Baikonur Cosmodrome – The Oldest Spaceport on Earth

The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft is raised into vertical position at the launch pad, Dec. 18, 2009.  Image Nasa HQ

There are, to be frank, not many spaceports on the planet as of 2011. Of the thirty or so only six of them have sent people in to space (more than 100km in altitude). Four of those are located in the US, another in China and the sixth and oldest is to be found in Kazakhstan. It is known as the Baikonur Cosmodrome and as well as being the oldest it is also the largest spaceport in the world. It has quite a remarkable history. Still in operation, it has seen huge political change in its time and is set to function as a space port until at least 2050.
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The rain man: Amateur weatherman follows his sun compass to snap stunning pictures

For many, it is a hobby that would require far too much patience.
But one photographer waits for hours just to capture the perfect images of storm clouds breaking.
Kris Dutson, 53, has spent ten years scouting out the ideal locations across Britain to capture the most astonishing atmospheric shots on his camera as rain falls.

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Satellite Photos of Japan, Before and After the Quake and Tsunami

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Η οδός με τις περισσότερες στροφές

Βρίσκεται στο Σαν Φρανσίσκο μεταξύ  των οδών Hyde και Leavenworth. Η οδός Lombard είναι γνωστή ως o «δρόμος με τις περισσότερες στροφές στον κόσμο» ( για την ακρίβεια ο πιό στροφώδης δρόμος).

Ουσιαστικά αποτελείται μόνο από στροφές, 8 τον αριθμό, που δημιουργήθηκαν για να μειωθεί η κλίση του δρόμου καθώς βρίσκεται στην απότομο πλαγιά ενός λόφου. Το όριο ταχύτητας στο τμήμα αυτό είναι μόλις 5 μίλια/ώρα (8 km/h).

Πρέπει να επισημάνουμε ότι εκτός από τις στροφές που κάνανε την οδό διάσημη είναι εξαιρετικά όμορφη, με πολύ πράσινο και παρτέρια γεμάτα πολύχρωμα άνθη.

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Travel Norway. The Architectural Way

In 2005, Norway initiated a massive 15-year agenda to generate more tourism. The government turned to architects and designers to concept and build tourist routes and architectural rest stops to enhance the experience of the stunning Norwegian landscape. The projects span from the southern town of Jaeren to the northern tip of Varenger. Visitors and Norwegian natives alike are afforded the luxury of safe roads and reveling in clean and relaxing architecturally inspired viewpoints. The ongoing project has been aptly named, The National Tourist Routes In Norway, and features an array of architects including Margrete Friis, Peter Zumthor, PUSHAK arkitekter, Code Arkitektur, Manthey Kula, Snøhetta AS, and Jensen and Skodvin to name a few. The architects have worked together to connect the dots throughout the country and form a network of breathtaking valleys, farms, rivers, and mountain cliffs – creating a lattice of scenic masterpieces that would make just about anyone (Nordic or otherwise) want to shimmy into warm genser, bring a matpakke, and take in the sights.

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