Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Belogradchik rocks, Bulgaria


The French traveler Germon Blanky wrote the next on the Belogradchishki Skali in the far 1841: “Neither the famous narrow passes of Aulihul in Provance, neither the Pancarbo Gorge in Spain, neither the Alps, neither the Pyrenees, nor the most eminent Tyrol mountains in Switzerland have anything, which can be compared with what I saw in Bulgaria in the town of Belogradchik”. The known Felix Kanits appends: “It’s hardly probable that a more romantic fortress than the Belogradchik one has ever been built”.

The region is one of the natural wonders of Bulgaria! A fairytale stone world surrounds Belogradchik from west, south and southeast. If you come from Sofia by car you will see at first the Falkov-Borovets group of rocks with Momina Skala (Maiden’s Rock), Pchelin kamak, Torlaka, Borovishki Kamak and etc. Lipenitsa group is to the east of the town among which biggest interest evoke the Dinosaur and the Latin Kale (a strategic fortress surrounded by a fortified wall). It is worth seeing the Lepenishka Cave in which coaled wheat and watercrafts dating 2000 years ago were found, and the Izvozki oak - more than 1200 years old. Among the Zbegovska group of rocks to the west of the town a great impression make the Twins, the rocks in the area called Magaza, Small and Big Zbeg, which were used as fortresses, the lonely obelisk Borich and the Belogradchik stone bridge. The primal group rises right away above the town. One can see about 100 m high lonely rocks named Adam and Eve, the delicate Madonna, Konika (The Rider), Uchenichkata (The Female Student), Mechkata (The Bear), the Dervish (Muslim clergyman), the impressive Borov Kamak, Mo-na-site (The Monks), the terrific kale with ancient fortress walls, above which the most magic rock wonders rise.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Tree of life, Bahrain

The Tree of Life in Bahrain is one of the mysteries of world which should be in your sightseeing list while in this Asian country. The Tree of Life in Bahrain is 400 old mesquite tree which lives in the middle of desert. The mystery of the survival of the tree has made it a legend. People from all over the Middle East and the world want to visit this spot to see this magic of nature. The name “tree of life” is absolutely fit for the tree as it truly symbolizes the magic of life. A legend is also attached to the place where the tree is located. The local inhabitants believe with heart and soul that this was the actual location of the Garden of Eden.
The Tree of Life or Sharajat-al-Hayat, as the Arabs call it, is located 1.2 miles or 2 kilometers away from Jebel Dukhan. The tree stands lonely in the heart of desert and from far away it looks like a green spot in the white desert.

This large tree (the size of a big banyan tree in India), with its solid trunk, stout branches and luxuriant green leaves is a mystery to one and all, stands majestically. It stands on top of a 25-foot-high sandy hill. The tree has continued growing-despite the extremities of the climate. At present it is 32 feet in height.
It is fascinating to see something grow in such heavy conditions - loneliness, heat, drought, dust storms and grazing animals. The average temperatures are probably about 110 or so and the hot winds blow heavily.
The tree’s source of water is mystery. Plant scientist may say that its roots go very deep and wide to get water from the reserves of sweet springs kilometers away. The Bedouins believe that Enki, the mythical God of water, had showered its blessing... and greenery on the Tree. This tree is Nature’s gift to Bahrain.According to one theory of some scientists who have studied the rings on the trunk of "Tree" (a tough, ancient acacia), they say it is over 1500 years old. Almost declaring it as the best preserved heritage of the 5000 years old land of "Dilmun" (meaning noble) which was ancient name of Bahrain.

source