Monday, July 23, 2012

Al Ain Paradise, World's Most Hanging Flower Baskets


Al Ain Paradise, is a public garden holding the world record for the most hanging flower baskets (2,968) and represents the latest in landscaping and irrigation technology. It was awarded the Guinness World Records achievement on the 20th of March 2010. It is located at Zakher Area of Sweifi District, a 15-minute drive from Al Ain Town Center, in UAE. The gardens originally opened in 2010 in a 7,000 square-meter space on Nahyan Al Awal Street at the Zakher roundabout.  But it has increased to 21,000 square-meters.

 

Vertical landscaping is always a challenge, especially in this climate where proper controlled irrigation is vital for the living plants.

In addition to the display of living plants, which have to survive a season lasting seven months, there is a model of the Eiffel Tower and several intriguing sculptures.

The heart arches represent the three municipalities of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region).

Source of images: Gulf News.com  and Al Ain Enthusiast
Source of information:  The National

Friday, July 20, 2012

Palawan Island Nº1 Getaway In The World





























By:


The fun in the Philippines is definitely starting to pick up with a private getaway island in Palawan province taking the top spot in the British edition of Vogue Magazine’s 100 best holiday destinations in the world.

In a statement, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said Philippine tourism would surely benefit from the worldwide recognition.
“What is remarkable is that the entire resort is a testament to the unique artistry and skills of Filipino designers and artisans,” Jimenez said.

“The use of local materials and traditional techniques serves as good advertising for Filipino craftsmanship and world-class products,” he added.

The resort is owned by British property developer Charles McCulloch and his wife, Carrie.

The United Kingdom remains to be one of the Philippines’ biggest tourism markets, registering over 104,400 tourist arrivals last year, which the DOT noted was a record.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

George, Tallest Dog in the World




Giant George – The Tallest Dog in the World.

# Weighing in at over 245 pounds (111 kg) and standing 43 inches tall (1.09 meters), Giant George is the Guinness World Record Holder for Tallest Living Dog & Tallest Dog Ever.

# When standing on his hind legs, George measures a staggering 7 feet three inches.

# George is 6 years old and was born November 17, 2005.

# He’s a Great Dane and AKC (American Kennel Club) Registered.

# George sleeps on alone on a Queen Size Bed and consumes over 110 pounds (49 kg) of food every month.



To view more pictures of Giant George, visit :  Daily Mail and Snopes.com.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Watermelon, Anyone?

Source of Image:  Amazing watermelon art



In hot summer months, there is nothing like a  watermelon for dessert but when presented as beautifully as above, it seems like  you would rather have them conserved forever.

For carving tips and recipes visit : Watermelon.org         

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Glamping in Spain

It is vacation time again, and glamping becomes popular. Two concepts that seem to be contrary like "camping" and "glamour" have been joined together to make way for "glamping" a perfect mix for nature, conveniences, respect for the environment and elegance. See below some of the glamping sites in Spain.  Source: Ocholeguas.com by Patricia Osuna.


The Hoopoe Yurt Hotel. This hotel has five yurts, a circular, domed, portable tent used by nomadic peoples of central Asia located in Cortes de Frontera (Málaga). Each one is decorated in  differently, provided with private bathroom, hot showers and ecologic toilet.  They offer continental  breakfast and lunch with  Spanish or Italian bread sandwiches, plate of cheese or cold cuts and salads.  And for dinner under the stars, they prepare ingredients from their vegetable garden or of local produce.  Cost:  120 euros per night and yurt and breakfast included.   For more information, visit: www.yurthotel.com


The Jaima.  In the Marnes Rural Refuge House (Alicante) they have installed a real beduin tent, decorated luxuriously and equipped with kitchen and bathroom.  With capacity for four people, the guests can enjoy a wide area of 20 hectares of own land to take a walk.  Cost: from 395 €/week.  For more information, visit:
www.tienda-campana-de-lujo.com.


Another world.   Just by looking at the photos of the lodging in the  Sierra del Segura (Albacete) one realizes that its name meets it to a "T".  Two eco domes decorated with a retro chic style and equipped with an ecologic bathroom, a small kitchen and shower (water is heated by solar energy)  are all that is needed to be able to disconnect completely from routine.  Cost:  between 60 to 80€.   For more information, visit: www.otro-mundo.com


Laila's House. Sophisticated and with an Arab touch, this eco retreat situado  in the Valle del Guadalhorce, with views of the Andalucian town of Alhaurín el Grande, offers five cozy tents (2/3 occupants per tent) equipped with comfortable beds and pillows, rugs, with sheep leather on the floor, beddings and towels, electricity, wifi, outside kitchen, swimming pool, showers with hot water...  Cost:  30€ per person/night.  (includes breakfast).  For more information, visit: www.casadelaila.es



Finca Siete Puertas.  Only one hour from the  Costa del Sol, in El Valle del Guadiaro, we can find another example of glamping.  In the middle of the garden with trees of quince, apricots, peaches, figs and almonds, they have constructed three yurts with a small swimming pool to cool off during the summer months and with a barbecue.  The lodging is situated by the doors of the natural parks of Grazalema and  Alcornocales and beside the Cañada del Real Tesoro.  Cost: 60 €/night (includes breakfast). For more information, visit: www.yurtsinspain.com.

The above are only some of the glamping sites in Spain, for more sites, visit: Ocholeguas.com.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Women and Flowers

"Bear in mind always that
skin gets wrinkled, hair turns grey, days become years but that there is one important thing that does not change:  your inner strength”.  
- Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Albanese Missionary/Saint 1910-1979



"The body gets wrinkled, that is  inevitable, but not the brain.
Keep your brain with illusion, active, make it work, and it will never degenerate". 
-Rita Levi Montalcini- Italian neurologist 22-04-1909 Nobel Prize Medicine


"Nothing in life is to be feared,
merely to be understood.

Now is the time to comprehend more in order to fear less".- Marie Curie, Polish/French physicist.  1867-1934



 "I am that woman that climbed the mountain of life.Turning over stones and planting flowers".-Cora Coralina, pseudonym of
Ana Lins dos Guimarães Peixoto Bretas, Brazilian poetess and story teller 1889-1985).



"He who does not know how to cry with  his heart, neither will know how to laugh".
-Golda Meir stateswoman
 Russian Jewish 1898-1978





"One must never crawl if he has the instinct to fly".
-Helen Keller
American writer and teacher for the deaf and blind 1880-1968













Beautiful orchids for some women with beautiful thoughts that made history.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Ballet of Flowers



Each flower is filmed for two hours and each photograph is taken with an interval of 7 minutes each, producing this effect. What a beautiful presentation! It seems like a ballet of flowers. Source: Maestroviejo's Blog