Thursday, September 15, 2011

CALIFORNIA BOAT HOUSES





"Although technically a block away from the beach and not right on it, these boat houses in Encinitas, California certainly embody the beach culture. Plus, the story behind how they got there is pretty interesting in itself. Entrepreneur and businessman Miles Minor Kellogg was ahead of his time in the 1910s and 1920s, building structures from recycled and reclaimed materials. After building a small silent movie theatre from the discarded top story of a hotel, Kellogg set his sights on building a home from reclaimed material. Since he’d always had an interest in boats, they became the focus of his project. He and his son, Miles Justin Kellogg, worked on the houses together until they were completed in the late 1920s. Both houses are 15 feet tall and 20 feet long with a total space of 2,190 square feet. Each home has ship-like features such as plaster hulls with 19 portholes, two decks, large flat-roofed pilothouses (these are the bedrooms), a galley, dining and living rooms and a bathroom below deck. Recently, the Encinitas Preservation Society purchased the property; they are currently renting them out as apartments in order to raise funds to turn one into a museum" (Gizfactory)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

A GREAT DAY FOR FISHING!

O Deer!

I've heard of salmon jumping into boats but... Four deer were pulled from the icy waters of Stephens Passage, Alaska by a group of locals on Tom Satre's 62-foot charter vessel. Four juvenile Sitka black-tailed deer swam directly toward the boat.

Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at the humans on board. Clearly, the bucks were distressed. With help, the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals came willingly onto the boat. Once onboard, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering.

Here the rescued bucks rest on the back of Tom Satre's boat, the Alaska Quest. All four deer were transported to Taku Harbour . Once the group reached the dock, the first buck that had been pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back, then leapt into the harbour, swam to shore, and disappeared into the forest. After a bit of prodding and assistance from the humans, two others followed suit, but one deer needed more help.






Tom, Anna and Tim Satre help the last of the "button" bucks to its feet. They did not know how long the deer had been in the icy waters or if there had been others who did not survive. The good Samaritans (humans) describe their experience as "one of those defining moments in life." I'm sure it was for the deer as well!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

UNUSUAL HOTEL #4: KENYA'S MAGNIFICENT SAROVA SALT LICK GAME LODGE

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Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge is situated in Kenya’s Taita Hills Sanctuary which provides a safe environment to over 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds within 28,000 acres of rolling savanna and woodland habitats. Large numbers of wildlife come to drink at the waterholes, so Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge provides a rare opportunity to view animals at close proximity in their natural habitat. Taita Hills Sanctuary is a success story in sustainable conservation where wildlife – including elephant, lion, buffalo and giraffe – thrive.

Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge is a truly unique concept consisting of 96 rooms elevated on stilts. Each chalet offers a panoramic view of the area, including the waterhole. The lobby, restaurant and terraced bar also provide excellent views and photographic opportunities, while an underground tunnel and bunker with ground level windows provides unbelievably close yet safe access to a variety of wildlife as they drink. The waterholes are illuminated by powerful floodlights as it gets dark, to make sure that you witness all the activity throughout the night.

Game drives are tightly controlled to ensure that animals are not harassed and some areas are completely closed to vehicles. This commitment to responsible eco-tourism, which has been so well supported by visitors, ensures that the Sanctuary and all its wildlife will continue to prosper. Other activities include game walks, excursions and swimming.

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UNUSUAL HOTEL #3: Kenya's Amazing Giraffe Manor


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A manor of fact

Giraffe Manor in the Lang'ata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya is famous for much more than their highly trained and friendly staff, breathtaking surroundings and amazing cuisine. What keeps this hotel at its peak is the 20 feet tall locals who frequently pops in, whether out of curiosity or to mingle with the guest. Travelers all over the globe make The Giraffe Manor part of their Kenya safari holiday – the only place in the world where you can enjoy the company of a herd of endangered Rothschild's giraffe while feasting on a superb meal. What makes the experience even more memorable is that visitors are encourage to engage with the giraffes by touching, feeding and photographing them. Besides the dinner table they also like to pop in through the front door or your bedroom window.

The Rothschild Giraffe is among the most endangered giraffe subspecies with only a few hundred members in the wild. In comparison to other species of giraffe, The Rothschild Giraffe is paler in colour, have less jagged orange-brown patches and has no markings on the lower leg. The hotel itself was originally a hunting lodge built on a giraffe sanctuary by Sir David Duncan in 1932 and was turned into a hotel by new owners Betty and Jock Leslie-Melville in 1983.

The Leslie-Melvilles realised that their estate may be the only habitat left for The Rothschild Giraffe due to a compulsory purchase by the Kenyan government of an 18,000-acre (73 km2) privately owned ranch, resulting in the land being sub-divided into smallholdings, and the giraffes being slaughtered. Since then the Manor, in conjunction with Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, England, has run a breeding programme to reintroduce the Rothschild giraffe into the wild and expanding the gene pool. Today Giraffe Manor is also home to many characters including warthogs, bushbuck, dik dik and more than 180 species of birds and has a striking view of the Ngong hills. For more information visit www.giraffemanor.com.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MOST RIDICULOUS MOVIE MONSTERS EVER


Death Bed: The Bed That Eats
A movie about a flesh-eating bed.


Black Sheep
A movie about killer sheep in New Zealand.


Slugs: The Movie
A movie about killer slugs.


The Mangler
A movie about a killer laundry folding machine, fueled by virgin-blood.


The Stuff
A movie about strange yummy goo that erupts from earth. The goo tastes good but turns out to be deadly...


Shakma
A movie about a killer baboon driven mad by experimental injections.


The Blob
A movie about a giant amoeba-like creature that likes to eat humans.


Frogs
Giant Frogs? Who would have thought?


Night of the Lepus
4 Words: Giant carnivorous mutant bunnies.



Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
Once again...need I say more?


The Gingerdead Man
The ashes from an executed killer are mixed into some cookie dough and naturally the killer comes back as a giant knife wielding murdering Ginger Bread Man.


Rubber
When Robert, an inanimate tire, discovers his destructive telepathic powers, he soon sets his sights on a desert town.


Monsturd

Friday, March 4, 2011

25 INCREDIBLE INFINITY POOLS

1. Golden Triangle Resort - Chiang Rai, Thailand


2. Murni's Villa - Ubud, Bali


3. Lake Manyara Serena Lodge - Tanzania, Africa


4. Kandalama Hotel - Dambulla, Sri Lanka


5. Tuscany, Italy


6. Tat Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang, Laos (natural)


7. Alila Ubud Hotel - Bali, Indonesia


8. Sheraton Waikiki - Hawaii


9. Hotel Villa Mahal - Turkey


10. Rangali Island - Maldives


11. Kempinski Hotel Ishtar - Dead Sea, Jorda


12. Divi Little Bay Beach Resort - St. Maarten


13. Phuket, Thailand


14. Los Cabos, Mexico


15. North Narrabeen Tidal Pool - Sydney, Australia (natural)


16. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico


17. Intercontinental Hotel - Fiji


18. Dreams Resort - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico


19. Unknown


20. Turkey


21. Mes Amis Resort


22. Ubud Hanging Gardens - Bali, Indonesia


23. Infinity Falls (natural)


24. Unknown


25. Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino - Singapore