Monkey Business!

That's Kampung Monyet,  a.k.a Monkey Village", an infamous shantytown in the eastern part of the capital, Jakart (Indonesia) where people dress their macaque monkeys to wear children's clothing and peculiar masks. The monkeys are working helping their owners escape hunger and extreme poverty.  This story, pictures speaker louder than anything.

Cute? Creepy? Entertaining? Justified? Cruel? Crazy? Creative?

 A BIT MORE NATURAL

Green Rules!

Houtouwan (Chinese: 后头湾; pinyin: Hòutóuwān) is a fishing village located in China that was abandoned in the 1990s. The town was abandoned due to issues of food delivery and education. Only a small handful of people remain in the town, however today it has regained life as a tourist attraction. Today, vines have taken over the village.  Homes and old businesses are completely covered in green making the town one big amazing photo opportunity.

World's Biggest Stack and Rarest Bug

Ball's Pyramid is found in the Pacific Ocean.  It is 12 miles southeast of Lord Howe Island Marine Park in Australia.  It's rises about 1,884 ft above the ocean's surface.  It is considered to be the world's tallest "stack"  in the world being that it's compact and high.   The island was thought to be void of life until 2001 when scientist visited the island.  They found the what is believed to be the rarest insect in the world.  The Dryococelus australis "Land Lizard", "Walking Sausage" or "Lord Howe Stick Insects".  To date, only 24 living inspects have been found.  A pair was taken to Australia and bred successfully.  To get there (if you don't have you own private sail boat), one must take a 2 hour jet ride to Lord Howe Island and then take a tour boat.  Climbing is strictly regulated and special permits must be obtained.

WOW

Love Bugs!

Don't forget the permit

Somewhere between Australia and New Zealand

We Like it Fresh

Only in Lake Baikal (Russia) will you find the freshwater Baikal Seal (aka Nerpa). There are only 3 freshwater seal populations in the world.  I thought this most be a pretty fantastic lake that it is home to this amazing creature   Well, it turns out that this is the larges freshwater lake in the world and holds up to 23% of the world's fresh water.  It is also the world's deepest and oldest lakes (only 25 million years).                            
                                                      Yep... these cuties earless.

It's a scientific mystery of how the seals found themselves in this freshwater lake.  Today, they are an estimated up to 100,000 of these seals in existence.

                                                                         The Lake

 And in the winter...

It's here..

Sky Walking

Sky walking seems simple enough.  Just muster the courage to walk across this 297 foot insane suspension bridge.  But first you have to get there. The walking path leading to the bridge (if you dare to call it a 'path') is only accessible by helicopter (known as heli-hiking). The peak is about 8,600 feet and requires a 1.6 mile hike from the trail-head.  Hiking are provided with safety cable aid in safety.

Fortunately,  there is a Ying to this Yang.  Visitors are welcomed to the Bobbie Burns Mountain Lodge for some R & R after their hike. The lodge has the basic modern luxuries include WIFI, hot tubs, private rooms, food and even a bar.  Again, only accessible by helicopter..  heli-hoteling?  

Look pretty darn nice for a helicopter only accessible hotel.

No experience necessary!!!!  And that is no joke.

TIME TO RELAX

 I'm game!

Yes, it is REAL!

Newberry Springs, California, home to the real Bagdad Café. Yes, it's not just a movie prop.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the movie Bagdad Café, watch it.  The German movie is an international cult classic and a must see.  But even better than the movie is the real thing, the Bagdad Café.   In no man's land, in the heat of the desert on famous Route 66.   Most summer days are well into the 100s.  The current population is about 2,800 citizens spread over a large area.

Most Americans pay little attention to the treasures found on Route 66, but it is an international hot spot (sort of :) ).  If you are ever heading from southern California to Las Vegas,  be sure to turn off and visit this amazing little restaurant and take yourself back into time.  I hear the food is not that great and the air-conditioner barely blows,  but it is still worth the stop. 

GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE  66

I cant recommend this movie enough!!!!  and I am a tough critic!!!!!

Another image from the Bagdad Cafe movie.

A little peek inside.

Super Slide

That's right, you too can slide down a skyscraper.  Not just any old sky scraper, but the largest building this side (west) of the Mississippi River.  The U.S. Bank Tower and it's 73 stories now hosts a glass slide allowing you to zip down from the 70th to the 69th floor.  Apparently the ride to the top (observation deck) is about $25.00 USD and another $8.00 to go for a slide.
                                               My lovely City .. Los Angeles, CA

                                                              U.S. Bank Tower
I've lived in L.A. for over 30 years now and it never ceases to surprise me.  Who knew there was a super slide? Not me..

                                                                WEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Fear of heights anyone?

Use your imagination!

This is the Al-Wakrah Sports Stadium and is found in the traditional middle eastern country of Qatar.  :).  Note it's beautiful pink hued roof top with it's large opening in the center. It's lovely, no?  It's design is based on the tradition Qatari 'dhow' boat.  Note the resemblance below....

For those with weaker imaginations :) 

Cambodian Commuter?

Commuter trains are common place in many places in the world, but in some areas of Cambodia, people are lucky to see just four trains in a month. And hopefully, none will derail or breakdown.. fairly common events. With these lemons, the Cambodian people have made lemonaid.  In the 1970s, villages began building that own vehicles to transport themselves with a few sticks of bamboo. These carts have proven to be more popular and more reliable than the official rail service. Inthe Battambang province of northwest Cambodia, it is the only train service in operation. So.. all aboard!

Blue Lava?

Located on the eastern edge of Java, Indonesia, Kawah Ijen erupts a blue-colored lava instead of a red one, a pretty rare feature for a volcano. This Indonesian volcano is now a famous nighttime stop for tourists.  We’re all used to seeing lava as this scorching hot orange/reddis molten rock. We’ve all had our fair share of apocalyptic volcanic movies as well as documentaries. However, there is a one-of-a-kind volcano that spews out a brilliantly colored molten sulfur.