Butterfly Valley | Faralya, Turkey

Butterfly Valley | Faralya, Turkey

Butterfly Valley, which is located near the town of Fethiye, south-west Turkey. The Butterfly Valley near Fethiye is a hidden gem of Turkeys Turquoise Coast. The south of Ölüdeniz and 30 km south of Fethiye, Faralya was known simply as the "village on the cliffs of the Butterfly Valley" until recently, when travelers start to take a deeper look to the village. The village itself is quite a pleasant sight to see, with its houses and gardens cascading towards the cliffs of the Valley. Deep, steep and accessible only by boat or via the Lycian Way walking trail, which is advised against. The Valley has only been visited in the last twenty or so years before that it was relatively untouched and unknown. Luckily due to the valley being inaccessibly it has kept intact and pure. Butterfly Valley is one of the most worth seeing places in Turkey. The valley lies in the foothills of the 2000 metre high Mount Babadağ and runs between soaring rock walls. 

Image credit Denis Barushev

The valley is located at the base of Babadag mountain and is protected by the World Heritage Foundation. It gets it's name from the unique butterfly species, who have up until recently been the only residents in the valley for thousands of years. There are over 60 different species of butterfly in the valley some appearing in the day time and others only venturing out at night. There are many rare butterflies and for those who are enthusiasts there is a small museum located in the valley dedicated to giving more in depth information about the species that can be found there.

Image credit Yodod

The untouched valley is lush green and has much vegetation, some of the land is being cultivated to produce fresh fruit and vegetable to feed the hungry travelers that are desperate to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby tourist areas. Many of those choosing to stay on the island are backpackers, who bring tents or stay in the tree houses provided. Many of the boat trips that leave daily from Oludeniz beach make a stop at Butterfly Valley. Visitors are asked to refrain from shouting whilst exploring as the butterflies are very sensitive. Also to preserve the valley by taking your litter away after your visit.

Image credit Homongolos

Image credit Rick Giner

Image credit ]toaster[

Image credit Patty Ho

Image credit PhotoMK

Image credit worldturkey2

Image credit Stijn Nieuwendijk

Image credit Volkan Andac

Image credit dammh

The Stunning Magdeburg Water Bridge | Germany

The Stunning Magdeburg Water Bridge | Germany

The Magdeburg Water Bridge or Kanalbrücke Magdeburg is a large navigable aqueduct in central Germany, located near Magdeburg. The largest canal under-bridge in Europe, it spans the river Elbe and directly connects the Mittellandkanal to the west and Elbe-Havel Canal to the east of the river, allowing large commercial ships to pass between the Rhineland and Berlin without having to descend into and then climb out of the Elbe itself. Magdeburg water bridge , whose construction lasted from 1997 to 2003 - one of the most important waterways in Germany. The need for it is long overdue , however, the First, Second , and behind them the Cold War and the division of Germany was not allowed to bring into effect a plan of construction . And only with the unification of Germany two major German channel - Elbe-Havel and Mittelland - were connected water bridge , and hence much simpler way from the inland port of Berlin to the ports on the Rhine.

Image credit TakesiKovacs

It stretches for 918 meters Magdeburg water bridge caught the title of the longest bridge in the world of water from the aqueduct French Briard , which he held more than a hundred years. German engineering marvel no less impressive Germans and German guests than their British Aqueduct Pontkisillte or Union Canal in Scotland with its navigable aqueducts , one of which operates the famous Falkirk Wheel .

Image credit ameridime

Magdeburg water bridge: The same under the bridge, Here the Elbe flows through under the Mittelland Canal. Image credit Patrick Scholl

Image credit Patrick Scholl

Image credit Patrick Scholl

Magdeburg - Rothensee boat lift: Trough in upper position — Der Trog, in dem Schiffe hochgehoben und herabgelassen wurden. Image credit Patrick Scholl

Magdeburg - Rothensee boat lift: Under the trough — Blick unter den angehobenen Trog.

Image credit Patrick Scholl

Magdeburg water bridge: Western abutment — Das westliche Widerlager der Kanalbücke. 

Image credit Patrick Scholl

Image credit Patrick Scholl

Huanglong Valley | Yellow Dragon-China's Sichuan province

Huanglong Valley | Yellow Dragon

Huanglong is located in the northwestern part of China's Sichuan province. The reserve is located 50 kilometers north of the city of Chengdu, in the northwestern part of Sichuan province. All buffer zone extends deep into China to 40,000 hectares. In this region, rich in many rare and endangered species that are listed as endangered, among them - the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. In fact, the name of Huanglong means "Yellow Dragon Valley" in the local language.

Image credit Tomoaki INABA

The greatest number of such facilities are concentrated in the gorge Huanlungou. Located in the Gorge Waterfalls Chzhaga Mouna, the largest in China drop height falls from a height of 93 meters and has a width of 40 m main attraction Huanglong - travertine terraces, which focused on the segment of the valley of the same name in length 3.6 km, which includes snow-capped peaks and the easternmost glaciers in China.

Image credit Toshiyuki IMAI

Travertine landscapes are the result of thousands of years of processes, during which glaciers flowing from the water penetrates into the ground. Gradually developed numerous underground streams, dissolved limestone mountain. 

Image credit pati1976

In Huanglong River starts Fujian, notable mainly for its direct course and zigzag tributaries. On both sides of the valley framed by pine forests adjacent to the deciduous trees and shrubs. Clearing, covered with a green carpet, full of white, blue, red and purple flowers.

Image credit Luke Lui

Huanglong was observed since ancient times. A pair of small stone pagodas found in reservoirs at the beginning of the valley, which were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and attracted a large number of parishioners. Most of the terrain is extremely important in the local Tibetan religion, culture and folklore. There are many legends associated with various natural objects Reserve. One of them says that once a huge yellow dragon flying over the valley dropped his scales, and it is here formed a long slope of picturesque cascades.

Image credit Toshiyuki IMAI

In 1992, Huanglong Nature Reserve was included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Within the reserve, there are over 3,500 lakes, but they are mostly shallow, gentle winter they are covered with frost, ice and water at this time of year is of special, turquoise-blue tint. Huanglong is especially beautiful in autumn when the blue to emerald lakes fringed golden rapids rampage added warm red and yellow colors.

Image credit Toshiyuki IMAI

Image credit Tomoaki INABA

Image credit Eric

Image credit Toshiyuki IMAI

Image credit zhenchu

Image credit Toshiyuki IMAI

Image credit Ronald Tan

Image credit Luke Lui

Image credit Eric

The State Aviation Museum of Ukraine

The State Aviation Museum of Ukraine

The State Aviation Museum is an aviation museum located next to Zhulyany Airport in Kiev, Ukraine. Museums across Ukraine play a vital role in preserving the history and the culture of the country, and one part of its heritage that should not be overlooked, is its magnificent relationship with the aviation industry. Because of the significance of aviation, the State Aviation Museum opened its doors to the public, under directorship of Yuriy Ziatdinov, on 30 September 2003. The museum has welcomed thousands of visitors and is one of the recommended attractions in Kiev today.

Image credit Clive Stanley

The State Aviation Museum is one of the most technically advanced museums in Ukraine, as it does not merely offer fascinating exhibits, but interactive displays. Each division in the museum concentrates on a specific time period within the aviation industry and therefore has a wide variety of aircraft and related memorabilia for visitors to explore. Some of the displays focus solely on historical aircraft such as the MiG Jet collection, the Anatra Anasal (1917-1918) and even helicopters that were used during certain wars. Text Source

Image credit Clive Clive Stanley

One airplane that stands out, and is the pride and joy of the Ukraine Air Force, is the Tu-22M. This magnificent strategic missile carrier is part of the Backfire Collection of the museum, and its various models are displayed here, as well as their basic armament that includes cruise missiles and warheads. Helicopters and ship based aircraft that is used by the navy is also on display and the fighter planes and attack aircraft complete the collection. In total, there are more than seventy airplanes on display and the museum covers fifteen hectares to house their extensive collection. Text Source

Image credit Clive Igor Bralgin

The interactive displays allow visitors to take up passenger or crew positions on the aircraft and even get their hands on the controls of one of these mighty machines. Sitting in the cockpit gives the visitor a realistic experience of being a pilot and gives them the opportunity to let their imaginations take them on the adventure of being a fighter pilot or captain of a commercial airliner. The State Aviation Museum is a magnificent attraction that captures the history of aviation in the USSR and Ukraine. Text Source

Image credit Clive Wayan Vota

Image credit Clive Nils Mosberg

Image credit Clive Nils Mosberg

Image credit Clive john Grew

Image credit Clive john Grew

Image credit Clive Clive Stanley

Image credit Clive Clive Stanley

Image credit Clive Clive Stanley

Image credit Clive Clive Stanley

Image credit Clive Stanley

Image credit Clive Clive Stanley

Image credit Clive Wayan Vota

Image credit Clive Stanley

Image credit Clive farflungistan

Image credit Clive Sergii Vozniuk

Image credit Clive DAVID HOLT

Image credit Clive DAVID HOLT