Twinfinity Town!

Always wanted to have a set a twins?  Just move on down to Candido Godoi, Brazil and your odds are more than likely to increase.  Currently the population of Candido Godoi is about 6,600 residents and of them 700 are twins! One in every 10 pregnancies is a multiple birth.   Over half of the twins examined in the town are identical. The rate of twins could be do to genetic 'founder effect'. Meaning rare genetic traits occur by chance in small groups founding a community.  These traits will continue and increase from generation to generation.  The town's population is primarily Polish and German ancestry, with many resident's ancestry linking to the Hunsruck region of Germany.  The Hunsruck region also has a high ratio of twin births.  Another theory revolves around the notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele (aka The Angel of Death, who conducted twin studies and experiments in Germany at Auschwitz (concentration camp).    As forces were closing in on the Nazi regime,  Josef Mengele fled to South America.  It is believed that the  ruthless doctor conducted experiments on the women in Candido Godoi leading to the high ratio of twins to this day.  It was the time of the doctors arrive in 1963 when the incidents of twins dramatically increased.

 

 

Happiest Cows!

California are the happiest cows on Earth?  I bet to differ :).   Meet the cows of Goa, India who enjoy there days sun bathing and socializing with locals and tourists alike.  Cows of India are considered "Holy" animals who face little danger of becoming someone's next burger or steak.  Early in the morning, the cows enjoy quick fast food at a local trash pile, then head down to the beach to spend their days watching the crashing waves.  Soon enough, the tourist arrive and it's time to earn their keep smiling for a steady stream of cameras.  Occasionally, an obnoxious tourist will push his luck and get a good jab for their horns.  The cows enjoy the beach until sunset when the local restaurants begin to set up tables and chairs on the sand. They pillage through garbage for their evening dinner and sleep under their favorite trees for the night.   Occasionally, an obnoxious tourist will push his luck and get a good jab for their horns.  The cows enjoy the beach until sunset when the local restaurants begin to set up tables and chairs on the sand. They pillage through garbage for their evening dinner and sleep under their favorite trees for the night.

 

 

Rainbows with Roots!

Hello to the Eucalyptus Deglupta (aka  Rainbow Eucalyptus or Mindanao Gum) tree!   It's hard to believe this tree even exists.   This colorful tree hails from the rainforest on Mindanao Island of the Philippines.  It can also be found growing naturally in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.  Apparently it's indigenous  'somewhere' in the northern hemisphere (for sure it grows in Hawaii), but I've yet to see. The Eucalyptus Deglupta has a multi-hued bark, hence the name RAINBOW .  As patches of the outer bark shed, bright green patches of the inner bark are unveiled.  As the tree matures and continues to shed bark, the spectrum of colors broaden including various shades of blue, purple, orange and maroon. The tree is grown around the world in plantations for it's pulpwood used in making paper.  It is also cultivated for ornamental gardens in tropical and subtropical climates.  Apparently it doesn't like frost.  Honestly,  I went online and purchased seeds :).  We do frost on occasion where I live, therefor I'm giving a swing at growing a bonsai.

Let's redecorate!

Located in Seoul, Korea, artist Jee Young Lee (psy) converts an simple studio into a dreamscape with surreal images.   She makes the props by hand in a lone room that measures approximately 12ftx13.5ftx8ft. Her art often represents her own life experiences, dreams and thoughts.  They also represent Korean folklore and legends. She typically includes herself in the dreamscape pictures.  Unlike many photographers,  she does not use Photoshop or any type of touch-up.





 

 

 

 

 

Sleeping Beauty's REAL home!





Heavenly is what comes to mind when I remember visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle in the village of  Hohenschwangau (Southwest Boveria, GEMANY).  King Ludwig II,  apparently paid for this castle with his personal funds (via borrowing) instead of public funds. The castle (built in 1869) was meant to be a personal retreat for the king, however shortly after his death,  it was opened for tourism. Today, over 61 million people have enjoyed this heavenly place.  This castle is probably most famous today as being the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castle :). 

 

 

 

 

90 Years Later!

Poor Vladimir.  Vladimir Lenin was a Russian communist revolutionary, politician and political theorist.   He was the leader of the USSR from 1917 to 1922.   During his rule, the Russian Empire was dissolved and replaced by the Soviet Union.  The union was a socialist state in which business and industry were nationalized.  He was politically a Marxist, however his contributions to Marxism  are referred to as Leninism.  Lenin died in 1924 at the age of 53 after suffering three strokes. Well,  he is resting in full fame in his former glory.  The Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow, Russia. Yes,  this is a strange spot!  Even  you can visit Vladimir, free of charge.  All that is required is "respect" and a brief search for cameras (pics not allowed).  How did I miss this when I visited Moscow!   Today, not everyone agrees about what to do with Lenin's body.  The government decided to have an online vote in 2011.  The mausoleum won as 50.79% voted against his burial.  Strange!  I'm thinking he might want to have some privacy.  Hard to imagine being on display and looking well preserved for 90 years!!!!

Dead Dolls

The beautiful Isla de las Munecas  (the Island of Dolls) began was a memorial for small girl who drowned off the tiny island in the canals of Xochimilco over 50 years ago. The canal system and island is about 17 miles south of Mexico City, Mexico.  The island was apparently inhabited by a hermit named Don Julian Santana Barrera, who shortly after the girls death began finding dolls in the canals.   He feared finding the dolls was a bad spirit and believed hanging them on the trees would protect him.  He then began searching for dolls in the canals and hanged them on trees and wires between the trees, as well as keeping rescued dolls in his private cabin  Eventually,  word spread about his unique island of dolls and tourists began paying a small fee to take photographs.  Oddly enough,  he too drowned in 2001, much like the little girl whose ghost he attempted to keep at bay.  Sad and strange story.  Sad and strange memorial to the two souls who lost their lives in the canal.

Point my way!

I'm not so sure Point Reyes National Seashore qualifies as strange spot or not, but it is a beautiful spot near and dear to my heart.   Think California is just movie stars and blondes,  think again :).   Point Reyes is just north of San Fransico (30 miles) and is just about as far from Hollywood as one can get. Point Reyes National Seashore is a 71,000 acre park preserve  on the Point Reyes Peninsula.   It's a beautiful spot in California with secluded coves and beaches,  vast bright green pastures, well maintained hiking trails and lighthouse often cloaked in fog.  I've visited Point Reyes many times and it's truly a magical place.

Magical world of crystals!

Swarovski Crystal World is located inWattens, Austria (outside of Innsbruck) .  Swarovski is a leading manufacturer of cut crystals.  In 1995,  to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Swarovski, Andre Heller (artist) created this palace with it's 14 subterranean magical Chambers of Wonder.    It is Austria's second most visited museum.    I really don't have much to say about this place other than I adore Swaravski Crystals..... I'll let the pictures explain.

 

 

 

Valentine's Day Lake!

A simple pleasure found only on the Red Lotus Sea (aka Talay Bua Daeng) in Udon Thani, Thailand.  This lake is home to millions of lotus plants that can bloom from the beginning of December to the end of February (Valentines Day spot).  This natural attraction appeals to many tourists each year.  Pontoon boats offer rides for up to  90 minutes.  But be sure to catch the lotus bloom before noon.  An annual Red Lotus Festival is held each year in mid Jan at Wat Bandiem.