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Showing posts with label Tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tourism. Show all posts
Ubari Lakes — Libya
Ubari Lakes — Libya
Recent archaeological research revealed the existence of several
fresh-water lakes, known as palaeolakes, in ancient Fezzan, Libya. Some
of these lakes were located in the southern regions of Wadi Irawan, Wadi
al-Ajal and the Ubari Sand Sea. The archaeological finds from the area
include dark layers of organic matters, shells, hand axes and other
Palaeolithic and Neolithic implements and tools which strongly suggested
ancient human activity in Fezzan. These lakes were part of a larger
network of lakes which have included the legendary nearby Lake Tritonis
and Lake Chad among numerous other smaller lakes.
Precise dating of the lakes is yet to be confirmed, but current studies,
conducted by the Fezzan Project, suggest Pleistocene and Holocene human
presence. However, results from Wadi al-Ajal's playas (: which are mud
flats with rough surface, cracks and salt encrustation, like the Playa
of Germa which represent the lakes just before drying out) indicate
these lakes to have disappeared around 3000 years ago.
Findings from the lakes also suggest that the impressive sand dunes of
the Ubari Sand Sea are at least 100,000 years old. Numerous lakes were
thought to have covered the eastern and southern regions of the sea,
some of which still exist today, as in the case of Gaberoun (or
Gabroun), Umm al-Maa and Maafu, where the land surface intercepts the
water table.
The main river systems that fed the giant lake: Tasilli N’Ajjer and
Hamada Mangueni. The locations of the current Ubari lakes are situated
near the middle of the above lake; probably left over as the mother-lake
slowly evaporated away into thin air. 09 more images after the break...
The current Ubari Lakes are a group of about 20 lakes, set amidst the
landscape of towering dunes and palm fringed oases of the Ubari Sand
Sea. To reach these lakes, tourists usually drive to Sabha, then from
Sabha to Tkerkiba, where an excellent camping site is used as the base
to explore the lakes as well as Wadi Matkhandouch. The depth of the
lakes, according to one Libyan diving centre, varies from seven meters
deep (as in Gabroun) to 32 meters deep (Ain al-Dibbanah, near Ghadames).
Some of these lakes are slowly drying out, owing to drought and
artificial drainage of underground resources!
Among the most picturesque of the lakes are Gaberoun and Umm al-Maa (the
Mother of Water). Also there are two more beautiful lakes which are
rarely visited by tourists. These are: Umm al-H'isan (the Mother of the
Horse), also spelt as Oum El Hassan, located north of Gaberoun; and
at-Tarhouna, about 11km from Umm al-H'isan.
Lake Gaberoun is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes of the
great sand sea of Ubari; beautifully set amidst the magnificent sand
dunes, with palm trees on one side and the ruins of the old village on
the other. Most of the lakes of the Libyan interior are highly
carbonated, enabling swimmers to easily float without exerting any
effort. The content of salt is rather high: nearly five times saltier
than seawater. Some of the lakes are home for a harmless tiny red
shrimp-like creatures that thrive in the shallow waters of the lake,
which the Tuareg grind into a paste and use for making cakes, and which
have earned the local inhabitants the name of 'worm eaters' (Dawada or
Dawwada), and hence the name: Dawada Lakes.
Distances between the lakes:
Tkerkiba - Hofret H'lima — 10 km
Hofret H'lima - Mahrouga — 10km
Mahrouga - Gaberoun — 15 km
Gaberoun - Mafo — 15 km
Mafo - Umm Almaa — about 18 km
Gaberoun - Umm Alh'isan — 30 km
Umm Alh'isan - Attrouna — 11 km
Tkirkiba - Mandara — 15 km
Tkirkiba - Umm Almaa — 17 km
Tkirkiba - Mafo — 39km
Tkirkiba - Gaberoun — 45 km
The name Gaberoun is a compound of two names: Gaber (grave) and A'awn (a
name). The oasis was the home of an old settlement which has been moved
elsewhere. The ruins of their settlement are located on the western
shore of the lake (see photo). The temperature of the water is,
strangely enough, colder on the surface than it is a foot or two below,
where it is noticeably warmer. A tourist camp is located on the
northeastern shore of the lake, with a Tuareg shop, selling traditional
Berber jewellery and other local crafts.
Libya’s Landlocked Lakes: Wet Spots In A Sea Of Sand. Text
The Queensland Bottle Tree — Brachychiton Rupestris
The Queensland Bottle Tree — Brachychiton Rupestris
The Queensland Bottle Tree — Brachychiton Rupestris originally
classified in the family Sterculiaceae, which is now within Malvaceae,
is native of Queensland, Australia. Its grossly swollen trunk gives it a
remarkable appearance and gives rise to the name. As a succulent,
drought-deciduous tree, it is tolerant of a range of various soils, and
temperatures.
It can grow to 18–20 meters (59–65 feet) in height and its trunk has the
unique shape of a bottle. Its swollen trunk is primarily used for water
storage. On every tree the leaves are variable from narrow and elliptic
to deeply divided. Clusters of yellowy bell shaped flowers are hidden
within the foliage, and are followed by woody boat-shaped fruits.
Bottle Trees are commonly found
planted in streets, parks, on farms and as features in gardens. Roma,
Queensland is one country town with prominent bottle trees. They also
grace the new entrance to the Geelong Botanic Gardens (38° South
Latitude).
Cultivation — When cultivated, trees are propagated from fresh seed
harvested in March. Bottle trees grow best in well drained, slightly
acidic soil, in full sunshine. Suited to temperate subtropical and
tropical climates. In the first stages of growth, the Bottle Tree is
very slow growing, and the formation of the unique bottle shape is not
visible until the tree is about fifteen years old. Mature trees
transplant easily, and can withstand intervals of up to three months
between digging and replanting without detriment. The Bottle Tree can
also withstand temperatures of -10 °C to +50 °C in its natural habitat.
They have also been Planted in Bendigo Victoria with great success. 10 more images after the break...
Storseisundet Bridge in Norway
Storseisundet Bridge in Norway
Storseisundet Bridge in Norway — Nervous drivers (and their equally
nervous passengers) beware! You should really prepare yourselves for the
sight of Storseisundet Bridge in Norway. The road connection from the
mainland Romsdal peninsula to the island of Averøya in Møre og Romsdal
county doesn’t look as if it actually connects as you drive towards it.
In fact it looks very much as if you are in for an icy bath as you
plummet off its 23 meters height. 14 more images after the break...
However, you will be relieved to hear that this is simply something of an optical illusion. The bridge is built in such a way that from a certain angle, as you approach, it looks as it is more diving board than bridge. One can only imagine the creative spirit that overcame the architect as he sat at his desk. Known locally as the drunk bridge it forms part of the Atlanterhavsveien or Atlantic Ocean Road in English and attracts many a curious visitor. The bridge's design is functional and curious much like an l shaped desk in a modern office, it still is an amazing location to behold.
Why it is built in this way is a secret lodged in the mind of its
architect. It seems to have a different shape from whichever angle you
view it which is, perhaps, what makes it so special.
Even when you can see the whole bridge it still looks, frankly, scary.
So, just to allay your nerves, here is the bridge from angles which
makes it looks, well, almost like a normal bridge. Almost - but not
quite! Storseisundet Bridge.
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