Sunday, May 31, 2015

Beautifully Mysterious Photos

Istanbul-based photographer Ekin Kucuk captures the Gallipoli peninsula in a series of moody black-and-white images. The Turkish locale was once the site of war, but here, Kucuk depicts a more tranquil existence where animals roam on desolate city streets. Her monochromatic pictures have a cinematic feel, as though they’re part of an old silent film.
Horses, chickens, and dogs are all seen enjoying the coastal breeze and traipsing around the occasionally foggy landscape. They’re shot in high contrast, and this effect makes for dramatic, visually-arresting images that speak beyond Gallipoli. In addition to being a getaway spot, Kucuk’s pictures seem like they could represent a number of places - ones that contain mysterious tales or distant but-not-forgotten memories.
       

Ingenious Little Fish Helping to Rid the World of Iron Deficiency

Before long, a little fish could help rid the world of iron deficiency. A caring Canadian named Dr. Christopher Charles came up with an ingenious solution to make sure that everyone has enough iron in their diet. It’s called Lucky Iron Fish, and using it is simple: you boil water or soup with it for at least 10 minutes, then remove it from the dish. Afterwards, add a little citrus juice for the absorption of the iron. Your food won’t taste any different, and the fish provides 75% of an adult’s daily recommended intake of iron.
Iron deficiency affects nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide, and in Cambodia, almost half of the population is iron deficient. This preventable condition can lead to health problems like anemia, weakness, compromised physical development in children, and an increased risk of illness.
The Lucky Iron Fish has already started improving the lives of others. It was introduced to several hundred villagers in one province in Cambodia. Nearly half of those who used the product were no longer anemic after 12 months. And, most importantly, people were feeling the difference. Around 2,500 families in Cambodia now have the iron supplement, and the company has distributed nearly 9,000 fishes to hospitals and non-governmental organizations.
     

Famous Landmarks in Paris Recreated Using Historic Images from World War II


Artist Julien Knez spent two months touring Paris to figure out how much the famous city has changed since World War II. During August of 1944, the Liberation of Paris was fought, freeing Parisians from Nazi Germany's oppressive control. After collecting vintage photographs of this momentous battle, Knez decided to visit the locations that were captured in the historic images. At each location, the artist tried to imitate the exact angle that was shown in his photos, so he could recreate the snapshot in front of its modern day counterpart. "It was very intense to imagine the fights in the streets I know as a Parisian," stated Knez to The Washington Post.
By taking images that were captured 71 years ago and reproducing them, the Parisian photographer was able to see the complex emotional history behind every location and landmark. Where a battle was once fought, there now stands a bookstore. General Charles de Gaulle and his troops marched before the now serene Arc de Triomphe. In each photograph, Knez gives viewers the opportunity to compare side-by-side versions of the past and the present.

Cloud 9 Pizzeria Floats on Fiji's Breathtaking Turquoise Water


If you're a devout foodie, there is one pizza place that should definitely be on your bucket list! Cloud 9 is a floating pizzeria located in the picturesque waters of Fiji. Not only does this unique establishment have delicious wood-fired pizza and places to lounge by the turquoise water, they also offer you the chance to snorkel while waiting for your food to cook. To travel to this eatery, you can board a regular boat for a 40-minute ride from Port Benarau or a speed boat for a 10-minute ride from several local resorts.
The two-story island will soon offer customers the opportunity to participate in various water sports, both motorized and unmotorized. Up to 100 guests can be accommodated in the one-of-a-kind restaurant, which is free for all ages to visit and requires no landing fee for boat travelers.

Travel box Acts as a Pop-Up Hotel Room


Now you can tote around a pop-up hotel room no matter where you are in the world, thanks to Austrian design firm Juust’s new Travelbox. This innovative product unfolds to reveal a comfy bed, chair, table, storage, and even a bicycle for avid travelers who often switch locations. Weighing less than your average human being at 132 pounds, the box is packed in wood and aluminum, making it durable enough to avoid the wear and tear of international travel. Measuring exactly 6.8 feet long, 1.3 feet wide, and 4 feet high, the portable room can easily be transported to both local and exotic destinations by your average shipping company.
When not being used for travel, the Travelbox can act as a room divider by transforming into a shelving unit for clothing, books, and other household items. This eliminates the need to buy extra furniture when moving around from place to place or from home to home, cutting down on both extra cost and unnecessary waste.

World's Longest and Highest Glass Bottom Bridge to Be Unveiled in Chinese National Park


In July of this year, China's scenic Zhangjiajie National Park will be opening the very first bridge of its kind. The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Skywalk is set to be the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, coming in at 1,410 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 984 feet above ground. The glass structure is being designed by Israeli-based architect Haim Dotan and many hope that it will become a Wonder of the World, especially since it represents unique architecture that tests the limits of human creativity.
Once the skywalk is unveiled, it will be able to hold up to 800 people at once. It will also feature the world's highest bungee jump, stealing the title from Macau Tower's incredible 764-foot high attraction. In addition to these world records, the bridge will certainly add a futuristic element to the national park, which is said to have been the inspiration behind the planet of Pandora in James Cameron's movieAvatar.