Saturday 17 May 2014

Ben Mount Benbulbin Ireland



Ben Mount Benbulbin is located in County Sligo, in the extreme north-west of Ireland, 10 KM north of the town of Sligo. The mountain Benbulbin is 527 meters and an entire county of Sligo and its symbols. Benbulbin is a protected site, designated as a County Geological Site by Sligo County Council. According to Irish legend, lived on this mountain monstrous boar of Benbulbin, Diarmuid was killed and buried in a hill Lech MUIKAM, near Dramkliffa at the foot of Benbulbin, according to his will, buried the great Irish poet WB Yeats. Its present form the mountain was during the last glacial period. Initially, it had a high “hump” that was cut creeping glacier.
Benbulbin almost entirely composed of limestone rocks. The name Benbulbin is also echoed in the name of the king Conall Gulban, a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages who was associated with the mountain; though, whether he was named after the mountain or the mountain after him is not clear. Benbulbin was shaped during the ice age, when Ireland was under glaciers, actually it was a large plateau and with the passage of time it converts into distinct formation. Benbulbin Mountain is composed of limestone on top of mudstones and these rocks formed approximately 320 million years ago in a shallow sea. Fossils exist throughout the layers of the mountains. All layers have many fossilized sea shells. The shale layer also holds some corals.
Benbulbin is an established dangerous climbing destination because the side bears the brunt of the high winds and storms that come in from the Atlantic Ocean. However if you climb from south side of mountain which is considered easy side since that side slopes very gently. And when climbers reached the summit, they’re rewarded with a magnificent view over the coastal plain of north Co. Sligo and the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore; Benbulbin hosts a unique and rare variety of plants, including particular organisms found nowhere else in Ireland. Several are Arctic–alpine plants, which grows in cooler temperatures than is normal. Some plants were deposited when the glaciers created Benbulbin i.e wild hares and foxes inhabit Benbulbin. In 2012, some researchers exposed that the Fringed Sandwort had survived the Ice Age and is possibly 100,000 years old. 


Monday 12 May 2014

Skradinski Buk Waterfall of Croatia



The most popular waterfall on the Krka River is “Skradinski buk” which is longest and one of Croatia’s best known natural wonders. The waterfall is a huge, clear, natural pool with high falls at one end and cascades at the other. The most famous lakes in Croatia is clearly Plitvice lakes, which are a must see site for every visitor in Croatia. If you travel by car to any region in Croatia, you will be able to visit at least some of best waterfalls in Croatia, and Skradinski buk is one of them. 

The Skradinski buk is the lowest of the three sets of waterfalls formed along the Krka River and located about 13 KM downstream from Roški slap and an entire of 49 KM downstream from the source. Skradinski buk is considered one of the most beautiful cliff water falls in Europe. You can see them with a walk through a Forrest on a wooden path and bridges. A beautiful walking trail has been constructed over the river that takes tourists on a light walk through the deep shade of lush Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean vegetation.

The growth of travertine barriers at Skradinski buk was caused by the merger of the waters of Krka River with the 3KM lower current of the ÄŒikola River at RoÅ¡ki slap, producing one of the most rare and lovely landscapes of the Krka National Park. The combined waters of the Krka and ÄŒikola Rivers flow over the 17 steps at Skradinski buk, distributed along the 800 meters in length. The width of the cascades is between 200 and 400 metres with an overall height difference of around 45 meters. Travertine formations in the lower portion have caves and tufts while the upper portion of the river includes thresholds, travertine islands, draperies and barriers. 

A 60 minute light walk over bridge take you to deep shade of lush Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean vegetation, which offers the unique microcosms of mystical sounds, lights, colors, the mysterious world of travertine mosses and plentiful plant species of the travertine barriers and aquatic habitats. Fortunate tourists will not miss the heart catching song of the nightingale, the splashing of the coot, the swimming of the Illyrian ide, the call of the green frog, the flight of the hawk and the playful ballet of emerald dragonflies and colorful butterflies.

Mar Chiquita, A Lovely Oval Shaped Beach in Puerto Rico



Can a beach be secluded and popular at the same time? Mar Chiquita has someway managed this feat, still retaining its sense of private allure as the surrounding town of Manatí developed. Mar Chiquita, also called “Little Sea”, is a small beach in a protected cove close to eastern end of a long rocky wall uncovered on the coast of Manatí in northern Puerto Rico, almost 40 KM west of San Juan. The north shore of Puerto Rico has miles of beautiful shoreline and it is one best spots for great views on the island. The Atlantic Ocean is always pounding against the rocky outcroppings along the shore carving it into interesting shapes. But that it is not to say you can’t find a calm beach on the north shore.

The lovely oval shaped beach lies behind the rocky wall in a trivial cove protected from the rough Atlantic. The wall was breached by the action of waves to form a 25 meter opening where the tide entered and formed a bay in the shape of the English alphabet U. The waves inside the cove are of substantial height as the result of the backwash meeting the incoming waves at their breaking point, building up the size of the waves. However; due to the shape of the cove and the narrow area between the rocks where water comes in and goes out, there can be serious undertows. It is possible to get sucked out into the open ocean when the water flows back out of the cove. Generally, it is calmer in the summer months so you can wade or snorkel, but it is not always good for swimming due to its strong undercurrents and rocks. 

Mar Chiquita was once a famous beach with a beautiful setting of palm trees, golden sand, and the imposing ridge of pitted eolianite. These days, Playa Mar Chiquita is still an elegant beach, but it is no longer as secluded as it once was due to the major urban development occurring on the coastal plains of Puerto Rico. Though, the beach’s fame has not declined, even on any given day of the week you can see some family picnics, and visitors playing beach sports, or simply enjoying the landscape and sunbathing. One popular activity is to climb and explore the eolianite ridge that forms the rocky headland of Punta Mar Chiquita, on the northeast side of the beach. 

It is likely to walk on all the rocks, but be aware, the limestone rocks were a bit slippery in some spots and they are really sharp. Shoes are essential flip flops are not sturdy enough. Unfortunately if you slipped and fell, it would hurt a lot! Another thing to watch out for is huge waves that have been famous to come over the top of the rocks. Stay alert. Although facilities are scant, with just a couple of huts serving light fare. Bring a beach chair this is a place to relax and soak it in.

World’s Most Dangerous Stairways to Heaven



Chinese tourist officials in Linzhou, Henan province, hope the stairs will give visitors an actual experience of the mountain range. They wanted to boost the tourism by installing a huge spiral stair case. And they are hoping that their 300ft "Stairway to Heaven" will inspire people to visit this beauty spot of Taihang Mountains, in Linzhou, Henan province, China. Just looking at these stairs is adequate to give anyone vertigo, but they are anticipated to attract thousands of tourists in China. The spiral staircase has been installed on the wall of the Taihang Mountains in Linzhou to offer the thrill of mountaineering without the danger.
The most astonishing moments is when the wind blows and batters them, the birds fly past them, the stairs creak. It is a lot more authentic than an elevator. Therefore; for health and safety reasons, the stairs do not offer admission to just anyone. All potential climbers have to sign a form stating that they have no heart or lung problems and are under 60 years of age. If you got halfway up and couldn't go any further, you might just have to stay there. The Taihang Mountain range encompasses 250 miles from north to south and runs through Shanxi, Henan and Hebei provinces. Most peaks range from 5,000 to 6,500ft, with the principal peak of Xiao Wutaishan reaching 9,455ft.