Terraces and Pools of Pamukkale, Turkey.

Terraces and Pools of Pamukkale | Turkey

The marvellous terraces and pools of Pamukkale ("Cotton Castle" in Turkish) located in Denizli Province of south-western Turkey, were created by mineralized water flowing from hot springs. The travertine basins were formed by the carbonate minerals in the flowing water. The pools vary in size and overlook the surrounding green countryside. In 1988 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and according to UNESCO, the supposedly therapeutic virtues of the water were used for health and religious reasons by local cults in ancient times, and the Temple of Apollo was built near a fault zone where vapors arose. Whether a soak in steamy mineral waters has any health benefits or not, the warmth of the water and the relaxation it encourages have made Pamukkale a popular destination for hundreds of years. 

This place comes with a lot of ancient ruins as well, called “Hierapolis”. Some of the ruins still lay in the pool where you can swim in. Absolutely a dream for cleopatra. Hierapolis basically was a cure center because of this therapeutic hot springs. Pamukkale is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Turkey and perhaps one of the most attractive spot for tourists. Thousands of tourists visit this spot everyday during the summer.

Source: http://ritebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/terraces-and-pools-of-pamukkale-turkey.html

So There’s A City In Russia Called Yakutsk. And If You Visit It Once, You’re NEVER Going To Forget It.

So There’s A City In Russia Called Yakutsk. And If You Visit It Once, You’re NEVER Going To Forget It.

If your city has “yak” in its name, then you probably know you’re not in for a good (or warm) time. Yakutsk is the capital city of the Sakha Republic, Russia, located only 280 miles south of the Arctic Circle. That means that every single person that lives in Yakutsk has to survive subarctic temperatures.

Yakutsk has been recorded as the coldest city on earth… and has officially been recorded in my travel journal as the last place I would ever want to go.

Although the cold city is beautiful, its bitter temperatures could frighten away most visitors.

During the winter, even the toughest residents of Yakutsk won’t stay outside for longer than 20 minutes.

Staying inside is how you survive the winter in this frozen city.

Not only is it the coldest city, but Yakutsk also experiences the most severe temperature changes over the course of the year.

Average monthly temperatures range from 67.1 °F in July to −37.5 °F in January.

Those with cars keep them in heated garages, covered in blankets.

They also wrap the batteries, insulating them from the cold.

At least there aren’t many pest problems.

They can actually SURVIVE living here.

The cold wild city is beautiful, but only the brave or adventurous dare travel there. Just staying in the hotels, you have to wear layers to bed. This place is never going on my bucket list, but I’ll be content to admire it from afar. On a beach. In the sun.

It’s certainly unique, though, so share it with others.

Source:http://www.visualnews.com/2014/04/07/welcome-yakutsk-coldest-city-world/

Chinese man covered with 460,000 bees for honey stunt

BEIJING-A Chinese beekeeper covered his semi-naked body in more than 460,000 bees for a publicity stunt aimed at selling more of his honey, he told AFP Thursday, using a technique known as “bee bearding.”

She Ping, a 34-year-old honey merchant from the southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing, covered himself in bees that collectively weighed more than 45 kilograms (100 pounds) in a display for a group of French photographers on Wednesday, he said.

Bee bearding is a global pursuit, and Indian Vipin Seth holds the world record for wearing a mantle of bees weighing 61.4kg (135 lbs), according to Guinness World Records’ official video channel.

Participants generally attract the bees by placing a queen bee in a small cage hanging from their body. Pictures of She’s stunt show him posing topless beside more than a dozen blue hives, before the insects swarm over his body, which appears to be protected only by a plastic bag placed over his head.

“To be honest I felt very nervous, but I do it to promote my honey,” She said, adding: “I’m used to dealing with bees... and started these activities when I was about 22.”

Chongqing has emerged as a hotspot for bee bearders, with several other local honey merchants taking part, and honey shops with signs showing them covered in the insects visible in the city.

A pair of beekeepers in northwest China got married while covered in suits of bees, reports said in 2009. “To be honest I feel very nervous, but I do it to promote my honey,” She said, adding that he was stung more than 20 times during the 14-minute stunt. “The main preparation is avoiding taking a shower, especially avoiding using soap because it can excite the bees,” he said.

China is one of the world’s major producers of honey, though its exports have been banned in several countries due to fears of counterfeiting.

She admitted that his attempt fell short of a world record, but claims the record for carrying out the stunt without any clothes. “Of the people who do it naked, I’m probably the most awesome,” he said.

Link: http://www.nation.com.pk/picture-gallery/11-Apr-2014/body-with-bees

Pakistani bus driver’s son becomes UK’s culture minister

Pakistani bus driver’s son becomes UK’s culture minister

London - British Prime Minister David Cameron has promoted a state school educated former banker and a high flying female lawyer to his Cabinet in the wake of the resignation of Maria Miller, daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.
Sajid Javid, whose bus driver father is from Pakistan and went on to make millions in the City, moves up from a junior Treasury role to replace Mrs Miller as Culture secretary. Javid, 44, is one of the few working class Conservatives in the Cabinet.  He was born in Rochdale. He grew up in Bristol, where he went to a comprehensive school before studying economics and politics at Exeter University.
Nicky Morgan has been promoted to Mr Javid’s old job as Economic Secretary to the Treasury. It is not known who is replacing Miss Morgan.
Miss Morgan has also been given policy responsibility for women’s affairs, which gives her the right to attend Cabinet. Mr Javid is understood to have been given Mrs Miller’s equalities brief.
Both Mr Javid and Miss Morgan were elected to Parliament in 2010 after the expenses scandal. The mini-shuffle - which was announced on Twitter - mean that there are now five women and two Asians who have a right to attend Cabinet.
The appointments have given Mr Cameron the ability to take on critics who have repeatedly pointed to the number of private school educated politicians in the Cabinet. More than half of the Cabinet, including David Cameron, the Prime Minister, George Osborne, the Chancellor, and Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, are thought to have gone to private school and are independently very wealthy.
Last Autumn, Mr Javid was one of those critics, saying that the lack of social mobility in British public life is “troubling”.
Mr Javid said: “It should trouble every politician of any background and any party because you can never have enough of it.” Miss Morgan voted against allowing same sex couples to marry. Last February she said: “There have been plenty of little changes down the years but what’s never been changed is that the fact that marriage is between a man and a woman. “I totally support civil partnerships and that same-sex relationships are recognised in law. But marriage, to me, is between a man and a woman.” Labour seized on the mini-reshuffle as further evidence that Mr Cameron had a “problem” with women.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow Home secretary, said on Twitter: “Another Cameron (mini) reshuffle, & result is even fewer women in full Cabinet positions. What is David Cameron’s problem with women?”
Asked why Mr Cameron had not promoted a woman the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said that Mr Javid was the “right person for the job”.
Mr Javid has said in the past that he saw Margaret Thatcher as an “inspiration”. He entered Parliament in 2010 after running Deutsche Bank’s trading operations in Asia, where he is reported by Bloomberg to have earned around £3million a year.
Miss Morgan, born in Kingston upon Thames, grew up in Surbiton High School, before studying law at St Hugh’s college, Oxford. She qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and worked as a corporate lawyer specialising in mergers and acquisitions.

Link; http://www.nation.com.pk/international/10-Apr-2014/pakistani-bus-driver-s-son-becomes-uk-s-culture-minister

10 Nations That Unite On One Game

10 Nations That Unite On One Game

Sports is all about thrill, adventure and unity. Its a bet, an adventure of unknown results that nations fall to die play against other nations. Regardless of the results, it excites you, makes you come up with traditions and even unites you on one platform. All aside, it keeps a hidden secret behind it that we are going to reveal today – It unites you as a Nation. You won’t find examples of nations getting united on wars and elections, but you will see that sports literary unites you as a nation. We present you today 10 of such nations, ranked by the adversity and fame of particular sport in the Country. Starting-off from number 10.

10- USA on Baseball

Baseball is known as America’s favorite past time or as described by philosopher Morris Raphael Cohen; America’s National Religion. Millions of people follow and attend the baseball leagues every year. Every person in the crowd brings their own baseball glove for catching a home run from their team. “Take me out to the ball game”  is a seventh-innings ritual where the crowd stretch out and sing the chorus together. The ‘wave’ is a collective action of baseball fans at the stadium. In today’s world where people cannot be trusted with your money, you can buy eatables from vendors at the game by just passing your money down the row and then the purchase is passed down to you. A common tradition at the base ball game is that the opponents’ team is booed by the people as the score card comes on the screen. A father-son afternoon is known to be well spent at a baseball game. All these little things make them united in a single baseball arena.

9- China on Table Tennis

China has an overwhelming dominance in this game since 1990s with 16-20 Gold Medals. Chinese are obsessed with table tennis. They start practicing out very young and very aggressively. There is no room for a bad player because there is always another person hungry to be given a chance. They do not stop until they excel at the game. Chinese sports spirit follow the six principles of “Motherland paramount, devotion and dedication, scientific factualism, obeying discipline and laws, solidification and friendship and spirits of struggle.” Given this much importance by the officials and government naturally make its people united on one platform.

8- Brazil on Football

Football holds special significance for Brazilians. Football was introduced at a time of social exclusion, violence and racism in Brazil where more than 50 million people live below the poverty line. However, football has broken the lines between the elite and poor, becoming a way of expressing their positive attitude towards life. Over 10,000 Brazilians have passion to play football professionally. Youngsters play football on the streets and indoor fields, people miss work to view national team play, and employers set up places for employees to watch, even politicians take advantage of the world cup year, the same year when general elections are held.

7- Indonesia on Badminton

Badminton is the most successful sport in Indonesia. They hold several Olympic gold medals to their credit. Indonesians used to link physical fitness to tribal practices. It all changed during colonial Dutch East Indian time giving rise to modern concept of sports. During Sukarno Period, sports were used as a means for uniting people, establishing national pride and promotion. Badminton is a sport in which virtually all Indonesians take part as a means to reinforce a sense of worth in the world. This sport has the capacity to bring together the diverse Indonesian population. This is particularly due to the non-existence of national inter-club competition which could give rise to rivalries. Indonesian crowd reserve their anger for opposition teams in international matches.

6- Japan on Judo

Judo, a mix of wrestling and mental control, was originated in Japan. Judo is considered as a way of education to teach important values of life such as how to bow, how to talk respectfully and how to be humble. This game has become worldwide popular practiced by over five million people. With so much variety in players, Japan can only produce a true Judoka (one who plays Judo) who understands the beauty of Judo. This game is important to Japanese as a means of education for their children. Special schools for learning this sports has been set up and added as a programme in schools, colleges and universities. Japanese are united in keeping the true Judo alive when it is being tarnsihed by other versions developed by other nations.

5- Russia on Chess

Chess is popular in Russia, mainly because chess is a part of Russian curriculum for over forty years now. Children are encouraged to play chess from an early age to enhance their problem solving and reasoning skills. Also, many of its leaders and thinkers are passionate chess player. Chess is considered a symbol for Russia since chess players were deeply valued for strategic planning during wars.  Deep roots of chess in politics of Russia makes it a unified force for both its government and people.

4- Bhutan on Archery

The national sport of Bhutan is Archery. Bhutanese consider it as a tourist attraction. It’s more of a tradition than a sport. It is played throughout the year on different occasions in different region. Festive occasions are planned for archery competitions in every village. Special bamboo bows and arrows are made which are used for a target at a distance of 145 meters. People are very competitive at archery matches. They engage in verbal fights in which “Where the vulture flies, my stone shall fly, there to collide” is a famous line to say in order to humiliate the opponent and promise him of a reset of score. The sport is also surrounded by superstitions e.g. hiring astrologers to select team members, calculating time and place of competition. This sport has cultural, religious and social importance in Bhutan.

3- Spain on BullFighting

This game is considered animal cruelty by people around the world but in Spain it’s an iconic traditional sport. Bullfighting season begins in spring and continues till autumn. To Spanish people it’s a culturally important event which dates back to worshipping and sacrificing bulls. After the killing stage of three stage bull fight, the audience gives a standing ovation to the matador throwing roses and hats in the arena. The crowd also cheers when the dead bull is dragged around the ring. Facing allegations from animal activists, Spanish people are still united in defending this sport. Even the government exempts bullfighting in national laws against cruelty.

2- Canada on Ice Hockey

Canadians maybe divided on politics and languages, but they seem to be united in one game; Ice Hockey. They follow this game religiously. For generations the Canadians have listened to commentary on radios have now moved towards high-definition televisions. Canadian fans pressurize and expect their players to win the gold medal. Fans gather around at home and at pubs to watch the national games. The importance of hockey can be realized from a 5$ Canadian bill. It portrays children playing Ice Hockey in a snowy winter morning. Canadian Novelist John Macfarlane described it as “the dance of life, an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive.”

1- Pakistan on Cricket

Cricket in Pakistan is extremely popular. If you feel pin drop silence and see empty roads then know that Pakistanis are busy watching a cricket match. It is followed among people from all walks of life. It has a major effect of country’s economy with stock exchange rising and falling during major cricket tournaments. Even elections are won and lost based on the sentiments of people about a cricket match. The thrill of unity is so adverse that often a day when Pakistan is playing cricket is declared as national holiday across the Country.

Link: http://mostepicstuff.com/10-nations-that-unite-on-one-game/