Keep Whatever You Find at the Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas

Can you believe, there’s diamond mine, where you can keep whatever you find? This interesting diamond crater is located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, United States. This is the only diamond mine open to the public, where you’ve to just pay a little amount as entrance fee. The people use to look into area for diamonds and keep what they find. Actually this crater is 37-acre land has been plowed into fine dirt by hundreds of thousands of amateur prospectors who dig through the dirt every year and searching for exquisite stones. However, few visitors use an exclusive sieve known as a “seruca” to rinse and separate the heavier diamonds from the lighter debris. While, others just get down on their knees and hands, and claw at the dirt looking for the faint reflection of jewels in the furrows. Therefore, over one hundred years since its discovery, the exclusive “Crater of Diamonds” has yielded countless diamonds and other semi-precious gems including the 40-carat "Uncle Sam", the biggest diamond ever discovered in the United States. The interesting facts as per Park officials, visitors frequently come here and find over 600 diamonds each year of all colors and grades, and over 31,000 diamonds have been found in the crater since it declared a state park in 1972.

The precious diamonds that come about in Crater of Diamonds formed 3 billion years ago in the earth’s mantle some 60-100 miles below the earth’s surface where the remarkable pressures and temperatures crystalized them from carbon. Thus, almost more than 100 million years ago, a rising column of magma brought this material near to the surface where it shattered in a large volcano producing almost 80-acre crater and covering the surrounding landscape with ejecta, which were several fragments of mantle rock that were carried up to the surface with the rising magma. These fragments are recognized as "xenoliths" and they contained the diamonds. As the time passes, atmospheric weathering conditions over the years eroded away the ejecta and parting the stable and very resistant diamonds in the soil. However, diamonds are often found loose in the soil along with other semi-precious gems such as amethyst, jasper, and agate. In 1906, John Huddlestone found diamonds very first time and discovered two strange crystals in the soil of his farm.

Though, Huddlestone has assumed that his crystals might be precious diamonds and took them to a local jeweler for valuation who confirmed them to be genuine diamonds. Hence after the discovery, a "diamond rush" instigated and thousands of people descended upon the Murfreesboro area. However, Huddleston wasn't fascinated in diamond mining himself, so he sold the land to a group of investors for $36,000. They’ve tried several attempts at commercial mining which were failed, the possessions were opened for public pay-to-prospect mine in the early 1950s and the name was changed to the "Crater of Diamonds". Therefore, The State of Arkansas bought the land in 1972 and started operating it as "Crater of Diamonds State Park." Although, most of the diamonds discovered here are very small, about the size of a kitchen match head and even too small to be cut and mounted as a stone, but rarely tourists turn up with diamonds of over three or five carat which worth is thousands of dollars. So, if you’re keen in diamond find, you may go to Crater of Diamonds State Park and try your luck. 

Monte Kali: A Beautiful White Mountain of Table Salt

In the small town of Heringer of Eastern Hesse, Germany, a beautiful white mountain called Monte Kali, made of spoil heap landmark. The Monte Kali containing nothing but sodium chloride or common table salt, which is a byproduct of potash mining. In this region, potash mining has been major industry from last 120 years. Therefore, it is begins with the opening of “Wintershall” potash works, which started mining work in 1903, and currently he’s world’s biggest potash mine with an operational area about the size of Greater Munich’s. 

It is important to keep in mind that Potash mining produces a mixture of potash and sodium chloride, with potassium content falls between 20% and 35%. Therefore, for each ton of potash recovered, a number of tons of sodium chloride are produced, which can be  dumped at many sites around the region. The dumps comprise up to 96% sodium chloride.

However, as the time passes, Monte Kali started growing in 1973, and it’s where the K+S chemical company dumps sodium chloride. The Monte Kali heap rises more than 200 meters above the surrounding land, and covered an area of 93 hectares till January 2014. Moreover, it contains about 188 million tonnes of salt, with additional 900 tonnes being added every hour and 6.4 million tonnes a year. Furthermore, lying next to the border with the state of Thuringia, “Monte Kali” towers over Heringen and is a widely held attraction. Because, local folks are refer to it as “Kalimanjaro” a play of words between Kali (shorthand for Kalisalz, German for "potash") and the well-known volcanic peak Mount Kilimanjaro. 

The hikers are having serious interest in climbing this artificial mountain, and it is observed that more than 10,000 visitors climb every year. Another important point to be notice, that Monte Kali and other spoil heaps in this region are seriously environmentally destructive, because a massive amount of salt seeps into the ground polluting the soil, rivers and groundwater. Though in result surrounding soil has become eventually barren and only a few halophyte plants resistant to salt can grow there. The Werra River too has become unfriendly to freshwater organisms.

Bibi Jawindi, The Most Ornate Monuments at Uch-Sharif

The Tomb of Bibi Jawindi is one of the five monuments in Uch Sharif, in the Bahawalpr state and Punjab province of Pakistan. Uch is an important historical city, having been founded by Alexander the Great, previously located at the confluence of the Indus and Chenab rivers. The Bibi Jawindi is considered one of most ornate monuments in Uch, and on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The tomb was submitted by the Department of Archaeology and Museums Pakistan in Jan 2004 to be inducted in the World Heritage Sites along with four other monuments in the region. In 1493, Iranian prince, Muhammad Dilshad Of khorasan has built shrine for Bibi Jawindi, who was great-granddaughter of Jahaniyan Jahangasht, who was famous Sufi Saint. The Personage Lying buried here was the pious lady popularly Known as “Bibi Jawindi”,The site Uch, is locally recognized as Uch Sharif, is famous for the home of the "shrine culture" because of its cultural importance and the presence of numerous monuments and shrines.

However, the tomb of Bibi Jawindi is famous place for visitor. The exterior of the tomb building is octagonal in shape and has three tiers with the top one supporting a dome, while the interior is circular due to thick angled walls rising up two stories. Therefore, both the interior and exterior of the building are splendidly decorated with Islamic scriptures, with beautiful carved timber, and bright blue and white mosaic tiles recognized as faience. Moreover, the base tier is well supported by eight tapering towers in each corner, and compound encompassing the shrine is preserved in its original desert-like conditions and is regularly covered with cemented graves. The surrounding area is exquisite covered with green vegetation due to a network of river tributaries and canals crossing the area. The other important monuments in this area are the Tomb of Baha'al-Halim, Tomb of Ustead, Tomb of Jalaluddin Bukhari, and the Mosque of Jalaluddin Bukhari.

From last several centuries, the tomb of Bibi Jawindi has poorly disintegrated due to environmental conditions, and during torrential floods in 1817 even half of the structure washed away.  Presently, only the remaining half of the structure is still standing, although the Conservation and Rehabilitation Center of Pakistan invited international bodies and city officials to work on the conservation of the place in 1999. Though, due salt infiltration, humidity and erosion the complex monuments are still disintegrating. Moreover, inappropriate techniques of repair have further damaged the complex. The World Monuments Fund placed the structure on their Watch in 1998, 2000 and 2002 to gather international attention and managed to obtain grants to conserve the tombs.

The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine is Most Famous Lost Mine in American History

The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is, a rich gold mine hidden in the southwestern United States. The site is commonly thought to be in the Superstition Mountains, nearby Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Every year, myriads treasures hunters try their luck to find the mine, and there have been many stories about how to find the mine. The Lost Dutchman's is probably the most famous lost mine in American history. More than 125 years, Lost Dutchman Mine has been told over and over, growing in proportions to such an extent that some claim the entire legend is nothing but a myth.

The mine and its legends are exceptionally real, hidden in the forbidding peaks of the Superstition Mountains. “Real” or not, the haunting tales endure, ongoing to draw prospectors to the Superstition Mountains these days, and making the story one of the most well-known lost treasure tales of all time. The Gold mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz (1810 – 1891), who supposedly discovered it in the 19th century and kept its location very secret. Another former Arizona Attorney General “Bob Corbin” is among those who have looked for the mine. Few argue that there’s little or no evidence for the mine's existence, but many believes that the main components of the story have at least some basis in fact. According to legends of Arizona, the Lost Dutchman's story had been printed or cited at least six times more often than two other relevant recognized tales, the first story is Captain Kidd's lost treasure, and other story is Lost Pegleg mine in California. More than 8,000 researchers annually made efforts to find the Lost Dutchman’s mine, because finding of this mystery have been taking place since 1892.

Another legend “Robert Blair” have said, at least four legendary Lost Dutchman's gold mines in the American West, one Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; while the other two are said to be located in Arizona. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West, well shrouded in mystery, rich in gold, but also said to have a curse upon it, leading to a number of strange deaths, as well as people who mysteriously go "missing” when they try to locate the old mine. Moreover, be careful, there have been several deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. The Lost Dutchman could only be a figment of someone’s overactive imagination.

Iceland. Aerial drone and time lapse compilation. Southern Iceland landscapes and the northern lights.

Time lapse, slow motion, and drone footage from a 6 day trip to southern Iceland.
Shot on a DJI Phantom 3 Professional, Nikon D750, and Sony RX100 IV.
Music: Sing by Bellarive.
Filmed and edited by Colby Moore.

Iceland. Aerial drone and time lapse compilation. Southern Iceland landscapes and the northern lights. from Colby Moore on Vimeo.

Portrait of Iceland

A short glimpse of our trip to Iceland in June 2015. This amazingly beautiful country exceeded all expectations. To see photos of the trip go to oftwolands.com | instagram.com/oftwolands

Music : Luke Atencio - Counsel. (licence through The Music Bed). Filmed on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, Edited in Final Cut Pro X and Graded with Film Convert.

Portrait of Iceland from • of two lands • on Vimeo.

The Ultimate Villa on Dunbar Rock in Pristine Caribbean Waters

Wow, yes this is ultimate diver's paradise! The incredible resort that's perched on a rock in pristine Caribbean waters, only two ways to recommend at this spectacular resort either by boat or helicopter. The luxurious resorts sit on a solid rock in the Caribbean and are surrounded by water on all sides, if someone wants real protocol there's a helipad for who wants to arrive in dramatic style. Believe it, the sea literally at your doorstep, as there’s a private beach and eight suites for guests. Therefore, Villa on Dunbar Rock, despite the proximity of the sea, throws in an infinity pool for its visitors anyway the rock offers handy access for those keen to explore under the surface of the idyllic marine area.

Moreover, the exclusive rock retreat is situated around 44 miles off the north coast of Honduras, though visitors will never be absolutely stuck there if they don't want to be. The trained staff can arrange boats to take you to see the sights of Guanaja area, which has waterfalls, sea kayaking, bars, restaurants and fishing. Don’t worry and keep expecting, there’re more than enough to entertain on the private island. The Rock resort 7-night packages at the Villa on Dunbar Rock start at $1,952 per person with dives included in the price.

Well, the $1.7 million rock home took two years to be transformed into an extravagance $10 million dream island mansion, with 15,000 square feet of rooms spread across four floors. Moreover, visitors can submit to their isolation on balcony sun loungers and relish incredible views. There’s even a chef on hand to make meals, made using local flavors. If you demand to hone your diving skills, Padi certified instructors are on hand to support you to explore the Guanaja reef. The Villa on Dunbar Rock also comes with a dive center stocked with new rental equipment and three dive boats. Forget battling with other holidaymakers for space on the beach, because the rock retreat comes with its own private stretch of golden sand. The island could be the impeccable place to book out for a group holiday or event, as the eight air-conditioned rooms can sleep up to 18 adults. 

Source: Dailymail