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Nov 062011
 

Salar de Uyuni (or even Salar de Tunupa) may be the planet’s biggest sodium toned from 10, 582 sq . kms (four, 086 sq mi). This is found in the actual Potosí as well as Oruro sections within south west Bolivia, close to the crest from the Andes, and it is raised 3, 656 yards (11, 995 foot) over the actual imply ocean degree.

Gran Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Gran Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia


The actual Salar had been created due to changes in between a number of prehistoric ponds. It’s included in several yards associated with sodium brown crust area, that has an exceptional flatness using the typical altitude variants inside 1 meter within the whole part of the Salar. The actual brown crust area acts like a supply of sodium as well as handles the swimming pool associated with brine, that is extremely full of lithium. It has 50 in order to 70% from the planet’s lithium supplies, that is along the way to be removed. The actual big region, obvious heavens as well as outstanding area flatness help to make the actual Salar a perfect item with regard to calibrating the actual altimeters from the Planet declaration satellites. The actual Salar acts since the main transportation path over the Bolivian Altiplano and it is a significant reproduction floor for many varieties associated with red flamingos.

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Nov 032011
 

Preikestolen as well as Prekestolen, in addition acknowledged with the Uk translations involving Preacher’s Pulpit as well as Pulpit Good ole’, along with with the previous community brand (“the carpenter-plane’s blade”),

Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen, Norway

Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen, Norway


is often a huge ledge 604 metre distances (1982 foot) earlier mentioned Lysefjorden, complete opposite your Kjerag skill level, throughout Forsand, Ryfylke, Norwegian. Your the top ledge can be about 30 by simply 30 metre distances (82 by simply 82 foot) sq, virtually level, and is also a new renowned traveler destination throughout Norwegian. In the a number of warm weather involving 09, about 130, 000 men and women needed your 3. 8 kilometers (only two. several mi.) stroll for you to Preikestolen, so that it is the most went to pure sights throughout Norwegian.

GPS coordinates: 58°59′10″N 6°11′19″E

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Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen, NorwayPulpit Rock, Preikestolen, NorwayPulpit Rock, Preikestolen, NorwayPulpit Rock, Preikestolen, Norway

Oct 012010
 

Courchevel 1850

Following my recent post about the affluence in Monaco, I though I’d write a quick article about Courchevel 1850, which is the wintersport equivalent of Monaco.

My wife and I went to Courchevel in 2008, and it was an experience we will never forget. When we arrived at the Geneva airport, it was snowing, and the taxi up to 1850 was absolutely terrifying because of the mass of falling snow. Sitting in a taxi with no snow chains and goingvery high up a narrow steep road was not one of my favorite moments.

Needless to say, we arrived at our hotel, Hotel Des Trois Vallees, an absolutely immaculate hotel which catered to all of our needs and more. I really can’t praise this hotel enough; the staff were perfection itself and the food was to die for! It was a ski-in ski-out hotel situated right in the heart of 1850.

Courchevel 1850 is part of the 3 Vallees, which has unrivaled skiing opportunities for all skill levels. We had a 3 Vallees pass and during the week that we used to its full potential, skiing as far as Val Thorens. Whilst we were there the weather was great: it seemed to snow slightly at night and was sunny every day. I actually skied in my t-shirt one afternoon.

The amount of skiing available can be a bit daunting, but I would suggest that you plan to get to one resort per day and just take your time to enjoy the cafes and restaurants on the mountain. We also took a picnic up one day and just stopped off piste, which was brilliant.

Courchevel 1850 has a reputation for being expensive, and it’s a reputation well earned. Everything is expensive and caters to the richer among us, from the  stupidly priced restaurants right down to a bottle of coke.

If you like to do a bit of celebrity spotting whilst you ski then definitely go to Courchevel. We ended up chatting to Lee Dixon (ex Arsenal player) in Le Bar Jump one day, and apparently the Beckhams were in town, but we never saw them.

Courchevel 1850 is a definite ‘must see’ which rivals Monaco for sheer opulence and rich people. If you would like to ski Courchevel 1850 then you can do it on a budget by not actually staying in 1850, and just visiting it, as long as you have a 3 Vallees ski pass. A good place to do this from is Le Praz, a small village further down the mountain that is much cheaper.

We flew from Leeds Bradford Airport with Jet2 and got our Leeds Bradford airport parking and ski insurance from UK Airport Car Parks, the usual place we get these things from.

Oct 012010
 

Hong Kong – A Great Place to Live or Visit.

My wife and I were fortunate to visit Hong Kong last year. It’s a place we always wanted to visit because we had heard so much about it, and let me tell you, it did not let us down.

First, when you arrive at Hong Kong airport you are instantly impressed by the size of the place, and to think it was built on reclaimed land from the sea. If you get a chance, you need to see the koi pond at the airport, which is reputed to hold a very large koi carp.

We stayed at the Harbour Grand hotel, which is out of this world for service, accommodation and grandeur. We decided to take the MTR to get around for a few days; if you think London underground is chaotic and busy, try this at rush hour!

We first visited “The Peak” on Hong Kong island, taking the Peak tram, which gives you great views of the island. You’re never very far away from a shop in Hong Kong, and the Peak is no different; you can shop, eat at some great restaurants or just be amazed by the spectacular views. If you go to Hong Kong, you definitely need to see the views from the Peak.

We spent a few days in the Central and Wan Chai areas just shopping and taking in the number of skyscrapers. The pavements in Hong Kong just didn’t seem to be big enough to me because of the volume of people using them. The Wan Chai area of Hong Kong is apparently known as a bit of a red light area. (I can’t comment on this because we only really saw it at daytime.) The Central area is known as the business area of the island. There are so many different kinds of shops to look in, from high end designer shops to shops selling snake skin and various other types of Chinese medicines.

Hong Kong is definitely a shopping mecca, but there are also some nice beaches and coves (although you do have to travel a bit to get to them). There are also some very nice islands. We visited Lantau island, which was a nice change to the hectic atmosphere of the main island.

One more thing before I finish: you definitely need to take a walk around Hong Kong at night – it seems to change totally. There are still loads and loads of people walking around, and the massive amount of neon lights almost make it seem like daytime. You’ll also find some of the great night markets which sell anything from traditional Chinese goods to cds and food. Speaking of food, there are some really interesting street side vendors selling traditional Chinese food. I think you need to be a bit careful when eating from some of these, because they may be very spicy, and some can cause you to stay in your hotel room for a good few hours, if you know what I mean!

We booked a flight with British Airways, which was a bit expensive; apparently Lufthansa’s are quite cheap, but I’m not sure if they fly to Hong Kong through a UK airport.

Booked Heathrow airport parking with UK Airport Car Parking.

Jun 252010
 

Santo Stefano, Bologna

Santo Stefano


Santo Stefano is a complex of religious buildings in the city of Bologna, Italy. Located on the site of the same name, it is locally known as Sette Chiese (“Seven Churches”). According to tradition was built by San Petronio, who was bishop of the city during the fifth century, a temple of the goddess Isis. The church Saint-Jean-Baptiste (or Holy Crucifix) dated the eighth century, while that of the Holy Sepulchre in the 5th (renovated in the 12th century) and that of San Vitale and Agricola (renovated in ages 8 and 11). A porch of the 13th century known as the "court “Pilatu’s connects” the other buildings of the Church of the Holy Trinity (13th century).

Santo Stefano, Bologna GPS coordinates: 44° 29′ 31.78″ N, 11° 20′ 55.85″ E

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Jun 042010
 

Marble Palace is a palatial mansion of the nineteenth century in the north of Kolkata. It is located at 46 rue Muktaram Babu, Kolkata 700 007. It is one of the best preserved and most elegant mansions of nineteenth century Calcutta. The farm is famous for its marble walls and floors, where the name originated.

Marble Palace, Kolkata

Marble Palace Kolkata


The house is essentially neoclassical, while the plan of their classes outdoors is largely traditional Bengali. Beside the patio is a Thakur-Dalan, or place of worship for members of the family. The building is three stories tall fluted Corinthian columns and decorated with openwork balconies and pitched roofs, built in the style of a Chinese pavilion. The restaurant also features a garden with a rock garden, a lake and a small zoo.
Since the Marble Palace is a private, photography is prohibited. Participation is free but permission must be obtained 24 hours before the West Bengal Tourist Office BBD Bag, Kolkata. Inside the house, there are guides that will increase visitors to visit the home, even if the house is still inhabited even prohibited. Marble Palace is open from 10 16:00 every day except Mondays and Thursdays.

GPS coordinates:


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