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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…
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One day in Gozo
I start my tour around Gozo at the Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs, located on the southeastern coast of the island. This is one of the must-see places in Malta. From a height of over 130 meters, you can admire an amazing panorama of the Mediterranean Sea. A little further, you can admire an equally spectacular landscape at the so-called Sunset Cliff. To get to know the island not only from the perspective of the cliffs, it is worth visiting the capital of Gozo – Victoria, also known as Rabat. Victoria boasts interesting monuments and architecture. The main tourist attraction is the Il-Kastell citadel. Walking along the defensive walls, you can admire…
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Ngorongoro – the Seventh Natural Wonder of Africa
Ngorongoro is called one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, which also includes Mount Kilimajaro located in Tanzania and the Great Migration of Animals in the Serengeti. Ngorongoro is located between Serengeti National Park and the Lake Manyara. The name of the reserve was given by the Maasai and comes from the characteristic sound of the bell hanging around the cow’s neck. Ngorongoro is said to be the largest caldera in the world. It was created as a result of the collapse of a volcanic cone with a diameter of about 20 km. This occurred between 2.5 and 3 million years ago, depending on the source. The crater’s depth…
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Belfast and (London)Derry – in short, The Troubles…
Belfast had been on my travel bucket list for a looooong time. My initial plans to visit the capital of Northern Ireland were thwarted by COVID, but as I’m stubborn as hell I finally made it there this year. So, why has Belfast intrigued me for so long? There are two reasons: one is quite significant, and the other is rather quirky. Let’s start with the significant one. The main reason for my visit was to witness the city’s transformation after nearly 30 years of bloody conflict. I wanted to see firsthand how Belfast had healed and evolved since the Troubles. Has peace truly taken root, and what does the…
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Northern Ireland – abandoned places
From the 19th century to the early 20th century, Northern Ireland was the center of the textile industry. A reminder of these times are numerous factories that have been preserved in relatively good condition to this day. What’s more interesting, although access to these places is easy, they aren’t demolished. The only factors shaping their unique appearance are the passage of time and nature, which takes control of these places from year to year. The first industrial complex I visited was built in the 1820s. In its heyday, the main product produced in this factory was linen. This facility makes an amazing impression due to its interesting industrial architecture. Tall…
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Locomotive depot – Girl off the trail
The locomotive depot was built in the 19th century during Prussian occupation. Its design was innovative on a European scale at that time and was used to build similar facilities in Berlin and Magdeburg. The locomotive shed was used for the maintenance of steam locomotives. Renovation works were carried out there. In the central part you can see a turntable that allowed locomotives to be moved to the repair hall. There are inspection channels on the sides. The specific atmosphere is created by the characteristic dome, with a vent for removing steam and smoke in the middle. Only minor repairs were carried out in the locomotive shed, using parts supplied…
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Tripoli – Lebanese Kandahar
Tripoli, often confused with the capital of Libya, is the second largest city in Lebanon. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BC, as a port city and for a long time it was a centre of trade. Tripoli has a rich history. It was under the rule of Persians, Romans and Mamluks. In 1109 it was taken over by the Crusaders. A reminder of those times is the Citadel, also known as Saint-Gilles Castle – one of the city’s main attractions. There’s an interesting view of the city and the Abou Ali River. Due to its strategic location, the citadel is currently used by the Lebanese…