Saturday 4 October 2014

Cueva de los Verdes; A Popular Tourist Attraction in Spain



Cueva de los Verdes also called “Verdes Cave” is a lava tube and a popular tourist attraction of the Haria municipality on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands Spain. It is protected area of Canary Island, and it lies within the Monumento Natural del Malpaís de La Corona. It is estimated, that cave was created somewhere 3,000 years ago by heavy lave flows erupted from the nearby volcano Monte Corona flowing across the Malpaís de la Corona toward the sea. The Caves are not named after the color “Green”, but rather a family whose surname was Verde (Green), although the Caves are really colorful, particularly since they’ve been carefully and thoughtfully artificially lit for the public. It is suggested that the caves are definitely worth a visit and if the molten wax-like rock isn't adequate to impress you, the secret of Cueva de los Verdes will be. The flow of lava streams cooled on top, emerging a solid crust, before the lava drained away leaving the top part as the roof of a cave.

There is actually a chamber within the tunnel which is known as “The Refuge”, because it was so often used for shelter. Almost on 20 spots, the cave roof was collapsed, developing a cavern recognized locally as a jameo. The cave is about 6 kilometers above sea level and for another 1.5 kilometers below the sea. Moreover one jameo forms the entrance to the Cueva de los Verdes and two kilometers of the cave system were developed for tourists in the 1960s, with the cave walls illuminated by colorful lights. The beautiful cave is also famed for its concert hall which is situated closes the entrance and exit of the cave. The concert hall has about 15 to 20 rows with 26 seats in each row, allowing up to 500 people in the concert hall at once.

The inhabitants of earlier centuries throughout Lanzarote hid in this cave to protect themselves from European pirates. It is absolutely a site worth visiting, the beauty of the caves is astonishing and it is undoubtedly one of the most interesting volcanic structures on the island. However it is a big cave which is lit for effect rather than visibility and some people may find it claustrophobic. So if caves and underground places really don't turn you on, you would probably be better visiting the Mirador del Rio. As there aren't a lot of facilities at the Green Cave, you really want to combine it with a visit to the nearby Jameos del Agua. Not like various tourist attractions, it is hard to tell that there has been any human intervention in the cave structure. Although the main work has gone into a splendid lighting system which highlights the walls of the cave amazingly well.

Friday 3 October 2014

Cize–Bolozon Viaduct: A Rail-Road Crossing Bridge in France



SNCF B 81661 is passing is a spectacular scene on the Cize-Bolozon viaduct which is a road-rail bridge crossing the Ain gorge in France. The Cize–Bolozon viaduct is a combination of rail and vehicular viaduct crossing the Ain gorge linking the communes of Cize and Bolozon. Therefore an original span built in the same location in 1875 was actually ruined in World War 2. It was reconstructed as a vital post-war plan due to its position on a main line to Paris; however the new viaduct revived in May 1950. Interestingly The Cize Bolozon viaduct was only opened five years after the end of the war, on 14 May 1950.

Unique engineering works on the line include the road-rail Cize-Bolozon viaduct, carrying the railway on the high level and the road on the low level and the overhead conductor rail used in the Bolozon I and Bolozon II tunnels and the open track in between. It carries road and rail traffic at diverse levels: the railway, which was barred for reinforcement and restoration work in 2005, occupies the upper level. The vehicles which are crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct, the speed falls to 80 km/h, and then picks up again to 90 through the Bolozon and Mornay tunnels.

Nevertheless the part of the Ligne du Haut-Bugey reopened in December 2010 as part of the international Paris–Geneva line. However the local road from Poncin to Thoirette uses the lower level. Racouse tunnel takes the line through the second ridge of the Revermont, and then the Cize-Bolozon viaduct crosses the river Ain to Bolozon station. Numerous bridges were destroyed in 1944, starting with the bridge over the Suran on July 8, followed by the Cize Bolozon viaduct on the 8th and the Reyssouze Bridge on 2 September.

Israel–Egypt Border; A barrier Which Can be Visible from Space



It’d be really curious to see border between Egypt and Israel from space, which is difference in shades of the terrain in unrefined areas, is the result of overgrazing on the Egyptian side of the border. The barrier refers to a border barrier actually built by Israel along sections of its border with Egypt. It was actually an attempt to control the arrival of illegal migrants from African countries. Though, increased insurgent movement across the southern border in 2011, then Israel decides to upgrade the steel barrier project also installing cameras, radar and motion detectors.

The barrier construction was completed in its main section in Jan 2013. Then the final section of the fence was completed in December 2013.  The 245 mile barrier took 3 years to construct, with an estimated cost of NIS 1.6 Billion, making it one of the largest projects in Israel's history. Later on, number of countries including United States, and India adopt this border technology, and some of these countries may implement these technologies as part of their own border barriers. Moreover smuggling of cigarettes and notorious drugs often carried on camels by Bedouins whose tribal lands straddle the border, has been a long-term problem.

Thousands of people try to cross barrier to enter in Israel every year, mainly because of economic growth. The barrier was originally planned in response to control illegal migrants who successfully entered Israel across the border, mainly smuggled different things, and sometimes they’ve lost their lives in this process. The fence has two layers of fencing, one with barbed wire, and the barrier structure includes the installation of progressive surveillance equipment. Eventually the whole border will be sealed. Though Egypt has no objection until fence construction built on Israeli Soil.

Thursday 2 October 2014

Glass Bottom Bridge in Pingjiana China



Well, perhaps you may have heard about China’s newest attraction is a glass-bottomed suspension bridge that straddles two rocky peaks, 300 meters apart, located in Pingjiang county, in the province of Hunan, southern China. Would you like to walk across this bridge? The beautiful structure stretches between two rocky peaks but is different from the Cliffside Bridge in Baoding, Hebei province, in that it actually moves when the wind blows. The breathtaking bridge hangs 180 meters above ground, and in fact sways with the wind, and the glass bottom wasn’t frightening enough. If anyone becomes really paralyzed with anxiety, particularly trained staff is available who’ll inspire and coax fear-stricken tourist to make the journey across.
So far there’re very few people say it’s too scary but have pointed out that if they feel scared, they should consider about the person that has to clean underneath. That generally gets people moving. The latest new glass bridge joins another vertigo inducing attraction – the glass-bottomed cliff-side pathway in Zhangjiajie, China, perched 1,900 meters above sea level, on the side of the Tianmen Mountain.