A rare turtle of the same species as the legendary beast that used to patrol Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake has been identified in one of the city’s suburbs, the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) said on Thursday. The discovery increases the number of known Yangtze giant softshell turtles in the world to four. Experts from the ATP used DNA technology to confirm that the turtle in Xuan Khanh Lake, 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of central Hanoi, is of the endangered rafetus swinhoes species. “The discovery brings new hope of mating for wild species and helps multiplication,” said Timothy McCormack, a researcher from the ATP. The ATP received notice of sightings of a softshell turtle at Xuan Khanh Lake in late 2016, and commenced on-site observation. The photo of the turtle taken in May 2017 at Xuan Khanh lake. Photo by Nguyen Van Trong/ATP Last May, hi-res photos taken by a local fisherman suggested that the turtle belonged to the endangered species, prompting the ATP to … [Read more...] about Blood brother of Hanoi’s revered turtle god found on city outskirts
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Garden of the Gods to ban cars for part of Earth Day
0 View Gallery View Comments Colorado Springs parks planners have decided to try something at Garden of the Gods that has long intrigued outdoor enthusiasts. Vehicles will not be allowed for five hours starting at 5 a.m. April 22 in what the city is calling a "Motorless Morning" on Earth Day. Hikers and cyclists will have full reign of the Garden. The parks department is asking drivers to park at the visitor and nature center or Rock Ledge Ranch while roads to the Garden's lots are barred until 10 a.m. The concept of no-vehicle times in the park was well received at a March 12 open house focused on future transportation in the park, which advocates and officials fear is being "loved to death" by summer tourists. Sites around the country have responded to that fear and the demand for more wild escapes by banning motorists at times. Shenandoah National Park celebrated a "Car-Free Day" last April, modeling fellow national parks including Glacier and Crater. Volpe National … [Read more...] about Garden of the Gods to ban cars for part of Earth Day
First-Class Passenger Tries To Open Emergency Door Mid-Flight, Shouts ‘I Am God!’
TRAVEL 03/06/2018 03:23 am ET Updated Mar 07, 2018 “She wasn’t acting right, or normal, from the very beginning." By Ed Mazza 2.1k Passengers on a flight from San Francisco to Boise, Idaho got a scare on Monday when a traveler in the first-class section tried to open the emergency exit door. “I am God!” the unidentified woman can be heard repeating in footage of the incident that was posted by Boise ABC affiliate KIVI. Passengers told KBOI, the CBS station in Boise, that the woman shouted “I want to die! Get me off this plane!” before running for the exit. Although the woman was restrained aboard SkyWest flight 5449, which was operating as United Express, the plane was not diverted. She was later taken into custody and handed over to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for evaluation, KBOI reported. “She wasn’t acting right or normal from the very beginning (of the … [Read more...] about First-Class Passenger Tries To Open Emergency Door Mid-Flight, Shouts ‘I Am God!’
Outward Bound: In Garden of the Gods conundrum, public should be ultimate voice
0 View Gallery View Comments The Denver artist was "pleasantly surprised" as he cruised around Garden of the Gods, searching for the right place to set up his easel. It was shortly after 7 a.m. on a weekday before summer. So maybe he shouldn't have been surprised. But he was, because he was cruising, and as someone familiar with these roads in the busy season, Michael Keyes knew how rare and sublime it was to simply cruise. He found plenty of space to park in the central Garden, then found a spot on the sidewalk where he was alone to sketch the ideal subject. "Start with the red rocks, they're beautiful and wonderful," Keyes said before the timeless cathedrals soaring from the greenery. "Then there's the other colors around, Pikes Peak in the background. It's just a wonderful place." A wonderful place that visitors should be able to enjoy, whether we locals like it or not. We're only as friendly as our most famous park is friendly, and after Memorial Day, the Garden is a … [Read more...] about Outward Bound: In Garden of the Gods conundrum, public should be ultimate voice
Hiking the Path of the Gods on Italy’s Beautiful Amalfi Coast
Whilst researching our holiday to Italy’s Amalfi Coast we stumbled across a hike called the Il Sentiero degli Dei which is also known as the Path of the Gods. Spending a day hiking the Path of the Gods is truly one of the best ways to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, something that everyone needs to see during their lifetime. The Path of the Gods was a highlight of our trip to Italy and we loved the physical challenge of hiking where we were rewarded time and time again with the most magnificent panoramic views of the sea and coastline, sheer cliffs and almost vertical vineyards & terraces. We still love to talk about hiking the Il Sentiero degli Dei and the magnificent views we experienced and surely will never forget. We were staying in Positano at the lovely, beach front Buca di Bacco hotel. Positano truly is a dreamy destination and certainly one to add to the bucket list. Our initial reason for coming to the Amalfi Coast was to visit … [Read more...] about Hiking the Path of the Gods on Italy’s Beautiful Amalfi Coast