The Valley of the Moon Argentina

Ischigualasto Provincial Park is located about 300 kilometers away from the capital of San Juan. It is better known as Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). Ischigualasto, meaning “the place where you put the moon” is a remote valley in Argentina. The strange clay formation, with a great variety of hues, shapes and different layers of mineral and sediments, offers a glimpse of the Earth evolution in the Triassic Period. It is studded with geological formations left by wind erosion, remarkable standing stones and boulders that are so rounded just like massive marbles. 

The valley's which was once-fertile ground is now arid and contains several plant and animal fossils that paleontologists come from all over the world to study them. The erosion over the millennia unearths the fossils and other geological formations such as a host of almost spherical concretions. The wind, unstoppable and patient, has pounded the local bedrock for an age. It is revealed, the boulders that mudstone in its original wet form, helped to form look as if giants have been playing marbles. It is worth mentioning millions of years later, different movements and collisions of the tectonic plates have revealed those valleys that were covered by thousands of meters of younger rocks. 

As if a chest were opened, the Ischigualasto basin tells the story of what happened back then on Planet Earth. Fortunately, not everything is gone. Traces of ancestors have been discovered step by step. Traces of vegetable and animal life can be found giving tourists a chance to know and study the origin of life on this planet. The name of the valley as it is known nowadays derives from that expression, because of combination water and wind erosion carved different silhouettes day after day. The formations like "The Worm", "Painted Valley", “The Sphinx”, “The Bowling Field”, “The Submarine”, “The Mushroom” and the “Red Ravines” can be found. 

The landscape is magnificent and spectacular for tourists from all over the world that come to San Juan to enjoy this pre-historic treasure. At night time, when the full moon is glowing, the moonlight turns Ischigualasto even stranger and far more captivating. Wandering about the Painted Valley, observing the capricious forms the Submarine, the Sphinx, the Flags, the Mushroom, and stepping on these dinosaur lands in the silence of the night is an exclusive and memorable experience, not only for the sight but also for the spirit. The inspiring scenery and perfect beauty are inimitable and completely different from other natural areas in Argentina. 

The mushroom, the submarine, the parrot and Alladin's lamp, are names that have been given to the weird and irregular grey-green rock formations found here. They were formed by the constant action of wind erosion which, like some mad artist, sculpted the bizarre shapes over a period of millions of years. It may be a surprise to discover that dinosaurs are not the most numerous or the largest of animals to be discovered here. Much more common are the fossils of Rhyncosaurs and cynodonts. This has led to speculation that when dinosaurs first appeared on the planet they were not a desperately successful creature to begin with.

Ischigualasto, moon valley, Argentine from keltoi on Vimeo.

Horseshoe Bend an Ultimate Experience of Mother Nature

Horseshoe bend is located 5 miles downstream from Glen Canyon Dam Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, about 4 miles southwest of Page. It is the name of horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River near the town of Page, Arizona in the United States. It is accessible via a 1.1 miles hike from U.S. Route 89 but an access road does reach the geological structure as it is part of a state park. The Horseshoe Bend can be viewed from the steep cliff above. According to Google terrain maps, the overlook is 4,200 feet above sea level and the Colorado River is at 3,200 feet above sea level making it a 1,000 feet drop. 

The Horseshoe Bend contains several minerals. Some of the minerals are hematite, platinum, and garnet. Now publics are adding it to their Grand Canyon experience because they can have their picture taken and it feels like you “IN” the Grand Canyon making it feel like you’re in the Grand Canyon near the Colorado River. Therefore; Horseshoe Bend is one of tourist’s favorite hikes, this is a side trip that doesn't cost anything but a slight effort while you're at Lake Powell in Northern Arizona. To get there, you’ve to slog the better part of a mile across ground that is sometimes inches deep in loose sand. The only plants I saw there of any significance were Canaigre, but otherwise, the ground was totally dry.

Majestic Sizir Waterfall - Sivas – Turkey

Sizir Waterfall is located on Goksu creek, near the large village of Sizir in Gemerek town of Sivas province in Turkey. This waterfall has a big tourism potential. Trout breeding establishments are located in the area. Sorts of carp fishes may be found at some parts of Goksu creek. Like most of our waterfalls, the Sizir watefalf is worth visiting only in very rainy seasons, and explore pictures from this place and get impressions for your trip. Sizir waterfall is also called Goksu Falls. Closeness to main road and accessibility to the waterfall arise the attractiveness of touristic.

The majestic Sızır Waterfall consists of Göksu stream is one of the branches of the Red River, with water falling over travertine step. However it is about 22-meter-high and water falls in line of seven drops. But this is heavily varying according to the seasons and the amount of water passing through the waterfall. Although Sızır Waterfall and the surrounding are known by local people, it is ineffectually recognized across the country. 

We have faith in that this touristic spot have high value will take its rightful share of the tourism pie with the introduction of the scope of nature-based ecotourism at the second degree natural site that has been declared by Sivas Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Regional Office in 2001 and that has the essential infrastructure facilities. At this point, we hope that this article will contribute to increasing the introduction and awareness of the waterfall. This waterfall has great potential for tourist to get there, and share a big part in that area development by taking necessary actions.  Source: Charismatic Planet

Sultanate of Oman "Les Mille et Une Nuits"

Film shot with a Sony 4K Ax100 through the wonderful Oman sultanate.

Sultanate of Oman - "Les Mille et Une Nuits"

Titanic Theme Hotel in Turkey

The famous ship “Titanic” shaped ship just as glamorous, a real Turkish retreat, beach Lara is a luxury hotel located in Antalya, Turkey. The hotel construction themed on the great Titanic ship and you can relax as lively as you can. Hotel offers high standard accommodation with a relaxed holiday atmosphere.

Whether you wish to sunbathe on the hotel's private beach, take advantage of the extensive range of all-inclusive amenities, see a show or have a romantic meal in one of the a la carte restaurants. You can sink your toes into the sand or you can sunny stroll to the boutiques of Lara Beach. The Titanic Beach Lara offers an exciting retreat for couples and families alike. The hotel's close attention to detail and fantastic atmosphere will guarantee a truly fantastic holiday. Moreover the swimming pools galore and a spaghetti junction of slides, and everyone will find something to love at this beachfront beauty.

The magnificent hotel is surrounded by verdant gardens, overlooking the crystalline waters of Mediterranean Sea. The top-rated resort facilities for land and water activities, sports options, world-class spa, inspired local and international cuisine and the sprightly atmosphere of day and night entertainment, Titanic Beach Lara in Antalya offers infinite opportunities for relaxation and recreation.

Marble Lake in Ruskeala, Russia

This is marble quarry in Ruskeala, Karelia, which has been now lake with marble lakesides. It’s all depending from the light's direction the water could be almost black, with a good contrast to white marble rocks, or clear with an interesting greenish hue. Moreover through the water you can see some marble stones; in fact they are located on the deepness of several meters. The most attractive Ruskeala marble quarries, filled with vibrant emerald green subterranean waters, are a distinctive natural monument and an object of mining culture.

An international tourist route; Blue Highway (Norway/Sweden/Finland/Russia) goes through Ruskeala. The quarry site has been designed to become Ruskeala Park, a regional park. A series of small cascade waterfalls on the Tokhmayoki River is another popular tourist attraction located near the settlement. The history tells, that in 1766 a marble deposit was revealed near the Village of Ruskeala. In the subsequent years à marble quarry was opened, which could deal four brands of marble, ash-grey, grey-green, and white with grey streaks and white-grey- blue.

The marble was used for buildings in St. Petersburg in the second half of 17th the middle of the 20-th centuries and in Sortavala and Valamo in the late 19th-early 20th centuries. There has also been à lime production based on the marble in Ruskeala. The marble was quarried in open cuts and in adits. By now three cuts have been opened along the left bank of the river Tohmajoki. The cuts are somewhat flooded and the water is encircled by sheer marble rocks. The cuts are linked with each other by adits. Some other objects of interest have been preserved, for example an old administration building made of the Ruskeala marble in the Classic style.