Bridges that GROW themselves out of tropical roots and vines crossing rivers By Daily Mail Reporter Updated: 15:35 GMT, 10 September 2011 Deep in the rainforests of the Indian state of Meghalaya, bridges are not built, they’re grown. Ancient vines and roots of trees stretch horizontally across rivers and streams, creating a solid latticework structure strong enough to be used as a bridge. Ancient solution: The 'double decker' living tree root bridge in the village of Nongriat in Meghalaya, India. Some of the bridges are over a hundred feet long and can support the weight of fifty or more people. The Cherrapunji region is one of the wettest places in the world with many fast-flowing rivers and streams, making these bridges invaluable to those who live in the region. Nature's incredible engineering: Some of the bridges can hold more than 50 people at a time. Interwoven: A close up of the solid lattice work that makes the bridges so strong. Since the area receives around 15 metres of rain every year, a normal wooden bridge would quickly rot.
10 Unique Places Around the World Travel The Earth is a miraculous place and with the advent of technology, places that were remote and hidden have been finding their way into the eyes of the world. Traveling isn’t always a possibility for everyone; the internet gives a picture view into the places we can’t physically visit, and opens up the wonders of our planet. This list looks at some of the most unique areas around the world. The list includes natural areas and those created by humans. Pamukkale means cotton castle, and has also been called the white castle because of the vast whiteness caused by the high concentration of calcite in the water. Nine Hells of Beppu Japan Beppu is home to over 2,800 hot springs and is found on the island of Kyushu. Sanqingshan has been considered a sacred place. The Plain of Jars is one of the oldest archeological mysteries in Southeast Asia. Spotted Lake of Osoyoos British Columbia Canada Spotted Lake of Osoyoos was sacred to the First Nations of Okanagan Valley Indians. Mauritius Colombia
How I Can Afford My Life Of Constant Travel I’m confused. I’m simply confused as to how it’s possible that I have so far failed to properly explain how I’ve managed to travel/live/work abroad nonstop for 12 years straight (and counting). The questions are still pouring in every single day: How do you do it? And while I thoroughly enjoy communicating with readers (I’m being completely serious and encourage you all to continue sending your emails to me as often as you wish), the fact that these very questions are on the minds of so many of you out there has led me to believe that I need to do a better job at providing the answers. While it’s true that I’ve already written plenty of posts on the matter, clearly all of these posts, even as one collective entity, still fall well short of proving that a life of travel is not some crazy fantasy but a perfectly reasonable and easily attainable lifestyle option instead. So what am I to do? The following is a brief summary of the past 12 years of my life. December 25, 1999: March 2000 April 2003
Mystical, Magical & Magnificent Monasteries in Meteora (20 Pics) The caves in Meteora, Greece, had inhabitants for fifty millennia, but due to raids, “hermit monks” moved to the safety of sandstone rock pinnacles in the 9th century and began building monasteries. More monks and nuns came, building more monasteries perched high upon the cliffs. Wikipedia reports, “Access to the monasteries was originally (and deliberately) difficult, requiring either long ladders lashed together or large nets used to haul up both goods and people. A view of Meteora monasteries in Greece. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second largest monastery in Meteora, Greece. Meteora – The nunnery of Roussanou was built during the 16th century and remodeled and decorated as recently as 1560. Photo #5 by Gabriele Quaglia The Holy Monastery of St. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam in Meteora. Meteora – jumping from one high clifftop to another. Another shot, a different angle of the Holy Monastery of St Nicholas Anapausas in Meteora. Approaching Meteora under moonlight.
12 bizarre real-life places that are stranger than science fiction Science fiction is home to some fantastic societies, from Cloud City to Bartertown. But you doesn't have to leave reality for this—our own world has places so abnormal, they make alien societies seem ordinary. Here are 12 remarkable locations in which people once lived (and some still do). 1. Off the coast of Japan lies a series of volcanic islands. 2. Neft Daslari is a functional city built 34 miles from the nearest shore. 3. One of the creepiest places on Earth, Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic chapel in the Czech Republic. 4. Temperatures in this Australian mining town reach well into broiling, so the opal miners who live there have built most of their town underground. 5. In 1962, a huge underground coal deposit ignited beneath the town of Centralia, Pa. 6. It's funny how something as boring as zoning regulations could lead to one of the most exciting office buildings on the planet. 7. Inside a spectacular Spanish church sits an enormous glass box. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Old Garage turned Mini Dream Home! | Hello there! It’s been a busy week with a trip to Seattle for the Picasso exhibition and a drive out to the coast but I knew I had to share this amazing remodel with you before the week came to a close. Everyone loves good makeovers and the ones involving tiny spaces, creative design and ingenious solutions are my all time favorites! The before… This lonely little detached garage is just begging for some love. The after! A cozy, light filled sleeping loft is so perfect for the space. The kitchen is well organized and accessible with open storage solutions. The rustic wood burning stove becomes sculptural in this room along with Michelle’s own art installations. The glass boxes housing pillow forms are actually a tribute to Michelle’s father. You know I am a big fan of great bathroom design and this one delivers. To finish our little home tour, I had to point out this old locker. Oh and just so you know…Michelle only spent $32,000 on the renovation! Have a lovely weekend!
Abra (boat) An abra on Dubai Creek An abra (Arabic: عبرة abra) is a traditional boat made of wood. Abras are used to ferry people across the Dubai Creek in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They travel between the water station at Shindagha/Al Ghubaiba on the Bur Dubai side, and the water station at Al Sabkha on the Deira side. The abras depart every few minutes. The fare is 1 dirham, which is paid to the ferry driver.[1] Water taxi 25 Mind-Blowing Aerial Photographs Around the World Rano Kau volcano in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile – Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND For me, the allure of aerial photography is the unique perspective it gives. The world feels so different when viewed from above. It always gives me a newfound appreciation for this pale blue dot we call home. In my opinion, there is no better aerial photographer than Yann Arthus Bertrand. 2. Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND 3. 4. 5. Born in Paris, France on March 13, 1946, Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a world-renowned photographer specializing in aerial photography. Upon his return to France, he published in 1981 his first book Lions, first release of a series of 80 books. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. YANN ARTHUS-BERTRAND continued… In the 90s, under the patronage of UNESCO, Yann embarked upon his most ambitious project: creating an image bank of the Earth seen from above. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. “For a long time, I was afraid to use that word. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Ski Dubai Ski slope in Ski Dubai Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort with 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area. It is a part of the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was developed by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, which also operates the Mall of the Emirates. Opened in November 2005, the indoor resort features an 85-meter-high indoor mountain with 5 slopes of varying steepness and difficulty, including a 400-metre-long run, the world's first indoor black run, and various features (boxes, rails, kickers) that are changed on a regular basis. An extremely efficient insulation system helps the facility maintain a temperature of −1 °C (30° F) during the day and −6 °C (21° F) at night when the snow is produced. Ski Dubai is part of the Majid Al Futtaim Group, a Dubai-based developer of shopping malls in the Middle East. Looking in from the outsideSki Dubai slope from inside Mall of Emirates See also[edit] References[edit]
Green Lake - An Austrian Lake That Is Used for Hiking A rare natural phenomenon turns one of Austria’s most beautiful hiking trails into a 10 meter-deep lake, for half the year. Located at the foot of the Hochschwab Mountains, in Tragoess, Styria, Green Lake is one of the most bizarre natural phenomena in the world. During the cold winter months, this place is almost completely dry, and used as a country park where hikers love to come and spend some time away from urban chaos. But as soon as temperatures rise, the snow and ice covering the mountaintops begin to melt, and the water pours down, filling the basin below with crystal-clear water. Water levels go from one-two meters at most, to over 10 meters, in the early summer. Take a look at the amazing images of the Green Lake, shot during the summer season: via Daily Mail Reddit Stumble