by Swaminarayan made during his teenage years throughout India.  A 27-foot (8.2 m) tall bronze murti of Neelkanth Varni is located outside the theatre.

Sanskruti Vihar [Boat Ride]

The Boat Ride is a 15-minute journey through 10,000 years of India’s glorious heritage, using life size figures and robotics to depict life in Vedic India, from family life to bazaars and teaching. It also shows the contributions of Vedic Indians to various fields such as science, astronomy, arts, literature, yoga, mathematics, etc. by eminent persons.

Musical fountain

Known as the Yagnapurush Kund, it is India’s largest step well. It features a very large series of steps down to a traditional Yagna kund. During the day, these steps provide rest for the visitors to the complex and at night, a musical fountain show representing the circle of life is played to an audience which is seated on the same steps.  The fountain measures 300 feet (91 m) by 300 feet (91 m) with 2,870 steps and 108 small shrines. In its center lies an eight-petaled lotus shaped yagna kund designed according to the Jayaakhya Samhita of the Panchratra shastra

Source : Wikipedia.

Reviews

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Location : Banks of River Yamuna in East Delhi

Visiting Hours : 9.00 AM to 6.30 PM (Tuesday – Sunday). Closed on Monday.

Time required : Minimum 3 – 4 Hours.

Enjoy : A 15 Minute Boating experience showcasing world’s oldest Vedic Village and Bazaar.

Don’t miss : The Premati Ahargruh or the Premvati Food Court, a vegetarian restaurant modeled on the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, and an Ayurvedic bazaar. The restaurant caters a verity of traditional dishes.

Other Attractions : Bharat Upvan ( Gardens ). Lotus Shaped Garden.

Inside tip: Visit the Temple at evenings as it comes alive due to the magnificent Lighting Effects.

Entry Fee : Adults Rs. 170/- , Children 4-12 years Rs.100/- ( Children below 4 years free), Senior Citizen Rs. 125/-, Cameras, video cameras, mobile phones or any electronic items are not allowed inside the complex.

Musical Fountain Entry Fee : Adults Rs. 30/-,  Child 4-11 years Rs. 20/- ,  Child Below 4 years Free.

Ala Moana

Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana

1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA

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Central promenade of Ala Moana Center. Image credit : wikipedia

Ala Moana Center, commonly known simply as Ala Moana, is the largest shopping mall in Hawaii. It is also the seventh largest shopping mall in the United States, the largest open-air shopping center in the world, and the largest mall owned by General Growth Properties. Ala Moana is consistently ranked among the top ten most successful malls in the United States and, in 2009, was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as America’s second most profitable, behind The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Located at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, Ala Moana Center is part of the commercial, retail, and residential district of Ala Moana, south of Makiki, east of Kakaʻako, west of Waikīkī and adjacent to Ala Moana Beach Park. It will be the end-station of the future Honolulu Metro.

Costing US$25 million in 1959, Ala Moana Center had eighty-seven stores and four thousand parking spaces. Ala Moana Center was remodeled extensively in various phases. New designs reflected modern Hawaiian architectural principles, emphasizing the importance of the symbolism of various natural phenomena found in Hawaiʻi.
Ala Moana Centerstage is one of the most popular public amphitheaters in Hawaiʻi. On a stage in the center of the shopping complex, local talents are showcased for visitors to enjoy. Hula dances are a staple for Ala Moana Centerstage as well as performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, the oldest municipal band in the United States. Schools throughout the country, as well as the world, travel to Honolulu just to be able to perform at Ala Moana Centerstage.

In addition, episodes of the local TV show Hawaii Stars, a singing competition, are usually filmed on this stage. Onlookers can usually be seen crowding the second- and third-story balconies overlooking the stage during taping.
Source : wikipedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqgJsIyJwe0
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z0lNvLuWS8

Alappuzha Beach

Alappuzha Beach

Alappuzha Beach

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Image credit : youtube.com

Alappuzha Beach is a beach in Alappuzha town and a tourist attraction in Kerala, India. Beach has an old pier which extend to sea and is over 150 years old. The beach host many events annually like Alappuzha beach festival, Sand art festival and many more.

Alappuzha lighthouse is situated near to the beach. Beach is accessible through various town roads and an elevated highway is passing by the beach as part of Alappuzha bypass in order to preserve the beauty of the area.

Alappuzha beach festival is a famous event organised as part of new year celebration. It’s organised as an annual event in every year. Thousands of people gathers in the event includes from other district. Kerala’s first international sand art festival and competition held on April 26-2015 in the beach. Many national and international sand artists participated in event. The state tourism department and the Alleppey Foundation has jointly organised the event.

Source : Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZca_Oi3l5Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7u6Vi3Suo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j1_9fMKK_g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSGXAc1cMBQ

Reviews

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Albert Hall Museum

Albert Hall Museum

Albert Hall Museum

Ramniwas Bag, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004

Phone : 0141 257 0099

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Albert_Hall_Museum_Night_View.jpg/320px-Albert_Hall_Museum_Night_View.jpg
The Albert Hall Museum at night

The Albert Hall Museum is a museum in Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. It is the oldest museum of the state and functions as the State museum of Rajasthan. The building is situated in Ram Niwas Garden outside the city wall opposite New gate and is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The building was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, assisted by Mir Tujumool Hoosein, and was opened as public museum in 1887. It is also called the Government Central Museum. Maharaja Ram Singh initially wanted this building to be a town hall, but his successor, Madho Singh II, decided it should be a museum for the art of Jaipur and included as part of the new Ram Nivas Garden. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts including paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, and works in crystal.

It is named after King Edward VII (Albert Edward), during whose visit to the city as the Prince of Wales, its foundation stone was laid on 6 February 1876.

Source : wikipedia

For details and virtual tour

http://alberthalljaipur.gov.in/

Reviews

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Visiting hours: 09.00AM to 05.00PM

Entry fee :Rs.20/- for Indians, Rs.150/- for foreign tourists, Rs.10/- for Indian students and Rs.75/- for foreign students

Alimatha Island

Alimatha Island

Alimatha Island

Image result for alimatha island maldives
Image credit : Maldivestourism.net

Alimatha is in Vaavu Atoll and sits on the eastern edge of Maldives. Its reef is the southern edge of Myaru Kandu, one of the most famous channel dives in the whole world. This dive location is so beautiful that it has been included within the government-sanctioned list of protected dive sites. Myaru in Dhivehi means shark and Kandu means channel: the name says it all. Another protected dive site is Fotteyo Kandu, a 90 minutes boat ride from Alimatha: the spectrum of different colours found in the wall-covering soft corals is astounding, truly a case of nature being more fantastic than fantasy itself.

Diving in the Maldives is a true pleasure for beginners and expert divers alike.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-0A-C6U6Mk

Reviews

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Alive Museum Singapore

Alive Museum

Alive Museum Singapore

Suntec City Mall #03-372 (between Towers 3 & 4) Singapore 038983

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Alive Museum is Singapore’s brand new fun and entertainment destination. Suitable for people of all ages, be it families, couples or tourists, the Alive Museum infuses and modernizes the concept of art into fun and entertainment. Sprawling over 10,000 sq ft, more than 80 artwork exhibits are brought ALIVE with 3D painting, shading and drawing techniques that create visual illusions.

Visitors will not only be able to experience magical ideas in reality by touching and watching objects, they will be part of the masterpiece.

At Alive Museum Singapore, visitors may get up close and see 9 locally themed paintings in addition to the other interactive pieces on exhibit.

As part of the Museum’s efforts to refresh and reinvigorate visitors’ experiences, 30% of paintings will be changed annually.

There is free WiFi access inside the museum.

About Alive Museum

Creative Tong Korea owns Alive Museum. Adval Brand Group is the official licencee and marketing agent of the Museum in Singapore and globally outside of Korea, and works closely with Creative Tong Korea and Creative Tong Asia to make Alive Museum Singapore a success.

Adval Brand Group Pte Ltd was started in 1999 by Ms Patsy Ong Hahl and Mr Tom Hahl. Since then, the company has established itself as a key player in the growing tourism sector in Singapore and Asia. Adval’s main focus is in the branding, sales and marketing of leisure and tourism projects and businesses related to these projects.

Source : alivemuseum.sg

Tips for Great Photos
https://goo.gl/9EbCc9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3x4Byjzk0g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIQ1WNO1Fgc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTtaiF1T2RE

Reviews

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Opening hours : Opens daily from 10am to 10pm (last admission at 9pm)

Entrance fee : Adult 13 yrs and above: S$25, Child 3 – 12 yrs: S$20, Package 2 Adults + 1 Child: S$60

Getting there : MRT Promanade, Exit C

Almudena Cathedral

Almudena Cathedral

Almudena Cathedral

Calle de Bailén, 10, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Phone : +34 915 42 22 00

File:Madrid cathedral Spain exterior.jpg
Attribution: Iantomferry at English Wikipedia

Almudena Cathedral (Santa María la Real de La Almudena) is a Catholic church in Madrid, Spain. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid. The cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993.

When the capital of Spain was transferred from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, the seat of the Church in Spain remained in Toledo and the new capital had no cathedral. Plans to build a cathedral in Madrid dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena were discussed as early as the 16th century but even though Spain built more than 40 cities in the new world during that century and plenty of cathedrals, the cost of expanding and keeping the Empire came first and the construction of Madrid’s cathedral was postponed. Making the cathedral the largest that the world had ever seen was then a priority, all other main Spanish cities had centuries old cathedrals, Madrid also has old churches but the construction of Almudena only began in 1879.

The cathedral seems to have been built on the site of a medieval mosque that was destroyed in 1083 when Alfonso VI reconquered Madrid.

Francisco de Cubas, the Marquis of Cubas, designed and directed the construction in a Gothic revival style. Construction ceased completely during the Spanish Civil War, and the project was abandoned until 1950, when Fernando Chueca Goitia [es] adapted the plans of de Cubas to a baroque exterior to match the grey and white façade of the Palacio Real, which stands directly opposite. The cathedral was not completed until 1993, when it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. On 22 May 2004 the marriage of King Felipe VI, then crown prince, to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano took place at the cathedral.

The Neo-Gothic interior is uniquely modern, with chapels and statues of contemporary artists, in heretogeneous styles, from historical revivals to “pop-art” decor. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel features mosaic from known artist Fr. Marko Ivan Rupnik.

The Neo-Romanesque crypt houses a 16th-century image of the Virgen de la Almudena. Nearby along the Calle Mayor excavations have unearthed remains of Moorish and medieval city walls.

On 28 April 2004 Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid, blessed the new paintings in the apse, painted by Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neocatechumenal Way.
Source : wikipedia 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlKsK-mdMI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVrifBFf3yQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHtKMnjG3sA
Reviews
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Opening hours : 09.30am to 08.30pm

 

Alter of fatherland

Altar of the Fatherland

Alter of fatherland

File:Altar della Patria September 2015-1.jpg
Image Credit : Wikipedia

The Altar of the Fatherland, also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II), is a prominent monument located in Rome, Italy. This massive monument was constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. Here are some key details about the Altar of the Fatherland:

Construction: The construction of the Altar of the Fatherland began in 1885 and was completed in 1925. It was designed by the architect Giuseppe Sacconi and later modified by Manfredo Manfredi and Pio Piacentini.

Purpose: The monument was built to commemorate Victor Emmanuel II, who played a crucial role in the unification of Italy in the 19th century. He was the first king of a united Italy from 1861 to 1878.

Design: The Altar of the Fatherland is an imposing white marble structure that includes a central building with a large equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II, flanked by two wings with various sculptures and reliefs. The entire monument is designed in the Neoclassical and Neobaroque styles and is noted for its grandiosity.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: The monument houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is a symbol of remembrance for the Italian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. The tomb is marked by an eternal flame and is guarded by the changing of the guard ceremony.

Location: The Altar of the Fatherland is situated on Capitoline Hill, one of Rome’s seven hills, and it overlooks the Roman Forum and the ancient city. It is strategically located in the heart of Rome, not far from other famous landmarks like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill.

Access: Visitors can enter the monument and explore its various sections, including the central altar and the museum inside. There are also elevators to take you to the rooftop, which offers panoramic views of Rome.

Controversy: The Altar of the Fatherland has been a subject of controversy due to its size and architectural style, which contrasts with the historic buildings of Rome. Some locals refer to it as “the wedding cake” or “the typewriter” because of its distinctive appearance.

Visiting Information: The monument is open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction. It is advisable to check the opening hours and any entry requirements before planning a visit.

The Altar of the Fatherland, with its striking presence and historical significance, stands as a tribute to Italy’s unification and the memory of Victor Emmanuel II. It is a symbol of Italian patriotism and is an integral part of Rome’s architectural and cultural landscape.
Source : openai.com
Visiting Hours : 09.30 AM to 07.30 PM
Entrance Fee : https://shorturl.at/ACGV9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1kXikn626E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfikegiQpJs

The Altar of the Fatherland, also known as the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, is a prominent monument located in Rome, Italy.

Alumkadavu

Alumkadavu

Alumkadavu

https://www.keralatourism.org/images/destination/large/alumkadavu_kollam20150220111957_442_1.jpg https://www.keralatourism.org/images/picture/large/Alumkadavu_Kollam_13.jpg

Alumkadavu is where the first houseboats in India were built. Located north of Kollam district, the waft of coir and wood is always in the air of this village. And the reason: It is a major centre for the construction of kettuvalloms (traditional rice barges) which are later modified into houseboats for travelers

The houseboats eventually take shape at the hands of skilled craftsmen of the village, who make sue of local and eco-friendly materials like wood, bamboo poles and coconut fibre.

It is also a coir manufacturing centre, making Kollam famous for its coir products.

Source : keralatourism.org.

Among the houseboat tours from Kollam, the Kollam – Alumkadavu is one of the most popular ones. It is blessed with enchanting natural beauty. Sailing in the houseboat across the Kollam – Alumkadavu national water way can be the best experience of a Kollam tour.
A journey of only 26 Kilometers from Kollam city enables one to reach this wonderful place. The crystalline backwater lake is surrounded by expansive stretches of coconut and palm trees. It falls in the way of the Kollam-Alappuzha route.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI-xqK9sDyA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHbpcko75Zk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6OOYp9MTuk

Amazing! The Beauty of Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner on Display

Boeing Dreamliner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwxGDdsI_bU

Image credit : wikipedia

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American long-haul, mid-size widebody, twin-engine jet airliner made by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Its variants seat 242 to 335 passengers in typical three-class seating configurations. It is Boeing’s most fuel-efficient airliner and is a pioneering airliner with the use of composite materials as the primary material in the construction of its airframe. The 787 was designed to be 20% more fuel efficient than the Boeing 767, which it was intended to replace. The 787 Dreamliner’s distinguishing features include mostly electrical flight systems, raked wingtips, and noise-reducing chevrons on its engine nacelles. It shares a common type rating with the larger Boeing 777 to allow qualified pilots to operate both models.
The aircraft’s initial designation was the 7E7, prior to its renaming in January 2005. The first 787 was unveiled in a roll-out ceremony on July 8, 2007 at Boeing’s Everett factory. Development and production of the 787 has involved a large-scale collaboration with numerous suppliers worldwide. Final assembly takes place at the Boeing Everett Factory in Everett, Washington, and at the Boeing South Carolina factory in North Charleston, South Carolina. Originally planned to enter service in May 2008, the project experienced multiple delays. The airliner’s maiden flight took place on December 15, 2009, and completed flight testing in mid-2011. Boeing has reportedly spent $32 billion on the 787 program.
Final US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification was received in August 2011 and the first 787-8 was delivered in September 2011. It entered commercial service on October 26, 2011 with launch customer All Nippon Airways. The stretched 787-9 variant, which is 20 feet (6.1 m) longer and can fly 450 nautical miles (830 km) farther than the -8, first flew in September 2013. Deliveries of the 787-9 began in July 2014; it entered commercial service on August 7, 2014 with All Nippon Airways, with 787-9 launch customer Air New Zealand following two days later. As of January 2017, the 787 had orders for 1,202 aircraft from 64 customers, with All Nippon Airways having the largest number on order.
Source : wikipedia

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

SH 12, Ambalapuzha, Kerala 688561

Phone : 0477 227 2090

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/AmbalaPuzha_Temple.jpg/320px-AmbalaPuzha_Temple.jpg

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple in Ambalappuzha, Alappuzha district of Kerala, in south India.

The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is believed to have been built during 15th – 17th AD by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran.

The idol at Ambalapuzha is likened to Parthasarathi with a whip in the right hand and a Shankhu (sacred conch) in the left. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. During the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping.

The payasam served in the Ambalappuzha Temple is famous among Hindu devotees. This sweet pudding made of rice and milk has an interesting mythological legend behind it.It is believed that Guruvayoorappan reaches here daily at the time of Palpayasa Nedyam to have it.

According to the legend, God Krishna once appeared in the form of a sage in the court of the king who ruled the region and challenged him for a game of chess. The king being a chess enthusiast himself gladly accepted the invitation. The prize had to be decided before the game and the king asked the sage to choose his prize in case he won. The sage told the king that he had a very modest claim and being a man of few material needs, all he wished was a few grains of rice. The amount of rice itself shall be determined using the chess-board in the following manner. One grain of rice shall be placed in the first square, two grains in the second square, four in the third square, eight in the fourth square, sixteen in 5th square and so on. Every square will have double of its predecessor.

Upon hearing the demand, the king was unhappy since the sage requested only a few grains of rice instead of other riches from the kingdom which the king would have been happy to donate. He requested the sage to add other items to his prize but the sage declined.

So the game of chess started and needless to say the king lost the game. It was time to pay the sage his agreed-upon prize. As he started adding grains of rice to the chess board, the king soon realised the true nature of the sage’s demands. By the 20th square, the number had reached one million grains of rice and by the 40th square, it became one million million. The royal granary soon ran out of grains of rice. The king realised that even if he provides all the rice in his kingdom and his adjacent kingdoms, he will never be able to fulfill the promised reward. The number of grains was increasing as a geometric progression and the total amount of rice required to fill a 64-squared chess board is ((2^64) – 1) which is equal to the number 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 translating to trillions of tons of rice.

Upon seeing the dilemma, the sage appeared to the king in his true-form, that of God Krishna. He told the King that he did not have to pay the debt immediately but could pay him over time. The king would serve paal-payasam (made of rice) in the temple freely to the pilgrims every day until the debt was paid off.

Source : Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rdG45cqhRo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC8gMany8zc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zXGPMTHhJI

Reviews

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Visiting hours : 03.00AM to 12.00PM and 05.00PM to 08.00PM

Amer Fort

Amer Fort

Amer Fort

Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001

Phone : 0141 253 0293

11 Km From Jaipur on Delhi-Jaipur Highway

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Amber_palace%2C_Jaipur.jpg/320px-Amber_palace%2C_Jaipur.jpg
Front view of the Palace with serpentine staircase viewing from the road

Amer Fort is a World Heritage Site.

Amer Fort (spelled and pronounced as Amber Fort and Amber Palace) is located in Amer, a town with an area of 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi)  located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Jaipur. Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attractions in the Jaipur area. The town of Amer Was originally built by Meenas, and later it was ruled by Raja Man Singh I (December 21, 1550 – July 6, 1614).

Amer Fort is known for its artistic Hindu style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake.It is the main source of water for the Amer Palace.

The aesthetic ambiance of the palace is seen within its walls. Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. Hence, the Amer Fort is also popularly known as the Amer Palace. The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Sila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult, which was given to Raja Man Singh when he defeated the Raja of Jessore, Bengal in 1604. (Jessore is now in Bangladesh).

This palace, along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the same Aravalli range of hills. The palace and Jaigarh Fort are considered one complex, as the two are connected by a subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in times of war to enable the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort to shift to the more redoubtable Jaigarh Fort.

At the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2013, Amer Fort, along with five other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

Source : Wikipedia

Today, tourists can ride up to the fort from the base of the hill on elephants. On the ride, one can see the skyline of Jaipur, Maotha lake, and the original city walls. The fort can be toured with a guide or on one’s own. You also have audio guides available in various languages. The sound and light show in the evening is worth a view. The show is for 50 minutes and the timings are 6.30 pm in Hindi and 7.30pm in English.

One of the most striking parts of the fort is the Hall of Mirrors. Tour guides tell visitors that when the palace was occupied by royalty, the hall could be lit at night by a single candle because of all the tiny, intricate mirrors.

There is a tunnel connecting Amer fort and Jaigarh fort about 800 meters long , 14-foot deep pit, approximately 10 feet wide out of which about 325meters have been excavated and now open to public. This passage was meant as an escape route in times of war to enable the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort to shift to the more redoubtable Jaigarh Fort.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Amber_Fort_-_Tunnel_-_Inside_1.jpg/320px-Amber_Fort_-_Tunnel_-_Inside_1.jpg
The tunnel. Image Credit : commons.wikimedia.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DX4hMCP120

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry-EKj7TxNs

Elephant ride at Amer fort

The tunnel connecting Amer and Jaigarh Fort

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wzVI-PhCeA

Light & sound show at Amer fort

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch1sctpJtk0

Reviews

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Entry fee : Rs. 25/- for Indians, Rs. 50/- for foreign tourists, Rs. 50/- for still camera for Indians, Rs..100/- for video camera for Indians, Rs.70/- for still camera for foreign tourists, Rs.150/- for video camera for foreign tourists

Amritapuri

Amritapuri

Amritapuri

Amritapuri.PO,Kollam,Kerala – 690525

Phone : +91 476 2897578

http://www.amritapuri.org/images/2000/04/asrham-07.jpg
Image credit : amritapuri.org

Located about 33 kms from KollamThe Mata Amritanandamayi Math is the ashram in Amritapuri of the world-renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (known to most people simply as “Amma”). Amritapuri Ashram is the headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), Amma’s India-based spiritual and humanitarian organization, and the international headquarters of Embracing the World.

It is also home to an international community of more than 3,000 people. Permanent residents include monastic disciples and families from all over India and abroad. Inspired by Amma, they have dedicated their lives to attaining the goal of Self-realisation and serving the world. It is here that they live with Amma, imbibing her teachings, practicing meditation and participating in selfless service.

It is also an international pilgrimage centre for people searching for solace, inspiration and inner peace. Thousands of people come to the ashram every day to experience Amma’s boundless love. Amma makes herself available day and night to meet everyone who comes, and to advise the disciples and volunteers managing the many humanitarian projects of  Embracing the World. Daily, Amma leads the evening prayers and devotional singing. Several times a week, she sits with all the residents in meditation and holds open question-and-answer sessions on spiritual topics.

Source : keralatourism.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umwL5fRnQqg

Ana Sagar Lake

Ana Sagar Lake

Ana Sagar Lake

Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305001

Image result for ana sagar lake wikipedia images
Image Ctrdit : wikimapia.org

Ana Sagar Lake is an artificial lake situated in the city of Ajmer. It was built by Anaji tomar(anangpal tomar), the grandfather of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, in 1135 -1150 AD and is named after him. The catchments were built with the help of local populace. The lake is spread over 13 Kilometers. The Baradari or pavilions were built by Shajahan in 1637 and Daulat Bagh Gardens by Jehangir. There is a Circuit house on a hill near the lake that used to be British Residency. There is an island in the center of the lake which is accessible by boat. Boats could be hired from the east side of the Dault Bagh. There are Chowaptty and Jetty walkway next to each other and Baradari to capture the scenic of the lake. The lake is the biggest one in Ajmer, with the maximum catchments area (5 square km built up area). The maximum depth of lake is 4.4 m with storage capacity of 4.75 million cubic meter. The Rajasthan High Court has banned construction in the catchment areas of the lake basins. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in India .

Legend of Auliya Moinuddin Chishti When the Muslim saint Moinuddin Chishti arrived in Ajmer, he and his followers were banned from using water from Ana Sagar. He requested to get a cup of water that was granted. When the cup was filled the water of the lake got dried up miraculously. People requested to return the water, the saint gracefully did so. Since then Moinuddin Chishti got multitude of followers.

Source : Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFIkcUATJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1jPy9-LlC4

Reviews

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Visiting hours : 08.00AM to 08.00PM, all days of the week

Anamudi

Anamudi

Anamudi

File:AnaimudiPeak DSC 4834.jpg
Image credit : commons.wikimedia

Anamudi, the 2,695-m high mountain which stands tall in the Eravikulam National Park is the pride of Kerala. It is the highest point in India outside the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. Anamudi, together with the Eravikulam Park, is home to one of the largest surviving populations of Asian elephants, Gaurs and the Nilgiri Tahrs. The mountain, covered with evergreen forests and inhabited by endemic flora and fauna and a vibrant avian life, is a paradise in the wild. The green forest is also the source of some large and scenic rivers in Kerala and the nearby State of Tamil Nadu. Take a trek to the top of the mountain and know how it would feel when you are above every human in South India !

Those who wish to trek should take permission from the Eravikulam National Park authorities. It is also recommended to contact the authorities for details on trekking and weather.

Contact for permission:
Forest Information Centre
Wildlife Warden’s Office
Munnar PO, Idukki
Kerala, India – 685 612
Tel: +91 4865 231587
E-mail: roywlw@eravikulam.org

Other contact addresses:
The Wild life Warden,
Munnar Wildlife Division,
Munnar
Tel: +91 4865 231587
Source : keralatourism.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SNO30R4kAY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgU1KfaZs1A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nex7oUrqOvA
Reviews
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Anayirankal, Munnar

Anayirankal Dam

Anayirankal, Munnar

Image result for anayirankal dam reservoir wikipedia
Image Credit : commons.wikimedia.org

A lush green carpet of tea plants, Anayirankal is an ideal picnic spot for the travellers from around the world. The Anayirankal Dam is surrounded by the Tata Tea Plantation and evergreen forests. Anayirankal is located 22 km from Munnar, the popular hill station of Kerala. A boat ride on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience.
Source : keralatourism.org 
Anayirankal Dam and Lake are among the most scenic spots near Munnar and should form a part of your itinerary when you plan a trip to this charming hill station in Kerala. The splendid view of the undulating tea plantations that stretch across extensively on the slopes of the hills is a truly enchanting sight. Anayirankal Dam has snared an exclusive niche on the tourist map due to this singular attraction, coupled of course with the bewitching Anayirankal Lake.
The beauty of this region has triggered the proliferation of a number of resorts overlooking the lake, offering a memorable holiday experience for tourists.
Anayirankal Dam is situated 22 kilometers from Munnar in Idukki District and is a famed picnic spot and tourist destination of Kerala. The best time to visit this place is from August to May.
Source : goroadtrip.com 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6NIiwJTeOQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7fSvcSjh_c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg16dLEtn00
Reviews
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Anchuruli Waterfalls

Anchuruli waterfalls

Anchuruli Waterfalls

Image result for anchuruli waterfalls tripadvisor images
Image Credit : pinterest.com

Anjuruli is a tourist spot located 3 km from Kanchiyar village, on the Kottayam-Kattapana route in Idukki District. It is about 5 km from Labbakkandom settlement of the Periyar Lake, and is a catchment area of Idukki Arch Dam, providing a bewitching and awesome view of nature. Anjuruli is famous for the waterfall which can be reached with the help of the local people. This gushing water that comes from Erattayar River is stored here for the Idukki hydro-electric project. Anjuruli is a picturesque picnic spot with a splendid view of semi-evergreen forest, grassland and hilly areas of the Western Ghats. Anchuruli is also an ideal place for fishing. A 4.75 km tunnel passes through the mountain, connecting Erattayar and Anchuruli. Water passes through this tunnel and drains into the lake. The adventurous ones can walk into the tunnel during summer although it is dangerous. Pullumedu is another place worth visiting.

The best time for visit Anchuruli waterfalls is after the rainy season. Trekking is possible with the prior permission from the Divisional forest Office at Kanchiyar. The common sites in Anchuruli are Edapalayam, Para Valavu, Nellippara, Kozhikkannam and Chakkuppara. Nellikkampetty is a nearby tourist spot.

Anjuruli can be approached by bus from Kattapana to Kanchiyar. From Kanchiyar, a trek through the forest road leads to Anjuruli. Kanchiyar is on the Kattappana-Kottayam route, around 9 km from Kattappana. Taxis are available from Kanchiyar to Anchuruli. The nearest railway station is at Kottayam.
Source : wikipedia 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GuY1x7bH_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmHbFZWEUOA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Z7J7fMsvU
Reviews
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Anchuthengu

Anchuthengu

Anchuthengu

Image result for anchuthengu fort
Image Credit : tripadvisor.in

Anchuthengu (“Five Coconut Palms”), formerly known as Anjengo or Anjenga, is a coastal town in the Thiruvanathapuram District of Kerala.

The town contains old Portuguese-style churches, a lighthouse, a 100-year-old convent and school, tombs of Dutch and British sailors and soldiers, and the remains of the Anchthengu Fort. Kaikara village, the birthplace of the famous Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan, is located nearby. Temples in the area are Sree Bala Subrahmanya Swami Kshethram and Parambil Sree Bhadrakali Yogeeshwara Kshethram.

Anchuthengu is about 36 kilometers (22 mi) north of Thiruvanathapuram. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport. Kadakkavur Railway Station is 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) away.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Anjengo_Kerala1.jpg/320px-Anjengo_Kerala1.jpg
Ajengo Beach

Originally, it was an old Portuguese settlement between Kollam and Thiruvanathapuram, and near Varkala. In 1794, the Queen of Attingal granted the British East India Company the right to establish a factory and a fort at Anjengo, which became the Company’s first trade settlement in Kerala. The Anjengo Fort was erected in 1694-5. It was an occasional port of call for East Indiamen. The fort played an important role in the Anglo-Mysore Wars of the 18th century but, by the 19th century, the fort was considered an unnecessary expense. The EIC abandoned it, and the factory, in 1813. In the 19th century, the town remained known for its excellent ropes (manufactured from the local palms) and also exported pepper, homespun cotton cloth, and drugs.

Source : Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfgWz1dDk6M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7K5dB1ydRE

Reviews

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Ancient Agora of Athens

Ancient Agora of Athens

Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55, Greece
Phone : +30 2103210185

Ancient Agora of Athens - Tripadvisor
Image Credit wikipedia

The ancient Agora of Athens (also called the Classical Agora) is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill known as the Agoraios Kolonos, also called Market Hill. The Agora’s initial use was for a commercial, assembly, or residential gathering place.

The Athenian Agora lies beneath the northern slope of the Acropolis. The Ancient Agora of Athens was the primary meeting ground for Athenians, where members of democracy congregated affairs of the state, where business was conducted, a place to hang out, and watch performers and listen to famous philosophers. The importance of the Athenian agora revolved around religion. The agora was a very sacred place, in which holiness is laid out in the architecture of the ground in which it lay upon. The layout of the agora was centered around the Panathenaic Way, a road that ran through the middle of Athens and to the main gate of the city, Dipylon. This road was considered tremendously sacred, serving as a travel route for the Panathenaic festival, which was held in the honor of the goddess Athena every four years. The agora was also famously known for housing the Temple of Hephaestus, the Greek god of metalworking and craftsmen. This temple is still in great condition to this day. Other temples priorly standing in the agora include honor for Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Ares.
Source : wikipedia 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4YiKZY8P0E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwSyDvu6kxM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UasvHBfyRGI
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Ancient Theater of Milos

Ancient Theater of Milos

Ancient Theater of Milos

Milos 848 00, Greece
Phone : +302287028026

File:Ancient theatre of Milos, Roman times, 15M5841.jpg
Image Credit : Wikipedia

On a rocky slope, near the famous catacombs stands the ancient theater of Milos that Romans built during the Hellenistic period. It exists to this day though most of it is is actually ruined and is not in the initial shape as it was hundreds of years ago. The theater of Milos used to organize theater festivals. Nowadays, the inhabitants continue to organize many cultural events. The theatre is located close to the village of Tripiti, 5 kilometers from Adamas and 2 kilometers from Plaka. It is above the harbor of Klima.
Source : Greeka.com 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FLRLxTFUKw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nejlnj2oDw4
Reviews
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Andhakaranazhy Beach

Andhakaranazhy

Andhakaranazhy Beach


This photo of Andhakaranazhi Beach is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Andhakaranazhy (Andhakaranazhi) is a coastal village located 4 km west of Pattanakkad under pattanakkad Panchayath under Cherthala Taluk. It is famous for its beach which draws a number of domestic and international tourists.

The nearest railway station is Vayalar. This place was one of the seriously affected areas in the Tsunami which hit the Kerala Coast on 26 December 2006.

An azhy similar to an isthmus, is a sand sedimentation formed by the constant action of seawater where the backwaters merge into the sea. Two barges having large mechanized shutters are erected near the north and south end of the azhy. These shutters, operated by traction motors, help to regulate the flow of saline water entering into the neighboring paddy fields of Thuravoor, Pattanakad, Ezhupunna, and Kuthiathode panchayats connected to thbackwaters]]. Water is released into the sea by lifting these shutters to prevent flooding in these paddy fields during excessive rains. A tall and majestic lighthouse near the azhy stands like a signal tower guiding the seamen during night. This lighthouse was open to the public during Onam, but is restricted now. This place is also one of the popular locations for Malayalam film shoots.

A new bridge is constructed near the southern barge across the isthmus lake. An aerial walkway is also constructed, extending up to the sea wall. Standing on the walkway a splendid panoramic view of sun set can be enjoyed. The walkway ends up to the new tourist complex. A large number of localities and passing tourists visit the beach during the weekends.

Source : wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFIJAW40Liw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5VQ-m1_yCM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3smxhF_mf8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1plhcb9qjM

Reviews

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Animal and Bird Encounters

Animal and Bird Encounters

Animal and Bird Encounters

01 Test Avenue, Singapore 123456

Phone : +656736 8672

C:\Users\user\Pictures\Singapore\animal5.jpg
Image credit : staging.sentosa.com.sg/

Experience at Palawan Amphitheatre, Animal and Bird Encounters, an awesome display of intelligence, agility and responsiveness from  animals.

Nimble monkeys, amazing reptiles and colourful parrots all get in on the act!

Enjoy a daily show of delightful tricks and antics by exotic parrots, mischievous macaques and majestic birds-of-prey at Palawan Amphitheatre, Palawan Beach.

The feeding sessions and exciting animal shows, which also offer opportunities for photo-taking with the animals, are sure to entertain both children and parents.

Encounter programmes are held every day at the Bird Aviary and Palawan Amphitheatre for which all are invited to learn more about birds such as lories, parrots and cockatoos but also monkeys and reptiles. The feeding sessions and exciting animal shows, which also offer opportunities for photo-taking with the animals, are sure to entertain both children and parents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa8SHOgPtqo

Opening Hours
Daily Programmes* from 2pm to 5.30pm
2pm – 2.15pm: Lory Feeding at the Bird Aviary
Live commentary on Lories at Bird Aviary

3pm – 3.20pm: Bird Encounters
An encounter with parrots at the Palawan Amphitheatre

4pm – 4.15pm: Close Encounters
A close encounter with animals (adjacent to Bird Aviary).

5pm – 5.30pm: On the Wild Side
Multi-animal Encounters at Palawan Amphitheatre

*Shows may be cancelled in the event of bad weather

Admission
Free

Admission Restriction
NA

Getting There
By Sentosa Express monorail: Alight at Beach Station
By Beach Tram: Alight at Animal & Bird Encounters

Nearest Carpark
Beach Station Car Park

Annadale – Army Heritage Museum – Golf Course

Annadale

Annadale – Army Heritage Museum – Golf Course

Image result for annandale shimla
Image Credit : tripadviser.in

Annadale Ground : No Other landmark in Simla can revive more pleasant memories than the famous playground and race-course by the name of Annadale, located in a deep wide valley in the suburban village of Kaithu, simla west. This playground rests on a small patch of table-land about a three-quarters of a mile in circumference. Annadale around 1895 The spur on which it stood was a sort of valley-flat which was greatly extended and improved. Now misnamed Annandale, the original name of this place was Annadale and this name is derived from a small story about it. The story is that Captain charles pratt Kennedy, one of the first incomers to this place, was so struck by the beauty of the valley that he saw, that be named after a young lady to whom he was so deeply attached in his young boyhood days. Her name was Anna and he combined it with the word ‘dale’ meaning a valley, thus calling the valley as Annadale. this spelling appears in the early lithographs of Simla done about the year 1840. Annandale, since its inception in the 1830s was the haunt of Anglo-Indian playful activities, amusements and entertainments. It was the favourite place for picnic parties, fetes and fancy-fairs, birthday-balls,flower and dog shows, army tatoos,races and gymkhanas,polo matches and other tournaments in 1888 which became a regular annual feature and which still bears his name although the venue of this tournament is now shifted to Calcutta.
Source : hpshimla.nic.in

Annandale is  now used by the Indian Army. There is a heritage museum run by Indian army, where the arms and uniforms used in 1971 India –Pakistan war are displayed. The surrender letter that Pakistan signed during the 1971 war is exhibited here. A 9 hole golf course is also there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB_WUFrUz9E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxlWCia5aIs

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Visiting hours : 10.00Am to 02.00PM and 03.00PM to 05.00PM

Closed on Monday and Public holidays

Antisamos Beach

Antisamos

Antisamos Beach

photo2.jpg - Picture of Antisamos Beach, Sami - TripAdvisor
Image Credit : Tripadvisor

Antisamos Kefalonia: Antisamos beach is arguably one of the most favourable destinations for swimming and sunbathing in Kefalonia. It is located 30.6 km east from Argostoli and pretty close to the port of Sami. Antisamos distinguishes for its natural beauty that consists of turquoise waters and a marvelous surrounding of green hills and lush vegetation on top of it.
Source : greeka.com 
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April the giraffe is FINALLY giving birth after months of the world watching and waiting for her calf to arrive

giraffe's

April the giraffe is FINALLY giving birth after months of the world watching and waiting for her calf to arrive

This is not a drill – the calf’s hooves have been seen emerging from the birth canal

Image Credit : mirror.co.uk

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The giraffe (Giraffa) is a genus of African even-toed ungulate mammals, the tallest living terrestrial animals and the largest ruminants. The genus consists of eleven or more species including Giraffa camelopardalis, the type species. Seven of these species are extinct, prehistoric species known from fossils, though numerous subspecies have been described and its taxonomy is not definitively set. Indeed, research into the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA of Giraffa has suggested to recognize four to six distinct extant species. The four-species taxonomic classification, proposed in 2016 but criticized since then, has the genus Giraffa composed of the species Giraffa giraffa (southern giraffe), Giraffa tippelskirchi (Masai giraffe), Giraffa reticulata (reticulated giraffe) and Giraffa camelopardalis (northern giraffe).
The giraffe’s chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its distinctive coat patterns. It is classified under the family Giraffidae, along with its closest extant relative, the okapi. Each of the four species is distinguished by its coat patterns and genetics. Its scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south, and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannahs and woodlands. The giraffe’s source is leaves, fruits and flowers of woody plants, primarily acacia species, which they browse at heights most other herbivores cannot reach. Giraffes may be preyed on by lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs. Giraffes live in herds of related females and their offspring, or bachelor herds of unrelated adult males, but are gregarious and may gather in large aggregations. Males establish social hierarchies through “necking”, which are combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon. Dominant males gain mating access to females, which bear the sole responsibility for raising the young.
Source : wikipedia

Aquaria KLCC

Aquaria KLCC

Aquaria KLCC

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Complex, Jalang Pinang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phone : +60 3-2333 1888

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The Aquaria KLCC is an oceanarium located beneath Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre within Kuala Lumpur City Centre in Kuala lumpurMalaysia.

Featuring 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) in two levels with a 90-metre (300 ft) underwater tunnel, Aquaria  houses over 250 different species and over 5,000 land and aquatic animals from Malaysia and around the world. Interactive information kiosks on fish and turtle conservation. It includes a themed retail area of about 5,000 square feet (460 m2). Aquaria KLCC is based on the journey of water from the land to the sea. The journey starts in the misty highlands, down through rivers, through the rainforest and mangroves to the coral reefs into the deep blue sea.

Construction for Aquaria KLCC started in 2003. It was officially opened in August 2005.

Source : Wikipedia

Aquaria KLCC located on the concourse level of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the 5000sqft Aquaria KLCC is said to be largest aquarium in the world. Home to over 150 species of marine life, its star attractions include scary tiger sharks, lethal sea snakes, blue rays, bright coral fish, seahorses and more.

It’s a well-stocked aquarium just begging to be explored, and after a few hours here you’ll have seen over 5,000 freshwater and marine creatures, including massive arapaimas, giant groupers, gar fish and more. Some people write it off as a tourist trap, but they’re sorely missing out – beyond the big tanks, with gallons of water, filled with necklaces of kelp, coral and mysterious and sometimes menacing sea creatures, is one of the country’s foremost sightseeing attractions with real depth and complexity.

Source : kuala-lumpur.ws/attractions/aquaria-klcc.htm#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM3Z6UOPUC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN0YsCo3Abs

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Reviews

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Opening hours & Admission fee :

https://goo.gl/StTMVu

Getting there : https://goo.gl/SsAOAo

Aranmula Boat Race (Vallamkali)

Aranmula Boat Race

Aranmula Boat Race (Vallamkali)

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The Aranmula Boat Race the oldest river boat fiesta in Kerala, the south western State of India is held during Onam (August–September). It takes place at Aranmula, near a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting watched by an exciting crowd. In 1972, snake boat races were also added to the program of the festival. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch the snake boat races. In 2009 forty one snake boats  or chundan vallams had participated in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs and wear white mundu and turbans. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry too.

Palliyodams are Aranmula’s unique snake boats (‘’Chundan Vallam’’) which devotees hold in reverence, considering it as the divine vessel of the presiding deity in Sree Parthasarathy temple. These Palliyodams belong to different ‘’karas’’ (rustic parts) on the banks of river Pampa. Each one will usually have 4 helmsmen, rowers and singers. It is decorated with golden lace. There will be a flag and two or three ornamental umbrellas.

Source : wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRE9u4F0GiU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM1Ax5Xe838

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-t36m48NsQ

Aranmula kannadi

Aranmula kannadi

Aranmula kannadi 

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Aranmula kannadi  is a handmade metal-alloy mirror, made in Aranmula, a village in the state of Kerala, India,. Unlike the normal ‘silvered’ glass mirrors, being a metal-alloy mirror, it is a front surface reflection mirror, which eliminates secondary reflections and aberrations typical of back surface mirrors. The exact metals used in the alloy are unknown to people and is maintained as a Vishwakarma family secret; however metallurgists suggest the alloy to be a mix of copper and tin. It is then polished for several days in a row to achieve their reflective surface. They are considered to be the one among the eight auspicious items or “ashtamangalyam” that makes up the entry of the bride at the venue of the wedding. These uniquemetal metal mirrors are the result of Kerala’s rich cultural and metallurgical traditions, and have great historical and cultural value and are even considered to bring good luck. Produced by a single extended family in Aranmula, the origins of the Aranmula kannadi are linked with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Legend has it that eight families of experts in temple arts and crafts were brought by the royal chief to Aranmula from Tirunelveli district to work in the Parthasarathy temple centuries ago on the mirrors.

The Britishn Museum in London has a 45 centimeter tall Aranmula metal mirror in its collection. The mirrors have received a geographical indication (GI) tag in 2004-05.

Source : Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtxZTjfpcOU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y-kWGe01jE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRCBYKr_6hQ

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe

Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France   Ph. : 33 / (0)1 55 37 73 77


This photo of Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Place de l’Étoile — the étoile or “star” of the juncture formed by its twelve radiating avenues.

The Arc de Triomphe should not be confused with a smaller arch, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, which stands west of the Louvre. The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

As the central cohesive element of the Axe historique (historic axis, a sequence of monuments and grand thoroughfares on a route running from the courtyard of the Louvre to the Grande Arche de la Défense), the Arc de Triomphe was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806, and its iconographic program pits heroically nude French youths against bearded Germanic warriors in chain mail. It set the tone for public monuments with triumphant patriotic messages.

Inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome, Italy, the Arc de Triomphe has an overall height of 50 metres (164 ft), width of 45 m (148 ft), and depth of 22 m (72 ft), while its large vault is 29.19 m (95.8 ft) high and 14.62 m (48.0 ft) wide. The smaller transverse vaults are 18.68 m (61.3 ft) high and 8.44 m (27.7 ft) wide. Three weeks after the Paris victory parade in 1919 (marking the end of hostilities in World War I), Charles Godefroy flew his Nieuport biplane under the arch’s primary vault, with the event captured on newsreel.

Paris’s Arc de Triomphe was the tallest triumphal arch until the completion of the Monumento a la Revolución in Mexico City in 1938, which is 67 metres (220 ft) high. The Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang, completed in 1982, is modelled on the Arc de Triomphe and is slightly taller at 60 m (197 ft). La Grande Arche in La Defense near Paris is 110 metres high. Although it is not named an Arc de Triomphe, it has been designed on the same model and in the perspective of the Arc de Triomphe. It qualifies as the world’s tallest arch.

Source : Wikipedia    

Looking to explore Paris attractions? Arc de Triomphe l’Etoile, which is located at the western end of the famous Champs-Elysees, is one of the top attractions of the city. The Arc de Triumph is the linchpin of the historical axis, which extends from the Louvre to the Arc. Don’t be confused with the smaller version – Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Amongst the many things to do in Paris, you can always find the Arc in one of the top places. Here’s are few facts you should know about it before your visit…

GET TO KNOW THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE IN PARIS

The name “Arc de Triomphe l’Etoile” is derived from the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars and is an honor to those that fought and perished. This Paris attraction is 50 meter or 164 feet in height, 45 meters or 148 feet wide and 22 meters, 72 feet deep. The arc was at the time of construction, the largest of its kind in the world until the creation of the Arc of Triomphe in PyongYang in 1982. Many famous victory marches have taken place under the Arc, including the Germans in 1871, the French in 1919, the Germans again in 1940 and the French with allies in 1945, the end of World War II. Underneath the Arc lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is a tribute to the fallen who are to this day unidentified from both world wars.

Want to get more useful tips and good ideas to help you to plan your Paris sightseeing? We’ve created lots of free travel guide videos for you to view and to get inspired by! Everything you want to know about museums, kids activities, shopping and more in Paris.

Source : vidtur.com  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Hb43jh640

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buOobuqZ5RU

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Opening hours, Prices and getting there : https://bit.ly/2pTIcMG
Suggested duration : 1 hour

Architecture River Tour

Architecture River Tour

Architecture River Tour

Image Credit : tripadvisor

IF YOU’RE HOPING TO SEE as much of Chicago as you can in a short amount of time, you may want to sign up for a boat tour. During each tour, you’ll learn the historical significance of the skyline’s iconic buildings and the landmarks that created its landscape
while enjoying breathtaking views of the city.
On the 75-minute tour, you’ll learn interesting facts about the history of this renowned waterfront and its skyline, as well as the people who built it.
The narrated journey, led by a local guide, will help you learn about Chicago’s most famous buildings and how they came to life.
The whole family will enjoy this lake and river-based cruise, which takes you up, down and around Chicago’s stunning shores.
Your cruise takes you past more than 40 points of interest, including the Tribune Tower—a neo-Gothic building constructed in 1925—and the Willis Tower, the second-tallest building in the United States. Crane your neck up at the John Hancock Tower, a skyscraper equipped with an impressive observation deck perched 1,000 feet (304 m) high.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4YCEexeE7I
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Details of Cruise Tours
https://travel.usnews.com/features/the-7-best-chicago-boat-tours

Argostoli

https://bit.ly/32b24eP

Argostoli

Argostoli, Kefalonia: The Ancient Myths And Miracles | Dream ...
Image credit : pinterest

Argostoli is a town and a former municipality on the island of Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kefalonia, of which it is a municipal unit. It has been the capital and administrative centre of Kefalonia since 1757, following a population shift down from the old capital of Agios Georgios (also known as Kastro) to take advantage of the trading opportunities provided by the sheltered bay upon which Argostoli sits. Argostoli developed into one of the busiest ports in Greece, leading to prosperity and growth.
Source : Wikipedia
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Arki Fort

Arki Fort

Arki Fort

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Arki fort is located in Arki, a town in Himachal Pradesh , India .

The Fort was built between 1695 – 1700 by Rana Prithvi Singh, a descendent of Rana Sabha Chand. The Fort was captured by the Gurkhas in 1806. Rana Jagat Singh, the ruler of Baghal had to take refuge in Nalagarh. During this period from 1806 – 1815, the Gurkha General Amar singh used Arki as his stronghold to make further advances into Himachal Pradesh as far as Kangra. Arki was the capital of the princely hill state of Baghal, which was founded by Rana Ajai Dev, a Panwar Rajput. The state was founded around 1643 and Arki was declared as its capital by Rana Sabha Chand in 1650.

Wall paintings
The Diwan Khana of the palace has very nice paintings in Kangra painting style. The paintings depict incidents from mythology, religion, history and culture etc.They include Kamdev’s arrows on Shiva, Kalia-Mardan which represent mythology whereas the paintings of Sikh-Mughal battles represent events of history.A painting of ships at Tellicherry Harbour is very attractive and it appears as if the painter has been to the South.The colours of these paintings are maroon, yellow and saffron. These paintings are expected to be nearly 200 years old during the reign of King Kishan Singh, but the colours are still maintained.

Source : wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k-eTUGJ_l0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc3LNJFGHFs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFqSZiBJBas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XToYc8KyTd8

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Armenian Church

Armenian Church

Armenian Church

60 Hill St, Singapore 179366

Phone :+65 6334 0141

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Armenian Church is a national Monument of Singapore.

The Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator , often known as Armenian Church, is the oldest Christian church in Singapore located at Hill Street in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area. Originally a parish of the Armenian Apostolic Church, an Oriental Orthodox  denomination, the last Armenian parish priest left in the late 1930s, and with the dwindling Armenian population in Singapore. Fr. Zaven Yazichyan became the spiritual pastor of Singapore on 29 March 2016. Armenian and Oriental Orthodox services are regularly held at the church.

The Armenian Church was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973.

The original, elegant and symmetrical design included neither tower nor spire. It featured an octagonal cone  supporting a small bell turret  with Ionic columns.

The existing Armenian Church, built in the British neoclassical style, is centrally-designed in the manner of the mother church of Echmiadzin in northern Armenia. The church interior is circular, imposed within a square-cross plan, with projecting square porticos using Roman Doric orders. The chancel-cum-altar is semi-circular. The Palladian-style design may have been inspired by the circular plan for St Andrews’s Church in Chennai, which is in turn derived from one of James Gibbs’ designs for St Martin-in-the-Fields in London that he published in his Book of Architecture. The original symmetrical design included neither tower nor spire, instead it featured an octagonal cone supporting a small bell turret with Ionic columns.

Nevertheless, with all the eclectic references, Coleman produced a design which is adapted to suit Singapore’s tropical climate. For instance, the wide verandahs give essential shade and protect the timber-louvred windows on the ground floor from heavy downpours. The windows, in turn, diffuse the sunlight and induce cross ventilation. The pews, which would normally be entirely in wood, are backed with woven rattan, a much lighter and cooler material.

The spire, topped with a ball and cross, sits on the octagonal tower, and is the second to replace the original bell turret by Coleman. It was replaced by a square tower, using Doric pilasters, in 1846, followed by the present spire in 1853. An English architect called Maddock had the pitched roof replaced by the present one and, to support the existing tower and spire, added the east portico around the original chancel. Probably at the same time the main entrance on the west portico was widened.

On the north, south and west fronts of the church are Tuscan Doric porticos capped with triangular pediments. The east front bears an elegant bowed apse with a pediment into which the date “1835” is carved to commemorate the year the church’s foundation was laid. The bowed apse is boxed in by the portico on which the spire was built. The north, south and west porticos were designed such that horse carriages could pull into the porches, right up to the doors of the church. The porches were designed to be on level with the base of the carriages so that ladies could step into the church without soiling their dresses on the ground below.

Although the interior is curcular, said to resemble the famous round Holy Sepulchre in Cambridge, England, it is actually based on a square cross, symbolic of the Cross of Christ. Facing the main entrance is the grand altar, prominently raised above the height of the pews.

On the church grounds are the parsonage and the Memorial Garden to Armenians. The parsonage, a two-storey bungalow, was built in 1905 by Nanajan Sarkies in memory of her late husband, John Shanazar Sarkies. Amongst the Armenians in Singapore, the Sarkies family was probably the most notable, in particular brothers Archak, Aviet and Tigran of Raffles Hotel fame. A number of tombstones of prominent Armenians, such as Agnes Joaquim who bred Singapore’s national flower and Catchik Moses who founded the Straits Times newspaper also lie here.

Source : Wikipedia

Virtual Tours

Exterior

https://goo.gl/0a0qQt

Interior

https://goo.gl/cNuvxs

Source : armeniansinasia.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol56-S_bvwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTpa6XsHAks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nBnx_QB8jI

Reviews

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Opening hours : 09.00AM to 06.00PM

Getting there : MRt : City Hall

Arthunkal Church

Arthunkal Church

Arthunkal Church

Arthunkal, Cherthala, Near Church Road, Alappuzha, Kerala 688530

Phone : 0478 257 2374

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Arthunkal_StAndrews_Church.JPG/360px-Arthunkal_StAndrews_Church.JPG

The church, officially Arthunkal St. Andrew’s Forane Church, Arthunkal , Alappuzha district, Kerala, India was originally built by the Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. It was rebuilt in 1584, under the then vicar Fr. Jacoma Fenicio, whom the devotees claim, possessed magical powers to heal the body and mind. Devotees fondly referred to him as “Arthunkal Veluthachan”, which in English translates to “fair skinned father”. Fr. Fenicio died in 1632. Eight years after his death, the church was rebuilt again, this time facing the west towards the long white-sand beach on the shores of the Arabian Sea. In 1647, a statue of St. Sebastian, struck with arrows all over his bleeding body (he was executed on the order of the Roman emperor for embracing the Christian faith) sculptured in Milan, was brought and placed in the Arthunkal church.

Arthunkal St Andrews Forane Church, the first Parish of the Diocese of Alleppey was elevated to the status of Basilica on 9 July 2010.[1]

Arthunkal Basilica became the first Basilica in the diocese of Alleppey and the 7th Basilica in Kerala. It is the 3rd Basilica of the Roman Catholic Latin church of Kerala.

Source : Wikipedia

At Arthunkal St Andrew’s Basilica which attracts lakhs of devotees both Christians and non-Christians every year from all parts of the State, the feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on a grand scale for eleven days in a year. Owning to the unmanageable crowding of pilgrims and the resultant confusion on January 20 the final day of the feast, the church authorities have instituted another minor feast on the 8th day after the principal feast (Octave). This is known as ‘Ettam perunnal’. Of late this feast also has attained as much importance as the principal feast.

Source : arthunkal.bizhat.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McLHmj6LGjs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmkMWEei7X0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eccBOvA9gGQ

Reviews

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ArtScience Museum

ArtScience Museum

ArtScience Museum

6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974

Phone : +65 6688 8888

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Image credit : yoursingapore.com

ArtScience Museum  is a museum located within the integrated resort of Marina Bay Sands in the Downtown Core of the Central Area in Singapore. Opened on 17 February 2011, it is the world’s first ArtScience museum.

Although it has a permanent exhibition, ArtScience Gallery, the ArtScience Museum mainly hosts touring exhibitions curated by other museums.

The architecture is said to be a form reminiscent of a lotus flower. It is designed by the architect Moshe Safdie.

Referred to as “The Welcoming Hand of Singapore” by Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson, the ArtScience Museum is anchored by a round base in the middle, with ten extensions referred to as “fingers”. The design concept for each finger denotes various gallery spaces sporting skylights at the “fingertips” which are included as sustainable illumination for the curved interior walls.

The Museum has 21 gallery spaces with a total area of 50,000 square feet (6,000 square meters).

Rainwater is harvested and channeled down the center of the building, flowing through its bowl-shaped roof into a reflecting pond at the lowest level of the building. The rainwater is then recycled for use in the building’s restrooms.

The ArtScience Museum promises to feature 21 gallery spaces equating to 50,000 square feet (6,000 square meters) which will display exhibits from combined art/science, media/technology, as well as design/architecture motifs.

Permanent exhibits include objects indicative of the accomplishments of both the arts and the sciences through the ages, along the lines of Leonardo da Vinci‘s Flying Machine, a Kongming Lantern, and a high-tech robotic fish. The museum opened with an exhibition of a collection of the Belitung shipwreck cargo, and Tang dynasty treasures that were discovered and carefully preserved by Tilman Walterfang of Seabed Explorations NZ Ltd.

Source : Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBDSZ-xF1WA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj642LcYZRE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXDkBk3K9hc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKsLGcbpx6g

Reviews

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Opening hours : 10.00AM to 07.00PM

Admission

https://goo.gl/W6lJdK

Getting there : MRT : Bayfront Station

Aruvikkara

Aruvikkara

Aruvikkara

Vellanad, Kerala 695564

Photo of Aruvikkara Dam
Image credit : tripadvisor.in

Aruvikkara is a village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India. It is located on the banks of the Karamana River 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala. The reservoir and garden makes it a tourist spot. It is famous for the ancient Bhagavathi temple  dedicated to Durga, the divine embodiment of female power, which is built on a rock. The stream in front of the temple contains large fishes, which are fed by the devotees visiting the shrine. The headquarters of the Wellington Water Distribution project is located here. The small dam (mini dam) which provides water to the state capital Thiruvanathapuram is also located here.

Source : Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q5f9N3QBvY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DNz5SKUgDg

Reviews

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As World War III fears rise, see inside stunning £11m nuclear bunker you could live in during fallout

bunker

As World War III fears rise, see inside stunning £11m nuclear bunker you could live in during fallout

Giant underground bunker in the US will withstand a 20 kiloton nuclear explosion – useful as tensions with North Korea rise – and even comes with its own decontamination showers

Image Credit : Caters News Agency – published by mirror.co.uk

Click On the Headlines Or Image for the complete News, Videos and more photos.

A bunker is a defensive military fortification designed to protect people or valued materials from falling bombs or other attacks. Bunkers are mostly underground, compared to blockhouses which are mostly above ground. They were used extensively in World War I, World War II, and the Cold War for weapons facilities, command and control centers, and storage facilities (for example, in the event of nuclear war). Bunkers can also be used as protection from tornadoes.
Trench bunkers are small concrete structures, partly dug into the ground. Many artillery installations, especially for coastal artillery, have historically been protected by extensive bunker systems. Typical industrial bunkers include mining sites, food storage areas, dumps for materials, data storage, and sometimes living quarters. When a house is purpose-built with a bunker, the normal location is a reinforced below-ground bathroom with fibre-reinforced plastic shells. Bunkers deflect the blast wave from nearby explosions to prevent ear and internal injuries to people sheltering in the bunker. Nuclear bunkers must also cope with the underpressure that lasts for several seconds after the shock wave passes, and block radiation.
A bunker’s door must be at least as strong as the walls. In bunkers inhabited for prolonged periods, large amounts of ventilation or air conditioning must be provided. Bunkers can be destroyed with powerful explosives and bunker-busting warheads.
Source : wikipedia 

Ashtamudi Lake

Ashtamudi Lake

Ashtamudi Lake

Phone : Ph: +91 474 2745625, 2750170

https://www.keralatourism.org/images/destination/large/backwater_stretches_of_ashtamudi20131031102450_426_1.jpg
Image credit : keralatourism.org
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Image credit : Wikipedia

So called because of its 8 arms or channels, Ashtamudi Lake is the gateway to the backwaters. This 16 km long lake is the second largest in Kerala, finding its way into the sea through the Neendakara estuary. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Kollam provides boat rides as well as houseboat cruises. The trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is one of the most popular and longest backwater cruises in Kerala. The eight-hour journey will give you an intimate experience of the famed waterways. Catch a glimpse of one of the many splendours of Ashtamudi backwaters. As the boatman gently dips his paddle, without disturbing the prevailing calm, the ripples spread out gently in the shimmering golden hue of the sun.

Source : keralatourism.org

Ashtamudi Lake (Ashtamudi Kayal), in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala, is the most visited backwater and lake in the state. It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) water body, second only in size to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means ‘eight coned’ (Ashta : ‘eight’; mudi : ‘coned’) in the local Malayalam language. The name is indicative of the lake’s topography with its multiple branches. The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is well known for its houseboat and backwater resorts. Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.

Along both banks of the lake and its backwater canals, coconut groves and palm trees interspersed with towns and villages are seen. Kollam, (formerly Quilon) is an important historic port city located on the right bank of the lake. Boat cruises are operated by the Kollam Boat Club from Kollam to Alappuzha providing transport access to many other towns and villages along this route. Luxury houseboats also operate on the lake. The boat journey is an 8-hour trip, winds through lakes, canals and water bound villages, and gives complete exposure to the beauty of the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake. Chinese fishing nets, called cheena vala in Malayalam, are used by local fisherman and are a common sight along the waterway.

The lake and the city of Kollam on its banks and the Neendakara port at the confluence offer a means of transport for the state’s trade and commerce in the cashew trading and processing industry as well as the marine products industry.

The lake is the source of livelihood for people living close by from fishing, coconut husk retting for coir production and inland navigation services.

In 2014,Clam Governing Council of Ashtamudi lake became the first Marine Stewardship Council certified fishery in India for their sustainable clam fishing.

The lake and the life on its shores have inspired many artists and writers. It has been the subject of many poems by the renowned poet Thirunalloor Karunakaran who was born and brought up on its banks.
Source : wikipedia

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQEKxq6FHnk

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Asian Civilisations Museum

Asian Civilisations Museum

Asian Civilisations Museum

1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555

Phone :  +65 6332 7798

File:Asian Civilisations Museum 2, Dec 05.jpg

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is an institution which forms a part of the four museums in Singapore, the other three being the Peranakan Museum at Old Tao Nan School, the National Museum of Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum.

Asian Civilisations Museum is one of the pioneering museums in the region to specialise in pan-Asian cultures and civilisations. The museum specialises in the material history of China, Southeast asia, South Asia and West Asia, from which the diverse ethnic groups of Singapore trace their ancestry.

On September 16, 2014, the Museum was named the top museum in Singapore and ranked ninth in Asia by TroAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards. The Museum was the only Singapore museum ranked among Asia’s top 10 museums.

The Chinese collection is represented by fine Dehua porcelain figures, Taoist and Buddhistic statuary, export porcelain, calligraphy and other examples of decorative art.

The South Asian Galleries feature statuary from a broad spectrum of periods including some fine Chola bronzes. Of particularly note is the Chola bronze sculpture of Uma, the consort of Shiva and that of Somaskanda. The early Buddhist art of India is also represented by works hailing from the Mathura and Gandhara schools, including a rare sandstone Mathura Buddha dating to the Kanishka era, and the head of a Gandharan Bodhisattva. Other areas of note include South Indian woodwork, Nepali-Tibetan bronzes, textiles, late medieval miniatures and colonial prints.

The Southeast Asian collections are broad in scope and are rich in ethnological material. Representing the aristocratic art of ancient Southeast Asia are Khmer sculptures, Javanese temple sculpture (some on loan from Leiden), later Buddhist art from Burma/Thailand and the Sinicised temple art of Vietnam. Peranakan gold, textiles, tribal ornament and theatrical masks are other strengths of the collection.

Certain gallery rooms are also used for temporary exhibitions. A recent exhibition included the display of the spectacular Bronze Age masks from Sanxingdui, Sichuan Province, China.

Source : wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7UqP55tZ4w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvbBiMy4Bf8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60UWTqF1VA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp2fdMX2xE4

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Opening hours & Admission

https://goo.gl/dk0Qy5

Getting there :  Raffles Place Station ( Exit H)

Astonishing moment three tourists witness epic fight to the death between enormous 265lb seal and octopus │ The battle to the death was filmed by Connor Stapley, who was kayaking when he stumbled across the pair

Astonishing photos show World War II in full colour – as you’ve never seen it before

Second World War

Astonishing photos show World War II in full colour – as you’ve never seen it before

The pictures have been issued by the Imperial War Museum showing the people and the machines that fought for King and country

Photo : PA published by mirror.co.uk

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World War II (often abbreviated to WWII or WW2), also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, although related conflicts began earlier. It involved the vast majority of the world’s countries—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, and directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. In a state of “total war”, the major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Marked by mass deaths of civilians, including the Holocaust (in which approximately 11 million people were killed) and the strategic bombing of industrial and population centres (in which approximately one million were killed, and which included the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki), it resulted in an estimated 50 million to 85 million fatalities. These made World War II the deadliest conflict in human history…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Source : wikipedia 

Astonishing pictures show “wall fire” burning through a residential area in California │ Hundreds of people were ordered to evacuate from fast-moving wildfires burning through steep terrain in California on Saturday, after searing temperatures and parched land fuelled dozens of blazes. Residents from Oroville were evacuated as the so-called Butte County Wall Fire continued to grow. They said at least six people have been injured and 10 structures destroyed. Heavy rainfall in parts of the West over the winter and spring helped delay the onset of the fire season, but also spurred the growth of dense vegetation that has dried out and become highly combustible in summertime heat.