Wes Skiles died during a dive last summer. Sanctum is dedicated to him.
This is a real photograph from one of the most mysterious environments in the world. No, it's not a still from Sanctum - although James Cameron's new diving film was inspired by a near-catastrophic expedition by the man who took these pictures, Wes C Skiles.This is a real photograph from one of the most mysterious environments in the world. You could visit Abaco Island, in the Bahamas, and have no idea that beneath you lies this vast network of caves, accessible by as many as a thousand 'blue holes' - submerged vertical caves peppered with entrances to this forbidding domain. Exploring these passages is the diving equivalent of climbing K2 - you've got to be exceptionally well trained and well prepared. Even then, safety is no guarantee; Wes C Skiles died during a dive last summer.Sanctum is dedicated to him. Of the 1,000 or so blue holes in the Bahamas, fewer than 20 per cent have been investigated, and almost none fully explored. It's a perilous mission to undertake; the caves are pitch black, vast and labyrinthine: the deepest blue holes can be 600ft deep, and the connecting caves run on for thousands of feet in all directions. Divers maintain a taut safety line at all times. Without it, it could be nigh on impossible to find your way out before your air supply runs out. Divers carry three tanks of nitrox mix - one to use on the way in, one on the way out, and one for emergencies - and three lights, which are used to communicate as well as navigate.Standard practice states that if any one light fails for any diver, the whole dive is called off. As well as the routine hazards of diving, the unique water chemistry of inland blue holes brings its own problems.In inland blue holes, a thin layer of fresh water, provided by rainfall, sits on top of denser salt water. The fresh water acts as a lid, preventing oxygen from entering the water.Bacteria in the salt water produce hydrogen sulphide as a result, generating toxic clouds of gas, suspended near the surface throughout the caves.Divers cannot spend too long exposed to these clouds; it can penetrate their wetsuits and skin, leading to nausea, delirium and even death.These conditions also contribute to the blue holes' interest, however.Life on Earth began in prehistoric times, when oxygen was vastly less prevalent in the planet's atmosphere.By exploring these caves, and studying the bacteria that exist here, scientists can learn not only about life as it was four billion years ago, but as it might exist now on other worlds: it is possible that there are pockets of liquid water beneath the surfaces of Mars, Jupiter's moon Europa, and distant planets.The oxygen-deficient conditions also preserve animal remains.Marine biologists have recovered the remains of crocodiles and tortoises with their soft tissues perfectly intact, even after thousands of years.
Kelly Coxhead, 32, got engaged 10 years ago and has since then been trying to convince her fiancee to set a wedding date. Now, she’s closer than ever to tying the knot, all she needs is 1 million Facebook friends.
Fiancee Paul Mappelthorpe, a mechanic who lives with Kelly in Swindon, England, has now become arguably the most unromantic man in Britain after refusing to marry his partner until she gets one million Facebook users to join a group. While other women would have probably left him after hearing such a ridiculous claim, Ms. Coaxhead actually set up a group called ‘I NEED 1 MILLION PEOPLE TO JOIN FOR PAUL TO MARRY ME C’MON GUYS HELP ME lol’, and began asking family and friends to join.
”It just came out of nowhere. I thought ‘a million’ that sounds good.” Paul says, ”When you think there’s 67 billion people in the world it’s less than 0.1 per cent. I just like a challenge and I like the idea of setting a challenge for her. It’ll give her something to look at on Facebook.”
The description to Kelly’s group reads ”we been together 10 years and i think its about time he got off his stubborn arse and married me…..lol he just informed me that i need to get 1 million people to join…..lol so come on join prove to him that i can do it….hahaha.”, and judging by the publicity she’s getting after British media picked up her story, she might just make it. She only started the group a little over a week ago, and she already has over 27,000 followers, and the number is soaring pretty fast.
To his defense, Paul says ”Even her dad hasn’t joined yet. He must be on my side.” Just to be clear, Kelly needs to get to 1 million friends before 11/11/11, if she wants to get married on her dream date.
Referred to as “the perfect place to die” in Wataru Tsurumui’s bestselling book – The Complete Manual of Suicide – Aokigahara is a thick, dark forest located at the base of Mount Fuji, famous as a popular suicide spot.
No one knows exactly how many bodies go undiscovered among the trees of Aokigahara forest, but the ones uncovered so far have already earned this place an eerie reputation. In 2002 alone, 78 bodies were located in Aokigahara, and by 2006, another 16 suicides were reported. Some of the victims even carried copies of Tsurumui’s book with them, which makes this even creepier. The whole place is dotted with signs that read “please reconsider!” or “please consult the police before you decide to die!” but these have little power on those determined to die here.
“We’ve got everything here that points to us being a death spot. Perhaps we should just promote ourselves as ‘Suicide City’ and encourage people to come here,” says the mayor of Aokigahara exasperated by the high number of suicides registered in the area. Locals claim they can always tell who is going into the forest to admire its natural beauty, and who isn’t planning on ever coming back. They say part of the reason people decide to commit suicide in Aokigahara forest is because they want to die at the foot of the sacred Mt. Fuji and because it’s so dense and thick that sounds from just a few kilometers inside can’t be heard outside the woods.
Aokigahara is considered the most haunted place in all of Japan, where the unsettled ghosts known as “yurei” howl their suffering on the winds. The noises heard here might be considered natural in any other forest, but knowing the reputation of this place, people tend to freak out at the sound of squeaky branch. Of course, the scary stories about the trees themselves being filled with evil energy accumulated from centuries of suicides don’t help much either. Spiritualists go as far as to say the trees don’t want you to go back out of the forest. Legends say there are massive iron deposits underneath the forest that cause compasses and other navigation gadgets to go haywire trapping both suicidals and innocent visitors. While Japan’s Self Defense Force, who regularly trains in Aokigahara says its military grade tools work just fine, they admit pretty much all commercially available equipment doesn’t.
As spooky and haunted as these suicide woods may be, they still have to be taken care of by regular forestry workers. Occasionally, they stumble upon dead bodies in various states of decomposition, usually hanging by trees or partly eaten by wild animals, but instead of running the other way screaming, they are brought to a nearby station. Here they are deposited in a spare room with two beds in it – one for the body and the other for someone to sleep next to it. The Japanese believe that if left alone, the unsettled yurei will scream all throughout the night and move into the regular sleeping quarters, so the workers play rock-paper-scissors to determine which one will sleep with the body. Now that’s what I call a tough job…
The Ark project was designed by Russian firm Remistudio with the assistance of the International Union of Architects’ program Architecture for Disasters Relief. The dome-shaped hotel is constructed with wooden arches, steel cables and a “self-cleaning” plastic layer instead of glass. The slinky-like Ark hotel can be adapted to suit both land and water. It is built to stay afloat in the event of floods or rising seas. The 14,000 square metre shell-like construction of arches and cables distributes the weight evenly, meaning it can withstand earthquakes. Daylight is filtered through to internal rooms due to the hotel’s see-through structure, reducing the need for lighting. Designed as: “an integrated energy system with an uninterruptible power supply using alternative energy sources”, the hotel uses solar panels and a rainwater collection system to provide inhabitants with power and water. It would be built around a central pillar connecting to roof-top wind generators and heat pumps, as well as to energy storage and thermal conversion units below.There will also be a “tornado” energy generating spiral at the top of the pillar.
It comes in an unremarkable-looking bottle, but the “Tezhi Sanbian Jiu” rice wine is a Valentine’s Day gift your loved one will always remember, especially after you tell them it translates as “Three-Penis Liquor“.
I know what you’re thinking, many drinks have strange names like this to attract attention of customers, but in this case, the label is very accurate – this particular rice wine has various types of animal penis brewed in it to grant vitality to the drinker. The label on the back of the bottle says it contains seal penis, deer penis and Cantonese dog penis, all of them popular ingredients in Chinese traditional medicine, said to increase male potency and virility.
So if you’re looking for a special Valentine’s Day gift for your partner, look no further than Three-Penis Liquor; it’s cheap and it’s something they won’t soon forget. You can pick-up a bottle at supermarkets around Shanghai, just remember to make them have a sip before you reveal the secret ingredients.
The TURANOR PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar-powered boat, has just completed the first stage of its journey around the world – a trans-Atlantic journey from Monaco to Miami. The Swiss-designed solar-powered catamaran left Monaco on the 27th of September and docked in Miami just a few days ago, on the 28th of November.
At 101.7ft (31 meters) long and 49.2ft (15 meters) wide, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar is the world’s largest solar-powered boat. The vessel is completely fuelled by renewable energy, with its solar cells having a 22% efficiency rate. These are the highest rated cells available for purchase on the market, and the cells cover over 500 square meters of the ship. The solar cells are able to power two electric motors which are found in the hull, giving the ship at a top speed of 14 knots. Most notably, the large surface area of solar cells means that the catamaran can travel for up to three full days, even without direct sunlight – any excess energy is stored in a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery.
After this layover in Miami, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar will head to Cancún, Mexico for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where it will participate in activities organized by the Swiss government. The vessel is then expected to fully circumnavigate the world in the coming months, visiting San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, before returning home to Monaco.
The multi-national crew of the ship include Frenchman Patrick Marchesseau (Captain), Christian Ochsenbein (Bern, Switzerland), Michaela von Koskull (Finland), Jens Langwasser (Kiel, Germany) and project initiator Raphael Domjan (Yverdon-les Bain, Switzerland).
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A rare copy of "the most expensive book in the world" Fah Franco-American ornithologist John James Audubon and goes back to the nineteenth century recorded on Tuesday evening in London, a new record price, Which sold more than eight million euros, on the auction house said, "Sotheby's".
The sale of the book "Birds of America" (Birds of America) in exchange for 7.3 million pounds (8,6 million euros), a new world record price for the printed work is sold at auction, it said, "Sotheby's". The estimated book value of between four and six million pounds.The new owner is a dealer old books.
And return to the previous record price another version of "Birds of America" were sold in New York in 2000 to meet with seven million euros. There is no longer only about a hundred copies of the book "Birds of America." Large book size (length of 90 cm and of 60 cm) collected fees birds such as flamingos and Swan.
Jean-Jacques Audubon, known by his English John James Audubon, is the world of birds and the world of physics was born in Haiti the year 1785, the French colonial days of French and religion. And then received U.S. citizenship.
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Ever since China's first 3D newspaper was released, back in April, the public has been asking for more. And they're about to get it, as a limited number of the Hangzhou-based Daily Business editions are about to be issued, in 3D format. British tabloid, The Sun, has announced it will be launching the first 3D newspaper, on June 5, a few days before the Soccer World Cup kicks off, in n attempt to raise awareness to the 3D broadcast of the sports event, by Sky News.
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the jewel-studded beetle is a common accessory in countries like Mexico. They’re not too popular in America, though.
An American woman found this out the hard way, when her living piece of jewelry was confiscated, upon her entry back into the States, from Mexico. The dazzling bug was freely crawling on the woman’s sweater, but the gold chain attached to a safety pin kept it from venturing too far.
Covered in gold and pricey gemstones, the blinged-out insect was confiscated by pest-control, because its owner didn’t have the proper documents. She received no fine, but she’ll definitely regret spending money on live jewelry.
Jewel-studded beetles and other bugs are considered common in Mexico and have been for centuries.
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Denmark is a big shameThe sea is stained in red and in the mean while it’s not because of the climate effects of nature.
It's because of the cruelty that the human beings (civilised human) kill hundreds of the famous and intelligent Calderon dolphins.
This happens every year in Feroe iland in Denmark . In this slaughter the main participants are young teens.WHY?To show that they are adults and mature.... BULLLLsh.
In this big celebration, nothing is missing for the fun. Everyone is participating in one way or the other, killing or looking at the cruelty “supporting like a spectator” Is it necessary to mention that the dolphin calderon, like all the other species of dolphins, it’s near instinction and they get near men to play and interact. In a way of PURE friendship.
They don’t die instantly; they are cut 1, 2 or 3 times with thick hocks. And at that time the dolphins produce a grim extremely compatible with the cry of a new born child. But he suffers and there’s no compassion till this sweet being slowly dies in its own blood.
Its enough!We will send this mail until this email arrives in any association defending the animals, we won’t only read,we also respond actively.
Sign Against this cruelty: 1.- Ana kARINA Rivas (m) Mexico DF 2.- Carlos Enrique Bulle-Goyri. DF 3.- Alejandra Nabarro ( Mexico Cuernavaca ) 4.- Esteban criz mejia. Mexico DF 5.-ANDREA GONZALEZ ALVAREZ ( MEXICO ) 6.-González Alvarez Victor Rodrigo 7.-Ines Garcia Perez (México) 8.-Stella Morales (México) 9.-lgarcia (México) 10.-Leticia Cuéllar (México) 11.-Salma Urbina Aguilar (Quintana Roo, México) 12.-DIANA LUCELLY POOT PUC (quintana roo, mexico ) 13.-Josue Acero Gonzalez ( Quintana Roo , Mexico ) 14.-Micaela Medina ( Argentina ) 15.-sofia bidondo( Argentina ) 16.- Ma. Marta Soruco ( Argentina ) 17.- Cyntia Mariela Roitman ( Argentina ) 18.-Aldana Martínez ( Argentina ) 19.- Adriana Salomon ( Argentina ) 20.-fernando valussi( argentina ) 21.-MARIANELA SANCHEZ( ARGENTINA ) 22.- Leyes Alberto Fabian ( Argentina ).- 23.- Augusto Patricio Mateos ( Argentina - Chaco ) 24.- Maria Alejandra Bury ( Argentina - Chaco ) 25.- Claudio Alexis Agnesio ( Argentina - Chaco ) 26.- Cesar Abel Falcon(Argentina-Chaco) 27-MARIANA GOMEZ MARTINEZ 28-SILVIA CLAUDIA GIMENEZ 29-NELIDA BEATRIZ MARTINEZ 30-MARIA ESTHER URSU 31- NATHIA JUDKEVICH ( Argentina ) 32-MARINA JUDKEVICH ( Argentina ) 33-MARIANA JUDKEVICH (Aregentina) 34- Bogado Espinoza, Lorena Abi ( Argentina ) 35- Ortiz, Natalia Muriel ( Argentina ) 36- Marcelo Rodrigues de Rezende (Sorocaba-Brasil) 37- Thais Chenchi Santana (Sorocaba-Brasil) 38- Lilian Yoshie Kato ( Sorocaba - Brasil) 39 - DIOGO CRISTO ( Sorocaba - Pindorama - Gaya ) 40 - DANILO GOMES ( Sorocaba - Cidade de Mentiras) 41- Tiago Holtz Guerreiro (Sorocaba- Brasil) 42 - Laura Nunes Garcia Vieira ( Sorocaba - Brasil) 43 - Anderson Schmitt Junkes (Jandira - Brasil) 44 - Eronides Santos Filho (Jandira - Brasil) 45 - Suzana Lopes Ribeiro ( Jandira - Brasil ) 46 - Paulo Henrique Ferreira (Cotia/SP Brasil) 47 - André Luiz da Fonseca Rob erto ( Carapicuiba/ Brasil ) 48 - Jean Paulo Camargo Costa (CARAPICUIBA/ BRASIL) 49 - Rodrigo de Jesus Ferreira (Jandira - Brasil) 50- Bárbara Tabain Seslija de Sá (Jandira - SP - Brasil) 51 - Ana paula Morina Ferreira (Barueri - SP - Brasil) 52-Bárbara Louise (São Paulo-SP-Brasil) 53-Diego Lima (Carapicuíba-SP-Brasil) 54 – Wanda leila de Oliveira marra ( Osasco – SP –Brasil ) 55 – Joilva Duarte (Osasco-Brasil) 56 - Patricia M. Dias ( São Paulo - Brasil)
57- Eduardo M. Dias (São Paulo - Brasil) 58 – Wagner R. Franco (São Paulo – Brasil) 59- Ruth Cristina Serafim (São Paulo - Brasil) 60- Thiago Silva (São Paulo - Brasil) 61 - Cristiano S. de Moraes (Rio de Janeiro - Brasil) 62 - Kelly Lopes Dias (São Paulo - Brasil) 63 - Fábio Ferreira / São Paulo - Brasil 64- Fábio Araujo / São paulo - Brasil 65- Marcia Stevaux/ São Paulo - Brasil 66 - Débora Gisele Ferraz - Brasil 67- Andrea Alexandre de Carvalho 68 - Adilson dos Santos Pinto (Cruzeiro SP) 69 - Francisco ReZende (Lorena-SP) 70- Mislane Souza Prates( São Paulo-Brasil) 71 - Janderson Dutra (Rio de Janeiro-RJ - Brasil) 72 - CECÍLIA SANTOS (SÃO PAULO) – BRASIL 73- KÁTIA I. SANTOS ( SÃO PAULO ) - BRASIL 74- Maria L Lima - (Rolândia - Brasil) 75 – Marilise G.Z. Solle (Rolândia-Brasil) 76- Luis Fernando Silva de Almeida (Rolândia Pr- Brasil) 77- Adriana Amaral de Souza (Rolândia Pr - Brasil) 78 – Carlos Alberto Ferreira do Amaral (Rolãndia PR – Brasil) 79 - Lilian Carla de Souza Gonzalez ( Londrina - Pr. - Brasil) 80 – Ailton Valdivino da Silva - (Uberlândia – MG - Brasil) 81 - Heliza Piosiadlo(Uberlândia - MG – Brasil 82 - Patrícia Cordeiro ( Joaçaba-SC-Brasil) 83 - Danielle Argenton (Herval D' Oeste - SC - Brasil) 84 - Valdirene Soares ( Joaçaba - SC - BRASIL ) 85 - Luiz Sérgio Belló - Joaçaba SC Brasil 86- Eduardo Wieser -SC- Brasil 87-Julio Pancera ( Navegantes , SC - Brasil) 88- Fredi Goede ( Pomerode , SC Brasil) 89 – Mario L.Fanton 90 - Valério Littig ( Curitiba - Brasil ) 100-cassia cavalheiro 101 - Paulo Terumitsu Ishii [ Curitiba - Paraná - Brasil] 102- Caroline Niro ( Curitiba - Paraná - Brasil 103-Alexandre Batista(Londres-Inlaterra) 104-udson bergues de almeida 105 - Inês Calazans, Alemanha 106 - Anabela Martins - Portugal 107 - Luisa Sequeira - Silves / PORTUGAL 108 - Alzira Rodrigues - Silves / Portugal 109 - Cremilde Ribeiro - A. de Pêra / Portugal 110 - Augusto Miguens - Elvas / Portugal 111 - Natália miguens - Elvas / Portugal 112 - Manuela Santos - Carcavelos / Portugal 113 - Carla Santos - Oeiras / Portugal 114 - Maria Carlos Barreto de Carvalho - Carcavelos / Portugal 115 - Eliete Mendes - Lisboa / Portugal 116 - Conceição Oliveira - Lisboa / Portugal 117 - Mariana Domingues - Portugal 118 - Joana Murtinha - Portugal 119 - Filipa Almeida - Portugal 120 - Iolanda Fontes - South Africa 121 - Kalen Viljoen - South Africa 122 – Wendy Golding – South Africa 123 – Inge Strugnell – Botswana 124 – Philippa Lee - Botswana 125 - Ilse Swart 126 - Miche de beer 127 - Celeste Smit 128 – Jeneane Fourie 129. Stefnie de Beer (SA) Human beings ? How can we call ourselves that ! 130 Corné van Staden 131 Anna-Marié van Staden 132. Sheralee Scott ( South Africa ) 133 Bev Hindmarch ( South Africa ) 134. Ian Pardy (SA) 135. Dominic Porter (SA) 136. Carl Bennett (SA) Sick Bastards!! 137 Dieter Rossler South Africa uncivilised idiots
138. Vigie Naidoo, Johannesburg South Africa (how far western man??)
139. Rodney Reddy S.A. --- lily-livered, sure they'l never dare try this with some tiger or bull sharks
140. Mira Naidoo, Johannesburg South Africa (shameful specimens called humans)
141. Ro cc o Steffannelli, Bari Italy (senseless killing)
142. Christian Hoffer, Mank Austria (Neanderthals!)?
143. Sarah Caine (SA)
144. Lorraine Caine (SA)
145. Elaine Caine (Sa)
146. Lorraine Isaac (SA)
147. Ronnie Isaac(SA)
148. Angelique Mason(SA)
149. Alysha Isaac (SA)
150. Mary Joe Emde (SA)
151. Nalisha Gangadien SA)
152. Charlene Gangadien (SA)
153. Cordelia Soobramoney
154. Nicholas Soobramoney
155. Gabriela Pillay
156. Sarah Pillay
157. Jaeden Chetty
158. Sam Chetty
159. Dean Prinsloo
160. Nicole Pillay
161. Janine Geldenhys
162. Noeleen Pillay
163. Vigie Naidoo, Johannesburg South Africa (Nordic barbarism!! - Climate Change?- go figure?)
164. Colette Boyd
165. Tanya Scheffel
166. Rob Armstrong
167. Megan Adriaanzen – Jhb S.A. This is the most appallingly, disgusting thing I have ever seen!!!
168. Gareth Adriaanzen
169. Aldorette Swanepoel
170. Steve Maree – Durban , South Africa
171. Karen Robjant – and they are supposed to come from a civilised country – very sick people
172. Clive Varcoe - Durban South Africa - I am extremely saddend by what i have seen and read. Stop the slaughter!!!!
173. Cyndi Nel - Durban South Africa
174.Justin Pattison - Durban South Africa
175. Sharon Yuill - JHB South Africa
176 Angela Arkle Jhb South Africa
177 Paul Grutter Umzumbe South africa
178 Desiree Grutter Umzumbe South Africa
179 Peter L. Moolman
180 Rentia Cronje
181 Tertia Moolman
182 Suneed - India
183 Jagdish – India ( Gujarat )
184 Jignesh K. Patel (Rajkot/Gujarat/India)
185 Nilesh K. Patel (Rajkot/Gujarat/India)
186 Bhavin Patel (Rajkot/Gujarat/India)
187 Himanshu S. Raval {Rajkot/Gujarat/India}
188.C.N.Ravishankar (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
189.Dr.Vimala Iyer (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
190.C.N.VENKATRAMAN (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
191.YOGESH THAKRELE (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
192 Sandeep .S.( Pune/Maharashtra/India)
193 Rohan Deshpande (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
194 Abhay Ranade (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
195 Ramkumar R (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
196 Pradeep Jawale (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
197 V.Saravana Kumar (Pune/Maharashtra/India)
198 Bharathi Periyasamy
199 Vishnu Kumar Natarajan
200.Guruprasath Kumar(Chennai)
201.M.ILANGO(Chennai)
202.MURUGESAN.M(Chennai)
203. Vinoth Kannan N –L&T (Chennai)
204.S.Selvakumar-Chennai.
205. U. SANDEEP KUMAR – L&T (Chennai)
206. RAHUL NATH – KOLKATA, INDIA
207. S. S Roy – L&T, Kolkata
208.Anirban Guha – Kolkata / W.B./ India
209. Suchandra Roy – Kolkata
210. Rajarshi Mitra – Kolkata (West Bengal)
211 Sumit Gupta - Kolkata
212 Sudipta Chaudhuri - Kolkata
213. Dinesh Asrani,
214.Sonal Parmar
215.Shiv kumar mall
216. Dharitri Gantayat
217. pankaj sharma( MEERUT)
218. Utpalendu Chatterjee (IBS Dehradun)
219.Indraneel (KIIT-Bhubaneswar)
220.Harish R (Bangalore/India)
221.Zalak Vyas (Alberta, Canada)
222.Yumi W(Vancouver bc)
223.Trini Graham-Stewart-Scotland
224.Merel Alting von Geusau - Netherlands
225.MADLINE Cox (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
226.Denis Gibney. N Ireland
227.Alexander Alexandroff (Austria)
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Wes Skiles died during a dive last summer. Sanctum is dedicated to him.
This is a real photograph from one of the most mysterious environments in the world.
