Hephaestus Swallowing Poisons

50 km from Frankfurt, among the endless agricultural lands, there is a strange construction towering above and breaking the pastoral landscape of the German province. It's not an elevator and it's not an autostation. This is the largestplant in Europe for toxic industrial waste destruction.  

Such plants are not typical for many countries where wastes pollute soil and air. 

Europeans care about nature. Let's see how they destruct hazardous wastes, what

Along the Maghrebian Paths

It's the place where grow almond and argan trees, but in fact it's hot and arid here. Dried stream canals, the air motionlessly hangs as heavy thick haze, stony terra-cotta beddings of the villages remind of the life, and all over it - dominates the Atlas - the large mountain system of north-west Africa. 

125th Anniversary of Kurfürstendamm Street in Berlin

Recently Berlin celebrated the 125th anniversary of the most famous streets of the city - Kurfürstendamm or Ku'damm as Berliners call it. It's hard to say how many hundreds of people came to celebrate but nobody was drunk.

For 2 hours along the street floated huge inflatable fishes, dragons and snakes that peeped in the windows of higher floors and bit the crowd. Everything was accomponied by loud music. By the end of the show one could lose the feeling of reality and get absorbed by the fairy tale around.

Real Heroes of 9/11

"Fire Department of New York" vehicle near Ground Zero, New York, USA.

10 years ago happened the most meaningful and awful tragedy in the history of the USA, it has been written about a lot. The main heroes of those days were ordinary firemen. This profession is probably the most respected in the American society. People turn their faces to fire trucks passing by, every American boy dreams about being a fireman in future ... after 9/11 tragedy this day became the day of New York firemen.

Finnish Recycling Center

Such recycling centers like this one in Savonlinna city of Finland are unprofitable and exist at the cost of casino profits. Finns bring things they don't nee anymore by themselves here and place them according to their types. So if you, for example, need a brush for the vacuum cleaner that broke the other day, you may try to find it here.

Wineries Chateau of Bordeaux

If you came to Bordeaux, you just have to visit the local wineries. Most of them may be visited absolutely free but the excursion is better be planned beforehand. If you decide to stay for sampling you'll be asked to pay 5-10 euros.

Live Atlas: Ukraine, Poland And Sweden

Did you like to study atlases at school? This flight was like a flight over the live atlas, over Poland, Ukraine and Sweden.

Production of Oak Tuns For Cognac

For a cognac producer "a tun" is not just a word. Cause in the depths of an oak vessel happens the mysterious maturation of this drink that cannot be seen with human eyes. The grape spirit filled in a tun absorbs old energy of the wood, its aromas and inevitably changes its color. And the longer the spirit remains in the tun the richer and more diverse the aroma of the cognac is.

This process of transformation of pure grape spirit in the dark amber yellow liquid is truly magical. The taste of the spirit changes in so many ways and you may feel flowers and muscat, coffee and vanilla, fruit and chocolate. This very magic of transformation gives us the bouquet of aromas and long changing aftertaste of the cognac for which it is so highly valued and loved. 

The procedures and technologies of cognac production are strictly regulated. Oak for tuns should grow on the territory of France. Here they use oak from two French regions: Limousin and Troncais.

And now we are going to see the production process of an oak tun for cognac at the largest coopering - Seguin Moreau plant.

Education Center of the Netherlands

The Ministry of Education, Culture And Science of the Netherlands is located in the Hague - though it is strictly forbidden to photograph here, there is always someone who will go against the rules...

TGS 2011 Promo Girls And Cosplayers

One guy has visited the Tokyo Exhibition of Computer Games and had a chance to take pictures of TGS 2011 promo girls and cosplayers. Enjoy the fantastic world with its bright heroes.

Vietnamese Memento Mori

Vietnamese funerals resemble some merry celebration, people in the funeral train play the pipes and the drums, they carry some flags and bright cloths...

Tallinn: Fog Over the Old City

These are some pictures taken from the upper floor of Radisson BLU Tallinn hotel in Tallinn.

It Is Not Boring In Berlin

Two events that were held in tolerant Berlin in August are covered in one post - the international festival of street theaters and mime "Berlin laughs" and the demostration for soft drugs legalization in Germany. Let us see how it was.

Abandoned Jewish Village Beit Baws, Yemen

10 km away from new districts of Sana there is an abandoned village called Beit Baws. Locals like to climb high peaks and enjoy beautiful views, sometimes in couples, sometimes in whole families.

After Death In Zagreb

The central cemetery of Zagreb - is not just a place where the dead lie buried. The huge park behind the 5 meters fortified wall is a real art of the other world. Mirogoj is considered to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. Local citizens come here just to walk and thousands of graves around do not embarass them at all.

Toys of Big Cities

Travelling to various cities you unintentionally notice a lot of parallels between them. One of them is colorful painted sculptures usually decorating the center of a city. They are never the same, all are unique and very bright.

Healing Waters of Karlovy Vary

The legend says: the king of Germany, Czech Republic, the emperor of the Roman Empire Karl IV went hunting after deer, partridge, pheasant, and anything else what could be found. One of his dogs fell into a pool with boiling hot water. When the suite heard the plaintive whining of the dog they could see a miracle: the dog was healed by the hot spring and stopped dragging its leg of what His Majesty was immediately informed. The dog's excrements were taken out of the pool and the king stepped into the water. It must be noticed that the king had pain in his leg too. After the hydrotherapeutic procedures the Emperor was healed from that pain in the leg, stomach, liver and bowels deseases. Since that time the spring was called wonder-working and in its place Carlsbad city was founded.

Much healing water has flowed since then. Today Karlovy Vary is a life-giving resort of Russia. Russian speech can be heard everywhere. To hear the Czech language is a luck here. Those who work in restaurants and stores speak Russian fluently. Menues and ads are in Russian too. As well as posters and signs. We are not sure if locals like it but we suspect that the locals are Russians too... 

And these Russians keep investing in property of Karlovy Vary, in this beautiful city with awesome architecture.

But let's go back to the healing waters themselves. They are taken perorally and by plunging into baths with life-giving liquid. All the springs are covered in order bad weather conditions do not spoil the cure.
Each spring has a sign with its name and water temperature information.

Tanning Shops of Fez

The second after tourism main industry in Fez is leather industry. Though it may be even in the 1st place cause people had worked with leather long before tourism. There is some connection of course - leather goods are sold to whom? Tourists!

Tanning shops are one of the most famous places of Fez and the whole Morocco. Let's see how they work.

Kure - The City of Shipbuilders And Submariners

Kure is a Japanese city of shipbuilders and submariners and it's the place we are going to today.

Cute Finnish Eco Boutique

We are not even sure what is the most impressive thing about this boutique: what these things were made of, principles of their creators or the fact it can be profitable. Probably all this.

Belgian Brick Production

The Belgians are said to be born with 'a brick inside the stomach', meaning their love for their brick houses. A lot of brick buildings in Belgium are built from hand molding bricks. Hand molding bricks are bricks which are produced automatically (not hand-made!), imitating the production process of the past. Each brick has its own bumps, roughnesses, and little cracks on it, that's why the surface of each brick is unique. The company VANDERSANDEN was founded in 1925 and it produced hand-made brick at first. Now the company possesses three fully automated brickyards which produce 50 million bricks yearly.

 

Marksburg - Well Preserved Castle of Germany

Marksburg castle this time! The castle is on the land of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It's unique because it's the only castle in the Rhine valley that for 700 years of its existance has not been seriously damaged and never invaded.

In 2002 Marksburg became an object of the UNESCO world heritage.

Amsterdam And Its Bicycles

What is Amsterdam famous for? Channels and bicycles, of course. Let's focus on the second.

Office In an English Castle

Modern air company, transporting more than 10 million passengers a year with an office in the castle of the 17th century - what can be more unusual? BMI Company has shown its head office for the first time!

Visit To a German Winery of Lind

This time we'll go to one private winery in Germany, have an excursion there and know some interesting and even unexpected things: for example what is done with excess wine.

Cote d'-Azur of Wonderful Nice

Let's see why Nice is one of the best city resorts.

Images of Dangerous Cape Town

Cape Town is the second largest city of South Africa. Its population is more than 3-4 million people! The city is full of one-storey buildings. You white skin maybe like a red cloth for a bull there and it's not so safe to walk along its streets. Sometimes it gets even more dangerous than at war...  

Seafood of Istanbul

Last time we visited the fish market of Athens, this time we'll see what fish is offered at the market of Istanbul (Kumkapi Balik Pazari).

You know that Istanbul is primarily the city of markets. They are really numerous here - some of them are tourists oriented, others are not. There is no such thing you cannot find at the markets.

And like in any seaside city there are many fish markets in Istanbul. The main are: Eminou Balik Pazari, Galatasaray Balik Pazari and Kumkapi Balik Pazari. Let's visit Kumkapi district and its fish market.

Flowers By Weight

At the city market of Bangkok flowers are sold like vegetables and fruits - by weight. Seems they are used not for decoration but like food.

Omani Market Muttrah

Omani market Muttrah is one of the oldest in the capital of Oman - Muscat. Its distinctive feature is "traditional" interiors - narrow streets and labyrinths, small shops, "colonial" character of the sold goods. All possible souvenirs may be bought here: cheap and very expensive: knives, sandalwood goods, oils, gold, silver, labdanum etc.

10 Most Romantic Places to Enhance Your Love Feelings

Maldives (North Male Atoll)

This place is called paradise on the earth. Very beautiful gift of nature. You should go there with your girlfriend/boyfriend and enjoy the romantic location as well as charming weather. This amazing area is a combination of palm trees, delightful sea and white sand. You can walk with your love ones in a romantic mood no one will disturbed you. Have a romantic and full of love life.

Love is the most tantalizing experience; it is a combination of deeply feelings of two persons. When this delightful relationship build up both persons don’t need any other person.
Love birds often want escaping to a place where they can spend time together with no disturbance.  They want to enjoy every moment of life that is full of love, sincerity and romance at the spot where the atmosphere is clean attractable and romantic.
If you have a sincere lover that becomes your life, heart and smile then should visit together at the spots that make your love more memorable, sweet and more reliable.

Photos of La Tomatina Festival 2011

Over 40,000 people from around the world gathered in the town of Bunol, Spain, on Aug. 31 to participate in red food fight (The La Tomatina Festival). Just jump down to see an amusing collection of photos from this year’s event.

The Most Scenic Train Stations of the World

 St. Pancras International, London

This neo-Gothic red brick façade won raves when it was unveiled in 1868. And it’s in the news again. After a 20th-century decline, St. Pancras got a recent £800 million makeover. Workers cleaned 300,000 pounds of dirt from the bricks and restored 8,000 panes of glass in the roof of the immense train shed. As a result, the station looks its part as one of the finest Victorian landmarks in London.

The world’s most beautiful train stations were designed to make a big impression. Many were constructed during the late 19th century, a golden era when train travel was new, intriguing, and glamorous. Today, stations from every era continue to impress, attracting travelers who aren’t even catching a train.

CFM Railway Station, Maputo, Mozambique

Mint-green exteriors, a large dome, and wrought-iron latticework make the capital city of Maputo’s train station an unexpected, if modest, beauty. Reportedly designed by Gustave Eiffel in the early 20th century, the station showcases several historic steam locomotives. Modern-day trains bring passengers through here daily.

Sirkeci Station, Istanbul

Built in 1890 as the terminus for the Orient-Express journey from Paris, the façade of this Ottoman Art Nouveau building is particularly attractive. Swaths of red brick surround the wide entrance, and stained-

Kudamm Street Celebration Berlin

Recently Berlin celebrated the 125th anniversary of the most famous streets of the city - Kurfürstendamm or Ku'damm as Berliners call it. It's hard to say how many hundreds of people came to celebrate but nobody was drunk.

For 2 hours along the street floated huge inflatable fishes, dragons and snakes that peeped in the windows of higher floors and bit the crowd. Everything was accomponied by loud music. By the end of the show one could lose the feeling of reality and get absorbed by the fairy tale around.


Kudamm Street Celebration

Bitsevsky Park Images - Nature Historical Park Moscow

Nature and historical park "Bitsevsky forest" - the second largest park in Moscow second in size only to Park Elk Island . The length of the park from north to south 10 km from west to east -1,5-4 km.

Zooming In and Out of New York

Madrid-based photographer Alfonso Zubiaga must know something we don't. How else could he show us what a living, breathing New York City looks like? Sit back and enjoy as Zubiaga takes us over its busy streets and through its most recognizable landmarks. By zooming in and out of everything from New York's iconic skyscrapers to its trademark yellow taxi cabs, he takes us on a wild ride that makes us feel like...in town where no one ever sleeps, one should never be sitting still!

Fort Munro Images - Famous Hill Station in Pakistan

Fort Munro is a hill station in Dera Ghazi Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. The station lies on the Quetta Road 85 km from the city of Dera Ghazi Khan in the Sulaiman Mountains. Its elevation is 1800 meters (6,470 feet) above sea level and it attracts many people for short stays during the hot summer. Fort Munro is called Nimroo in the local Balochi language, and was once known as Thal, a Balochi word meaning "plains". The people of Fort Munro are nomads, especially of the Leghari tribe. Many are bilingual, speaking Balochi (called Sulemani locally) and Saraiki.

Bayt Baws Abandoned Village of Yemen

An abandoned Jewish village Beit Baws (or Bait Baws) is situated almost on the territory of the Yemen capital - Sanaa. In fact it looks abandoned only from the outside: some families do live here. They even managed to install electricity here.


Bayt Baws Yemen

Bagh-e-Jinnah Park Lahore - Images & Detail

Bagh-e-Jinnah is a historical park in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. It was formerly known as Lawrence Gardens. Today, the large green space contains a botanical garden, a mosque, and Jinnah library situated in a Victorian building.There are also entertainment and sports facilities within the park that comprise of an open-air theatre, a restaurant, tennis courts and the Gymkhana Cricket Ground. It is located on Lawrence Road next to Lahore Zoo, directly across from the Governor's House on The Mall.

Shimla City : The Most Beautiful City of India

Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British. Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 metres (7,234 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture dating from the colonial era. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes still operating in India, the Kalka-Shimla Railway. Shimla is approximately 100 km (68 miles) from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 365 km (226.8 miles) from New Delhi, the national capital. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali.





Shimla City Images Gallery

Pictures Of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt is charming and attractive to modern man … Mummies and pyramids, sacred rites and rituals of the ancient Egyptians possess the minds of many generations of mankind from ancient times until the present day .

Porto Portuguese - The City of Balconies

The Portuguese city Portu spread on some huge hills. What you do is going up and down, up and down. And your eye always catches someone's balcony. Portugal doesn't exist without balconies. They are not just part of a room, they are an important attribute of Portugal life. And life on a Portugal balcony is boiling! Here's an elderly lady hanging linen, here's a man slowly smoking out rings, in the morning people drink coffee on balconies, in the evening they stare at passers-by... A bachelor yawns after waking up, a dog waits for an owner from work...


Absolutely anything and more - tables and chairs, pink basins, flowers and plates. As you have already understood the post will be devoted to balconies, so meaningful in Portugal!



Porto City Portuguese

Slovenia - The Beautiful Country

Stunning Rainbow Bank in Japan