BEAUTIFUL ISLAND: October 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

lake toba

Lake Toba is a volcanic lake with a length of 100 kilometers and 30 kilometers wide, located in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. This lake is the largest lake in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. In the middle of this lake there is a volcanic island called Pulau Samosir.
Lake Toba has long become an important tourist destination in North Sumatra in addition to Bukit Lawang and Nias, attract domestic and foreign tourists.

History

It is estimated that Lake Toba explosion occurred at about 73000-75000 years ago and an eruption Supervolcano (super volcano) the most recent. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner from Michigan Technological University estimate that volcanic materials spewed out of the mountain as much as 2800 km ³, with 800 km ³ of rock Ignimbrite and 2,000 km ³ of volcanic ash which is expected in the wind to the west for 2 weeks. Volcanic dust in the wind has spread to half the earth, from China to South Africa. Explosion occurred during 1 week and throw the dust up to 10 km above sea level.

This incident caused mass death and the extinction of some species also followed. According to some DNA evidence, this eruption also reduced the number of people to about 60% of the total human population of the earth at that time, which is about 60 million people. The eruption was also contributed to the occurrence of ice ages, although the experts still debate.

After the eruption, the caldera formed which is then filled with water and became what is now known as Lake Toba. Pressure upward by magma that has not come out cause the emergence of Samosir Island.

International multidisciplinary research team, led by Dr. Michael Petraglia, revealed in a press conference in Oxford, the United States that has found a new archaeological site is quite spectacular by geologists in southern and northern India. On the site it was revealed how people survive, before and after volcanic eruptions (Supervolcano) Toba at 74,000 years ago, and evidence of life under the ash heap of Mount Toba. Though the source of explosion is 3,000 miles, from the distribution of ashes.

For seven years, experts from Oxford University is researching ecosystem project in India, to seek evidence of life and the lives they left behind equipment in a barren desert. Region with an area of thousands of hectares of this was just savanna (grasslands). Meanwhile, animal bones scattered. The team concluded, this vast area was covered with enough dust from ancient volcanic eruptions.

The spread of volcanic dust was extremely spacious, found almost worldwide. Derived from an ancient eruption Supervolcano, namely Mount Toba. Allegations leading to Mount Toba, because it found evidence of volcanic dust molecules in the same 2100 period. Since the caldera crater, now a lake Toba in Indonesia, 3,000 miles, from the source of the eruption. Even that is quite surprising, it turns out that the spread of dust to be recorded up to the North Pole. This is reminiscent of the experts, how powerful the super volcano Toba eruption at the time. The evidence is found, strengthening the suspicion, that the strength of the eruption and sea waves could wipe out life on Atlantis.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Lengkuas Island and Granite Rocks

Lengkuas island, a small island equipped amazing beach and view and also found giant granite rock formations make this small island be the amazing place which should visited before you die. Lengkuas island is located in western Belitong, in Tanjung Binga village, sub-district sijuk, district Belitong, Indonesia. Nothing is being difficult to reach this Lengkuas island. Visitors can rent fishing boats using current services in the area of Cape Coast Kelayang or Tanjung Binga to go to Lengkuas island. If the weather is calm, only took about 45 minutes was able to get to the destination. Along the way, navy blue Belitong Islands who are still free of pollution will spoil the eye.

In March or during the summer monsoon has passed, the wind blowing softly from the direction of the island. Wavelength was quiet and unobtrusive way to Lengkuas island. Approaching the island, the sea became apparent. Sea water is very clear also form a gradation from dark blue to light green. Fishing boats usually stop bit in the middle so as not to run aground. The passenger boat was able to walk in thigh-high ocean water.

Around the Island Lengkuas overgrown mangrove trees, coconut, and there are several small clusters of granite and large. Striking views of the lighthouse is a white tower . Erect a lighthouse towering 60 meters tall became famous icons Lengkuas Island. In building the lighthouse there is a metal plate with the inscription in Dutch that lists the year '1882 '. Although built during the Dutch colonial era, Lengkuas Island lighthouse is still functioning. Light rays to guide ship traffic headed into or will enter Tanjungpandan Gaspar Strait separates the island of Bangka and Belitung.

Nearby from lighthouse there are holding cell. The door-shaped steel cage. According to the story, supposedly these cells during the reign of the Netherlands was once used to imprison the pirates are caught in the waters around the Islands. Lighthouse tower has 19 floors, enough to make the visitors sweat when climbing the stairs to reach the top of the tower.

Tired when climbing stairs would feel diminished when he reached the top of the lighthouse. From this height, visitors will face a stretch of sea water is so clear, clean white sandy beach is restricted. Clearly visible seabed with granite stone structure interlude that pops up above sea level.

Besides spectacular views of the lighthouse, tourists who travel to this island can freely swim and water sports such as snorkeling at the edge of the beach. By late afternoon, the sun is slowly sinking motion on the western horizon will be an unforgettable sight.

Prayer Covering

There's nothing like true believers who stand beside you in good times and in bad. There's nothing like people who truly love unconditionally. There's nothing like the body of Christ when it's healthy and strong. There's nothing like knowing that your not alone even though that's how it appears. It's good to know that for every negative voice there are five who will speak love and truth. It's good to know that others are holding you up in prayer during the seasons of life that are hard.

I'm walking through a hard season and 'm thankful for my friends who are standing alongside of us. Please continue to hold us up with your prayers. I covet them today and in the days to come.....

Friday, October 29, 2010

Baltimore Adventure #2: The American Visionary Art Museum

From the top of Federal Hill, you can see a lot. The American Visionary Art Museum was right next to the hill. Like when I say next to it...it was at the foot of the hill. I could have rolled down the hill and onto the museum's grounds.

What caught my eye was the amazing mozaic, glittering in the sun.

I am attracted to sparkly things and bright colors...I had to get a closer look. Was this a restaurant or a museum or both?

Well, as it turned out, it is an art museum with a cafe on the top level. One of these days I will have to make a return visit and check out the cool things inside and eat up at the cafe.

I didn't have a lot of time so decided to check out what was outside. Admission to the museum is $15.95 for adults, a very reasonable price. However, I'd want to get my full $15.95 out of my visit and really get a chance to linger at their exhibits....if they are as cool as what is outside, I think I could spend several hours there. They are open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

So here is what I did see:

Is this not a fantasy garden? That "play house/tree house" is so cool. If I were a kid, I'd embarass my parents and immediately take up house and start playing pretend. I just imagine tree nymphs and faeries all over this garden.

The detail of the house is just amazing a true work of functional art.

Some of the magical critters, a pink donkey, I think. Much of what I saw outside was fresh and childlike. I mean childlike in the best of ways. The things I saw were right out of a young imagination that hadn't been stuffied up by what grown-ups consider art or beauty or a technique or the fact that in reality donkeys aren't pink (well why not?)

Now I just loved, loved, loved this sculpture! A bird and her nest. Talk about an industrial size bird...and a musical one at that.

Here is her beautiful egg. I love these glass mosaics. It reminds me of a place near my home. Maybe some of my homies may remember the house on Hayes Avenue up by Speigal Grove where they had these towers of cement with pieces of beautiful glassware, plates and mirrors pressed into them. I'm sure many adults may have thought the elderly couple's "glass and cement garden" an eye sore but I thought it was the lovliest thing. I always wanted my mom to stop to let us look through the chainlink fence at the sparkling, colorful rocks. The elderly man's works were no comparison to this egg or the mosaics around the museum buildings.

So back to the mosaic that caught my eye...oh, the balcony above is the restaurant.

Now is that a school bus or is that a school bus?! Below, close-up of the outer wall mosaic.

Biker chick is right over the entrance, you can't miss her.

This glittery mirror tree is right in front of the main building. I can't imagine how cool this must look if it gets hit directly with sunlight. It certainly sounded pretty, tinkling in the soft breeze that afternoon.

This is a close-up of some of the glass and mirror leaves on the tree.

Now, if something can be judged by its 'cover', I have to think the stuff on the inside is pretty cool. The welcome mat for the museum was made out of brightly colored tooth brushes, so who knows what other fun, imaginative, out-of-the-box stuff is inside. If you are in Baltimore, visit the American Visionary Art Museum...if you go, take me with you.

Titanic Adventure

DIVING several hundred meters below sea level to see the legendary wreck of the Titanic will surely be an experience that is very impressive. You want to feel it?For the first time, you will have the opportunity to see the rest of the Titanic through the submarine at a depth of 12,460 feet under the sea.

This adventure will start from St John's, Newfoundland, where you'll climb aboard the Russian Keldysh which academic research as well as a home within the next few days.During the route to the dive site, you will cross the waters rich in nutrients, Grand Banks, which is also known for its abundant marine life. After arriving at the destination point, just above the Titanic wreck, you begin confronted with the scent of adventure.

At the time of the dive, you will go down almost 2.5 miles down the sea towards the Titanic resting sites using submarine MIR I and II. Both are special submarine that can reach to 20,000 feet into the sea.Arriving at the site, you'll see the most famous shipwreck in the world and footage sad chapter in human history.
This unique adventure will begin between June-July 2011 with a package price of U.S. $ 54,500 per person for 11 days. For more information, you can visit the site www.adventures.ca.

Raja Ampat

I've called it "Dream Island" because of it's charming which bewitch tourist and make them being dazzled at beautifull marine view. There it is we can looking out towards the sea that dominated blue, green, and white. The colors that appear because of the influence of coral reefs in the shallow sea or inside. We also walk on the fine white sandy beach. Sunlight and brisk air makes exasperated guests to dive and dive again. Sunlight often penetrate the crevices of sea waves up to the reef. Beauty scenery and marine life does make a lasting impression for tourists. For lovers of coastal tourism and underwater fanatic, Raja Ampat are very well known even considered the best in the world for the quality of coral reefs.

Raja Ampat is a fraction of Sorong, since 2003. This district has a population amount 31.000 souls and has 610 islands but only 35 islands are inhabited. Total area is 46.000 km2, where 6.000 km2 is land and 40.000 km2 is sea. The islands are unspoiled and the sea is still beautifull which make tourist hooked directly. They seemed to want to explore all the waters of the " Bird's Head" New Guinea.Waters of Raja Ampat Islands is one of the 10 best diving waters around the world.The archipelago consists of four small islands, namely Waigeo , Batanta, Salawati and Misool.

In this place , there are so much activities to fully your days with an exotic panoramas and sea views , such as :
-Spectacular diving and snorkling
-Sensational kayaking in the shallow bays, especially in the mangrove forests
-Slow afternoon cruise with one of the tenders - get up-close-and-personal with the stunning land scenery
-Bird spotting - find the illusive Bird of Paradise from the water.
-Fishing - unexplored fly-fishing for bonefish or deep water trolling for marlin and sailfish .
-Dive in Wreck diving in the area is superb as well. The wrecks here haven't been plundered as in Truk Lagoon, PNG, the Solomons, Vanuatu and other well-known wreck diving areas.

Most of these WWII wrecks were not seen by humans again until the day and therefore completely intact. Over 50 years of marine life growing on and around them has turned them in beautiful gardens. By special arrangement, Papua Diving can schedule to dive wrecks in the Manokwari area (on the east side of the bird's head). Although there are plenty of wrecks all around the area, the wrecks in Manokwari are in shallow, clear water with plenty of coral growth and sea life surrounding them.

Coral reefs in Raja Ampat is considered the most complete sea in the world. From the 537 coral species of the world, 75 percent were in these waters. There are also found 1104 species of fish, 669 species of molluscs (soft animals), and 537 species of coral animals. Incredible. In addition to maritime affairs and fisheries, Raja Ampat has a wealth of natural resources, including oil and nickel. At the bottom of the sea there are also many old sunken ships of World War II, which is estimated to contain "treasure trove" of high value. However, if mismanaged, it is feared exploitation activities threaten the preservation and natural beauty of the sea.

God's Window

It's name is God's Window.This is the top of the cliff with a layer of clouds and fog that covered the landscape beneath.God's Window located in the area of tourism in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (South Africa).God's Window is one of the tourist sights are located not far from the small town of Graskop. It takes about 5-7 hours from Johannesburg to this small town.

There are several tourist attractions located nearby and not far from Graskop. These places are named the Panorama Route. Located alongside the Blyde River Canyon nature reserve. Panorama Route is a region north of the Drakensberg Mountains, which stretch 100 km from Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa until Lesotho country.

Panorama Route is one of the famous tourist destinations in South Africa. The uniqueness of this place are the plants that live on rocky cliffs remain green when winter arrives. At the same time. the others area is yellowing because of plant withered. God's Window is the most famous place in Panorama Route. The strategic location makes God's Window more visited than two other places adjacent : Pinnacle Rock and Wonder View. Only in God's Window , visitors entrance is 10 rand (about US$1.25). whereas at Pinnacle Rock and Wonder View we do not have to pay.

From God's Window, located at an altitude of 1892 meters above sea level, we can see the Kruger National Park and Mozambique country with distance of 100 kilometres from God's Window. This scene - plus fog and clouds that sometimes blanketed-the reason why this place is called God's Window. For those who want to the summit, it is advisable to be careful, especially when it rains, because the path which must be passed usually slippery.

In Mpumalanga, the local government spoil visitor as well as empowering the local community. It's hard to find poor road access to tourist attractions. Cleanliness is also very guarded. Appeal to maintain cleanliness on display at various places. We're not entirely difficult to find a clean toilet.

God's Window view

No one is disturbing. The traders sell their merchandise in an orderly manner and not forced though sometimes offer the goods with high price. "The money you spend supports the continuity of the life of the traders who are residents around,"an announcement that readeble in God's Window.