Socotra Island Travel Guide
The northwestern part of Indian Ocean houses one of the world's finest archipelagos, the mountainous Socotra, where people are as beautiful as the land. Characterized by unique spectacular vegetation and breathtaking unspoiled natural beauty, Socotra Islands form part of the Yemen republic and are located about 350 kilometers south of the Arabian Peninsula. Covering a land area of 3,650 square kilometers, and populated mainly by Muslims, Socotra comprises the administrative districts of Hadibo and Qalansiya, which also include the islands of Abdul Kuri, Darsa and Samhah. People speak of Socotra as the 'jewel' of biodiversity in the Arabian Sea, boasting tropical sunshine, exotic flora and fauna (with more than 900 species of plants), gorgeous beaches, as well as pristine coral reefs offering enticing scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. The climate in Socotra Islands is tropical desert, with temperatures hovering between 37C in summer and 29C in winter.
Casey, Illinois Is a Small Town with BIG Tourist Attractions
You wouldn’t know it, but the small town of Casey, Illinois is home to eight Guinness World Records. With just 3,000 residents, the Midwestern locale—100 miles away from the nearest big city—boasts a smattering of the world’s largest objects: a rocking chair, mailbox, knitting needles, crochet hook, wind chime, pitchfork, golf tee, and clogs. The attractions are the brainchild of local businessman Jim Bolin. After the recession, he saw the need to boost tourism in Casey and began planning his first sculpture—the giant wind chime. Inspired by childhood memories of listening to them with his grandmother, it took Bolin nearly two years to see the project through. From there, Bolin erected the other objects all fit for a giant. Though these creations are all impressive, there are two standouts in the group. Bolin’s offbeat work—which collectively, has the name Big Stuff in a Small Town—has certainly drawn tourists to Casey.
Wat Phnom
The main stupa on Wat Phnom. Wat Phnom (Khmer: វត្តភ្នំ; "Mountain Pagoda") is a Buddhist temple (wat) located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was built in 1373, and stands 27 metres (88.5 ft) above the ground. It is the tallest religious structure in the city. History[edit] Legend relates that Daun Penh, a wealthy widow, found a large koki tree in the river. Then it came to the year of the snake 1437 suggests King Ponhea Yat ordered His Excellency Decho Srei to raise the mount even higher when he finished building the new Royal Palace in the new city he then named Krong Chaktomok Mongkol or simply known as Phnom Penh. Wat Phnom is the center of celebration during Khmer New Year, and Pchum Ben. Architecture[edit] The southwest corner of the vihear and stupa, is a small shrine dedicated to Lady Penh. Culture References[edit] References[edit] See also[edit] Coordinates:
Problem Gambling
10 Best Places to Live for Escaping World Conflict | Expatify
Where would you be the safest if World War 3 broke out tomorrow? Perhaps it’s a grim subject, but safety and distance from world conflict can be a motivating factor in your choice to expatriate. At the very least, conflict around the world can weigh heavy on the soul, and it’s nice to know there are some places still left in the world where you might be left in peace. 10. Switzerland’s long history of neutrality and its tucked away location among the valleys of the Alps still make it a safe bet, even despite having a high number of bordering nations. 9. Costa Rica has a stable democracy, a disbanded military and a national policy of neutrality. 8. There are regions of Papua New Guinea that are still being discovered for the first time. 7. Canada is the second largest nation in the world, yet it only shares a land border with one other country– the U.S.A.– and it is a peaceful border. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Comments
The village where men are banned | Global development
Jane says she was raped by three men wearing Gurkha uniforms. She was herding her husband’s goats and sheep, and carrying firewood, when she was attacked. “I felt so ashamed and could not talk about it to other people. They did terrible things to me,” says Jane, her eyes alive with pain. She is 38 but looks considerably older. Jane is a resident of Umoja, a village in the grasslands of Samburu, in northern Kenya, surrounded by a fence of thorns. My arrival is greeted by singing and dancing from the women. The village was founded in 1990 by a group of 15 women who were survivors of rape by local British soldiers. Rebecca Lolosoli is the founder of Umoja and the village matriarch. There are currently 47 women and 200 children in Umoja. Lolosoli is tall and powerfully built, her shaven head adorned with the traditional Samburu beaded ornaments. “If a girl is married at an early age, that girl will not be a competent parent. Memusi is the official greeter. I ask how Seita knew about Umoja.
East LA’s Abandoned Hospital
Last year, while scouting for a short film that never came to fruition, some friends and I talked our way inside an empty, run-down hospital in Boyle Heights. The short was supposed to take place in a hospital, but after a few minutes wandering the halls of Linda Vista -- alone and decidedly creeped-out -- it became obvious that there was no way the place would work. It had been closed for twenty years, and it showed: there was dirt caked in layers on walls and mysteriously wet floors; windows were broken and doors hung off their hinges; ceiling tiles had fallen victim to moisture and gravity, and rats had chewed through the walls. We didn't have the money to make Linda Vista look like anything more than a horror movie -- a few of which had actually been shot there over the years. I was only inside for 45 minutes or so, running through the place snapping photos on the fly with a crappy point-and-shoot. Click on photos to see larger sizes. Linda Vista was a railroad hospital.
6 Insane Discoveries That Science Cant Explain
We like to feel superior to the people who lived centuries ago, what with their shitty mud huts and curing colds by drilling a hole in their skulls. But we have to give them credit: They left behind some artifacts that have left the smartest of modern scientists scratching their heads. For instance, you have the following enigmas that we believe were created for no other purpose than to fuck with future generations. The Voynich Manuscript The Mystery: The Voynich manuscript is an ancient book that has thwarted all attempts at deciphering its contents. It appears to be a real language--just one that nobody has seen before. Translation: "...and when you get her to put the tennis racket in her mouth, have her stand in a fountain for a while. There is not even a consensus on who wrote it, or even when it was written. Why Can't They Solve It? Could you? Don't even try. As you can imagine, proposed solutions have been all over the board, from reasonable to completely clownshit. Our Guess:
50 of the World's Best Breakfasts
– Written by Victoria Philpott Not quite had your fill of breakfasts just yet? Check out our beautifully visual list of the 30 best breakfasts from around the world. Salivating. If you’ve got a tasty recipe for a breakfast you’ve made in a hostel kitchen, let us know. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. Phew, and that’s it! Follow me on Twitter @VickyFlipFlop and let me know what you think of them all… And if I’ve inspired you to travel the world to sample them, remember you can always book your cheap hotels with us at HostelBookers.com. Thanks to everyone for the images from Flickr. Related posts
