Chile’s World's Largest Swimming Pool is an Engineering Miracle

Chile has some unique attractions to cater the tourists all over the world; by presenting the world’s largest swimming pool attracts large crowds to pay a visit to the San Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarrobo, on Chile’s southern coast. The pool length is about is 3,323 feet long, covering an area of 20 acres containing some 250 million liters of seawater, with a maximum depth of 11.5 feet. The water is pumped from the Pacific Ocean, filtered, and treated. The world’s largest swimming pool took five years to build at a lavish cost of £ 1 billion and an annual maintenance bill for about USD 4 million.

It was opened for public in December 2006, and their water is crystal clear even you can see the bottom of its depth. The gigantic pool is controlled by computer suction device and filtration system to keep fresh seawater in permanent circulation. The pool water is drawing in from the ocean at one end and pumping it out at the other end. Moreover, the sun warms the water that has a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, 9 degrees warmer than the ocean side. Chile biochemist “Fernando Fischmann” is the man who designed this massive pond. He says, we can build an impressive artificial paradise even in inhospitable areas. It is really true that the pool is like heaven in a dry area.

The swimming length of this pool is the world's largest outdoor pool would mean stroke after stroke for over three fifths of a mile and that's 20 Olympic-size swimming pools. If you’re water lover and distance swimmer, then this is dream come true, as the chill water not overly chlorinated. Indeed this is a engineering miracle--you can't really wrap your head around how HUGE the pool is--it is really more of a lake would give the pool itself 5 stars. If you don't like cold water and can’t swim you might not enjoy it as much as the others did. Source: Charismatic Planet

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

A short coastal footpath leads to a Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a famous rope bridge close to Ballintoy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The bridge connected the mainland to the small island of Carrickarede. On the way to splendid bridge, there are amazing vantage points to stop and see the majestic natural beauty. Though, the geology flora and fauna have won Carrick-a-Rede recognition as an area of distinctive scientific interest.  Fulmars, kittywakes, guillemots and razorbills breed on the islands near to the rope bridge. The magnificent rope bridge offers tourists not only delightful views of this wild Atlantic coastline, but also the exclusive and exciting experience of crossing a suspended rope bridge.

Therefore, the present bridge was established in 2008 and replaced numerous previous versions, dating back more than a few hundred years, which were used by local fishermen. In the early days, the bridge was narrower and had only a single rope as a railing. However, these days the rickety bridge is safely enclosed by a network of ropes on both sides, but not all tourists are willing to wiggle and wobble their way. Since Carrickarede Island is no longer used by fishermen, the National Trust over the years, have maintained the strengthened the rope bridge.

Along the coastal of this area, as with much of the Antrim plateau, the cliffs are of basalt with the characteristic Ulster chalk beneath. At Carrickarede, the ancient volcanic pipe has left dolerite, a harder rock than basalt, which erodes more sluggishly. Moreover, behind the dolerite, to the south, the vent is well filled with pyroclastic rocks that break down more effortlessly, mostly coarse tuff agglomerate. Though, the combination of the firm rock out front and the softer rock behind, with long term erosion by the waves, has in the end left this small island.

It is not doubt, that Carrick-a-Rede also motivated an exciting rope bridge experience. Thus, traditional fishermen erected the bridge to Carrick-a-Rede Island over a 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. Nowadays tourists are immensely drawn here simply to take the rope bridge challenge! Moreover, once you reach at Carrick Island, the reward is seeing the different birdlife and an continuous view across to Rathlin Island and Scotland. There’s only one way off the island back across the swinging bridge! Well, don't look down! The Carric-a-Rope Bridge is one of best love attractions with rocky Island connected to the cliffs by a rope bridge. Here you can have stunning views of special scientific interest, unique geology, flora and fauna, fantastic bird watching. Please be noted, that the bridge is open from Mid-March to early October, when it's taken down so it won't be swept away by winter storms.   Source: Charismatic Planet

The Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Matsue Japan Looks Absolutely Frightening

The Eshima Ohashi bridge is catching renewed attention due to eye-popping photos that show it resembling a vertical Slip n' Slide for cars while with an unusual kink in its middle. The bridge is a two-lane concrete road bridge that connects the city of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture to Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, in Japan. The bridge total length is 1.7 kilometer, and a width of 11.3 meters, it is the largest rigid frame bridge in Japan and the third largest in the world. That's credited toward its need to let ships to pass underneath it with ease.

In the recent times, the bridge has received exceptional attention since it was used in a TV commercial for Daihatsu Motor Co.'s Tanto minivan. The commercial shows the bridge from an angle that inflates the slope of the bridge’s approach. The view compression by a telephoto lens makes the viewer accept as true that the bridge is extremely steep. Daihatsu Motor wants you to be certain of that the bridge is terrifyingly steep because it wants to show off its car's strength. Actually, the bridge has a pretty comfortable gradient of 6.1% on Shimane Prefecture side and 5.1% on Tottori Prefecture side, nothing an average car can’t handle. Several websites showing that driving over the bridge is “like a roller-coaster ride” which is all media hyperbole. Fortunately for it drivers particularly during bad weather or brake failure it looks can be deceiving.

UNREAL! Roller Coaster-like Bridge In Japan... by roletadasanedotas

The Angel Oak Tree, More Than 450 Years Old Tree in South Carolina

The Angel Oak Tree is a Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park on Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina. The exact date is missing, but it is believe the Angel Oak Tree is estimated more than 450 years old. It stands 66.5 feet tall, measures 28 feet in circumference, and produces massive shade that covers more than 17,200 square feet. The Angel Oak tree is the longest branch distance is 187 feet in length. Angel Oak was the 210th tree to be registered with the Live Oak Society. As you can imagine that natural disasters can damage to any tree in the world, and same was happened with Angel Oak tree, which were badly damage during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, but tree has tremendously recovered. So, therefore the City of Charleston has owned the tree and surrounding park since 1991. Angel Oak is a live oak and it is native to the low country and is not very tall but has a wide spread canopy.

The Angel Oak tree stands on land that was part of Abraham Weight’s 1717 land grant. The oak originates its name from the estate of Justis and Martha Angel, and local inhabitants tell traditional stories of ghosts of former slaves appearing as angels around the tree. Well, in spite of popular belief that the tree is the oldest one in the east of Mississippi River, but else, there are several bald cypress trees throughout the South which are many hundreds of years older. As the times passes, and modernization development taking place all over the world, and in 2012, development is started to encroach on the site of the Angel Oak, to build a 500 unit apartment complex, but Angel Oak was seriously challenged in court by a group called save the oldest tree and the coastal conversation league, their major concerns included the construction effect on available groundwater and nutrients. For visitors who haven't visited Angel Oak, you should know that it is this state's most impressive work of nature, more inspiring even than a plate of shrimp and grits. In the spring and summer season, there are various events take place, i.e.,  "Evening Under the Angel Oak" , dramatic presentations, and numerous other activities, particularly during the Spoleto Festival in May and June. 

World’s Longest and Highest Glass-Bottomed Bridge

China has all set to open the most frightening walkway in the world, stretching a quarter-of-a-mile across a canyon at a dizzying height of 980ft and it's made of “GLASS”. Well it is highly recommended to stay away if you’re terrified of heights.  China latest attraction The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon skywalk will hover over a nail-biting 980ft drop and is set to smash records to be the world longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge. The terrifying footbridge, which spans between two cliffs in the national park of Zhangjiajie, will be open to valiant tourists in July. Moreover, the frightening platform is no quick stroll, stretching a whopping 1,410ft above the inspiring Hunan province scenery. Therefore, those who fright the bridge will give way need not worry, as the 19ft-wide bridge is able to hold 800 visitors at a time. The further plans to arrange a fashion shows along the sky-high pathway, which has peerless views of the national park that was the stimulation for the planet Pandora in the movie Avatar. The ambitious venture will easily dwarf United State Grand Canyon Skywalk which sits 718 feet above the ground measuring 68 feet long. Israeli architect Haim Dotan was behind this mega project and those tourists who catch the adrenaline bug from completing the transparent walkway, there’ll also be the opportunity to try the world's highest bungee jump.

This record-breaking bungee will snatch the title from Macau Tower's 764ft-high attraction. A similar scary walkway opened in south-west China in Chongqing last month, which was extended 87.5ft from the edge of a cliff. Tourists are suspended in the air with 2,350ft of valley below their feet, leaving them feel as though they are walking on air.  Source: Dailymail