Pirates of Somalia

Piracy off the Somali coast has been a threat to international shipping since the beginning of Somalia’s civil war in the early 1990s. Somali pirates continue their attacks against international ships in and around the Gulf of Aden, despite the deterrent of stepped-up international naval escorts and patrols – and the increased failure rate of their attacks. Under agreements with Somalia, the U.N, and each other, ships belonging to fifteen countries now patrol the area.

Pirates are being captured more regularly and being handed over to authorities in Yeman, Somalia and Kenya for trial. I was always curious about Pirates of Somalia, so I collected these photos.

Pirates flee from the German navy as the frigate Rheinland-Pfalz intercepted them in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia's coast on March 3, 2009. The German navy detained nine people on March 3, 2009 after they tried to attack a German merchant ship, German media reported.

Suspected pirates keep their hands in the air as directed by sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf

Photos shows pirates hijacking MV Faina, a cargo ship owned and operated by Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine on September 25, 2008. It was carrying cargo of 33 Soviet-era T-72 tanks plus other weapons.

Somali pirates holding the merchant vessel MV Faina stand on the deck of the ship after a U.S. Navy request to check on the health and welfare of the ship's crew in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia. (Photo by US Navy)

The crew of the hijacked Ukrainian merchant vessel MV Faina stand on the deck, under the watch of armed Somali pirates on November 9

A French Atlantic Plane escort a Danish ship with sensitive freight, off the coast of Djibouti, as part of an assignment to escort commercial ships in this area.

French frigate, Le Floreal watches over the Danish ship "Puma" which is carrying sensitive cargo, on January 11, 2009, in the Gulf of Aden.

The MV Sirius Star is observed at anchor by the US Navy on January 9, 2009. Suspected pirates can be seen on deck an up in the command center.

A parachute dropped by a small aircraft during an apparent payment to pirates holding the Sirius Star off the coast of Somalia, January 9, 2009. Somali pirates then freed the Saudi supertanker seized in the world's biggest ship hijacking for a $3 million ransom - but five drowned when their boat capsized as they were making off with their share.

Flying on board a Panther helicopter dispatched from the French frigate, Le Floreal, a crew member watches a commercial ship during a supervision mission on January 11, 2009, in the Gulf of Aden.

Search and seizure team members from the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf close in to apprehend suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden February 12, 2009

Commandos from French frigate Le Floreal arrest nine Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden in this January 27, 2009. France has captured 57 pirates in seven such operations since last April.

This photo shows suspected pirates, intercepted by Marine commandos of the French Navy in the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia coasts.

Bundeswehr soldiers approaching pirates in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on March 3, 2009, after frigate Rheinland-Pfalz (background) had received a distress call from a German-owned container ship saying she was under fire from pirates armed with bazookas and machine guns. The frigate then dispatched a helicopter which together with another chopper from the US naval ship Monterey stopped the attempted attack by firing warning shots. German soldiers boarded the pirate vessel and took the nine into custody.

German navy from frigate Rheinland-Pfalz detain pirates in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia's coast on March 3, 2009, in this picture made available on March 4, 2009.

Suspected Somali pirates as the captured by French Navy.

A rusty Kalashnikov assault rifle, confiscated from pirates detained by German navy from frigate Rheinland-Pfalz in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia's coast on March 3, 2009

Ransom money is dropped near the Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship February 4, 2009 off the coast of Somalia near Hobyo.

MV Faina is escorted by a Kenyan port authority tug vessel into the port of Mombasa, Kenya on February 12, 2009, after it was released by Somali pirates a week ago. It arrived in Mombasa amid a raging controversy over its cargo of battle tanks and ammunition.

Soviet made T-72 tanks sit in the hull of the Belize flagged MV Faina on February 13, 2009 at the Mombasa, Kenya harbor where it has been berthed for the last two days.

Suspected pirates wait to be moved at the port in Mombassa, Kenya, Tuesday, March 10, 2009, after they were handed over to Kenyan police by the German navy who arrested them off the coast of Somalia the previous week.

Yemeni coast guards on standby next to the damaged Japanese tanker Takayama, that was attacked by pirates following its arrival in the southern Yemeni port of Aden.

Miraculous dangerous walkways

Did you ever seen such a dangerous walkway..?? El Caminito del Rey (also known as The King’s Walkway) can be considered most dangerous walkway in the world. El Caminito del Rey was built in 1901 as a connection between the power plants of Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls. It took four years to finish and in 1905 Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, crossed the walkway for the inauguration, thus giving it its name, The King’s Walkway.

Built along the steep walls of a narrow gorge, in the Malaga region, El Caminito del Rey has deteriorated severely in the last years and after four people died crossing it, in 1999 and 2000, the authorities decided to close it off to tourists. It’s only 1 meter wide and it stands 300 meters above the river floating in the area. Onlly a small part of the walkway has handrails and much of the concrete walkway has collapsed, leaving only the steel beam that originally held it up.

Marvelous Bone Churches

In this post we have featured two of the most weird churches, these churches are decorated with bones.

The 40,000 skeletons within Sedlec Ossuary (aka Kostnice Ossuary Beinhaus) in the Czech Republic welcome you, quite literally, with open arms. Known to most as “The Bone Church,” it displays some of the world’s more macabre art. In addition to a splendid bone chandelier composed from almost every bone in a human body, the ossuary displays two large bone chalices, four

baroque bone candelabras, six enormous bone pyramids, two bone monstrances (a vessel used to display the Eucharistic host), a family crest in (you guessed it) bone, and skull candleholders. Festively looping chains of bone are hung throughout like crepe paper at a birthday party.

Sedlec Ossuary has a long history, beginning in the 13th century when the Abbot of the Sedlec Monastery (Abbot Henry) brought a handful of earth back from a journey to the Grave of the Lord in Jerusalem. He scattered this “holy soil” across the Sedlec cemetery, securing its place as one of the most desired burial sites for people all over Bohemia and the surrounding countries. Everyone wanted to be buried in that handful of the Holy Land and more than 30,000 were. But it wasn’t long before there simply wasn’t enough room for everyone to rest in peace, and the bodies were moved to a crypt to make room for the newly dead.

2nd is Portugal’s Chapel of Bones, 16th Century Franciscan monks used 42 cemeteries worth of bones to decorate their chapel.

The Chapel of Bones is entered through a large arch bearing the words: Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos: “Our bones that are here wait for yours!”

Sedlec Ossuary is church of bones, decorated with 40,000 human skeletons.

Garden Salzburg, Austria

The Zwerglgarten, or “Dwarf Garden” in Salzburg, Austria was created in 1715 by Prince Archbishop Franz Anton Harrach. Many of the statues were modeled after dwarves who lived in the court (they served as entertainers to the archbishop), the rest inspired by peasants and foreigners. The Dwarf Garden resides within the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, but for a time, the gardens were dwarf-less.

“In concern for his wife and their unborn child, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria had the disfigured creatures with their goitres and hunchbacks removed from the Dwarf Garden (they were to be

destroyed). Fortunately, they were only auctioned off and the dwarves were forgotten for over one hundred years. Not until 1921 did the Salzburg Society for the Preservation of Local Amenities recall this part of Salzburg’s cultural heritage to mind and convince the city councilors to place the nine dwarves then in the city’s possession in their historical positions. Today the carefully restored dwarves are set up in the Bastion Garden and the hope remains that all of the dwarves still preserved will be retrieved and reunited in their historically innate location.”

Miraculous Destinations for New Years Eve

New years eve simply has it all. Fire works lightening up dark skies , sparkling shops with neon signs of “SALES” and not to forget the warmth of your loved ones in cold. Its an awesome night, everyone in good moods waiting to welcome the new year. Its a special night in the seasonal calender which offers the chance to meet up with loved ones and really let your hair down.

So here i have compiled a list of some of the most romantic destinations to spend your new year eve at. Take your loved one to one such place to enjoy the charm of new year eve and cherish the pleasure of these priceless moments.

Times Square, New York

Every year Times Square holds one of the biggest New years eve party which kicks off as the clock turns 00:00. Fireworks lit up the sky and injects joyfull feelings among people. No doubt the ambiance it creates is romantic and can’t be felt anywhere else in the world.

London Eye, London

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has confirmed that London will welcome in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display at the London Eye, which will be marking its own 11-year anniversary. I am sure you don’t want to miss this spectacular feat with you loved one.

Santorini, Greece

Universally considered the world’s best place to watch the sunset, the northern village of Oia offers spectacular views of the ocean, the island of Ios in the distance, and the sun dipping into the Aegean. Come here and see the dawn of year passed.

Sydney, Australia

No city parties on new years eve like Sydney does. Well they also do it first too. Fireworks at opera house and the after party at some club will make your day fabulous.

Las Vegas, USA

When it comes to party, how can we forget VEGAS. Las Vegas offers you the best holiday destination through out the year specially New years eve.  Chuck Palahniuk said it right  ”Las Vegas looks the way you’d imagine heaven must look at night”.

Dubai, UAE

“Saudi’s and the Audi’s” a famous quote said for people of middle east. They pimp this dessert like a bride and make sure you get to enjoy each penny you spend here.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

How can we forget the most romantic city in the world in our list of most romantic destinations for new years eve. From Shopping to expensive Bars, from fireworks to “Love in air” Paris has it all.

Venice, Italy

How can we forget Venice when talking Romance. This part of Europe is calm and offers you the  best you can enjoy to make your new years eve a special one.

Honolulu, Hawaii

As the last major city on Earth to celebrate the New Year, Honolulu, Hawaii is the best place to spend a New Year’s Eve. Every December 31, the city of Honolulu comes alive with festivities.

Some where in North Pole

Well, to me this is undoubtedly the most romantic destination to spend my new years eve. Somewhere near the north pole under the colorful aurora or simply “natural fireworks”.

Most Incredible Theme Parks

1. Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Slated to open in late 2010, the first Ferrari theme park will also be the world’s largest indoor park—more than two million square feet. Among other high-octane highlights, expect to find the world’s fastest roller coaster (traveling more than 130 mph at 180 feet through the roof and back) as well as the world’s biggest Ferrari logo—a 200-foot-long rooftop sign. Fans can race each other in Ferrari F430 Spider replicas. (There’s a computer override option for overzealous drivers.)

Whatever your interest or taste for fun, chances are there’s a theme park created with you in mind. And Holy Land aside, many of the odder options are located overseas. From re-created 19th-century Dickensian towns to an imagination of Buddhist heaven, offbeat theme parks offer insights into culture rarely found from hobnobbing with life-size characters or riding a run-of-the-mill Ferris wheel. “Even if you’re seeking out the strange and delicious, theme parks always hold the potential for unique and memorable experiences,” says Gene Jeffers, the executive director of Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), an international organization that represents park creators.

2. Suoi Tien Park, Vietnam

Located on a sacred site, this righteous park is meant to simulate Buddhist heaven. Filled with godlike statues (a one-acre-round giant frog, a 300-ton dragon head), it also features an aquarium, 1,500 crocodiles (symbols of victory) in its Crocodile Kingdom, and a Secrets of the Sorcerers Jungle, where visitors encounter evil ogres, monsters, and larger-than-life scorpions (symbols of transformation). Unicorn Palace (a.k.a. 18 Gates of Hell) may sound innocuous, but the mythic creatures are actually gatekeepers to the underworld. The freezing dungeon-like complex includes screams, murder tableaux, and repentant tourists.

3. Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin, Australia

Nothing says family vacation like a spin in the Cage of Death. At this reptile-themed spot, thrill-seekers can ogle massive crocodiles up close from behind an acrylic barrier, submerged in a saltwater croc tank. Slightly tamer offerings include good old-fashioned croc fishing, where children and adults taunt baby crocodiles with baited fishing poles. After bonding with these dangerous majestic creatures, stop by the shop to purchase an authentic crocodile skin.

4. Dwarf Empire, Kunming, China

Located on a hilltop in southern China and opened in September 2009, this pint-size park is almost entirely staffed—from entertainers to janitors—by people less than four feet tall. The 100 or so employees live in miniature domed houses and eat on site, but this is no utopia: the for-profit enterprise puts on costumed spectacles (think break dancing, ballet, and gourd instruments) for the hundreds of tourists who flood the place daily. The small town operates like it is, in fact, an empire, complete with an empress and emperor who oversee the commune’s parliament.

5. Grutas Park, Lithuania

Opened in 2001, this park near the southern Belarus border won the offbeat Ig Nobel Peace Prize for improbable research from Harvard; the two-mile-long playground and zoo is wrapped in an homage to the Soviet regime. Nicknamed Stalin World, it showcases icons stripped of their political power; visitors gawk at the Terror Sphere, featuring statues of Communist Party leaders and imitation watchtowers and trenches. Wisely, the park nixed the idea of carting guests around on a gulag train. The Nostalgia menu at the on-site restaurant offers Soviet-themed dishes, like the Goodbye Youth chop of mystery meat.

6. Shijingshan Amusement Park, Beijing

At this trademark-skirting park in western Beijing—where a banner over the entrance proclaims: “Disneyland is too far”—there’s a replica of Sleeping Beauty’s castle (with less sparkle and more Communist-brick realism); live character doppelgangers of Shrek, Donald Duck, and Minnie Mouse; and even a copy of Epcot’s dimpled globe. Opened in 1986, the park caught Disney’s attention for its infringements only in 2007. The copycatting is not limited to Disney icons; Hello Kitty knockoffs often mingle with Loony Tunes’s Bugs Bunny.

7. Harmony Land, Japan

Welcome to popular Japanese children’s character (and lifestyle brand) Hello Kitty’s world, where visitors can check out the friendly feline’s castle, take a boat ride through her friends’ cavernous underground apartments, and soar on a Ferris wheel of character heads. The “Time Machine of Dreams,” a 20-minute 3-D and special effects–filled show, even has scented seats for the full sweet Hello Kitty experience. Don’t miss the classic “Fantasy Night Show,” with fairies, laser beams, and a song about “the importance of life.”

8. BonBon-Land, Denmark

Named after a popular line of Danish candies, this 33-acre amusement park in southern Denmark is rife with depictions of bodily functions—vomiting rats, lactating cows, and urinating ants. The disgusting animal theme may be tied directly to the candy names like “bird droppings” and “dead flies,” but the park’s rides are definitely family-friendly. After all, six-year-olds do have a great appreciation for bathroom humor. Take a ride on the Hundeprut roller coaster, a tame 18 mph ride just 15 feet off the ground. (The name, not surprisingly, has to do with a bodily function.)

9. Dickens World, England

Ever want to enter a world full of hunger, hackneyed accents, and criminals on the run? This 75,000-square-foot re-creation of a 19th-century Dickensian town, opened in 2007, fits the bill; you can tour the Marshalsea Prison, take old-time photographs at Peerybingle’s Pawnbrokers, or ogle animatronic characters at the modern Britania Theatre with your little literary buff. The most popular ride, the Great Expectations Boat Ride, replicates lovable convict Magwitch’s escape from prison.

10. Love Land, Cheju Island, South Korea

Located off the southern coast of South Korea, this sex-themed site was conceived in 2004 as a way to teach Korean newlyweds about conjugal love. The island—a longtime honeymoon destination for couples (many of whom have entered into arranged marriages)—draws countless curious twosomes who come to stroll among 140 amorous sculptures, see explicit exhibitions, and watch sex-ed films. Take a ride on an “interactive” self-pleasuring bicycle, jerry-rigged with feathers on its wheel.

11. Diggerland, England

With four locations covering 250 acres across England, this construction-themed franchise pairs children with heavy machinery. More than 200,000 hoe enthusiasts large and small visit each year, flocking to rides like the Spindizzy, a converted digger that spins around with riders strapped into the elevated bucket. Dump-truck racers must be at least 17 but need only an “idea of how to drive.” The park has its own backhoe stunt team, the Dancing Diggers, which performs private shows.

12. Parque Jaime Duque, Bogotá, Colombia

Built by the Colombian aviation pioneer Jaime Duque Grisales as a gift to Colombians, 37 miles north of the capital, the park has some 30 head-scratching attractions. A sculpture garden showcases 700 bizarre statues, including a giant “hand of god” holding a sphere, amid miniaturized Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a “Dante’s Inferno” boat ride. Perhaps strangest of all is its phenomenal music venue, which draws top artists like Moby and Guns N’ Roses. Don’t miss the torchless, naked male version of the Statue of Liberty that towers over the ancient icons at the park’s northwest edge.

13. Holy Land Experience, Orlando, FL

Nothing against religious reenactments, but when a blood-smeared Jesus sings into his head-mike from the cross, things start to get creepy. This park (which lies just 11 miles from Disney) features Celebrate Jesus Karaoke, Caucasian actors playing Middle Eastern street vendors, and colorful dancing fountains. Profiled in the Bill Maher documentary Religulous, it draws thousands of people every year. Tourists can share in the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples.

14. Dubailand, Dubai, UAE

Behold Dubailand, a three-billion-square-foot outdoor oasis from Tatweer (a government-owned real-estate investment firm) that improbably marries animatronic dinosaurs with a Tiger Woods–branded golf resort and the world’s largest water park (with man-made beach and reef, of course). Falcon City of Wonders features lifelike reconstructions of the Pyramids, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Tower of Pisa.

15. World Water Park, Alberta, Canada

World Waterpark is the world’s largest indoor waterpark  with a size of over 20 hectares (60 acres). The World Waterpark opened to public in 1986. It is located in the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which is the fifth largest shopping mall in the world. It has a maximum capacity of 40000 guests, an average temperature for the water of 30 – 33oC, and is the world’s largest indoor wave pool holding 80 million litres. The park is known for its high-speed waterslide called the Skyscreamer, which is often mistaken as the park’s tallest slide at 78 ft (24 m). Five seconds is the approximate length of time it takes to travel the length of the Sky Screamer. The highest slide in the park is the Twister, which is 83 feet (25 m) high.