The Monument Rock Kansas, United States

Monument Rocks are also called Chalk Pyramids actually a series of large chalk formation in Gove County, Kansas. In 2008, Monument Rocks & Castle Rock was jointly named as one of 8 wonders of Kansas. It is National Natural Landmark, rich in fossils. The chalk formation height is up to 70 feet and it was first landmark chosen by the US Department of the Interior as a national natural landmark.  Moreover, it also includes formations such as buttes and arches. 

The archaeologist believes the estimated age is 80 million. The area is scientifically significant fossils these ancient chalk beds have formed highly eroded into unusual spires and shapes, making them spectacular landmarks on the plains of western Kansas! That over the eons have been eroded by the once much larger Smoky Hill River, wind and rain. 

These days, it is hard to believe that this flat, arid, cactus and buffalo grass prairie was totally covered by water, yet these awe-inspiring rock outcroppings tell a different story. The arches and buttes of Monument Rocks are spread out more than ten acres. The Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Sioux, and Apache Indians utilized this area as hunting grounds when the buffalo and other game were plentiful here. The rising monoliths were also a spiritual site for the Native Americans.

The carbonate deposits were laid down during the Cretaceous Period in what was the Western Interior Seaway, which were split the continent of North America into two landmasses. Monument Rocks, & Castle Rock, and others sandstone bluffs collectively known as the "Badlands of Kansas." Furthermore, the area is also known as the source of some of the best Cretaceous marine fossils that have been found anywhere in the world. 

Therefore, underneath these bluffs and outcroppings lie thousands of feet of marine sediments that have provided paleontologists with a wealth of fossils and the leftovers of extinct animals, i.e. fish bones, oyster shells, turtles, swimming reptiles, coral dinosaurs, birds and sharks teeth. The local peoples say, after heavy rain, the region still smells like an ocean bay. Further, numerous wildlife continue to dwell in the region, including eagles, falcons, and other birds, wild deer, pronghorn antelope, jackrabbits, coyotes, and careful rattlesnakes. These natural structures attract thousands of visitors every year.   

At a distance they maintain a stately elegance as they tower above the plains over 100 feet into the air.  Thus silent is still there, they bear a testimony to the ancient past of the inland sea that once covered them in water.  There are number of things, which are not allowed like - no climbing, fossil hunting, camping, littering or bonfires. Do not honk at cattle, just take only pictures and leave only footprints.  

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The Mitre Peak, New Zealand

In New Zealand, one of most photographed mountain is Mitre Peak, located close to the shore of Milford Sound, in the Fiordland National Park in the southwestern South Island. The iconic mountain has distinctive shape gives the mountain its name after the Mitre headwear of Christian bishops. The Mitre Peak or Māori Rahotu is named by Captain John Lort Stokes of HMS Acheron. 

The Mitre location is most distinctive reason of its iconic status, rises vertically to 5,560 feet. You can technically call him a fjord. Moreover, the Mitre Peak is in fact a closely grouped set of five peaks, however from most easily accessible viewpoints it appears as a single point. Thus, Milford Sound is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO.

The State Highway 94 is most scenic roads in New Zealand leads to Milford Sound. Every year, so many people make efforts to climb the Mitre Peak, which is not an easy job to do so. However, the first attempt was made in 1883 but could not successes due to bad weather. Therefore, in 1911 J R Dennistoun made next attempt to climb it, but eventually created lots of buzz among people, who claimed to have built a cairn on the peak to which he had fixed his handkerchief. 

Thus, the facts were confirmed later by successful climbers in 1914. There are six routes up to Mitre Peak, and most climbers start by getting a boat to Sinbad Bay. The track through the thick Fiordland bush is unmarked, the route above the bushline is hugely exposed and it’s a demanding mission regardless of how you tackle it. The Mitre Peak is a country of jaw-dropping Mountain, make it very special by tens of thousands of visitors arrive in Milford Sound each year. Milford Sound gets an astonishing 7 metres of rainfall each year. The Mitre Peak is a hugely demanding climb and one that should not be taken lightly. 

Photographer Captures Brilliant Snow-Capped Mountains and Serene Lochs of the Scottish Highlands

Well, Forget the Alps! A Scottish photographer captures splendid snow-capped mountains and serene lochs of the Scottish Highlands from valley to peak. The Camillo Berenosh has spent many years in travelling, capture breath-taking untamed beauty of native country. The remarkable Scottish landscape is the passion of his new journey. When you see his series of pictures, you’d definitely forget your tension a while, incredible snow-topped peaks, deep green valleys and unharmed forests. The Edinburgh based photographer is exploring Scotland from high to low capturing incredible landscape along the way. Therefore, heading deep into nature Camillo presents the raw natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains and tranquil lochs through the seasons from icy and snow-capped to blooming with flowers.

He said; I often camped on summits, despite of harsh weather conditions, I didn’t afraid to wait for right time and condition to capture the photographs. I have bit a slower approach in terms of time to take perfect click, also enable me to a stronger connection with the landscape and flora and fauna of remote upland areas. I wanted to protect Scottish nature by doing this project, showing a greater appreciation of unrivalled grandeur of the hills, landscapes, forest and many anthropological threats they are facing these days. I also want to motivate other photographer to come Scotland to explore untouched places. I am sure, they’d be spellbound by diverse and staggeringly beautiful landscapes in the remoter parts of this country. I’ve spent several hours in the hills, with precise destinations often primarily being determined by where the weather forecast looked most favorable.

Vintage Theatre Converted into Spectacular Bookstore in Argentina

If you’re a book lover, then your next travel destination should be Buenos Aires, Argentina. The city has more than 734 bookstores, including second most beautiful bookstore in the world. Almost 100 year old Grand Splendid Theater, opened in 1919 was converted into cinema in 1920’s, but then eventually converted into El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore in 2000. The bookshop is tucked away in Barrio Norte, Buenos Aires welcomes more than one million book lovers each year. Architects Pero and Torres Armengol, designed the building, but architect Fernando Manzone converted into bookshop. 

The building retained several parts of the theatre, including the stage and balconies.  In 2008, the Guardian has named El Ateneo Grand Splendid named second most beautiful bookstore in the world. The elaborated décor and classic 1920’s theater contains stunning red curtains. The book lovers definitely lost in the shelves for many hours, for history and nostalgia lurk behind every corner.

The Banaue Rice Terraces of Philippines

The Banaue Rice Terraces are approximately 2,000-year-old terraces that were beautifully carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the native people. Due to its stunning natural beauty, it is commonly referred as the 8^th Wonder of the World built with minimal equipment, mainly by hand. The Rice Terraces are located about 5000 feet above sea level, fed by ancient irrigation system from the rainforests. 

The exaggerated statement is that, if the steps were put end to end, it would encircle half the earth. These rice terraces were first constructed as a practical solution to the problem of growing rice on land that falls away in front of you at vertigo-inducing angles. The younger generation of Ifugaos is no more interesting in farming, often captivate lucrative industry associate with terraces, however the older people still prefer to plant rice and vegetables in their terraces. Although with the passage of time, gradual erosion and drought cut down the terraces steps, which need constant care. The terraces are found in the province of Ifugao and their culture revolves around rice and the culture displays an elaborate array of celebrations linked with agricultural rites from rice cultivation to rice consumption. 

The harvest season usually calls for thanksgiving feasts, whereas the concluding harvest rites called tango or tungul entails a firm taboo on any agricultural work. Partaking of the bayah, rice cakes, and betel nut constitutes an indelible practice during the festivities. The native peoples still like traditional farming, hiring labour at their terraces and forest tending to root crop cultivation. In March 2009 the Ifugao rice terraces were declared free from genetically modified organisms (GMO). The Ifugaos generally cultivate edible shells, fruit trees, and other vegetables. The rice terraces building consist of blanketing walls with stones and earth, designed to pull water from a main irrigation canal above the terraces clusters. The Ifugao’s peoples using indigenous technologies for water irrigation, stonework, earthwork and terrace maintenance.

Moreover, tourism is another industry which is thriving in the Banaue Rice Terraces, developed number of activities for visitors. This includes traditional sightseeing of the terraces and visits to the tribes at the foot of the terraces. Also refer spiritual healing rituals by traditional Ifugao doctors. Furthermore, the most prevalent place to look at the rice terraces is called the “Sunrise Viewpoint”, where local Igarot tribe’s people pose for photographs and sell wood carvings.

So far, Banaue Rice Terraces are not in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the presence of various modern structures. However, Philippine government declared Banaue Rice Terraces are National Cultural Treasure. The five clusters inscribed as part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan. Aside from the Banaue Rice terraces there are 4 other similar terraces, in this mountainous province are the Batad Rice Terraces, Mayoyao Rice Terraces in Mayoyao, Hapao Rice Terraces and Kiangan Rice Terraces. 

Moreover, it’s a great place whenever you go to Philippine. It is also recommended to hire a guide to take you for rice terraces adventure. The terrace valleys are absolutely breathtaking and in one or two places you can see some waterfalls and natural swimming holes. The best visiting time is any time of year, but preferred time is between Feb to Mar when the cleaning the planting time occurs and June and July when the harvest occurs.

The rice that is harvest in Ifugao is only for personal consumption, but occasionally short due to large family system. The average consumption is 120kig per family for a year. Though the commercial rice, as it is known up in the Cordilleras, is grown in mass quantities in the lowlands with the use of fertilisers, and is exported mainly abroad.