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Amboseli National Park- balloon ride with a view of Kilimanjaro
Amboseli National Park is the second most visited park in Kenya, right after the famous Masai Mara, attracting tourists from all over the world. The park’s name, “Amboseli,” means “salty dust” in the Maasai language, reflecting its semi-arid nature. Initially established in 1906 as the Southern Reserve for the Maasai people, it was designated a national park in 1974. The park’s diverse landscape consists of four main zones: savannah, acacia woodlands, wetlands, and the dried-up Amboseli lake bed. The park is home to numerous underground springs fed by the ice cap of Kilimanjaro. These water sources create an ideal habitat for birds. Around 400 bird species inhabit the park, including…
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Lebanon – off the beaten path
Lebanon is a country that not only delights with its history and culture, but also with its rich nature. Picturesquely located religious buildings, spectacular waterfalls, huge caves, and the ruins of ancient metropolises are just a small sample of what you can discover while traveling around this amazing country. So far, I’ve written about Lebanon from a geopolitical perspective, I’ve tried to show the realities of life and the problems it encounters. Leaving aside the uncertain political situation, Lebanon is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen. Less than 30 kilometers from Beirut, in the town of Harissa, there’s one of the most important Christian sanctuaries in Lebanon…
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The Isle of Man and seven kingdoms
Contrary to popular belief, the Isle of Man has never been the part of the United Kingdom. It is one of the three Crown Dependencies alongside Jersey and Guernsey. While the UK is responsible for the foreign affairs and defense of these territories, each has its own parliament. The history of the island dates back to the 6th century BCE when it was colonized by the Celts. Due to its strategic location between Ireland and Great Britain, the island has often been a battleground. Over the centuries, it has been inhabited by Celts, Vikings, Normans, and Scots. The parliament of the Isle of Man, Tynwald, is over 1,000 years old…
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Northern Ireland: The Magical places from Game of Thrones
I remember it like it was yesterday, waiting with bated breath for the next episode of “Game of Thrones.” It was one of those series that I watched with full attention. Therefore, visiting Northern Ireland, I was determined to see the epic locations that served as the backdrop for this show. The Emerald Isle became one of the primary locations for this production. Personally, I can’t imagine “Game of Thrones” without the specific dark aura and rugged landscape of Ireland. So, what secrets of Westeros does this island hold? The first stop are the ruins of the 16th-century Dunluce Castle, which served as the inspiration for Pyke, the seat of…
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Popeye Village – Malta’s Disneyland
Popeye Village wasn’t on my itinerary for exploring Malta. Generally, I avoid such places because I prefer to spend my time sightseeing. However, this time, when I saw Popeye Village from a distance, I decided to take a chance. The place looked so tacky and bizarre that I actually liked it. Popeye Village, also known as Malta’s Disneyland, is the most famous amusement park in Malta. It was created from scratch as a film set for the adaptation of the famous comic strip. The film was made in 1980, and you won’t guess who played the role of Popeye. It was Robin Williams. While Robin Williams was a famous actor,…
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Luxor – the world’s largest open-air museum
Luxor is also called the world’s largest open-air museum. Indeed, there are so many tourist attractions that you could easily spend a week or even longer here. The city was built around 1400 BC and was better known as ancient Thebes. Observing Luxor and its surroundings, you can imagine that this place must have been very impressive at that time. Even now, despite the fact that several thousand years have passed, you can still feel the power of ancient Egypt. Thebes was an important religious centre as evidenced by the number of religious objects that have survived to this day. In the eastern part of Luxor there’s the Temple of…
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Mysterious Objects in Brzeznica Kolonia – a Nuclear Inferno in Poland?
The forest in Brzeznica-Kolonia at first glance seems to be a peaceful place, ideal for trips and relaxation in nature. However, few people realise that it hides a dark secret from the Cold War era. At that time, the existence of this place was a closely guarded secret, as there was a Soviet military base located here. Under the agreement signed in 1967 between the USSR and the Polish People’s Republic, three nuclear weapon storage facilities were built in Poland. These facilities were constructed as part of a program code-named “the Vistula” which aimed to use tactical nuclear weapons in the event of an attack by NATO countries. The bunkers…
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Isle of Man TT – the world’s most dangerous race
It’s hard to believe that on the tranquil Isle of Man, at the end of May each year, Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) – the world’s most dangerous motorcycle race takes place. The air is filled with the scent of gasoline, and the roar of engines fills your ears. Racers certainly don’t come here for the prizes. The winner takes home only $30,000, which is not a large sum compared to other famous races. It’s the adrenaline, the search for extreme experiences, the challenge of testing their limits, and above all, the desire to make history in racing that draws competitors to the Isle of Man in droves. The…
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Bagger 1473 Excavator – The Blue Wonder of Engineering
The Beginnings of Bagger 1473 Excavator Bagger 1473, a monumental excavator produced by the German company VEB Schwermaschinenbau Lauchhammerwerk, began its work in a lignite surface mine in 1965. For decades, it served in extraction operations, becoming an integral part of the industrial landscape. When it finished its service in 2002, the natural consequence was to send it to the scrapyard. However, thanks to the initiative of local authorities, this giant of engineering was saved. The Second Life of the Excavator Instead of being scrapped, Bagger 1473 was transported 9 kilometres from the mine and placed in an open field. Unfortunately, ongoing decay and numerous acts of vandalism led to…
