Flowerhorn cichlids

Flowerhorn cichlids are ornamental aquarium fish noted for their vivid colors and the distinctively shaped heads for which they are named. Their head protuberance, or kok, is formally termed a "nuchal hump." 

Like blood parrot cichlids, they are man-made hybrids that do not exist in nature. First developed in Malaysia and Taiwan, they are now kept by fish hobbyists worldwide.

The flowerhorn in the picture is SANTINO, champion in small category.

Basic tips for Flowerhorn Keeping:

The Flower horn is a sturdy fish that is not hard to care for. It needs neutral or slightly basic water, a water temperature around 28º C and nutritious food.

The aquarium has to be quite large, since the Flower horn can grow big. You can keep your Flower horn alone in the aquarium. Large cichlids from South America that will not tolerate being bullied by the Flower horn is one example of suitable tank mates. Since the Flower horn is a territorial species you should fill the aquarium with decorations that create natural borders. If the fish can keep out of each others way and stay inside their own territory, the amount of aggressive behaviour will decrease. Keep in mind that some Flower horns like to destroy plants. 

As mentioned above your Flower horn will appreciate neutral or slightly basic water conditions. It is however a though fish and will survive in a wide range of different water conditions as long as you avoid the extremes. A Flower horn will produce a lot of organic waste since it eats a lot. You must therefore perform frequent water changes to keep the water chemistry at suitable levels and prevent the organic compounds from reaching toxic levels that will harm the Flower horn. A 20 percent water change twice a week is the best solution, but once a week is usually okay if you change 25 percent.

It is not hard to introduce a Flower horn to new food. The Flower horn is an energetic and active fish and its metabolism requires plenty of food which makes this fish surprisingly hard to over feed. Feeding your Flower horn two or three times a day is a good rule of thumb. High quality pellets can be a good base and should be supplemented with more meaty foods such as shrimps and worms. With a varied diet it will be easier for your Flower horn to receive all necessary nutrients in order to stay healthy and good looking.

Source : amazingworldonline[dot]com

Sunrise at Mount. Kailash..

Mount Kailash,Gangs Rin-po-che, meaning "precious jewel of snows"  ( གངས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ། )  

Mt. Kailash is a holy mountain in western Tibet.

It lies near the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia: the Indus River, the Sutlej River (a major tributary of the Indus River), the Brahmaputra River, and the Karnali River (a tributary of the Ganges River). It is considered a sacred place in four religions: Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Elevation 6,638 m (21,778 ft)

Source: Wikipedia

Slideshow of Kailash Kora Set  - Click here -

Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that walking around Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. This is done in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists. In the Hindu tradition the spiritual centre of the Universe is represented by Mount Kailas. The Buddhist tradition calls the Sacred Mountain as Mount Meru which again is a symbol of the highest point in the spiritual Universe from where the whole of Creation can be contemplated. It is called Meru or Sumeru, according to the oldest Sanskrit tradition. Followers of the Jain and Bönpo religions circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction. 

The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km (32 mi) long.  Some pilgrims believe that the entire walk around Kailash should be made in a single day. This is not easy. A person in good shape walking fast would take perhaps 15 hours to complete the 52 km trek. Some of the devout do accomplish this feat, little daunted by the uneven terrain, altitude sickness and harsh conditions faced in the process.

Indeed, other pilgrims venture a much more demanding regimen, performing body-length prostrations over the entire length of the circumambulation: The pilgrim bends down, kneels, prostrates full-length, makes a mark with his fingers, rises to his knees, prays, and then crawls forward on hands and knees to the mark made by his/her fingers before repeating the process. It requires at least four weeks of physical endurance to perform the circumambulation while following this regimen. The mountain is located in a particularly remote and inhospitable area of the Tibetan Himalayas. A few modern amenities, such as benches, resting places and refreshment kiosks, exist to aid the pilgrims in their devotions.

Walking around the holy mountain has to be done on foot, pony or yak; it takes three days of trekking starting from a height of around 15,000 ft to crossing the Dolma pass (19,000 ft) and encamping for two nights en route. First, near the meadow of Dirapuk gompa—2 or 3 km before the pass and second, after crossing the pass and going downhill as far as possible (viewing Gauri Kund in the distance).

Source : amazingworldonline[dot]com

5 Off-the-Beaten-Path Vacation Activities in NYC

Planning a trip to the Big Apple? New York City is a world-renowned culture hub with thousands of things to fill your itinerary. While there are plenty of major attractions you won’t want to miss, here are a few lesser known activities that will give you the big city experience while avoiding the crowds and saving you some big bucks as well.

Graffiti Hall of Fame

Officially named legal public art, this wall on Park Avenue encloses a playground outside of the Jackie Robinson Education Complex. Its only nearby rival is 5 Pointz Aerosol Arts Center which, while not official sanctioned (yet), is largely considered the best outdoor graffiti museum in the world. It draws hundreds of visitors every year, both artist and tourist, to view over 350 brightly colored murals, and has become an ideal scene for several R&B music videos.

Photo credit: Jez Arnold

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market

A bargain-lover’s paradise, this street market was name one of the Top Ten Shopping streets in the World by National Geographic. Here artists, locals, and tourists heckle sellers for antiques and vintage clothing, home décor, jewelry, and more. This is a great place for rare finds that will have people back home talking.

Photo credit: Paul Stein

Improv Comedy Show

A budget-friendly alternative to spending hundreds of dollars on a Broadway performance is to check out a love improve comedy show. There are several theaters in the city where aspiring comics test their funniest routines, often pulling audience members onstage with them to be part of the act. If you’re ready to laugh until you cry, an improve show is the perfect way to spend an evening. And for $10 or less per person it’s quite a bargain for a couple hours of entertainment in this city.

Tour Central Park

One great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city is to spend some time in Central Park. There are plenty of things to do in Central Park along the 46 miles of pathways, including a big carousel, The Plaza Hotel, The Met, a waterfall, famous statues, museums, and an ice rink. Also, keep your eyes open for the spots where hundreds of Hollywood favorites were filmed. If you’re hoping to hit only the highlights, try a walking or bike tour where a tour guide can point out the most memorable sights.

Photo credit: Christopher Schoenbohm

South Street Seaport

Anyone who’s ever stumbled upon this quaint maritime village is no doubt confused about its contrast to the rest of the Big Apple. Wandering through historic cobble-stoned shopping district is a breath of fresh air outside of the rest of the city. It also has some of the best views available in the city, including the NYC skyline (which will take your breath away at sunset), the Brooklyn Bridge, and the East River. This is a great place to wind down after a long day in the city, and a great place to take some great pictures too.

Photo credit: 12th St David

Source : travelerspress[dot]com

LIGHT PILLAR PICTURES: Mysterious Sky Shows

Light pillars appear as eerily upright luminous columns in the sky, beacons cast into the air above without an apparent source.. 

A light pillar is a visual phenomenon created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces. The light can come from the Sun (usually at or low to the horizon) in which case the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar. It can also come from the Moon or from terrestrial sources such as streetlights

Light pillars are a kind of optical phenomenon which is formed by the reflection of sunlight or moonlight by ice crystals that are present in the Earth’s atmosphere, or from artificial ground sources such as street or park lights. 

The light pillar looks like a thin column that extends vertically above and/or below the source of light. The light pillar is prominently visible when the Sun is low or lies below the horizon. It normally forms an arc that extends from five to ten degrees beyond the solar disc. Light pillars can sometimes also be seen arising from the Moon.

Source: Wikipedia

Source : amazingworldonline[dot]com

The Victoria Falls: the Smoke that Thunders [VIDEO]

The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (Tokaleya Tonga: the Smoke that Thunders) is a waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres (5,604 ft) and height of 108 metres (354 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. 

Most of the tourists from all across the world enjoy their vacations with their family members in the lapse of these huge water curtains. The great Victoria Falls of South Africa are one of the Seven Wonders of the World today. 

The water falls also includes the weathered rock pieces which crumble down into the Zambezi Gorge below. The falling water of these extremely gigantic curtains creates a cloudy atmosphere and a foggy appearance at a height of 450 meters above the sea level. This foggy view can be clearly observed by the tourists at a distance of 40 kms away from these falls and it mainly attracts the tourists towards itself.

The tourists can enjoy the mesmerizing splendor and beauty of these falls throughout the year. The temperature is mostly humid and moderate which is best suited to attract a large no of tourists towards its attractiveness. The cascading chilled water of these waterfalls depends on the amount of rain fall which took place throughout the year and it also depends on the catchment area of the River Zambezi. As the catchment area of Zambezi River expands, the amount of water in the river also increases.

These exotic waterfalls offer many attractions to the tourists like water surfing, river rafting and river boarding. The Victoria Falls along with the nearby landscapes have been declared as the world heritage site. It is really a captivating destination where you can seriously enjoy a couple of days and make your vacations memorable.

Source: Travlang

Victoria Falls [VIDEO] 

Copyright 2007 - Playomatic Media Group

Source : amazingworldonline[dot]com

Inspirational story of One-Armed Surfer Bethany Hamilton

22-year-old Bethany Hamilton lost her arm due to shark attack when she was just 13. But that didn't stop her, now Bethany is the most famous one-armed surfer in the world.

Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of faith, determination, and hope. She was born into a family of surfers on February 8, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. 

On October 31, 2003, at the age of 13, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauai’s North Shore. Bethany had to loose her left arm in the attack. After losing over 60% of her blood, and withstanding several surgeries without infection, Bethany was on her way to recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude. Lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal.

Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a professional surfer.

In October 2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer.  Seven years later, the book was made into a major motion picture bearing the same title which  released theatrically in April, and for home entertainment in August, 2011.

Since losing her arm, Bethany’s story has been told in hundreds of media outlets and she has  been recognized with numerous awards, public appearances, and various speaking engagements.

credits: bethanyhamilton.com/

Source : amazingworldonline[dot]com

Take an Exotic Caribbean Sailing Break in a Chartered Boat

Sail a yacht through mangrove forests and coral reefs off the Bahamas. Or charter a power boat to travel between St. Barts and St. Martin, or around the Virgin Islands. Whether you choose a crewed boat or sail on your own, sailing helps you to visit the Caribbean beyond its tourist resorts.

Photo credit: katiew

Sailing Yacht

Few places in the world are better for sailing than the Bahamas. Whether you are an experienced sailor or just hoping to learn, this part of the Caribbean has lots of ports and harbors outside the tourist areas that are easy to find. It’s an ideal area to charter a sailing boat for a day or part of a day. Travelers will have to prove their sailing expertise before they can bareboat charter. After this, a group of experienced sailors can even charter a flotilla of yachts where the lead yacht is crewed by experienced sailors who understand the local waters and can chart the route. Catamarans are the most popular boats around the Bahamas as they offer more stability and are more comfortable for inexperienced sailors among the crew.

Photo credit: Julie Falk

Powerboats

Powered vessels offer some of the best Caribbean boat charters for travellers between islands, or those who want to go scuba diving or deep sea fishing. The boat can come equipped with food and amenities, allowing the skipper and passengers to stop off at an isolated beach for lunch or dinner. You will be able to book a charter package or design your own tour for a week or even just a day. Power boats are superb for organising a water safari to sail around coral reefs and watch the Caribbean marine and bird life.

Crews

Boat owners who sail regularly along the local river or canal at home in England sometimes are not going to be able to tackle the currents of the Caribbean in open seas. A sailing boat can be chartered with a single skipper who acts as a tourist guide ashore for a small group. Alternatively, a skipper and full crew on a large sailing or power boat will allow the visitors to concentrate on enjoying themselves rather than working out the precise route. Trips can be arranged as romantic getaways for a couple, or as big occasions like a wedding party complete with reception, cake and champagne. The larger boats come equipped with full facilities to match any five star hotel. Even smaller vessels are complete with running water, bathrooms and comfortable bunks that work well for overnight stays.

The Caribbean offers endless possibilities for sailing holidays crewing your own chartered boat, or setting off with a skipper and full crew. Travellers can visit those parts of the Caribbean islands inaccessible to land-based visitors.

Source : travelerspress[dot]com