PAMUKKALE IN TURKEY IS ONE OF THE MOST MYSTERIOUS AND HEALTHIEST PLACES IN THE WORLD
Thousands of years ago, the Romans built the city of Hierapolis so their citizens can enjoy the health benefits of a hot mineral water. Flash forward to 2015, and the city of Pamukkale in Turkey is still one of the healthiest and most mysterious places in the world. Deep in the earth beneath the city lies a vast source of water that is heated by volcanic lava. As a result, the water dissolves pure white calcium, and then becomes saturated with the calcium before appearing on the surface of the earth where it bursts and runs down a steep hillside. As the calcium cools in the open air, the material precipitates from the water and adheres the soil. And the end result is a form of calcium cascades frozen in stone.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is a nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria
Amazing Light Show In Northern Ontario Sky – Phenomenon Known As Light Pillars
Not northern lights but light being refracted hundreds of feet in the air by ice tiny ice crystals formed by -18 degree weather.
Light is projected from ground sources like traffic lights and business signs.
Not northern lights but light being refracted hundreds of feet in the air by ice tiny ice crystals formed by -18 degree weather.
Light pillars appear when either natural or artificial light bounces off ice crystals floating close to the ground.
In this case, the air was so cold that ice crystals were forming in the air, reflecting the city’s street and business lights.
LARGEST PYRAMID IN MEXICO Researchers in Mexico have discovered an immense pyramid, even larger that Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Sun. It's 75 meters in height and was explored by specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History. It is located in the acropolis of Tonina, Chiapas and is likely around 1,700 years old. Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu was built around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire. Its construction appears to date to the period of the two great Inca rulers, Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (1438–71) and Túpac Inca Yupanqui (1472–93). It was abandoned just over 100 years later, in 1572, as a belated result of the Spanish Conquest. It is possible that most of its inhabitants died from smallpox introduced by travellers before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the area.
Although it was located only about 80 kilometers (50 mi) from the Inca capital in Cusco, the Spanish never found Machu Picchu and so did not plunder or destroy it, as they did many other sites. The conquistadors had notes of a place called Piccho, although no record of a Spanish visit exists. The types of sacred rocks defaced by the conquistadors in other locations are untouched at Machu Picchu.
Over the centuries, the surrounding jungle overgrew the site, and few outside the immediate area knew of its existence. The site may have been discovered and plundered in 1867 by a German businessman, Augusto Berns. Some evidence indicates that German engineer J. M. von Hassel arrived earlier. Maps show references to Machu Picchu as early as 1874.
In 1911 American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham travelled the region looking for the old Inca capital and was shown to Machu Picchu by a local farmer. Bingham brought Machu Picchu to international attention and organized another expedition in 1912 to undertake major clearing and excavation. He returned in 1914 and 1915 to continue with excavation.
In 1981, Peru declared an area of 325.92 square kilometres (125.84 sq mi) surrounding Machu Picchu a "Historical Sanctuary". In addition to the ruins, the sanctuary includes a large portion of the adjoining region, rich with the flora and fauna of the Peruvian Yungas and Central Andean wet puna ecoregions.
In 1983, UNESCO designated Machu Picchu a World Heritage Site, describing it as "an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization".
Archipiélago de Revillagigedo, México
Important for the local fauna, especially for whales, dolphins, sharks and seabirds, the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico, formed by four islands which are actually peaks of volcanoes, also became a World Heritage Site.
Radical Renderings: Dubai Full-Scale Rainforest.
The Canadian firm recently released new renderings for a large-scale luxury development in the city — the Rosemont — which includes, among other amenities, a rainforest and 4D animations. The backbone of the proposal relies on the demand for long-lasting entertainment at the heart of a hotel complex. In response to Dubai’s very harsh summers, the architects wanted to create an environment that allowed for both indoor and outdoor activities to be bearable. The renderings masterfully recreate the elements of the rainforest, from the tropical flora to the humid mist that floats around the space.
Animals Hugging Each Other
Admiral Cheng Ho junk boat cruise for a fascinating insight into Singapore from the sea. Cruise up the Singapore river
Admiral Cheng Ho junk boat cruise for a fascinating insight into Singapore from the sea. Cruise up the Singapore river
Playa Paraiso is one of the loveliest beaches in Cuba, locating on the Cayo Largo Del Sur Island. It has many hotels where travelers commonly stay. It is a right sun-seekers’ spot with the excellent climate, and white, powdered sand.
Sauvie Island Nude Beach
Sauvie Island Nude Beach
Sauvie Island Nude Beach
The Panagbenga Festival
February 27, 2016 -The Panagbenga Festival is an annual flower festival celebrating Baguio City's “season for blossoming, time for flowering,” the translation of the Kankanaey term. It reflects the history and traditions of the Cordilleras through community-driven events.
3 Great Music Artists
The Milky Way above in the constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius is photographed above the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the top of La Palmal.
Signs of a Demonic Possession
There is little doubt that most of what was formerly described in the past as “demon possession” would today be diagnosed as some sort of mental illness by most scholars or authorities, and subsequently treated accordingly. Nevertheless, there are actually quite a number of cases where demonic possession does seem to occur.
The Roman Catholic Church does continue to, although preferably with as little publicity as possible, perform exorcisms almost on a regular basis according to author, Ralph Sarchie, in his book "Beware the Night."
Unfortunately, throughout history mental illness and bad narcotics reactions have sometimes been mistaken for demonic possession. Therefore, it is very important to be fully aware of the traditional signs associated with an actual demonic possession. While some signs are quite obvious, there are a few that are subtle enough to be confused by an uneducated witness or victim.
Technics is back with 2 brand new turntables in 2016
Vietnam probes mysterious 'space balls'
Vietnamese authorities say the metal balls could have fallen from space, from an altitude of less than 100 kilometres (62 miles)
Vietnam's military is investigating the appearance of three mysterious metal balls -- believed to be debris from space -- which landed in the country's remote north, a senior army official said Friday.
Two metal balls were discovered in northwestern Yen Bai province on January 2, army spokesman Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan told AFP.
Later a larger ball weighing some 45 kilograms (100 pounds) landed in a maize field in neighbouring Tuyen Quang province, he said.
In November, three mysterious objects also fell from the sky onto Spain's southeast.
According to NASA, more than 500,000 pieces of debris are currently orbiting Earth, and bits of space junk plummet to the planet every year.
Here’s What Your Fingers Can Tell about Your Personality
Who would have thought that you can learn a lot about your personality based on the length of your fingers?
Look at the picture below and see the three different hands marked A, B and C. Every hand is different, or, to be more specific, the lengths of the index, middle and ring finger are different. Look at your left hand and determine which group you fall into: A) Charming but pragmatic people
People whose ring finger is longer than their index finger are charming and irresistible to many. These are the ones that can fit into almost any situation. In addition, they tend to be aggressive when defending their integrity and people they’re close with. Plus, they’re great at solving problems. They tend to be extremely careful and are often scientists, engineers, and soldiers. B) Self-confident and people of action
People who have a shorter ring finger than index finger are self-confident, and easily recognizable for their energy. They hardly ever get tired. They’re also known as people of action because they do what they mean to. They typically want to fulfill tasks alone, and are usually quite successful when working solo. But this is a sign of loneliness and closeness. They are usually focused on the goal and don’t let the idea come to nothing.
They appreciate what they have, but are often overly ambitious. C) Pacifists
People who belong to this group are peaceful and normally avoid conflicts. Those whose index and ring finger are the same length are well-organized and do not want anything other than to be together with their loved ones and friends.
They are faithful in relationships, gentle and caring partners, but beware as they have their negative side, so if you cross their tolerance level, they can become quite the opposite.
They are pacifists, but be careful not to take advantage of their good side. Even their patience has its limits.
SHE IS SO OBVIOUS AND FUNNY. WHEN A GUY DOES THIS HE IS A PERV... SHE MIGHT BE THE HORNIEST UFC WOMEN TO EVER WALK THE WEIGH IN STAGE. FIGHT NIGHT DEC 10 2015.
Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, popularly known as Simala Shrine or Simala Church, is a castle-like church located in Marian Hills, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. Simala Shrine was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks from Pampanga. This church became popular because of the several miraculous events that were reported to happen in the area. From then on, devotees and believers flock the shrine because they believe their prayer requests would be granted here. The shrine also draws tourists probably because of its castle-like structure, making this church somehow unique.
Why utility firms in the city still failed to comply with a local law requiring them to place underground all utility lines to get rid of dangling “spaghetti wires.”
The USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) (formerly the SSS Horst Wessel) is a 295-foot (90 m) barque used as a training cutter for future officers of the United States Coast Guard.
Take a pumpboat and have fun at one of the tropical islands beaches. Island hopping is a great idea for divers and those who like snorkeling through the cristal clear waters.
SAIL Amsterdam is about boats, ships and anything else that floats. After five years of preparations SAIL Amsterdam in August 2015 will absolutely amaze you. Days prior to the event you can get a preview of the amazing fleet in IJmuiden, where the ships gather for the parade. This so-called PreSail IJmuiden also attracts thousands of boat lovers, water sports enthusiasts and curious people.
The second atomic bomb tested
Special coconut tree found in Kottay India.
The leopard /ˈlɛpərd/ is one of the five "big cats" in the genus Panthera. It is a member of the Felidae family with a wide range in regions of sub-Saharan Africa,
Twists , Fantastically Shapped Coconut, Coconut Trees
The Inverted Tower in Sintra, Portugal
YOU ARE SOURCE --Teaching to give is the greatest act of love that exists. Recognize, thanks and rejoice if they see bringing this grace on earth. It teaches us to give, not to get. It means turning lead into gold, transform hatred in love, in healing the sick, the slave in the king, the problem solution. Remember who you are, you are not a beggar.You are the one in which the world will address the eye when all hope will be lost.
Floating Castle beyond imagination
As many people treat their pets with very high affection, an increasing number of people are observed to hire trained and certified pet sitters from pet-sitting services, some of them are covered by insurance protection and emergency support
Hohenzollern Castle - Germany is one of such dreamy places. It was built about a thousand years ago on top of Mount Hohenzollern, an isolated mountain 855 m (2,805 ft) above sea level
Unusual coconut palm tree
A double branch coconut palm tree
Yami (or Tao) Boathouse in the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Taiwan
Shailene Woodley -Most beautiful woman in the world
Scotland is the most beautiful country in the world
Sint Maarten is the most popular island in the Caribbean:
A combination of high winds, rain and strong waves battered the coastline
A combination of high winds, rain and strong waves battered the coastline
Jungle Stream
Norilsk city
This is Norilsk city. Located in Russian Siberia this city hosts the biggest in Russia factory producing “rare” metals. It is even can be called a world leader when speaking about the worldwide production share it contributes. That’s like 35% of palladium production, 25% of platinum, 20% of nickel, 10% of cobalt that are being made in modern world come from Norilsk, which makes it having number one of such kind factories in Russia. The price they pay for this is that 2% of total world CO2 production is coming from this city too. The area of 100 000 hectares (50,000 acres) around the city is consists of burned down forests. It was widely recognized one of the worst ecology city in the world and the average life expectancy is ten years less than the average values across the Russia.
Schools, businesses, and government agencies across Metro Manila will participate in the biggest earthquake drill to be held in the National Capital Region on July 30, Thursday. Beginning at 10:30 AM, sirens and alarms will be aired over the radio, television, and on the streets to signal the start of the drill. Everyone is encouraged to practice the duck, cover, and hold technique for 45 seconds and then evacuate to a designated open safe zone. Various local governments will also conduct emergency exercises in 4 different areas in Metro Manila. All 16 cities and 1 municipality will take part in the drill, with Pasig City holding an additional night drill at 8:00 PM. A government study says the Metropolis could experience a 7.2-magnitude earthquake within our lifetime.Navagio Beach
Navagio Beach (Greek: Ναυάγιο), or Shipwreck Beach, is an exposed cove, sometimes referred to as "Smugglers Cove", on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. It has been so named since 1983, when the alleged smuggler ship Panagiotis was wrecked on the beach while transporting cigarettes. It was previously known as Agios Georgios. Angsana Ihuru Island
The Angsana Ihuru Resort, Maldives is placed on a private tiny isle to the north west of Male City in North Male Atoll.
Camotes Island
Far View is Ponson Island in Camotes, Philippines
Beautiful Sunrise
Philippine Coast, beautiful sunrise, Palm Trees, Sea, clouds and sky
Noa Noa Private Island
NoaNoa Private Island Estate is rather unique. It is not a hotel or a resort. Ten years ago NoaNoa Island was built as the exclusive paradise of a wealthy American. Now, this elaborate estate is being offered for the vacation enjoyment of two to eight people at a time. You will experience a magical charm that can only be found on a small scale. The rooms are unique, the staff truly cares, and the cuisine is the fine home cooking enjoyed by the private guests over the years. The island is gorgeous, the development compliments the surroundings, and the reef is amazing.
Dancing Filipinos Break the Record for the World’s Largest Zumba Class
A new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest Zumba class was set Sunday in Mandaluyong, a suburb of the Philippine capital, Manila. Clad in bright yellow shirts, 12,975 people filled the streets to follow the steps of instructors lifted above the crowds on stages scattered throughout the neighborhood. The record was previously held by the city of Cebu, also in the Philippines, the BBC reports. Zumba is a dance-fitness program founded by Colombian choreographer Alberto “Beto” Pérez in the 1990s. It boasts dance and aerobic elements, and incorporates hip-hop, samba, salsa, soca, mambo and merengue.
Yelken Yacht Club (Turkmen: Ýelken Ýaht Kluby) is a yacht club in Avaza, Turkmenistan. The first yacht club in Turkmenistan Built on a plot of 362,000 square meters. The main buildings: the building of the yacht club, harbor with moorings for boats, and numerous recreational and service facilities - restaurants, cafes, swimming pools, sports and children's play areas, dozens of different types of two-storey villas. Built 44 villas, each with an area of over 200 square meters, and 13 comfortable cottages. Total can settle about 400 people. The complex consists of 16 items of food - restaurants, cafes and bars, including a view of the sea, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, leisure centers. The main part of the complex structure of the yacht-club is its harbor for moorage recreational fleet. Pier 40 is designed to serve the yacht.
Yelken Yacht Club
Namur Jungles and WWII Ruins One highlight of any trip to Roi-Namur is taking a tour by scooter. Roi is the more developed side of the island, with much of Namur still covered in jungle-like growth. This greenery is a welcome and interesting site compared to our relatively sparse tree and shrub cover on Kwajalein. It is also fun to check out all the ruins from WWII. It seems around every corner on Roi-Namur you can find some reminder of the war, from blasted out bunkers and arsenals to rusty hunks of cannons and “tank-stopper” seawalls. One can’t help but wonder at the utter destruction that occurred during the battles there. These remnants are historical treasures and concrete reminders of the devastation of war.
BAGUIO CITY Baguio, officially the City of Baguio (Filipino: Lungsod ng Baguio ; Ibaloi: Ciudad ni Bagiw ; Pangasinan: Siyudad na Baguio ; Ilokano: Ciudad ti Baguio) and often referred to as Baguio City, is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Benguet in northern Luzon island of the Philippines. The city has become the center of business and commerce as well as the center of education in the entire Northern Luzon thereby becoming the seat of government of the Cordillera Administrative Region (C.A.R.). According to the 2010 census, Baguio City has a population of 318,676. Baguio City was established by the Americans as a hill station in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. It was the United States' only hill station in Asia. The name of the city is derived from the Ibaloi word bagiw meaning 'moss.' The Ibaloi is the indigenous language in the Benguet Region,. The city is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) in the Luzon tropical pine forests ecoregion conducive for the growth of mossy plants and orchids. Because of its cool climate, Baguio City was designated by the Philippine Commission as the "Summer Capital" of the Philippines on June 1, 1903 wherein the government was transferred to city to escape the lowland heat during summer. It was incorporated as a chartered city by the Philippine Assembly on September 1, 1909, as authored by former Philippines Supreme Court Justice George A. Malcolm. The City of Baguio celebrated its Centennial on September 1, 2009.
The Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition for Panagbenga 2015 is one of the traditional events during the Flower festival celebration. This is a combination of a “Market Encounter” where local entrepreneurs get the opportunity to showcase their products.
The Float Parade and the Street Dance Parade are considered the two major highlights of Panagbenga festival..Escape to the cool mountain air of Baguio City while taking in the colors and sounds of the Panagbenga Festival! Panagbenga comes from the Kankanaey term ..Tourists from all over the country trooped to this city over the weekend and filled its main thoroughfares to witness the Street Dancing Competition and the Grand Float Parade, two of the Panagbenga Festival’s crowd-drawers.The children participants of the Elementary Division Street Dancing Competition as usual gave stunning performances during the parade as they walked from Upper Session Road to their performance area. Panagbenga 2015 Opening ParadeIt's More Fun In Baguio City– Festivity is very much in the air in Baguio Panagbenga is the north’s largest yearly event. In light of the upcoming activities, the float parade is one of the most awaited event that happens mostly a day after the Grand Street Dancing parade. Young girls in floral costumes dance at the opening parade of the month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration Sunday. Students from 12 elementary schools in Benguet competed during the elimination round for a chance to participate in the main Street Dancing Competition Very clear water
Crystal clear water
Crystal clear water
Crystal clear water
Crystal clear water
Nalusuan Island Olango Reef Cordova Mactan, Cebu, Philippines
A crystal clear water scene near Siargao Island, Surigao, Philippines
Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Boracay is a tropical island surrounded by stunning white sand beaches about an hour's flight from Cebu or Manila just off the larger Philippines island of Panay.
Boracay is a tropical island surrounded by stunning white sand beaches about an hour's flight from Cebu or Manila just off the larger Philippines island of Panay.
Panampangan Island at the municipality of Sapa-Sapa of Tawi-Tawi is well known for beachgoers who take pleasure in island-hopping and exploring sights that are unspoilt thus also named Virgin Island.
Boracay is one gigantic beach bash. As the clock ticks down to midnight, a crowd of locals and tourists gathered in its worldfamous white beach.
Intramuros is the oldest district and historic core of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Also called the Walled City, it was the original city of Manila and was the seat of government when the Philippines was a component realm of the Spanish Empire. Districts beyond the walls were referred as the extramuros of Manila, meaning "outside the walls"
In 1564, Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi sailed from New Spain (now Mexico), and arrived on the island of Cebu on February 13, 1565, establishing the first Spanish colony in the Philippines. Having heard of the rich resources in Manila from the natives, Legazpi dispatched two of his lieutenant-commanders, Martín de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo to explore the island of Luzon.
The Spaniards arrived on the island of Luzon in 1570. After quarrel and misunderstandings between the Islamic natives and the Spaniards, they fought for the control of the land and settlements. After several months of warfare, the natives were defeated, and the Spaniards made a peace pact with the tribal councils of Rajah Sulaiman III, Rajah Lakandula, and Rajah Matanda who handed over Manila to the Spaniards.
Legazpi declared the area of Manila as the new capital of the Spanish colony on June 24, 1571 because of its strategic location and rich resources. He also proclaimed the sovereignty of the Monarchy of Spain over the all the archipelago. King Philip II of Spain delighted at the new conquest achieved by Legazpi and his men, awarded the city a coat of arms and declaring it as: Ciudad Insigne y Siempre Leal (English: "Distinguished and Ever Loyal City"). Intramuros was settled and became the political, military and religious center of the Spanish Empire in Asia.
The city was in constant danger of natural and man-made disasters and worse, attacks from foreign invaders. In 1574, a fleet of Chinese pirates led by Limahong attacked the city and destroyed it before the Spaniards drove them away. The colony had to be rebuilt again by the survivors. These attacks prompted the construction of the wall. The city of stone began during the rule of Governor-General Santiago de Vera.[9] The city was planned and executed by Jesuit Priest, Antonio Sedeno and was approved by King Philip II's Royal Ordinance that was issued in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain. The succeeding governor-general, Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas brought with him from Spain the royal instructions to carry into effect the said decree stating that "to enclose the city with stone and erect a suitable fort at the junction of the sea and river". Leonardo Iturriano, a Spanish military engineer specializing in fortifications, headed the project. Chinese and Filipino workers built the walls. Fort Santiago was rebuilt and a circular fort, known as Nuestra Senora de Guia, was erected to defend the land and sea on the southwestern side of the city. Funds came from a monopoly on playing cards and fines imposed on its excessive play. Chinese goods were taxed for two years. Construction of the walls began on 1590 and continued under many governor-generals until 1872. By the middle of 1592, Dasmarinas wrote the King about the satisfactory development of the new walls and fortification. Since the construction was carried on during different periods and often far apart, the walls were not built according to any uniform plan.
Improvements continued during the terms of the succeeding Governor-Generals. Governor-General Juan de Silva executed certain work on the fortifications in 1609 which was improved by Juan Niño de Tabora in 1626, and by Diego Fajardo Chacón in 1644. The erection of the Baluarte de San Diego was also completed that year. This bastion, shaped like an "ace of spades" is the southernmost point of the wall and the first of the large bastions added to the encircling walls, then of no great height nor of finished construction. It was the former site of Nuestra Señora de Guia, the very first stone fort of Manila. Ravelins and reductos were added to strengthen weak areas and serve as outer defenses. A moat was built around the city with the Pasig River serving as a natural barrier on one side. By the 18th century, the city was totally enclosed. The last construction works were completed by the start of the 19th century.
The main square of the city of Manila was Plaza Mayor (later known as Plaza McKinley then Plaza de Roma) in front of the Manila Cathedral. East of the plaza was the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) and facing it was the Governor's Palace, the official residence of the Spanish viceroyalties to the Philippines. An earthquake on June 3, 1863 destroyed the three buildings and much of the city. The residence of the Governor-General was moved to Malacañang Palace located about 3 km (1.9 mi) up on the Pasig River. The two previous buildings were later rebuilt but not the Governor's Palace.
1851 Map of Intramuros
Inside the walls were other Roman Catholic churches, the oldest being San Agustin Church (Augustinians) built in 1607. The other churches built by the different religious orders - San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (Recollects), San Francisco Church (Franciscans), Third Venerable Order Church (Third Order of St. Francis), Santo Domingo Church (Dominican), Lourdes Church (Capuchins), and the San Ignacio Church (Jesuits) - has made the small walled city the City of Churches.
Intramuros was the center of large educational institutions in the country. Convents and church-run schools were established by the different religious orders. The Dominicans established the Universidad de Santo Tomás in 1611 and the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán in 1620. The Jesuits established the Universidad de San Ignacio in 1590, the first university in the country, but closed in 1768 following the expulsion of the Jesuits in the country. After the Jesuits were allowed to return to the Philippines, they established the Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1859.
The defensive walls of Intramuros
Several bulwarks (baluarte), ravelins (ravellin) and redoubts (reductos) are also strategically located along its massive walls following the design of medieval fortifications. The seven bastions (clockwise, from Fort Santiago) are the Bastions of Tenerias, Aduana, San Gabriel, San Lorenzo, San Andres, San Diego, and Plano. The bastions were constructed at different periods of time, the reason for the differences in style. As mentioned above, the oldest bastion is the San Diego Bastion.
In Fort Santiago, there are bastions on each corner of the triangular fort. The Santa Barbara Bastion (Baluarte de Santa Bárbara) faces the bay and Pasig River; Baluarte de San Miguel, faces the bay; Medio Baluarte de San Francisco, Pasig River.
Fort Santiago Gate, Intramuros
Fort Santiago (Spanish: Fuerte de Santiago Tagalog: Moog ng Santiago) is a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines. The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros ("within the walls").
The fort is one of the most important historical sites in Manila. Several lives were lost in its prisons during the Spanish Colonial Period and World War II. José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896. The Rizal Shrine museum displays memorabilia of the hero in their collection and the fort features, embedded onto the ground in bronze, his footsteps representing his final walk from his cell to the location of the actual execution.
Puerta de Parian Gate, Intramuros
The gate was named after the "Parian de Arroceros", one of the earliest concentrations of Chinese merchants located across the city where the Metropolitan Theater now stands. Built in 1593, it is one of the earliest entrances to Intramuros. It became the official entrance of the Governor-General in 1764, following the destruction of Puerta Real during the British invasion. It was here that the newly-appointed Governor-General received the keys of the city from the Cabildo. The Parian gate was severely damaged by artillery shelling during the Battle of Manila. Restoration begun in 1967 and completed in 1982.
Puerta de Isabel 11 Gate
The last gate to be built in Intramuros was opened in 1861 as a solution to the heavy pedestrian traffic outside Parian Gate to the Puente de Espana (Bridge of Spain) and Binondo. Located in front of it is the Queen Isabel II statue honoring the then reigning Spanish monarch. The gate became part of the route of the tranvía (streetcar) that started in 19th century Manila. It was damaged during the Battle of Manila in 1945 and restored in 1966.
Puerta de Real Gate
The original Real Gate (Royal Gate) was built in 1663 at the end of Calle Real de Palacio (now General Luna Street) and was used exclusively by the Governor-General for state occasions. It was located west of Baluarte de San Andres and faced the old village of Bagumbayan. It was destroyed during the British invasion of 1762 along with the removal of the village. The Puerta Real was rebuilt in 1780 and moved further west to its present location as part of the new defense plan for Intramuros. During the Battle of Manila, the gate was damaged. It was restored in 1969 with additional work made in 1989.
Puerta de Parian Gate, Intramuros
Fort Santiago Gate, Intramuros
Fort Santiago Gate, Intramuros
Puerta Real Gate, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines, Late 19th or early 20th Century
Intramuros - The walled city of Manila
1930's Map of Intramuros
2015 Map of Intramuros
Wall of Intramuros - Cultural Heritage Monument
Bastión de San Diego: Named after St. James the Great (aka San Iago, Santiago). Probably built around an older fortification erected by Sedeño in the late 16th century, named Nuestra Señora de Guia (Our Lady of Guidance) after a hermitage and church in Ermita, which it faced.. Presently, the bastion is an archaelogical site where three rings of stone connected by crossways were unearthed. Most opine that one of these rings was Sedeño’s fort. It is known that the fort was integrated into the Bastion between 1591-94 when Gov. Perez de Dasmariñas built the stone perimeter of the City of Manila.
Old Intramuros Wall
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The walls on the west side of Intramuros. Reducto de San Francisco and Baluartillo de San Francisco is in the picture.
The Baluarte de San Diego is a bastion in Intramuros, part of the Spanish colonial fortification in the walled city of Manila in the Philippines.
The existence of the fort started from Governor General Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas who integrated an older fort with cortina or curtain walls, built from 1591-1594. The bastion is a protruding structure with facing flanks built along the cortina. The purpose of its projection was to ensure a clearer view of the cortina for the artillery - in order for them to prepare against invaders. The bastion has two parts; face (which projected outward) and flanks (connecting the face and the cortina, or the curtain wall). Several developments were added in the course of time such as addition of semi-circular structures at the base called orillons or little ears making the bastion resemble an ace-of-spades shape.
Baluarte de San Diego was an ace-of-spades bastion built on the southwestern corner of Intramuros. It underwent several alterations. In 1609, a writing from Antonio de Morga states that the structure was only a tower within a much larger construction of the Fort Nuestra Señora de Guia. Jesuit priest Antonio Sedeño was the commissioned parish priest responsible for the construction of the Fort Nuestra Señora de Guia. Some of the amenities and facilities included within the fort were courtyard, cistern tank (water supply tank), lodging quarters, and workshops. However, the construction of the fort was always interrupted due to arising circumstances, thus, was not finished.
The Baluarte de San Diego is a bastion in Intramuros, part of the Spanish colonial fortification in the walled city of Manila in the Philippines.
Entrance on Gen. Luna Street
This philippine monastery was home to the augustinians. these ruins served as a wall of father blanco's garden. the san augustin church completed in 1607 is the oldest philippine stone church it was named a unesco world heritage site in 1993
One of the few surviving structures in Intramuros, Manila from the Spanish colonial period and which was still in use just over 30 years ago was the Aduana (hence the street name and its proximity to the river) building and later became the Intendencia which also at some point in time, housed the Casa Moneda
You are the ideal foot model that everyone else wishes they could be.
"You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl.""
Chinese New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival, in China start on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The festival lasts for about 23 days, ending on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the following year in the Chinese calendar.
What Do People Do
Many people clean their homes to welcome the Spring Festival. They put up the red posters with poetic verses on it to their doors, Chinese New Year pictures on their walls, and decorate their homes with red lanterns. It is also a time to reunite with relatives so many people visit their families at this time of the year.
In the evening of the Spring Festival Eve, many people set off fireworks and firecrackers, hoping to cast away any bad luck and bring forth good luck. Children often receive “luck” money. Many people wear new clothes and send Chinese New Year greetings to each other. Various activities such as beating drums and striking gongs, as well as dragon and lion dances, are all part of the Spring Festival festivities.
Public Life
The Spring Festival is a national holiday in China. Government offices, schools, universities and many companies are closed during the period from the Spring Festival Eve to the seventh day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. However, some enterprises such as banks often arrange for workers to be on shift duty. Public transport is available during the Chinese New Year period.
Background
According to historical documents, on the day when Shun, who was one of ancient China’s mythological emperors, came to the throne more than 4000 years ago, he led his ministers to worship heaven and earth. From then on, that day was regarded as the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. This is the basic origin of Chinese New Year. China adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1911, so Chinese New Year was renamed the Spring Festival.
Symbols
The red posters with poetic verses on it were initially a type of amulet, but now it simply means good fortune and joy. Various Chinese New Year symbols express different meanings. For example, an image of a fish symbolizes “having more than one needs every year”. A firecracker symbolizes “good luck in the coming year”. The festival lanterns symbolize “pursuing the bright and the beautiful”.
Chinese New Year 2016 - Year of the Monkey
As Thanksgiving approached, family and friends assembled at the patriarchal homesteads. Thanksgiving balls were very popular, and women made sure that their clothes were the best and newest possible, despite grumbling about impious frivolity among the more devout. On the day itself, the more respectable attended morning service in the meetinghouse, before returning for the customary feast prepared by the women and servants of the household. The significators of a true New England Thanksgiving dinner were firmly established by the time of the American Revolution: the all-important turkey in place of honor, the massive chicken pie flanked by ducks, geese, and cuts of "butcher's meat," plum pudding, bowls of vegetable and fruit "sass" (sauce), and of course the pies. Following the dinner, the company might relax around the fire with wine or cider, dried fruits, and nuts to play games, tell stories, or in more pious households, to continue their religious exercises in the private sphere and welcome the minister's evening call.
Mangyan children in the Philippines
Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they find.........
Luksong-Tinik
'Luksong tinik is a children's game usually played in backyards and playgrounds. It involves jumping over a fence made from the other players' hands and feet. The game requires at least three players.
Etymology
The game's name comes from the Tagalog words lukso, meaning “jump”, and tinik, meaning “thorns”. The imagery of thorns is evoked by the players' hands and feet, which are vertically arrayed, end-to-end, with fingers splayed.
Setup
Two players are assigned to serve as the fence over which the other players will jump over. These two form a base by placing the soles of their feet together, A distance from the fence is then designated for the jumping players as a runway. In some games, the best jumper is designated as a “mother”.
Initially, the players who will act as the fence are determined randomly with a coin toss or jack-en-poy (rock-paper-scissors)
Rules
The players are to jump over the fence without touching it. As each round is cleared, the fence gets higher as a hand is added. This continues until the players who act as the fence run out of hands and feet to add. If any part of a jumping player's body or clothing touches the fence, that player is out. In variants of the game with a designated “mother”, that player has a chance to save a failed jumper by attempting the jump herself. If she fails, the game resets with the failed jumpers forming the fence.
Consequences
Apart from playing as the fence in the following game, the failed jumpers can also be asked to play a round of “truth or consequence”, giving them a choice to answer a question honestly or undergo a task given by the other players. These questions and tasks are usually harmless but embarrassing, such as revealing who one is infatuated to or rolling in the dirt.
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“Family traditions help define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable, and safe in a confusing world.” This holds true, especially during Christmas, because each family has its own set of traditions that help make being together with their loved ones more special.
These dishes are made more special because of the love and effort put in by your loved ones in making them, and are family staples that you won’t be able to experience anywhere else. Dishes like this and other family favorites made at home help make Christmas reunion celebrations truly worth coming home to!
Lechon
Lechon. The word alone evokes happy memories of quintessentially Pinoy special occasions. It’s a gastronomic and visual highlight in almost all Filipino parties here and abroad. A Filipino gathering is not as grand without the centerpiece lechon.
Admiral Cheng Ho junk boat cruise for a fascinating insight into Singapore from the sea. Cruise up the Singapore river
There is little doubt that most of what was formerly described in the past as “demon possession” would today be diagnosed as some sort of mental illness by most scholars or authorities, and subsequently treated accordingly. Nevertheless, there are actually quite a number of cases where demonic possession does seem to occur. 
Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, popularly known as Simala Shrine or Simala Church, is a castle-like church located in Marian Hills, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. Simala Shrine was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks from Pampanga. This church became popular because of the several miraculous events that were reported to happen in the area. From then on, devotees and believers flock the shrine because they believe their prayer requests would be granted here. The shrine also draws tourists probably because of its castle-like structure, making this church somehow unique.
The USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) (formerly the SSS Horst Wessel) is a 295-foot (90 m) barque used as a training cutter for future officers of the United States Coast Guard.
Take a pumpboat and have fun at one of the tropical islands beaches. Island hopping is a great idea for divers and those who like snorkeling through the cristal clear waters.
SAIL Amsterdam is about boats, ships and anything else that floats. After five years of preparations SAIL Amsterdam in August 2015 will absolutely amaze you. Days prior to the event you can get a preview of the amazing fleet in IJmuiden, where the ships gather for the parade. This so-called PreSail IJmuiden also attracts thousands of boat lovers, water sports enthusiasts and curious people.
The second atomic bomb tested 
Sint Maarten is the most popular island in the Caribbean: 
This is Norilsk city. Located in Russian Siberia this city hosts the biggest in Russia factory producing “rare” metals. It is even can be called a world leader when speaking about the worldwide production share it contributes. That’s like 35% of palladium production, 25% of platinum, 20% of nickel, 10% of cobalt that are being made in modern world come from Norilsk, which makes it having number one of such kind factories in Russia. The price they pay for this is that 2% of total world CO2 production is coming from this city too. The area of 100 000 hectares (50,000 acres) around the city is consists of burned down forests. It was widely recognized one of the worst ecology city in the world and the average life expectancy is ten years less than the average values across the Russia. 
Schools, businesses, and government agencies across Metro Manila will participate in the biggest earthquake drill to be held in the National Capital Region on July 30, Thursday. Beginning at 10:30 AM, sirens and alarms will be aired over the radio, television, and on the streets to signal the start of the drill. Everyone is encouraged to practice the duck, cover, and hold technique for 45 seconds and then evacuate to a designated open safe zone. Various local governments will also conduct emergency exercises in 4 different areas in Metro Manila. All 16 cities and 1 municipality will take part in the drill, with Pasig City holding an additional night drill at 8:00 PM. A government study says the Metropolis could experience a 7.2-magnitude earthquake within our lifetime. Navagio Beach 
Navagio Beach (Greek: Ναυάγιο), or Shipwreck Beach, is an exposed cove, sometimes referred to as "Smugglers Cove", on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. It has been so named since 1983, when the alleged smuggler ship Panagiotis was wrecked on the beach while transporting cigarettes. It was previously known as Agios Georgios. Angsana Ihuru Island 
NoaNoa Private Island Estate is rather unique. It is not a hotel or a resort. Ten years ago NoaNoa Island was built as the exclusive paradise of a wealthy American. Now, this elaborate estate is being offered for the vacation enjoyment of two to eight people at a time. You will experience a magical charm that can only be found on a small scale. The rooms are unique, the staff truly cares, and the cuisine is the fine home cooking enjoyed by the private guests over the years. The island is gorgeous, the development compliments the surroundings, and the reef is amazing.
A new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest Zumba class was set Sunday in Mandaluyong, a suburb of the Philippine capital, Manila. Clad in bright yellow shirts, 12,975 people filled the streets to follow the steps of instructors lifted above the crowds on stages scattered throughout the neighborhood. The record was previously held by the city of Cebu, also in the Philippines, the BBC reports. Zumba is a dance-fitness program founded by Colombian choreographer Alberto “Beto” Pérez in the 1990s. It boasts dance and aerobic elements, and incorporates hip-hop, samba, salsa, soca, mambo and merengue. 
The Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition for Panagbenga 2015 is one of the traditional events during the Flower festival celebration. This is a combination of a “Market Encounter” where local entrepreneurs get the opportunity to showcase their products. 
The Float Parade and the Street Dance Parade are considered the two major highlights of Panagbenga festival.. 
Escape to the cool mountain air of Baguio City while taking in the colors and sounds of the Panagbenga Festival! Panagbenga comes from the Kankanaey term .. 
Tourists from all over the country trooped to this city over the weekend and filled its main thoroughfares to witness the Street Dancing Competition and the Grand Float Parade, two of the Panagbenga Festival’s crowd-drawers. 
The children participants of the Elementary Division Street Dancing Competition as usual gave stunning performances during the parade as they walked from Upper Session Road to their performance area. 
Panagbenga 2015 Opening Parade 
It's More Fun In Baguio City– Festivity is very much in the air in Baguio 
Panagbenga is the north’s largest yearly event. In light of the upcoming activities, the float parade is one of the most awaited event that happens mostly a day after the Grand Street Dancing parade. 
Young girls in floral costumes dance at the opening parade of the month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration Sunday. Students from 12 elementary schools in Benguet competed during the elimination round for a chance to participate in the main Street Dancing Competition 
Very clear water 
Crystal clear water 
Crystal clear water 
Crystal clear water 
Crystal clear water 
Nalusuan Island Olango Reef Cordova Mactan, Cebu, Philippines 
Boracay is a tropical island surrounded by stunning white sand beaches about an hour's flight from Cebu or Manila just off the larger Philippines island of Panay. 
Boracay is a tropical island surrounded by stunning white sand beaches about an hour's flight from Cebu or Manila just off the larger Philippines island of Panay. 
Panampangan Island at the municipality of Sapa-Sapa of Tawi-Tawi is well known for beachgoers who take pleasure in island-hopping and exploring sights that are unspoilt thus also named Virgin Island. 
Boracay is one gigantic beach bash. As the clock ticks down to midnight, a crowd of locals and tourists gathered in its worldfamous white beach. 
