₦airaland Forum

Lake Retba, Senegal


Having been at some point a child, you will certainly have dreamed of a lake made of strawberry milkshake. We can now reveal that it does exist. Okay, so it’s not exactly made of milkshake, but Senegal’s Lake Retba is certainly the right shade of pink.

Lake Retba’s amazing colouration derives from its high salt concentration — one and a half times higher than the Dead Sea. This makes it a prime habitat for halobacterium, a type of single-celled halophile (salt-loving) microorganism which is red or purple in colour. The water of lake actually changes from mauve to deep pink in colour, depending on the time of day and amount of sunlight.

Also known as Lac Rose (French is the official language of Senegal), the amazing pink lake is situated on the Cap Vert peninsula about 35km north of Dakar. That is the same Dakar of the Paris-Dakar rally, the mental Sahara desert motor race, for which Lake Retba is often the suitably amazing finishing point. In short, this place is generally a hive of extremophiles — halobacteria and high-octane racers alike.

For most of the year salt fishing is the major activity of the lake. Workers spend 10-12 hours a day in the water scraping salt from the lake bed, their skin rubbed with butter from the Shea nut to protect it from the inhospitable salinity of the water. Seen from above, with piles of white salt lining the shore, the lake appears as a pool of colour in a black and white landscape.

Lavender Fields, UK and France


Close your eyes and breathe deep - your senses tell you you are in Provence ! The Provence of lavender fields in bloom ! The heady scent of lavender is strongest in the heart of the summer, from mid-June to early August is when the fine stalks wave in the wind, blue prairies stretched as far as the eye can see. Lavender fields cover the high plateaux in the Sault area, at the base of Mont Ventoux. Lavender grows in the Apt area, in the Luberon and in the Valréas Enclave.

Lavender has traditionally been used to scent household linens and bath water.

The bees love lavender and produce a fine, subtle honey from lavender. Explore the use of lavender in gastronomy too...

Mendenhall Ice Caves, Juneau, Alaska


Mendenhall, the famously 12 mile long, 150 foot deep and half mile wide glacier melts as you watch it, and moves as much as 60-70 feet per year. The massive glacial geography and its changes over time are a sight to be seen. But it’s real beauty lies beneath. Beneath the seracs of “ice peaks” all over the glacier. Beneath the trails that wind the non-touristy western half of the glacier. Under the white outer-coating of the glacial ice itself–a beautiful if only superficial “cover”–one finds a brilliantly colored world of ice caves unlike anything I’ve found anywhere else in nature.

Neither raging nor deep, there are two waterfalls that slip down the side of adjacent Mt. McGinnis in Juneau, Alaska. These gentle streams belie their real impact on the glacier. As one follows the flow of water down the mountain, it slips under the edge of the glacier where, over thousands of years, it has carved massive caves through the ice. Known by most of the locals but far, far off the tourist track, these caves were an extraordinary experience–the kind that will live with you for the rest of your life. There’s simply nothing else like it.

The path to get there is not so much difficult as it is technical–requiring balance and calculated movements more than muscle or raw perseverance. Park at the head of Western Glacier Trail. Hike the trail out to the viewing platform atop the small knoll. There’ll be a sign pointing to it. But instead of continuing along Western Glacier Trail, you’ll take the unmarked trail from the viewing platform down towards the glacier. This path is technical and moderately arduous, but not overly long. It’ll wind through Juneau’s beautiful rain forests and take you through some areas where you will need to climb over large rocks (no climbing gear is needed–the rocks are easy, just tall). From here, you’ll begin the final descent onto the glacier itself. You WILL need ice cleats or, at minimum, crampons. Climb the glacier for a while and behold the majestic beauty of the ice upfront. You can see holes that go all the way through the glacier with constantly streaming flows of water–a reminder that the massive ice is moving and melting all the time. But before you leave, do not miss the ice caves beneath the glacier. Climb the left side of the glacier along the edge, and follow the sound and sight of the waterfalls coming down Mt. McGinnis. There are other ice caves to be found, but this is the only one I had the time for on my journey. But at several hundred yards deep before the cave opening gets to be so small you can no longer go any deeper inside, it won’t leave you disappointed.

Naica Mine, Mexico


Discovered by two miners looking for lead, these amazing crystal-lined caves could be mistaken for Superman's ethereal Arctic lair.

These stunning white beams of gypsum have been growing at a snail's pace for hundreds of thousands of years in caves below Naica in Mexico.

Ten years after the amazing discovery, scientists are petitioning the Mexican government to claim for Unesco World Heritage status to protect the unique formations for future generations.

These stunning images, which were taken by world-renowned Spanish photographer Javier Trueba, show the sheer size of the crystals, some of which measure up to 11 metres.

Growing slowly over time, it is still unclear why the formations fill the caves at such haphazard angles.

The huge mines at Naica have been excavated for years, but in 1975 a massive area was drained so mining operations could take place.

When the water disappeared the crystals stopped growing, however, it was more than 25 years before two miners stumbled across the vast Crystal Caves and the incredible collection of gypsum was discovered.
The formation of the beams 290 metres below the surface, occurred when super-heated water began cooling and became saturated with gypsum.

Over time, crystals formed in the water.

One of the major problems still facing scientists wishing to study below the ground at Naica is the heat.
A hot spring located close to the Crystal Caves means the temperature is too hot for people to remain in the crystal chamber for longer than ten minutes at a time.

Fortunately, other sections of the mine are air-conditioned.

Red Beach, Panjin, China


The Red Beach is located in the Liaohe River Delta, about 30 kilometer southwest of Panjin City in China. The beach gets its name from its appearance, which is caused by a type of sea weed that flourishes in the saline-alkali soil. The weed that start growing during April or May remains green during the summer. In autumn, this weed turns flaming red, and the beach looks as if it was covered by an infinite red carpet that creates a rare red sea landscape. Most of the Red Beach is a nature reserve and closed to the public. Only a small, remote, section is open for tourists.

Sagano Bamboo Forest, Japan


Sagano Bamboo Forest is located in Arashiyama, a district on the west outskirts of Kyoto, Japan.
Sagano Bamboo Forest is one of the most amazing natural sites in Japan.

One of the most interesting facts about Sagano Bamboo Forest is the sound which the wind makes while it blows amongst the bamboo. Amazingly enough, this sound has been voted on as one of the ”one hundred must-be-preserved sounds of Japan” by the Japanese government.

As mentioned he Sagano Bamboo Forest is not too far from Kyoto’s main streets – (30 minutes by train).
Another interesting fact – the railing on the sides of the road is composed out of old, dry and fallen parts of bamboo.

Salar de Uyuni


Salar de Uyuni (salar is salt flat in Spanish) is currently the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). Actually, some 30,000–42,000 years ago, the area was part of a giant prehistoric lake, Lake Minchin. When it dried, it left behind two modern lakes and two major salt deserts, Salar de Coipasa and the larger Salar de Uyuni.

Located in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, it is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinary flatness with the average altitude variations within one meter over the entire area of the Salar. The large area, clear skies and exceptional surface flatness make the Salar an ideal object for calibrating the altimeters of Earth observation satellites.

When covered with water, this extraordinary place becomes one of the largest mirrors on Earth.

Street in Bonn, Germany


When this friendly, relaxed city on the Rhine became West Germany’s ‘temporary’ capital in 1949 it surprised many, including its own residents. When in 1991 a reunited German government decided to move back to Berlin, it shocked many, especially its own residents. More than 15 years later, no-one need feel sorry for Bonn. Change brings opportunity, and rather than plunge into the dark depths of provincialism, the ex-capital has reinvented itself with creativity and vigour. Its cosmopolitan openness has attracted an international cast of businesses, students, scientists and even such world organisations as the UN.

For visitors, the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven has plenty in store, not the least the great composer’s birth house, a string of top-rated museums, a lovely riverside setting and the nostalgic flair of the old government quarter. Bonn can be seen on an easy day trip from Cologne but also makes for an excellent jumping-off point to the Siebengebirge nature reserve and other attractions that can be found in the area.

Shibazakura Flowers, Takinoue Park, Japan


The Shibazakura (Pink Moss) Festival is one of the most unique and colorful festivals on the Hokkaido flower calendar. Winding paths lead you across a surreal pink and purple hillside overlooking Takinoue town.

Every year from early May to early June, Takinoue Park is covered with a carpet of Shibazakura which started from the equivalent of a single tangerine box filled with seedlings. These flowers have spread and grown every year and now cover an area of 100,000 square meters.

The backside of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range offers its pointy snow-covered peaks as a backdrop and tulips adorn the the wide gently-sloped paths on your journey across the hill.

A short distance to the right of the upper car-par you'll find food and drink stalls, playground equipment, tables and benches and a stage featuring music and dance performances.

All in all, this is a great place to spend a few hours and take some great photos before moving on to other sightseeing spots in the area.

Tianzi Mountain, China



Tianzi Mountain is named after Xiang Dakun who led the local farmers' revolt and called himself Tianzi-the Son of Heaven. Bounded by Suoxi Valley on the east, Zhangjiajie on the south, Sangzhi County on the north, Tianzi Mountain is one of the four scenic zones in Wulingyuan. It lies on the highest point of "Golden Triangle", its highest point being 1262.5m (Kunlun peak) and lowest point being 534m (Shilan valley).

It has an area of 67 square kilometers, a touring line of 45 kilometers, an average temperature of 12oC, an annual waterfall of 1800 mm, a frost-free period of 240 days and a frozen period of 60-80 days. Except a layer of limestone and a few areolate stones at the peak, some hundred meters above sea level, the majority of scenic spots is formed of quart stones, belonging to sandstone ground feature which is the same as Suoxiyu Valley and Zhangjiajie. The 500-meter or 600-meter thick quartzite sandstone has evolved from neptunic rocks that subsided from oceans 380,000,000 years ago and after a complicated and long process formed strangely shaped spectacles. To sum up, the landscape in Tianzi Mountain is natural and primeval. Every scenic spot is created by nature and of no artificial trace. There are not only primeval forests and beautiful water but also plain folkways, special customs and local specialities and delicacies awaiting tourists from home and abroad. No wonder people make comments, like "people who have climbed Tianzi Mountain will not climb any other mountains" and "It can not be said that you have been to Wulingyuan without reaching Tianzi Mountain".
How to get Tianzi Mountain
Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station has regular tourist buses to Sinanyu Ticket Station and the bus journey takes about 80-90 minutes. Then take battery car inside the scenic area.

Tulip fields, Holland



Holland - the country of tulips. One place you have to visit is the Keukenhof. Keukenhof (“Kitchen garden”), is situated near Lisse, The Netherlands and and is the world’s largest flower garden. Approximately 7 Million flower bulbs are planted annually in the park, which covers an area of 32 hectares.

The fields are stunning and will overwhelm you with colours, tulips in colours you would never have imagined.

It is not far at all from Amsterdam and absolutely doable as a day trip with lots of bus and train trips offering packages. Check out the website to find a list of possibilities or how to get there by car.

Note: Keukenhof is open annually from the last week in March to mid-May. The best time to view the tulips is around mid-April.

Tunnel of love, Ukraine


For those of us who are head over heals in love, here’s a new destination to consider. The Tunnel of Love, located in Ukraine, used to be just another train rail section, but eventually turned into one of the most romantic spots on Earth.

As trees were left to grow freely around the rails, the passing train was the only thing shaping its way through. Eventually, by crossing the Kleven village forest back and forth three times a day, the train shaped a closed tunnel according to it’s size.

Today the Tunnel of Love is highly popular among lovers: it is believed that if two people are sincere in their love and cross the tunnel while holding each other’s hands, their wishes will come true.

Wisteria flower tunnel, Japan


The gardens are located about a 4-hour drive away from Tokyo, and the best visiting time is late April to mid May. At this time of the year, the wisteria flowers are in full bloom. Moreover, an annual “Wisteria Festival”, also known as “Fuji Matsuri“, is hosted on April 27-29 to offer additional festivities in the gardens. Once in the gardens, many visitors experience an overwhelming zen-like peace and calmness. It’s no wonder that wisteria is an important symbol for Buddhists, representing prayer and reaching out to the divine. These metaphors are mostly inspired by the spiraling shape and manner that the flower grows, sometimes reaching as high as 65.6 ft above the ground.

There was panic among passengers of Air Peace when the pilot of the plane was forced to abort landing after discovering that cows had taken over Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri.

The incident occurred in Imo state on Thursday, November 11.

Vanguard reports that Mr. Richard Akinnola who was a passenger on the flight said that the pilot was forced to hover for a while when he discovered that cows had occupied the landing strip.

Passengers were in a panic state as the airport was cleared by security operatives before the plan finally landed to the relief of the passenger.

A similar incident happened at the Port Harcourt International airport sometimes ago where an Air France plane collided with cows and the federal government was forced to repair the partially damaged plane.

The pilot was praised for his expertise as passengers suffered minor shock for what might have been a tragedy.

Meanwhile, the Afenifere Renewal Group accused the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria of threatening the people of Ekiti state.

The accusation by Afenifere follows the cattle breeders’ reaction to the creation of Marshals by Governor Ayodele Fayose to enforce the Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing law in Ekiti state.


https://www.naij.com/1044501-panic-cows-take-owerri-airport-runway-full-loaded-plane-aborts-landing.html

A father of two has been paraded by a vigilance group in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state for allegedly stealing a pot of soup, 12 wraps of fufu and a half basin of garri flour.

The 35-year-old suspect who was identified as Kaduna Enatimi, was said to have been arrested by the vigilantes about 2am on Thursday, November, 10 comfortably consuming some of the stolen wraps of fufu and the soup, the Punch reports.

The suspected thief was also said to have pleaded with the vigilantes, blaming his actions on hunger and economic hardship.

The head of the Igbogene vigilance committee, Chief MoneySweet Asomo, said the suspect was caught red handed “doing justice” to the soup and food items stolen from a cafeteria owned by an Akwa Ibom State woman in the area.

“We were on patrol at about 2am on Thursday. When we got to the Timida School area, we saw a man at a local food joint eating. The food kiosk is owned by an Akwa Ibom indigene popularly called Madam Blessing,” Asomo said.

“We questioned Enatimi and he confessed to have stolen the pot of soup, some wraps of fufu and half basin of garri. He claimed it was the economic hardship that led him to the crime.”

It was, however, learnt that the paramount ruler of the area, the Obenibe X1 of Epie Kingdom, King Hope Adike, intervened and asked them to parade him (the suspect) round the community with the stolen items as a deterrent to others.

After parading the suspect round the village, he was released and asked to sin no more considering his defence that hunger and hardship made him to steal the items.

In related development, 75-year-old man has revealed how he turned his 14 children into armed robbers.

According to reports, a 75-year-old repentant thief identified as Mallam Yahaya Shanjijiri, openly confessed about his numerous crimes, including how he turned his 14 children into armed robbers.

Shanjijiri who revealed this when over 5,000 criminals gathered to renounce their criminal past across local governments in Niger state, said he has been operating as a notorious criminal for over 30 years. He said he ‘retired’ about 8 years ago and had resorted to training his children to follow his footsteps.


https://www.naij.com/1044229-shame-see-married-man-paraded-stealing-pot-soup.html

Wish you well my Governor

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) pledged to go on a rampage and to declare full-scale war in seven days if the government of Muhammadu Buhari fails to meet their demands.

The Vanguard reports that the group in a statement signed by General Edmos Ayayeibo, the spokesman of Adaka Boro Avengers, gives the ultimatum to NUNPEG to immediately ask all international oil companies operating in the oil-rich region to evacuate their territory.

According to militants, the failure to do so will lead to untold calamity on staff and on oil and gas pipelines.

The statement further reads: “We want all Nigerians to know how we will surprise the President of the Nigeria union of petroleum and Natural gas worker’s (NUPENG) Mr, Igwe Achese on how he want to cause crisis in the Niger Delta region.

“By asking the federal government of Nigeria to engage the service of a security outfit managed by some ex-militants in the Niger Delta for the security of crude oil facilities in the region, his words is a slap to the Niger Delta Agitators.

“We shall let him know that the Niger Delta is not a place for him to set fire. Rather we will go after the lives of his worker’s and the so called oil installations in the region. This is a sound warning to all multinational oil companies operating in region to for their own interest for now, until matters are resolved in the region.

“Failure to adhere to this warning we will go on rampage for the total destruction of workers and oil installations they will have their selves to be blamed. It has also come to our notice that President Muhammadu Buhari is not ready for any meaningful dialogue process in the Niger Delta.

“Since our representative Papa E. Kiagbodo Clark and the King Diete Spiff led groups summits the 16 points agendas to President Buhari, he as not shown any sign of engaging the leaders and the leaders in any peace process.”

Meanwhile, the Adaka Boro Avengers give kudos to minister of petroleum Dr, Ibe Kachuku for his tirelessly efforts in combing the crisis in the Niger Delta region.

The militants stated that they want all our leaders from the Niger Delta region, particularly Papa E. Kiagbodo Clark, King Alfred Diete Spiff and Mister Kachuku to step aside for us to take the bull by the horn.

“We are tired of talks only. The future of us and our unborn children is been taking to feed the whole country on daily basis. Yet we are listening to Buhari and his APC talks. Deadline of the seven days ultimatum will be total war across all states in the Niger Delta region,” the group added.

At the same time, Oro Freedom Fighters, another militant group, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the president, demanding the announcement of the Niger Delta Republic.

The Avengers also recently threatened the secession of the oil-rich region from the rest of Nigeria and has clashed with the MEND, another group that led an insurgency in the region in the mid-2000s.

MEND is negotiating with President Buhari’s government over the current crisis.

The NDA said that Clark was unsuitable to lead negotiations between militant groups and the government and that it supported the Nigerian military’s current presence in the Delta.


https://www.naij.com/1043744-just-tired-talks-avengers-threaten-declare-war-buhari.html

The troops of Sector 1 of ODS were said to have encountered the militants and engaged them in a gun duel at the Batan-Egwa creeks in Warri South-west Local Government Area of the state.

The operatives were reportedly deployed in an outpost of the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) to protect the facilities of the firm when they saw two 200 horsepower boats conveying the militants.

According to The Nation, the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, confirmed the encounter in a statement in Yenagoa but said the troops repelled the militants.

“They came in 200 horsepower speed capacity boats but were subsequently engaged and repelled. Effort is ongoing to apprehend the criminals”, he said.

He, however, added: “Troops at Batan reported a loud sound suspected to be an explosion. Further findings revealed that a barge carrying equipment used for the repairs of the Trans Forcados Pipeline at the repair site in Eweregbene community was blown by suspected Niger Delta Avengers militants who retreated after troops repelled the attack.

“However, two unexploded dynamites found at the scene on a branch and swamp buggy were successfully detonated by our troops”.

Olaolu also disclosed that troops of Sector 2, Bayelsa State, in conjunction with Special Forces conducted patrols at Sand-sand Fishing Camp and uncovered attempts by militants to reactivate an earlier-destroyed camp.

“The troops engaged the suspected militants and killed one of them popularly called ‘Edoboy’. He was one of the notorious kinpins on the wanted list of security agencies who had been terrorizing innocent members of the communities in the area”, he said.

He said the troops also engaged another group of suspected sea robbers at creeks close to Lobia community in Bayelsa.

He said: “One suspect popularly known as “Stainless Gobo” was killed while others escaped with various degrees of injuries towards Lobia Community.

“The killed suspected sea robber is believed to be affiliated to a wanted militant called “VIP”. One AK 47, two magazines, 29 rounds of 7.62milimeter special, 10 empty cases, seven charms, two head warmers and a cutlass were recovered from the scene”.

The spokesman said a passenger boat was rescued from sea robbers at Idoro River in Ozobo Community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

He said while trying to escape, the sea robbers’ vessel collided with the passenger boat and capsized adding that four of the suspects were nabbed.

He said troops were making efforts to recover four locally-made double-barrel guns belonging to the suspects from the river while the arrested suspects were being quizzed.

Olaolu further said that a wooden boat conveying 53 drums of illegally-refined petroleum product were intercepted at Asugbo Tibigbene and Beneth River Warri South Local Government.

The spokesman confirmed that one Vincent Moses and Emuotu Godbless Oghenechonuohwo were arrested with a white coloured Toyota Hiace bus conveying ten plastic drums with 220 litre capacity each and 19 jerrycans of suspected Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

They were arrested along Okwagbe – Ughelli road and handed over to the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Olaolu also confirmed that one Usman Jafar, 21-year-old indigene of Adamawa State was arrested for parading himself as a serving soldier.

Jafar, who was alleged to have robbed one Atima Aghogho along Ajanuga road had in possession a fake Nigerian Army Identity Card, one First Bank of Nigeria ATM Card and an iphone belonging to one of his victims.

The spokesman further said that following a tip off, troops in conjunction with members of Petroleum Task Force conducted a raid at Ifieporo community in Warri South Local Government and discovered an area used as dump site and piling


https://www.naij.com/1042327-niger-delta-panic-as-army-battles-militants-pirates-2-feared-dead.html

Priest Donato also said that after Maria´s funeral, he still comes, waits patiently and quietly by the altar. “I can’t throw him out”.

The whole town is in charge of Ciccio. Everybody takes care of him and feeds him, although it would be better if he could find a permanent home where he could start his life again.


https://www.naij.com/1032063-lb-dog-goes-to-church.html

Since that day, every time the church bells ring, Ciccio still goes to the church.

Priest Donato Panna said: “He’s there every time the mass starts and always behaves well. He doesn’t make any noise, and I’ve never heard him bark in the whole time he’s been coming.”

Sadly, Maria passed away in November of 2012. Ciccio followed the coffin of her beloved owner when the community members carried it to the church, Ciccio seated next to the coffin, near the altar’s stairs.