UNESCO - Xanthos-Letoon, Turkey

The site of Xantos , once the capital of Lycia, illustrates the blending of Lycian traditions and Hellenic influence, especially in its funerary art. The epigraphic inscriptions are crucial for our understanding of the history of the Lycian people and their Indo-European language.

Thank you Onder :)

 

UNESCO - Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's legendary birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century B.C. The remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the site is of exceptional architectural and historic value. The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most beautiful in the world.

I am very thankful to Iliyana for sending me this great postcard! The mosaics do look truly amazing :)

 

UNESCO - Delos, Greece

The island of Delos  near Mykonos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. According to Greek mythology, Apollo was born on this tiny island - Apollo's sanctuary attracted pilgrims from all over Greece and Delos was a prosperous trading port. The island bears traces of the succeeding civilizations in the Aegean world, from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the palaeochristian era.

The Terrace of the Lions was also dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos shortly before 600 BC, had originally nine to twelve squatting, snarling marble guardian lions along the Sacred Way.

 

When my PC friend told me he was going to work on an island which is in its entirety an archaeological site, I thought wow thats so cool! Thinking about it a bit more I realise it cant be that different from me working on this small island...though its much smaller, and well it doesnt have some awesome ruins scattered around heh. Thanks Vangelis :)

 

UNESCO - Kairouan, Tunisia

The Great Mosque of Kairouan is also known as the Mosque of Uqba and is one of the most important mosques in Tunisia - it was established by the Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi in 670 AD at the founding of the city of Kairouan, and is one of the oldest places of worship in the Islamic world, as well as a model for all later mosques in the Maghreb.

Kairouan flourished under the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century, and despite the transfer of the political capital to Tunis in the 12th century it remained the Maghreb's principal holy city.  It is an important centre for Islamic and Quranic learning, and thus attracting a large number of Muslims from various parts of the world, next only to Mecca and Medina.

Thank you Mehdi for this nice addition :))

 

Circuit De Monaco

Formula One motor race Monaco Grand Prix is held each year on the Circuit de Monaco since 1929; it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world. The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One.

Famous Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna won three Formula One world championships, but was killed in an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix -  he is to this day considered to be one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.

Many thanks to Ann for this great combo :)

 

GEO - Ocelot Chillin'

An ocelot in the Ecuador's jungle has chosen a giant tree root to rest. These night hunters are native to tropical and sub-torpical American continent; once being hunted for its fur, now its protected and the numbers are recovering.

 

One of the favourites...precious moment captured in this photo. Must be so cool to be a wildlife photographer! If I could choose any career that would probably be it. Well a biologist and a conservationist combined with documentarist :)

 

GEO - Raccoon Kits

Cute young raccoons grow up to be omnivorous predators; these Procyonidae originating in North America are colour-blind, therefore they feel up their food thoroughly, sometimes even under water to make the hard fruits softer.

 

GEO - Croc Hatching

The crocodiles in Botswana's Okavango Delta lay their eggs in the sand. Before it hatches the young one makes noises to signal his mum, who will carry the defenseless offspring to the safety of the water

 

This impressive photograph was in my favourites, well until last week :)