8 of the Most Unusual Tunnels in the World

Jul 8, 2012

The tunnels are mostly human creations that commonly pass through the mountains and hills. But there are tunnels that have a very unusual purpose, appearance or location. This is a list of tunnels that you can not see often, because they are rare or unique. That is why, some of them have become very popular tourist attractions.

1. The Tower Tunnel, Japan

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One of the most curious building in Japan is the Gate Tower Building in Osaka, Japan. This building is the result of an unusual compromise between the land owner and the Japanese government. The 5th, 6th and 7th floors of this 16-story office building is occupied by an express highway – passing right through the building. On the building’s floor information board on the ground floor, the tenants for the three floors are listed as the Hanshin Expressway.

The tunnel does not make contact with the building. Highway passes through as a bridge-tunnel, held up by supports next to the building. The highway is surrounded by a structure to protect the building from noise and vibration

2. Tunnel Log, California, USA

Tunnel Log is a tunnel cut through a fallen giant sequoia tree in Sequoia National Park, California, USA.

The tree, which measured 275 feet (84 m) tall and 21 feet (6.4 m) in diameter, fell across a park road in 1937 due to natural causes. The following year, a crew cut an 8-foot (2.4 m) tall, 17-foot (5.2 m) wide tunnel through the trunk, making the road passable again.

3. Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

One of the most beautiful tunnels in World can be found near the city of Klevan in Ukraine – The Tunnel of Love. This is in fact a train tunnel of trees. It’s the main attraction in the area and also one of the most beautiful places in Ukraine.

During the warm months of the year the trees planted next to each other form a fairy green tunnel along one kilometer (0.6 mi) long section of the railway. Not a lot of people seem to know very much about the tunnel, or have ever heard of it at all, making it a well-kept secret

4. Tunnel Rock, California, USA

Tunnel rock is located just inside the entrance to Sequoia National Park in Central California. A huge granite boulder beneath which the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) dug a tunnel for the roadway in 1938. The road now bypasses the ‘tunnel’ but visitors can walk beneath this “balanced rock”

5. Tunnel of Fish, Spain

Journey to the undersea world of the 70 meter (230 ft) tunnel at the L’Oceanografic (marine park) in Valencia, Spain where the sea life becomes part of your life. The water moves around and above you as the illuminated lights reflect off the many fish swimming through this unique tunnel.

The blue and green hues of the water and the specially designed glass used for this tunnel, reflects tourists visiting and gives the impression of almost being part of the sea existence. If staring eye to eye with these fish is not enough excitement for you, wait until you come face to face with a shark, eel or stingray. Thousands of tourists stroll this incredible tunnel every year and explore the fascinating life of many different species of fish.

6. The “L” Tunnel, Illinois, USA

This tunnel is located above the McCormick Tribune Campus Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

A major design challenge was the noise of the public transit tracks passing over the lot. The solution was to enclose a 530-foot (160 m) section of the tracks in a stainless steel tube passing over the building. The tube’s support structure is completely independent of the building’s, to minimize vibration passing between them.

7. Natural Tunnel, Virginia, USA

Natural Tunnel is a massive naturally formed cave that is so large it is used as a railroad tunnel. The tunnel’s 200-foot (61m) width is large enough to accommodate trains, so in 1906 Southern Railway established a passenger line that snaked under the natural structure. Today, the passenger rail is no longer in use, but freights continue to haul coal through the tunnel on a regular basis. The awe-inducing nature of the structure led William Jennings Bryan, 1896 presidential candidate and Woodrow Wilson’s secretary of state, to declare it the eighth wonder of the world.

8. Guoliang Tunnel, China

The magnificent tunnel road in the Taihang mountains was built by 13 local villagers headed by their chief, Shen Mingxin, and took around five years to finish. This tunnel was opened to traffic in 1977. The 1200 meter (3,940ft) long Guoliang tunnel is about 5 meters (16ft) high and 4 meters (13ft) wide.

Funny pictures – Animals with Famous Faces

Adam East

Jul 7, 2012

When pets and celebrities meet this is what you’ll get a Dr. Spock corgi, a Michael Jackson chihuahua, an Amy Winehouse kitten, and so on.

These are all funny photo montages of dogs and cats that are turned into famous people. Similar thing has been done to these photoshopped animal photos where frogs look like strawberries and spiders like onion.

1. (JACK SPARROW)

Famous faces 2 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

2. (AUDREY HEPBURN)

Famous faces 3 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

3. (CHE GEVARA)

Famous faces 4 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

4. (MICHAEL JACKSON)

Famous faces 5 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

5. (ALBERT EINSTEIN)

Famous faces 6 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

6. (AUSTIN POWERS)

Famous faces 7 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

7. (KARL LAGERFELD)

Famous faces 8 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

8 (OZZY OSBOURNE)

Famous faces 9 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

9. (ELVIS PRESLEY)

Famous faces 10 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

10. (GREYS KELLY)

Famous faces 11 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

11. (BOB MARLEY)

Famous faces 12 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

12. (YODA)

Famous faces 13 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

13. (KATY PERRY)

Famous faces 14 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

14. (ABBA)

Famous faces 15 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

15. (LADY GAGA)

Famous faces 16 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

16. (AMY WINEHOUSE)

Famous faces 17 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

17. (DOLLY PARTON)

Famous faces 18 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

18. (JIMI HENDRIX)

Famous faces 19 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

19. (CHARLIE CHAPLIN)

Famous faces 20 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

20. (JOHN WAYNE)

Famous faces 21 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

21. (SID VICIOUS)

Famous faces 22 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

22. (DAVID BOWIE)

Famous faces 23 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

23. МИСТЕР ТИ (MR.T)

Famous faces 24 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

24. (GENE SIMMONS)

Famous faces 25 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

25. (DAME EDNA EVERAGE)

Famous faces 26 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

26. (MOTHER TEREZA)

Famous faces 27 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

27. (DISCO)

Famous faces 28 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

28. (TOMMY COOPER)

Famous faces 29 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

29. (MAO CZEDUN)

Famous faces 30 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

30. (MR. SPOCK)

Famous faces 31 Знаменитые личности в животном обличье

31. (BORAT)

The Island of Staffa – Sculpted by Nature

Adam East

Jul 6, 2012

Fingal’s Cave is located on the uninhabited rock island of Staffa, off the West coast of Scotland. This fascinating cave is formed from hexagon shaped basalt columns. The basalt formed into hexagonal columns when a lava flow cooled in the ocean. The lava flow that created Fingal’s Cave also created the amazing Giant’s Causeway rock formation in Scotland. In Gaelic, Fingal’s Cave is known as Uamh-Binn, meaning “cave of melody”, due to the lovely sounds made by echos of waves crashing inside.

Credit: Jim Richardson of National Geographic
Fingal's Cave, Staffa, Scotland

Credit: Graham McKenzie-Smith

Fingal's Cave, Staffa, Scotland

Credit: Steffen M. Boelaars

Fingal's Cave, Staffa, Scotland

Credit: seth m

Fingal's Cave, Staffa, Scotland

Fingal's Cave, Staffa, Scotland
Credit: Marco Franchino

360° View - Fingal's Cave, Staffa, Scotland

Sweet Pets on the Beach

Adam East

Jul 6, 2012

Who said pets couldn’t have fun on the sun?
The beach can be fun and rewarding for both pets and their owners. Check this trully amazing gallery that perfectly shows that animals know how to have fun at the beach. Let the beach party begin 🙂

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project

Adam East

Jul 5, 2012

Perhaps the world’s longest mosaic staircase was conceived and fabricated by Irish ceramicist Aileen Barr and San Francisco mosaic artist Colette Crutcher.
Over a two and a half year period, a tireless group of neighbors raised funds and lobbied City government to make the project, unveiled in August 2005, a reality.

Artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher led the creation of the 163 mosaic panels that were applied to the step risers, over 300 neighbors joined us in making them, and over 220 neighbors sponsored handmade animal, bird and fish name tiles imbedded within the mosaic. The City permitting process was completed on August 18, 2004. KZ Tile, a major San Francisco tilesetting company, generously agreed to set the mosaic panels into the risers and tile the step treads with rough, nonslip tile. We completed the installation of the Project in August 2005, with the exception of the caulking, which will be done in early September 2005.

As you can see, the result is simply amazing! The beautiful pictures below were taken by various flickr users.

Six Most Beautiful Waterfalls & Show Caves of China

Adam East

Jul 5, 2012

Six Most Beautiful Waterfalls

#1The Tsangpo Badong Waterfalls are the most spectacular, primitive and mysterious waterfalls in China. It has a total length of 2, 840 kilometers and is the 23rd longest river in the world. In terms of flow, it ranks seventh—-16, 290 cubic meters per second, as much as 76, 600 cubic meters per second at its largest flood flow, ranking fourth in the world.

#2. Detian (Virtuous Heaven) Waterfall

Detian (Virtuous Heaven) Waterfall is situated on an international border, between Shuolong Town of Daxin County in Guangxi, China, and Yuxi of Chongqing County in CaoBanf, Vietnam.

#3. Hukou (kettle’s Mouth) Waterfall

The Hukou (kettle’s Mouth) Waterfall on the Yellow River is located in the Shanxi-Shaanxi section of the Yellow River valley. It is one of the world’s few yellow waterfalls and has a fall of about 30 meters; at its widest it is over 1,000 meters across, and has an average flow of 1,010 cubic meters per second.

#4. Jiulong Waterfalls

The Jiulong Waterfalls during the flood season, red earth accounts for over half of Yunnan’s area, and the province is known as the ”Red Earth Plateau”. In the flood season, the water flow increases dramatically, carrying with if lots of red earth and dyeing the waterfalls red.

#5. Nuorilang Waterfall

Of all the charming waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou, Nuorilang Waterfall, is the most stunning. It is about 2,365 meters high above sea level, 325 meters across at its widest point, with a head waterfall of 30-40 meters and an average flow of 5.8 cubic meters per second.

#6. Huangguoshu Waterfall

Located in the border area of Zhenning County and Guanling County, it consists mainly of the Huangguoshu waterfall and a group of smaller waterfalls. With a subtropical landscape and unique flavors and cultural relics of the Buyi and Miao Nationalities, it was named in the first batch of National Scenic Spots.

Six Most Beautiful Show Caves of China

#1. Zhijin Cave

The cave is situated in the Bijie Prefecture of Guizhou Province, between the Liuchong and Sancha Rivers, both of them sources of the Wujiang River. The Zhijin Cave is dry cave that lost its subterranean river long, long ago. About 1.2 million years ago, the Zhijin Cave collapsed because of corrosion, erosion, scouring, seepage, and changes of flow volumes, eventually forming huge chambers.

#2. Furong Cave

Furong Cave Near Jiangkou Town in Wulong County in Chongqing, Halfway up the mountain, on the left bank of the Furong (Lotus) River, a branch of the Wujiang River there is a place called ”PanjiaYan”. This ”Vapor Cave” gives off steam in winter and cool air in summer.

#3. Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave

The Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave has many chambers and subterranean streams. The most fantastic of which are the Stone Fields Chamber and the Stalagmite Chamber. The stalagmite known as ”Sacred Needle for Stabilizing the Sea” is unique in China. It is insured for a huge sum and is indeed a miracle of Zhangjiajie’s subterranean world.

#4. Tenglong (Flying Dragon) Cave

The Tenglong (Flying Dragon) Cave is located on the upper reaches of the Qingjiang River, on the outskirts of Lichuan City in Hubei Province. It first brings people a strong acoustic thrill. At the entrance of the Tenglong Cave, the 400 kilometers winding Qingjiang River suddenly drops, thus forming a waterfall some 50 meters wide and 30 meters high.

#5. Xueyu (Snow Jade) Cave

The Xueyu (Snow Jade) Cave speleothems are predominantly ”white as snow, delicate as jade”. The Union of Speleology of the Geological Society of China established China’s first cave observation station here.

#6. Benxi Water Cave

The Water Cave is lying by the bank of Taizi River in Benxi City. It is famed for its water scenery and has the longest boat passage of any show cave in China. The cave passage is wide, with fantastic views on both sides. With many twists and turns, it is named the ”Nine-curve Silver River”.

10 MOTIVATING WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Adam East

Jul 2, 2012

There are many ways to change your life, you just need the motivation to do so – and sometimes, finding motivation is the hardest part. No worries, though. Whether you’re looking to change your job, make new friends, start exercising, begin eating better, or anything at all, I’ve got lots of helpful tips that can show you how to change your life for the better. Keep in mind, these will typically work for any changes you want to make – and of course we’d love to hear your tips, too! Take a look at these techniques for changing your life and then add your two cents, too!

1. LEARN SOMETHING NEW

One of the best ways to change your life is to learn something brand new. It can honestly be anything. Learn how to dance, how to speak a new language, how to do trigonometry, or how to play an instrument. Learn about a subject that interests you, like genetics or anthropology. Learn how to do a certain exercise, how to make a souffle – or how to change your life! The more you know, remember – improving your knowledge and opening your mind to new things are two sure-fire life-changers, so get to it!

2. WRITE

Writing is a great way to change your life, and it’s extremely motivating. I couldn’t live my life without writing, it’s so much a part of me. Whether it’s part of my job or something I’m doing for my own enjoyment, it fulfills me. It doesn’t matter what you write about – poetry, short stories, biographical tales, political or sociological essays, anecdotes about your family, or tips on how to clip coupons or create DIY clothes. Start a blog, a LiveJournal, or crack open a written journal. Talk about your day, your feelings, the things that make you depressed and the things that make you happy. Just write!

3. MINIMIZE YOUR DISTRACTIONS

There are so many distractions these days. Some of them are necessary, or at least they aren’t going anywhere, but you can easily minimize many of them. Don’t let the television play in the background anymore. Stop checking your email so often. Stay off of Facebook for a while. Don’t be distracted by petty dramas or other nonsense. Take your distractions out of the picture, and see how much better your life gets. Sometimes it’s hard, but it’s ultimately rewarding.

4. START A NEW ROUTINE

Developing a routine for yourself is one of the most essential, helpful ways to change your life. If you have trouble going to bed on time and getting up early, make a schedule for yourself – even if you have to condition yourself one hour at a time. Set up a workout routine for yourself if you’re interested in regular activity. Whether it’s for mealtimes, work times, or anything else, making sure you have a set routine and schedule actually frees up more time, making your life much more organized. You’ll feel so much freer – and you’ll have way more free time than you imagined!

5. CHECK YOUR BUCKET LIST

Learning how to change your life depends on doing new things. Everyone has a bucket list, even if they don’t actually have it written down in list form. If you want to go to Paris, learn that new thing mentioned above, start exercising every day, visit a meaningful place, or run a marathon, you can do it! Just give yourself a chance, make the time, and do what you have to do, even if it means saving back money or, again, changing your routines.

6. ELIMINATE THE POISON

Sad to say, everyone has something poisonous in their lives. Think about it. Somewhere in your life lurks at least one thing that is really, horribly bad for you. Maybe you smoke, maybe you drink in excess, eat the wrong foods, have a family member who, love them though you do, always manages to hurt you, or a friend who can’t stop bringing drama into your life. Cutting out any of these examples is difficult, especially when you have a poisonous person in your life, but to change it, you have to cut ties. It will be better for you in the long run, and sometimes you simply have to make yourself the priority.

7. VISUALIZE YOUR INSPIRATION

Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration. Maybe you need inspiration to lose weight, to eat right, to go back to school, or to excel at your current job. Whatever the case, visualize your inspiration! Make a collage, a visualization board, or even a Tumblr or blog. Use images, phrases, quotes, and philosophies that inspire you to be your very best – and make sure you look at it every single day.

8. DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOURSELF

One of the most fabulous ways to change your life involves regularly doing something special for yourself. It can honestly be anything. Weekly pedicures, monthly massages, a one-time makeover, a yoga class, a pottery class, a book buying spree – if it makes you feel good, it works. You may just want to take time for yourself several times a week. No matter what you do, as long as you’re pampering yourself in some way, it will improve your life. It seems so small, but trust me, some of the biggest changes are actually small in practice.

9. IMPROVE YOUR KARMA

Changing your life also involves changing the lives of others. There are so many thing you can do that will improve your karma, there’s really no reason not to do them. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter, work with a charity that benefits something near and dear to your heart, donate clothing – there are tons of options here, and you don’t have to limit yourself to just one. Even complimenting a new person every day or smiling at someone you pass on the street helps. The feelings you get from doing nice things for other people will cause monumental changes in your own life.

10. INDULGE YOUR PASSIONS

What are you passionate about? Dancing, singing, reading, writing, teaching – whatever it is, do it. Indulge in it. Be the best at it. Excel at it. Your passions are essential in your life, and making the most of them greatly improves it. Take the ideas listed here and do them as hard as you possibly can. At the same time, do you, all the way through.

Of the many ways to change your life I’ve described here, remember that you have to do what works best for you. The great thing about these tips is that you can tailor them to fit your own needs and experiences. Changing your life is monumental, but once you take that essential first step, the process itself flows. It may take time and it may be scary, but you can do it! Changing your life is so important, even if you’re doing small. What life changes have you experienced recently?

Don’t miss “Top Five Regrets of the Dying – By Bronnie Ware“

9 WILD WATER RIDES AROUND THE WORLD

Adam East

Jul 2, 2012

Water rides are fun for the whole family. From gentle boats that meander through replica animal kingdoms to the highest, fastest, wildest log flumes, water rides have a great scope of variety. Water rides have become major attractions in many theme parks and holiday resorts, and many simple leisure center pools even have their own wave ride or water pipe. For a real thrill, water rides should be BIG. Here are 9 Wild Water Rides Around the World:

1. MAMMOTH, SPLASHIN’ SAFARI, INDIANA

The honor of being the longest water coaster in the world (at the time of writing) goes to Mammoth. This isn’t for the faint-hearted, and even traditional roller coaster lovers will find this experience pumps enough adrenaline. For one third of a mile, hydromagnetic technology propels boats at superfast speed along a water-filled coaster ride with all the usual climbs and plunges. One particularly memorable section is a 3-storey drop with a 45 degree angle.

2. INSANO, BEACH PARK, BRAZIL

Fancy plummeting 134 feet at 65mph? That’s equivalent to doing freeway speed down the side of a 14 storey building. Still fancy the idea? Well, there is a pool to catch you at the end of this truly stomach-lurching water ride and there’s a bonus. Once you’ve reached the platform to start your thrill-ride you get a marvelous view of the gorgeous Brazilian tropical coastline.

3. MASTER BLASTER, ALTON TOWERS, ENGLAND

The British climate doesn’t really lend itself to wonderful outdoor water rides, but those canny folks at the country’s largest theme park decided to beat the weather and built an indoor waterworld extravaganza complete with full Caribbean tropical theme. The showcase water ride is the Master Blaster. Riders are propelled downhill and uphill at breakneck speeds (apparently the uphill sections are fastest) for 680 feet. There are also several sections of dark tunnel to add to the thrill.

4. AQUALOOP, TERME 3000, SLOVENIA

Aqualoop was the first water ride to be built that takes you through a 360 degree turn. Maybe that doesn’t sound too exciting, but when you know to make the loop, you have to be rocket fired to reach a speed of 262 feet per second, you’ll soon see the thrill. The ride is 300 feet long and it lasts about 7.5 seconds. Another water ride in a beautiful setting, Terme 3000 waterpark is located in the thermal springs area of Slovenia.

5. THE WEDGIE, WHITEWATER WORLD, GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

Trust those wonderfully wacky Aussies! If your idea of a thrilling water ride means being dropped through a trapdoor to hurtle down a 17 meter near-vertical drop, then through a helix at a speed of 41 feet per second, then by all means head to The Wedgie. So named – because the braking system is your swimming costume wedging between your butt cheeks slowing you down!

6. MASTER BLASTER, SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK RESORT, TEXAS

Even though it may not be the fastest, longest, highest or wildest, The Master Blasters at the three Texas Schlitterbahn resorts (there’s one in Kansas too), regularly feature in the top water rides lists. Naturally the water ride is built to Texan standards – i.e. larger than life. The ride is the usual water coaster affair of plunges and climbs with the added attraction of the Blastenhoff Tower and the pretzel shape downward spiral.

7. THE TRIPLE TWIST, GREAT WOLF LODGE, KANSAS

Want to feel like you’ve just been through a wash cycle illuminated by sensory LED lighting? Take a night-time ride on the Triple Twist and you’ve got it made. This water ride plunges you through a huge funnel, a network of twists and angled turns, and plops you in the pool at the end of 330 feet.

8. BARRACUDAS, PORTAVENTURA WATERPARK, SPAIN

As you reach the 20 foot high platform of the Barracudas ride you have to choose your route –will it be green or blue? It doesn’t really matter as both of them send you on an aquatic adventure through spins and twists and turns and whirlpools. Apparently, if you take the ride with a partner, your descent is faster than if you attempt it alone.

9. KAMIKAZE SPEED REED, USHAKA MARINE WORLD, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

Although it has a very scary name, this wildest of South Africa water rides doesn’t quite match up to the supersized rides elsewhere in the world. It’s still a huge rush of excitement and the ride is likened to floating at immense speed on air. One of the few waterparks in Africa, there are plenty of other great rides to keep your adrenaline pumping.

That was a dip into the world’s great water rides. If you love to get wet, scream and don’t mind whizzing through tunnels at gut-wrenching speeds , there’s bound to be the ultimate thrill in this list for you.

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