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A breathtaking lily, the Casablanca is known for its dramatic white blossoms and irresistible scent. Among the most famous of Lilies from the Oriental family, it's as elegant as the name implies.
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My post this evening is driven a bit by a show that happens to be on this evening. On Discovery HD, a show called China Rising is giving insight into the social economic challenges that are accompanying China and especially Shanghai as it springboards into its dramatic new future. Although I was only able to visit for a couple of days when I was there, I could feel the energy of this city as change was unfolding. This show unveils some of the resistance of the locals and a little of the ugly side of rapid capitalistic growth.
This image was created from a snap out of the old G10 as was wandering around one afternoon looking for "Old Shanghai". I particularly liked the grungy feeling of some of these older neighborhoods, however, I feel that all of this will be bulldozed over and gone by the time I make it back there someday. Every inch of this evolving city seems to be giving way "New Shanghai". Exciting for some, yet kind of sad for many.
White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features. Dunes Drive is a looped road from the White Sands Visitor Center to the dune field. Read the blog post - www.dvrawfiles.com/white-sands-new-mexico Watch the vlog - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwKZVqNfiU
White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features. Dunes Drive is a looped road from the White Sands Visitor Center to the dune field. Read the blog post - www.dvrawfiles.com/white-sands-new-mexico Watch the vlog - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwKZVqNfiU
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Skala Ded, Stolby Nature Reserve
Stolby Nature Reserve is a Russian strict nature reserve located 10 km south of the city of Krasnoyarsk and known for its dramatic complexes of rocks.
Sognefjord region of Norway. Sognefjord is Norway's longest and deepest fjord, often referred to as the "King of the Fjords". The area is characterized by its dramatic landscape, featuring steep mountain cliffs plunging into calm waters.
Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic volcanic landscape of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, glaciers and black-sand beaches. The capital, Reykjavik, home to the majority of the population, runs on geothermal power and offers a renowned nightlife scene as well as Viking history museums. The glaciers in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsnes national parks are popular for ice climbing, hiking and snowmobiling.
Danbury High coach Ricky Shook cheers on his team during its dramatic win over Mt. Anthony Union Friday night at the O’Neill Center.
2007-12-21
Grundarfjörður is a small town found on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the west of Iceland. It has an approximate population of 872 people
Visitors to Grundarfjörður will likely visit the town’s main landmark, the photogenic Kirkjufell, which translates to ‘Church Mountain’. Clearly distinguishable, and standing alone on the edge of the sea, its dramatic slopes, steeple-like peak and surrounding shorelines make it one of the country’s most beautiful summits.
The monk sleep moved here from koh @chesterljc #its_dramatic #hdroftheday #hdrpotters #hdr_lovers #hdreality #hdreality #hdr_arts #hdr #instago #iphone4s #james_favourites #gang_family #iphoneography #igersjapan #inhil_community #iphonesia #ig_nesia #b_ig #instagood #instagramhub #instagram #hdrstyles_gf #hdr_indonesia #photooftheday #webstagram
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sumsus: Mantab!
ryosky: @sumsus makasi selalu koh
alexicr: Cool!!!✨✨
ryosky: @alexicr thanks man
spacelord_mf: Always great ma man
ryosky: @spacelord_mf thanks always ma man
chesterljc: Gokilness!!! cepat bro
ryosky: @chesterljc aahahhaaaa sabar postman sudah berangkat
White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes.
Hakodate Hachimangu is a short walk partly uphill from the Yachigashira tram stop at the southern end of the tram line. The shrine was founded in 1445 as a protective Shinto shrine for the Kono family's castle and is dedicated to the deities Hachiman, Empress Jingu, and Emperor Ojin. Its main buildings feature a rare Hachiman-zukuri architectural style that blends traditional craftsmanship with defensive layout elements suited for the historic frontier town. A unique modern feature of the shrine is its dramatic, steep stone staircase leading to views of Mount Hakodate, and a large concrete torii gate in the suburban street below the complex.
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Skala Pervyy Stolb, Stolby Nature Reserve
Stolby Nature Reserve is a Russian strict nature reserve located 10 km south of the city of Krasnoyarsk and known for its dramatic complexes of rocks.
"They need clean water" #iphonesia #gang_familiy #all_shots #instagram #instagramhub #instago #instagood #webstagram #iphone4s #its_dramatic #str8hdr #inhil_community #hdr #hdri #hdrpotters #hdroftheday #photooftheday #hdr_indonesia #james_favorite #igers #gang_family
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schneider: Extremely beautiful!
ryosky: @schneider thank you
ryosky: @khevinboy matur suwun nggeh pak dho
idayani: Extrme halusnya
ryosky: @idayani makasi mbake
spacelord_mf: Wow bro
ryosky: @spacelord_mf thanks ma bro
hilja83: Beautiful
Dunluce Castle on the North Antrim Coast is located in its dramatic position close to a headland which plunges straight into the sea. First records of its existence date back to 1513 when it belonged to the MacQuillans though it was built in the 13th century. A village surrounding the castle was destroyed by fire in 1641. It is famous for its kitchen falling into the sea one stormy night in 1639 taking its staff with it.
White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features. Dunes Drive is a looped road from the White Sands Visitor Center to the dune field. Read the blog post - www.dvrawfiles.com/white-sands-new-mexico Watch the vlog - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwKZVqNfiU
The Li River or Li Jiang (Chinese: 漓江, pinyin: Lí Jiāng) is a river in Guangxi Province, China.
The Li River originates in the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an county and flows through Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle, down into the Xi Jiang, the western tributary of the Pearl River in Wuzhou.
Its course of 437 kilometers is flanked by green hills and its unusual karst topography that is often compared to Halong Bay, Vietnam (see kk_wpg's photostream - Vietnam 2008 (Set)).
Cormorant fishing is often associated with the Lijiang.
Yangshuo, a county and resort town in southern China’s Guangxi region, is known for its dramatic karst mountain landscape and outdoor recreation. The town is set amid pinnacles like Bilian Feng (Green Lotus Peak), which has a hiking trail to the top. Tour boats offer cruises on the Li River past picturesque countryside from the town of Guilin to the north. ― Google
People with umbrella in Sintra, a resort town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, near the capital of Lisbon. A longtime royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces. The Moorish- and Manueline-style Sintra National Palace is distinguished by its dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tilework.
Andenes is a small coastal village located on the island of Andøya in northern Norway, within the Vesterålen archipelago. It is one of the northernmost settlements in the country and is known for its dramatic Arctic landscapes and strong connection to the sea.
The village is surrounded by rugged coastlines, open ocean, and wide skies, creating a sense of isolation and natural beauty. One of its most famous features is the nearby continental shelf, where deep ocean waters come close to shore—making Andenes one of the best places in Europe for whale watching. Visitors often come here to see sperm whales, orcas, and humpback whales.
Andenes is also home to the historic Andenes Lighthouse, which has guided ships along this remote coast since the 19th century. The area experiences unique natural phenomena, including the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter, attracting travelers year-round.
Despite its remote location, Andenes has a rich cultural life tied to fishing, Arctic exploration, and modern scientific research, including a space center used for atmospheric studies.
Overall, Andenes offers a raw, authentic Arctic experience defined by nature, wildlife, and the vastness of the North Atlantic.
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Skala Pervyy Stolb, Stolby Nature Reserve
Stolby Nature Reserve is a Russian strict nature reserve located 10 km south of the city of Krasnoyarsk and known for its dramatic complexes of rocks.
© All rights reserved, don't use without permission
Skala Pervyy Stolb, Stolby Nature Reserve
Stolby Nature Reserve is a Russian strict nature reserve located 10 km south of the city of Krasnoyarsk and known for its dramatic complexes of rocks.
The Sevens World Series reaches its dramatic conclusion this weekend at Twickenham!
It's FUN Day — watching Rugby at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.
Tatoosh Range, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Mount Rainier National Park offers smaller treasures in contrast to its dramatic views. In early July, glacier lilies(Erythronium grandiflorum) appear along the Bench and Snow Lake Trail. Scanned from a Kodachrome slide.
Bondi Beach
The sweeping white-sand crescent of Bondi is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. Reliable waves draw surfers while, nearby, hardy locals swim in the Icebergs ocean pool year-round. Trendy, health-conscious Sydneysiders head to laid-back cafes around Hall Street, while hip backpackers frequent the area's casual pubs. Walkers and joggers use the clifftop Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, with its dramatic scenery.
Founded: 1851
Population: 11,656 (2016 census)
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Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.
Founded: January 26, 1788
Population: 5.23 million (2018)
The Monastery and Church of Sant Joan de las Abadeses captures the essence of Catalán/Benedictine spirituality in the Pyrenees, if not in all of Spain. Its dramatic sculpture Descent from the Cross - the ensemble is considered by some as the ultimate expression of Romanesque art in Spain. The altarpiece is also known by the name of the Most Holy Mystery because in 1426 some remains of consecrated hosts were found incorruptible in a reliquary hidden inside the head of Christ.
Don Harris
A Romanesque Pyrenees Experience
Chīori: Talk by Alex Kerr
www.japanhouselondon.uk/whats-on/2020/chiori-talk-by-alex...
Iya Valley, a secluded mountainous region in Tokushima Prefecture is often referred to as Togenkyō (lit. utopia) thanks to its dramatic landscapes and lush nature, which boasts precipitous gorges and hundreds of old thatched houses perched on its hillsides.
In this event, Japan House London dedicates an evening to explore regional revitalization and preservation of cultural traditions which have been carried over throughout centuries to the present day.
With contributions from members of Tokushima Prefecture and author Alex Kerr, this panel discussion chaired by Japan House London Programming Director Simon Wright discusses various aspects of culture in Tokushima, such as the awa-odori dance, and investigates Alex Kerr’s approach towards the renovation of Chīori (‘House of the Flute’), a wooden house with thatched roof, to help preserve the local lifestyle and the hundreds of kominka (lit. ‘old house’) in the area.
The book ‘Lost Japan’ by Alex Kerr will be available to purchase in The Shop at the Ground Floor on the day. Guests who purchase the book in The Shop have the opportunity to have their copy signed by the author during the drinks reception following this event, which features a selection of sake from Tokushima Prefecture.
About the Speaker
Alex Kerr came to Yokohama with his family as a child in 1964 and has lived in Kameoka (near Kyoto) since 1977. Alex writes in both English and Japanese, and is author of numerous books on Japan, including Lost Japan (1993), Dogs and Demons (2001), Nippon Keikanron ‘Theory of Japanese Landscape’ (2014), Another Kyoto (2016) and Kanko Bokokuron (2019).
In addition to his involvement in Japanese arts in Kyoto, Alex worked as Japan representative of American real estate developer Trammell Crow in the 1980s. He is known for his work on restoration of old houses, having restored over forty houses in towns around Japan. Alex speaks to groups across Japan about ways to revive their local economies by preserving cultural heritage and developing sustainable tourism.
www.pinterest.com/carnavalbz/bible-stories/cain-and-able/
Fernand Cormon’s giant 1880 painting almost fills an entire gallery wall at the Musee d’Orsay, Paris, not just because it is almost 23 feet long (7 meters) but also because its dramatic starkness directly strikes the viewer in the often-darkened room. The biblical background of Genesis 4:11-12 is alluded in Cormon’s most known picture: “4:11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 4:12 When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” This story of Cain murdering his brother Abel details some of the narrative of the first homicide in the Bible, occurring ominously within the first few pages of literary human history almost as a foresight of the dysfunctional human family to come. The inspiration Cormon (1845-1924) noted for the vast canvas comes from the first lines of Victor Hugo’s poem, itself developed from the biblical text:
“When with his children clothed in animal skins
Dishevelled, livid, buffeted by the storms
Cain fled from Jehovah,
In the fading light, the grim man came
To the foot of a mountain in a vast plain…”
Victor Hugo, “Conscience”, La Legende des siecles (1859)
Thunder Bay Harbour 2023 Sleeping Giant (Nanibijou).
The Sleeping Giant is a formation of mesas and sills on Sibley Peninsula which resembles a giant lying on its back when viewed from the west to north-northwest section of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. As one moves southward along the shoreline toward Squaw Bay the Sleeping Giant starts to separate into its various sections. Most distinctly in the view from the cliffs at Squaw Bay the Giant appears to have an Adam's Apple. The formation is part of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Its dramatic steep cliffs are among the highest in Ontario (250 m). The southernmost point is known as Thunder Cape, depicted by many early Canadian artists such as William Armstrong.
One Ojibway legend identifies the giant as Nanabijou, who was turned to stone when the secret location of a rich silver mine now known as Silver Islet was disclosed to white men.[3]
The 69th annual Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) inspiring show.
Canadian Forces Snowbirds bring the performance to its dramatic finale.
Portland Bill is the rugged, southernmost tip of the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England, located on the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, strong tidal currents, and maritime history, it is a popular destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and sightseers.Key
Portland Bill Lighthouse: The iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse stands 41 meters tall and has been guiding ships through the English Channel since 1906. You can climb the 155 steps to the lantern room for panoramic views of the Jurassic Coast and visit the "Dark & Light" exhibition.
This is the main apartment of the house. It features amazing Vaulted ceilings, various relaxing and socialising spots with chaise longue, sofas, the dining area, the lare kitchen.
Podere al Salcio is an 18th century stone and brick country house originally built in the local tradition as a farming building, with animals in the low building on the left, haystack, granary and deposit on the ground floor of the main house. The first floor used to hosts the farmers' families.
It enjoys the most stunning views 360° degrees round, changing in colour throughout the day and seasons. Val d'Orcia is a Unesco World Heritage region for its dramatic beauty and untouched landscapes.
After the faliure of the original corinthian basilica design a Ruskin inspired lombardic, Italianate design was begun in the 1870's by the architect Hansom.It was abandoned half-complete and without its dramatic campinile.
The former Catholic pro-Cathedral, Clifton Bristol. After suffering a long indignity of abandoned and compromised designs the building was abandoned in the 1970's when the congregation moved into a new building. For a while the building served as a school, but is now derelict and awaiting a reconstruction as a large scale housing scheme.
The 69th annual Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) inspiring show.
Canadian Forces Snowbirds bring the performance to its dramatic finale.
"White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features. " A popular activity here is sledding on the dunes using plastic discs or elongated sleds.
The redness in the sky to the west was now alarming, although I knew the reason, it felt like something supernatural.
Palgrave was just a few miles from Hepworth, and one I hoped to find open, and at just after four in the afternoon, but nearly dar, it was.
It was really very gloomy inside the church, even with the lights on, shots were difficult to take. I was on a mission to snap all I could as soon as possible before the light failed altogether.
Church features a splendid Norman font, modern glass, and the remains of a spiral staircase leading to a room over the south porch, the floor of which has long since vanished. The stairs now a broom cupboard.
Wonderful painted roof, I thought maybe done in the last century, but might be much, much older than that.
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2015: I've visited Palgrave church several times since this account first appeared, most recently to take the photographs here. However, I hope I will be forgiven for retaining the original text from 2003, if only for its freshness, and perhaps also for what may be viewed at this distance as its charm.
2003: I arrived at Diss railway station in that gentle sunshine for which we’ll remember the Spring of 2003. Diss is in Norfolk; I had just crossed the border on my train journey from Ipswich, but I was bound for Diss's southern suburb, the Suffolk village of Palgrave. I cycled off from the station. I headed under the railway line, and over the infant Waveney. At this point, I entered Suffolk again, but there were no county signs in either direction. To be honest, it didn’t feel that different, apart from the way that the road surface improved, the schools came off special measures, the police force became efficient, and so on.
The countryside opened out into golden oilseed rape fields under a wide sky. It was good to be home. Soon, I was coming into Palgrave village, which seemed very pleasant indeed.
In medieval times, Palgrave was actually two parishes; the westerly one, Palgrave St John, has been subsumed into this one, and that church has completely disappeared. However, this pretty church is walled neatly into its graveyard at the heart of the village, which spreads neatly around it. As this was my first church of the day, I hoped it would be open; it always puts a crimp in a trip if the first one is a lock-out. I was not disappointed; St Peter is a friendly parish that knows that part of its Christian mission is to welcome strangers and pilgrims.
I stepped through the elaborate arch of the late 15th Century south doorway. An angel and a dragon contended in the spandrels, and there were characterful heads carved in the entrance arch. Inside, a very nice lady was busy with the flowers, and took time out to show me around. All the while, I was conscious that above my head the lovely painted roof of Palgrave. Marian monograms and symbols punctuate the whitewash; once, many small Suffolk churches must have been like this. Perhaps someone can explain to me why this one hasn’t faded like many of the others; I don’t think it has been redone.
The other famous treasure here is the font. It is unlike anything else in Suffolk. Clearly Norman, but much more elaborate than most, its most outstanding features are the faces in each corner. Again, this is a more intimate experience of the faces we normally see as corbels; but Palgrave has these too, stunning medieval characters along the lines of the arcades.
While we are on the subject of treasure, there were two modern features that were obviously loved by the locals. Firstly, Surinder Warboys has her studio nearby at Mellis, and here is one of her windows in the south aisle. The light flooded through it. The lady told me that everybody liked it, but that it was very hard to do a flower arrangement in front of it! I thought that they had done very well. Secondly, up in the chancel is the benefice millennium banner – people from all the parishes came together and produced this amazing patchwork cross. On the back, there are panels depicting the mission of the Church. Apparently, it is shared around the benefice churches for display for a few weeks at a time.
In the place where many churches now display the coat of arms, Palgrave has part of a suit of armour. I have seen an explanation in several books that it was from the parish armoury, which was once stored in the upper room of the porch, as at Mendlesham. This upper room has now gone, and the armoury has, as in most churches, been dispersed. However, I could find no evidence for this story, and it seems to be based on one of Arthur Mee’s fancies. I don't think it is even real armour; rather, it is similar to the mock plate armour behind the Bacon memorial at nearby Redgrave. It seems likely to me that this is also part of an old set of armour associated with a memorial of some kind, which the Victorians swept away. I don’t suppose we’ll ever know.
Back outside again, I took time out to photograph the famous grave of carter John Catchpole, with its relief of a wagon and horses – you can see it in the left-hand column. It seems a modern fashion to decorate headstones with symbols associated with the deceased; nice to know it was happening in the mid-18th century.
I turned, and looked back at the neat tower, the splendid porch with its dramatic niches. You can see that there was once an upper room, but it has now gone.
And it was time for me to be gone, too. Waving cheerily, I headed off in the direction of Thrandeston, all the road back to Ipswich open in front of me in the sunshine.
Simon Knott, August 2003, updated July 2015
All Saints in Pavement, York is distinguished by its dramatic octagonal tower, a major landmark of the city and masterpiece of late medieval architecture. The church itself is of mainly 14th/15th century date, though lost its chancel in the following centuries. The west window contains reset late 14th century panels depicting the Passion.
This church is generally open and welcoming to visitors.
Waterloo Place Bridge seen from East Market Street.
Bridges and embankments thrown across to the adjacent hills from the steep sided spine of the Royal Mile were how Edinburgh managed to escape the confines of the Old Town in the 19th century. Those heroic efforts of civil engineering gave the city many of its dramatic views, and in some cases its multilevel character.
This is part of the New Town seen from the Old Town.
Original DSC09005.ARW_ntX
Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic volcanic landscape of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, glaciers and black-sand beaches. The capital, Reykjavik, home to the majority of the population, runs on geothermal power and offers a renowned nightlife scene as well as Viking history museums. The glaciers in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsnes national parks are popular for ice climbing, hiking and snowmobiling.
Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic volcanic landscape of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, glaciers and black-sand beaches. The capital, Reykjavik, home to the majority of the population, runs on geothermal power and offers a renowned nightlife scene as well as Viking history museums. The glaciers in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsnes national parks are popular for ice climbing, hiking and snowmobiling.
Lake Como, in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region, is an upscale resort area known for its dramatic scenery, set against the foothills of the Alps. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y, with three slender branches that meet at the resort town of Bellagio. At the bottom of the southwest branch lies the city of Como, home to Renaissance architecture and a funicular that travels up to the mountain town of Brunate.
Andenes is a small coastal village located on the island of Andøya in northern Norway, within the Vesterålen archipelago. It is one of the northernmost settlements in the country and is known for its dramatic Arctic landscapes and strong connection to the sea.
The village is surrounded by rugged coastlines, open ocean, and wide skies, creating a sense of isolation and natural beauty. One of its most famous features is the nearby continental shelf, where deep ocean waters come close to shore—making Andenes one of the best places in Europe for whale watching. Visitors often come here to see sperm whales, orcas, and humpback whales.
Andenes is also home to the historic Andenes Lighthouse, which has guided ships along this remote coast since the 19th century. The area experiences unique natural phenomena, including the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter, attracting travelers year-round.
Despite its remote location, Andenes has a rich cultural life tied to fishing, Arctic exploration, and modern scientific research, including a space center used for atmospheric studies.
Overall, Andenes offers a raw, authentic Arctic experience defined by nature, wildlife, and the vastness of the North Atlantic.
Masada (Hebrew for fortress) has become one of the Jewish people's greatest symbols as the place where the last Jewish stronghold against Roman invasion stood. Next to Jerusalem, it is the most popular destination of tourists visiting Israel.
Located on a 600 x 300m plateau atop an isolated rock cliff at the western end of the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea.
It’s casemate wall (two parallel walls with partitions dividing the space between them into rooms), is 1400 m. long and 4 m. wide and was built along the edge of the plateau.
Three narrow, winding paths led from below to fortified gates and the water supply was guaranteed by a network of large, rock-hewn cisterns on the northwestern side of the hill.
On the east side, the rock falls in a sheer drop of about 450 meters to the Dead Sea and on the western edge it stands about 100 meters above the surrounding terrain.
More than two thousand years have passed since the fall of the Masada fortress yet the regional climate and its remoteness have helped to preserve the remains of its extraordinary story.
Herod the Great built the fortress of Masada between 37 and 31 BC and “furnished it as a refuge for himself.”
Some 75 years after Herod’s death, at the beginning of the Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in 66 AD, a group of Jewish rebels overcame the Roman garrison of Masada and affter the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (70 AD) they were joined by zealots and their families who had fled from Jerusalem.
For three years, they withstood the raiding and harassing Romans, but in 73 AD, the Romans established camps at the base of Masada, laid siege and having constructed a rampart of thousands of tons of stones and beaten earth against the western approaches of the fortress, in the spring of 74 AD they moved a battering ram up the ramp and breached the wall of the fortress.
Once it became apparent that Masada's walls would be breached all the Jewish defenders committed suicide rather than face the Roman conquerers.
The heroic story of Masada and its dramatic end attracted many explorers to the Judean desert in attempts to locate the remains of the fortress. The site was identified in 1842, but intensive excavations took place only in the mid-1960's.
To many Jews, Masada symbolizes the determination to be free in their own land.
White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features. Dunes Drive is a looped road from the White Sands Visitor Center to the dune field. Read the blog post - www.dvrawfiles.com/white-sands-new-mexico Watch the vlog - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwKZVqNfiU
The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person. The mortally sick King Edward I rested here for five months in 1306-7, shortly before his death on his final campaign.
The east end of the 13th-century church survives to its full height, housing within its dramatic triple tier of arches some fine monuments.
White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features. Dunes Drive is a looped road from the White Sands Visitor Center to the dune field. Read the blog post - www.dvrawfiles.com/white-sands-new-mexico Watch the vlog - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwKZVqNfiU
Arnarstapi is a small fishing village on the southern coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. Historically an important fishing and trading post, it is now best known for its dramatic coastal scenery, basalt cliffs, sea arches, and rich birdlife. The village lies at the foot of Snæfellsjökull and serves as a popular starting point for coastal walks to nearby Hellnar. One of its most recognizable landmarks is the stone sculpture of Bárður Snæfellsás, a figure from Icelandic folklore associated with the peninsula.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Often called "Iceland in Miniature," the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of the country's most diverse regions, featuring volcanoes, glaciers, lava fields, black-sand beaches, fishing villages, waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and rugged coastlines. Dominating the peninsula is Snæfellsjökull, the glacier-capped volcano made famous by Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. The peninsula is widely regarded as one of Iceland’s most scenic destinations due to the variety of landscapes concentrated in a relatively small area.
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Stolby Nature Reserve is a Russian strict nature reserve located 10 km south of the city of Krasnoyarsk and known for its dramatic complexes of rocks.
Second largest canyon in the US located in the Texas panhandle. Being named "The Grand Canyon of Texas" both for its size and for its dramatic geological features, including the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls similar to those in the Grand Canyon.
Citation: Texas Park Wildlife. Lighthouse Rock at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. .