Sunday, August 30, 2020

Palace and Park of Fontainebleau - France

Used by the kings of France from the 12th century, the medieval royal hunting lodge of Fontainebleau, standing at the heart of a vast forest in the Ile-de-France, was transformed, enlarged and embellished in the 16th century by François I, who wanted to make a 'New Rome' of it. 
Surrounded by an immense park, the Italianate palace combines Renaissance and French artistic traditions. 

5 photos.

Thun - Switzerland

Thun is a town in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. 
At Thun the river Aare rises from Lake Thun. 
In Thun is an important base of the Swiss army and an associated panzer museum. 

5 photos.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Olympic National Park - USA

Located in the north-west of Washington State, Olympic National Park is renowned for the diversity of its ecosystems. 
Glacier-clad peaks interspersed with extensive alpine meadows are surrounded by an extensive old growth forest, among which is the best example of intact and protected temperate rainforest in the Pacific Northwest. 
Eleven major river systems drain the Olympic mountains, offering some of the best habitat for anadromous fish species in the country. 
The park also includes 100 km of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States, and is rich in native and endemic animal and plant species, including critical populations of the endangered northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet and bull trout. 

5 photos.

The three sloths

A king had three sons. 
They were all equally dear to him and he did not know whom he would appoint as king after his death. 
When the time came for him to die, he called them to his bed and said, "Dear children, I have come up with something, and I will let you know: who is the louder of you, he must become king after my death.  
" Then the elder said, "Father, then the kingdom is mine. 
Because I'm so lazy, when I'm lying down and I want to sleep and a drop falls in my eyes, I don't even close them to sleep. 
" The second said, “Father, the kingdom belongs to me. 
Because I'm so lazy, when I sit by the fire to warm myself, 
I'd rather burn my soles than shift my legs. 
" The third said, "Father, the kingdom belongs to me. 
Because I am so lazy: if I were to be hanged and I already had the noose around my neck, and someone gave me a sharp knife to cut the noose, 
I would rather let myself be hanged than my hand would lift to the noose. 
" When the father heard that, he said, 
"You have brought it farthest and will be king."

Friday, August 28, 2020

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls - Israel

As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance. 
Among its 220 historic monuments, the Dome of the Rock stands out: built in the 7th century, it is decorated with beautiful geometric and floral motifs. 
It is recognized by all three religions as the site of Abraham's sacrifice. 
The Wailing Wall delimits the quarters of the different religious communities, while the Resurrection rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses Christ's tomb. 

5 photos.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a sport in which you descend a snowy mountain slope or slope on a board with attached shoes. 
The sport of snowboarding is derived from surfing. 

5 photos.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Niokolo-Koba National Park - Senegal

Located in a well-watered area along the banks of the Gambia river, the gallery forests and savannahs of Niokolo-Koba National Park have a very rich fauna, among them Derby elands (largest of the antelopes), chimpanzees, lions, leopards and a large population of elephants, as well as many birds, reptiles and amphibians. 

5 photos

Córdoba - Spain

Córdoba is a city in Andalusia in the south of Spain. 
It is the capital of the province of Córdoba. 
The city is located 122 meters above sea level, on the river Guadalquivir and at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountain range. 

5 photos.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve - Cote d'Ivoire

Located on the borders of Guinea, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, Mount Nimba rises above the surrounding savannah. 
Its slopes are covered by dense forest at the foot of grassy mountain pastures. 
They harbour an especially rich flora and fauna, with endemic species such as the viviparous toad and chimpanzees that use stones as tools. 

5 photos

Soshanguve - South Africa

Soshanguve, previously known as Mabopane East, is a municipality about 30 km north of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. 
The name Soshanguve is an acronym for SOtho, SHAngaan, NGUni and VEnda, according to the multi-ethnic composition of the population. 

5 photos.