This particular tree is a legend by himself. He even has a name: Ponthus' beech. He lives in the Brocéliande forest, in Bretagne (France), the one where many Arthurian legends occurred. One can also find Merlin's tomb here (well, at least one of them...). Different stories exist, but a common one is that Ponthus, a knight of the round table, lived in a castle there, somewhere around the 10th century. He was disappointed by the fact he had no child, and blasphemed about it. God punished him by destroying his castle in a storm, and the tree grew on its ruins.
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Source: flickr.com/photos/22437135@N07/7164276670
The Statue of Dacian king Decebalus is a 40-m high statue that is the tallest rock sculpture in Europe. It is located on the Danube's rocky bank, near the city of Orşova, Romania. It was commissioned by Romanian businessman and historian Iosif Constantin Drăgan and it took 10 years, from 1994 to 2004, for twelve sculptors to finish it. The final cost was over one million dollars. Under the face of Decebalus there is a Latin inscription which reads "DECEBALUS REX - DRAGAN FECIT" ("King Decebal - Made by Drăgan"). On the Serbian side facing Romania, there is an ancient memorial plaque (Tabula Traiana) commemorating the victories of the Roman Empire over the Dacian kingdom in 105.
The Oneonta Gorge is in the Columbia River Gorge in the American state of Oregon. The U.S. Forest Service has designated it as a botanical area because of the unique aquatic and woodland plants that grow there. The basalt walls are home to a wide variety of ferns, mosses, hepatics and lichens, many of which grow only in the Columbia River Gorge. Oneonta Creek runs through the gorge. There are four major waterfalls on the creek. Middle Oneonta Falls can be seen clearly from a footpath and is very often mistaken for the upper or lower falls. The lower gorge has been preserved as a natural habitat, so there is no boardwalk or footpath through it as such.
Thus, Lower Oneonta Falls can only be seen by walking upstream from the creek's outlet at the Historic Columbia River Highway. To get to a vantage point where the entire lower falls is visible can require wading through water that in some places can be chest-deep, depending on the season and the relative amount of snow-melt. The upper falls are about 1 mile upstream from the middle falls and require scrambling up the creek or climbing down a canyon wall to view. The fourth falls which is "Triple falls" can be seen from a vantage point on the upper trails in the canyon.
Angel Falls is a waterfall in Venezuela. It is the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a height of 979 m and a plunge of 807 m. The waterfall drops over the edge of the Auyantepui mountain in the Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Gran Sabana region of Bolívar State. The height figure 979 m mostly consists of the main plunge but also includes about 400 m of sloped cascades and rapids below the drop and a 30-metre high plunge downstream of the talus rapids. The falls are on the Gauja River (alternatively known as the Kerep River or Kerepacupai), which flows into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River.
Angel Falls is one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions, though a trip to the falls is a complicated affair. The falls are located in an isolated jungle. A flight from Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar is required to reach Canaima camp, the starting point for river trips to the base of the falls. River trips generally take place from June to December, when the rivers are deep enough for the wooden curiaras used by the Pemon guides. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water seen than in the other months (This can be clearly seen in the photos of the falls above)
Klevan contains the ruins of Klevan Castle, whose construction began in 1475 and was eventually completed in 1561. The town also houses the Church of the Annunciation with a bell tower dating back to 1630, as well as the Church of the Nativity, which was built in 1777. There is also Klevan Railway station, which connects the town with the oblast's administrative center Rivne and Kivertsi, as well as a woodworking plant and food-processing facilities. An amusement railway (and walkway for lovers) called Tunnel of Love is also located near Klevan.
Source: 500px.com/photo/25665469/klevan-tunnel-of-love-by-volodymyr-gryniuk
Wave Rock is a natural rock formation that is shaped like a tall breaking ocean wave. The "wave" is about 14 m high and around 110 m long. It forms the north side of a solitary hill, which is known as "Hyden Rock." This hill, which is a granite inselberg, lies about 3 km east of the small town of Hyden and 296 km east-southeast of Perth, Western Australia. Wave Rock and Hyden Rock are part of a 160 ha nature reserve, Hyden Wildlife Park. A wall lies above Wave Rock and about halfway up Hyden Rock and follows the contours of the wall. It collects and funnels rainwater to a storage dam. The wall and dam were constructed in December 1928 by the Public Works Department for the original settlers of East Karlgarin District. Both were renovated in 1951 to increase water capacity for the Hyden Township. Such walls are common on many similar rocks in the Wheatbelt. Wave Rock has cultural significance to Aborigines. More than 140,000 tourists visit Wave Rock every year.
Hyden Rock, of which Wave Rock is part, consists of 2.63 billion year-old biotite K-feldspar porphyritic monzogranite that is part of the Yilgarn Craton. Hyden Rock is a granite inselberg, which consists of three domes. The central and western domes are separated by a deep valley, which is now occupied by a reservoir. The central and eastern domes are linked by a low platform. A multistage process of landform development created these domes. The initial step in the development of Hyden Rock was the subsurface alteration by weathering of granite bedrock beneath a lateritised land surface during the Cretaceous Period between 100–130 million years ago. Depending on the degree to which it was fractured by jointing, the granite bedrock underlying this surface was altered to varying depths beneath the land surface. This process formed underground "domes" of solid granite bedrock surrounded by deeply weathered, relatively loose, and disaggregated granite. Following separation of Australia and Antarctica and accompanying tilting of what became southwestern Australia, periodic erosion of the deeply weathered granite, which underlaid the surrounding land surface, exposed these buried solid bedrock domes over time as Hyden Rock.
Source: flickr.com/photos/evanmckern/4499468943/in/gallery-23154493@N08-72157632937553947/#
Ladera was once part of Rabot Estate, one of Soufrière's oldest and most famous cocoa plantations. In 1982 it was transformed into the unique resort it is today. Taking full advantage of its natural surroundings, Ladera offers a unique design in guest accommodations. The 32 suites all have an "open wall" the west side of each unit is left open to expose the breathtaking view, and the orientation of the buildings maintains complete privacy. The suites are constructed of tropical hardwoods, stone and tile, furnished with 19th century French furniture or replicas, wicker and accessories crafted by local artisans. All units are decorated with local artwork and feature magnificent views of the Pitons and Caribbean Sea.
The exquisite freshness and inventive flavors of the fresh local cuisine at Dasheene? Dining in the open air, high above the Caribbean Sea? The sumptuous pleasures of The Spa? The welcoming island hospitality offered by the entire staff. Maybe lounging on warm sand on the beach at the base of the Pitons? Or possibly, what you will remember is simply the magically serene experience of being so separate from the rest of the world, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest, at one with Ladera, and embracing all that it has to offer.
As part of Ladera's complimentary services, guests may also enjoy the hot tubs in the spa gardens, conveniently located beside the spa. Ladera guests may include a hot soak as part of their pre- or post-massage routine, or simply use it to relax after a day hiking or spent at the beach. Their trained esthetics staff and massage therapists look forward to providing you with the rest, relaxation and pampering that has become their hallmark. Source: www.ladera.com
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Rising majestically above the 600 acre beach front resort of Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain St.Lucia is a cornucopia of organic architecture celebrating St Lucia’s stunning scenic beauty. Architect owner Nick Troubetzkoy has expanded upon his philosophy of building in harmony with Caribbean nature in his creation of Jade Mountain St.Lucia. The bold architectural design individual bridges leading to exceptional infinity pool sanctuaries and rugged stoned-faced columns reaching towards the sky makes Jade Mountain St.Lucia one of the Caribbean’s most mesmerizing resort experiences.
Expect grand sweeping spaces where bedroom, living area and an extravagant private infinity pool glide into one another to form extraordinary platforms floating out into nature. With the fourth wall entirely absent, Jade Mountain’s sanctuaries are stage-like settings from which to embrace the full glory of St Lucia’s Pitons World Heritage Site, and of course, the eternal Caribbean Sea. A wide range of spa services can be enjoyed in the privacy of the Jade Mountain sanctuaries or at Kai en Ciel, Jade Mountain’s boutique spa and fitness studio. Source: www.jademountain.com
Source: gloholiday.com/top-10-resorts-in-caribbean
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Source: jetsetter.com/trips/st-lucia/st-lucia/163/jade-mountain
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Each of Viceroy St Lucia resort's Luxury Sugar Mill Rooms, Luxury Villas, Luxury Beachfront Bungalows, and Residences affords spectacular views of the Pitons or the Caribbean Sea. The indulgent world-class Rainforest Spa, full PADI dive facility, sumptuous waterfront dining, and chic bars and lounges ensure the quintessential St Lucia resort vacation experience, all close to the isle’s top tourist attractions. Offering space enough for families and honeymooners alike, Sugar Beach, St Lucia is the premier choice among Soufriere hotels for discerning travelers seeking seclusion and tranquility amid unsurpassed natural beauty.
From the finest international cuisine to delightfully casual tropical tastes, you’ll find exceptional culinary choices to please every palate at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort on St Lucia’s scenic southwest coast. Set within over 100 acres of tropical rainforest with awe-inspiring views of the Caribbean and St Lucia’s dramatic twin Pitons, the resort’s celebrated collection of dining experiences is more than equal to the view.
Cradled in the embrace of St Lucia’s World Heritage-listed Pitons, it is hard to imagine a location more conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation than the Rainforest Spa at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. Widely regarded as the island’s spiritual heart, the lush foliage and soaring mountain vistas of Val des Pitons provide the perfect backdrop for St. Lucia spas. Guests wishing to unwind can experience a period of re-creation in its truest sense - a time for reflection, renewal and a break from the everyday stresses of life.
www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
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Umpqua National Forest, in southern Oregon's Cascade Range, covers an area of 983,129 acres in Douglas, Lane, and Jackson counties, and borders Crater Lake National Park. The four ranger districts for the Forest are the Cottage Grove, Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller ranger districts. The Forest is managed by the United States Forest Service, headquartered in Roseburg. Stands of western hemlock, true fir, Douglas-fir and cedar transition to lower-elevation forests of mixed conifers and hardwoods. Timbered valleys of old-growth ponderosa and groves of oak separate mountains like the 9,182-foot Mount Thielsen and the 8,363-foot Mount Bailey. Notable geologic features include volcanic basalt and andesite monolithic spires with descriptive names like Eagle Rock, Rattlesnake Rock, and Old Man.
Umpqua Hot Springs is a geothermal pool located along the North Umpqua River at 2,640 feet elevation. Two oval pools are available for soaking, the larger having a solid rock bottom and the smaller a bottom of coarse sand. The larger is five by eight feet and 110 °F (43 °C), and is covered by a wooden enclosure. The upper pool is smaller but slightly warmer, measuring four by five feet and 112 °F (44 °C). Both pools are approximately two and a half feet deep. Umpqua is clothing optional.
Source: fineartamerica.com/featured/toketee-falls-jo-sheehan.html
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