How to move the impossible — Cargo loading
.jpg)
According to legend, the origin of “La Fiesta del Cascamorras” can be traced back to 1490, when Don Luis de Acuña Herrera decided to built the Church of Mercy in the town of Baza, where a Moazarabic mosque had previously been erected. While chiseling a block of plaster, Juan Pedernal, a worker from the nearby town of Guadix, heard a soft, soothing voice coming from inside a cavern, which said “Have mercy!”. Upon examining the cavity he stumbled upon a statue of the Virgin Mary, that came to be known as “Our Lady of Mercy”
You would think finding a miraculous statue was a joyful event for everyone, but in reality, its discovery caused turmoil between the towns of Baza and Guadix. After the two towns argued about the ownership of Our Lady of Mercy, courts of the time decided the statue would remain in Baza, while rights to host celebrations on every September 8th be given to the people of Guadix. It was also agreed that if ever a commissioner from Guadix would enter the town of Baza and reach the Church of Mercy without getting stained by locals, he would be allowed to take the holystatue to his home town.
And that takes us to the modern Festival of Cascamorras. The first Cascamorras was builder Juan Pedernal, and every year since his first attempt to recover thestatue he discovered, his place has been taken by other locals from Guadix. Every September 8th, the people of Guadix journey to Baza to hold the religious festivities that were awarded to them, 500 years ago. Every time, their chosen Cascamorras tries to reach Baza church unstained, but as all the young people of Baza await him covered in black paint, it’s no wonder in five centuries time no Cascamorras has ever reached his goal.
As soon as the Guadix pilgrims approach Guadix, their Cascamorras is assaulted by hundreds of youngsters covered in black paint, and gets smeared with the oily substance. What’s even worse, the Cascamorras gets the same kind treatment from his own people, upon returning to Guadix. As punishment for not being able to retrieve Our Lady of Mercy, the Cascamorras cover him in different kinds of paint.
.jpg)
India's test fire of anti-missile interception
India, the regular customer in the world arms market, now plans to spend three billion US dollars to buy anti-missile systems.According to reports from US media, the Pentagon's report on the Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) deploys DF-21 medium-range ballistic missiles in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Therefore, India holds the opinion that the slow development of its home-made anti-missile systems cannot fulfill strategic needs and it thus seeks to purchase the most advantaged anti-missile systems globally to strengthen its defense capability. More after the break...
Reports say US Patriotic-3 and Israel's Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems are all in India's favour. The contract of Patriotic-3 is likely to be announced before US President Barack Obama visits India in November. Meanwhile, India and Israel both show their willingness to make such a deal for anti-missile systems. However, India must first gain US permission before its purchase of Israel's anti-missile systems, because the development of these weapons relies on the funds and technology of US.
US Patriotic-3 missile system
Israel's Iron Dome missile defense systems
Israel's David's Sling missile defense systems
Analysis points out India's urgent purchase of anti-missile systems results from the pressure of Chinese missiles. Indian defense officials state China targets its hundreds of nuclear missiles at India.According to reports, US's recent report of Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China points out in order to enhance military deterrence, PLA deploys more advanced solid fueled CSS-5 (DF-21) nuclear missiles with better anti-destruction performance in the area nearer to the China-India border. India worries that its home-made anti-missile systems are still under development and cannot be put into real battles in a short time. Therefore, it's necessary to bring in the west's more advanced weapons
China's DF missiles
Indian military experts have stressed many times that China has geological advantages over India when a battle breaks out between China and India. The China-India border is about 5,000 kilometers away from Beijing, while it's only more than 900 kilometers away from New Delhi, which means PLA could launch attack on India's main military targets in the north of India within more than ten seconds by deploying DF-11/15 strategic ballistic missiles. Furthermore, the more powerful DF-21 medium-range missiles have bigger military deterrence to India's military. Therefore, India urgently seeks to purchase advanced and reliable anti-missile systems.
According to Indian media, India's indigenous anti-missile weapons include Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missiles and surface-to-surface "Prithvi" missiles. It's reported that totally five test fires gained good results. An Indian defense expert states the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile has better performance than Patriotic-3. He also says India is expected to become the fourth state capable of intercepting missiles with a range of 5,000 kilometers after US, Russia and Israel.
However, an Indian missile expert points out the fatal weakness of India's missile defense is the poor foundation of the national industry. Even though there are foreign technologies, some key parts related with interception missiles cannot be produced at home but can only rely on exports.
According to Indian media, India's indigenous anti-missile weapons include Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missiles and surface-to-surface "Prithvi" missiles. It's reported that totally five test fires gained good results. An Indian defense expert states the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile has better performance than Patriotic-3. He also says India is expected to become the fourth state capable of intercepting missiles with a range of 5,000 kilometers after US, Russia and Israel.
However, an Indian missile expert points out the fatal weakness of India's missile defense is the poor foundation of the national industry. Even though there are foreign technologies, some key parts related with interception missiles cannot be produced at home but can only rely on exports.
Does India's global purchase of anti-missile systems aim to counteract China's DF missiles?
10. Phantom’s Revenge – Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA
Top Speed: 82 mph / 131.9 km/h
In 2001, the Phantom’s Revenge was built to replace the Steel Phantom, which had consistently been ranked in the top five roller coasters in the world. It includes a 228 foot drop, subterranean tunnel, and reaches a maximum speed of 82 miles per hour. For the sake of tradition, some of the features of the Steel Phantom were retained, including the steel track. Replacing the loops and corkscrew, it now offers an array of hills and drops. With more than 1400 roller coasters in the world how do you know which ones to pack into your summer? If you are crazy about speed then here are ten of the fastest rollers coasters in the world. The interesting fact about this list is that USA holds seven places in ten. More after the break...
Top Speed: 85 mph / 136.7 km/h
Not only is the Goliath the 9th fastest roller coaster, but it also has the third highest drop and is the seventh tallest (standing at over 20 stories high). It includes a 255 foot drop, at 85 miles per hour, leading to a tunnel full of smoke. It also includes camel-like humps and an amazing bunny hop in which riders float off their seats due the force. It is recognized as one of the most entertaining roller coasters in the world.
8. Titan – Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
Top Speed: 85 mph / 136.7 km/h
The Titan was built by the same Swiss designers that built the Goliath but includes extra twists. It has 5,280 feet of track, allowing for more drops, loops, and corkscrews. After dropping from the 255 foot hill, you are plunged in to a dark tunnel at the speed of 85 miles per hour. Titan includes a spiral that creates forces of up to 4.5gs.
7. Millennium Force – Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Top Speed: 93 mph / 149.7 km/h
Debuting in May, 2000, the Millennium Force is one of the highest roller coasters in the world. It boasts 10 world records. It rises to a height of 310 feet and travels through Cedar Point Park before crossing on to an island. During the trip you experience corkscrew turns in dark tunnels, 300 foot drops, and an 80 degree plummet down its highest point. The 2 minute 20 second ride covers 13 acres of track.
6. Steel Dragon 2000 – Nagashima Spa Land, Mie Prefecture, Japan
.jpg)
Top Speed: 95 mph / 152.9 km/h
Steel Dragon 2000 is the tallest coaster to utilize a traditional chain lift. Because of the length of the lift hill, two chains are used – one for the bottom half and one for the top half. A single chain would have been excessively long and heavy, at least twice the weight of one of the trains. As a result, two trains can safely occupy the lift simultaneously. It debuted only months after Millennium Force and surpassed the Cedar Point coaster as the world’s tallest complete-circuit coaster. It also set a record for longest track length – 8133 feet, 2 inches (2479 m).
4. Tower of Terror – Dreamworld, Coomera, Queensland, Australia
Top Speed: 100 mph / 161 km/h
Tower Of Terror is a steel reverse freefall coaster. The six ton passenger vehicle, is electro-magnetically powered, accelerating its passengers rapidly to 160.9 km/h (100 mph) in seven seconds. The track then turns skyward, with the passengers pulling 4.5 G’s. The car climbs to almost 38 stories high. Following the climb, there is a 6.5 second free-fall before the 90 degree turn is executed in reverse. The vehicle then hurtles into the station where it comes to a rapid stop.
3. Dodonpa – Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan
Top Speed: 100 mph / 161 km/h
Top Speed: 106.9 mph / 172 km/h
Dodonpa opened in 2001 and is a steel sit-down roller coaster with a compressed air launch. It is 52 metres (170 feet) tall, and has a launch speed of 172 km/h (107 mph), which is reached in less than 2 seconds. The launch is followed by a huge, sweeping, overbanked curve, giving riders a chance to catch their breath back, before they hit the 170 foot top hat; an element with some extreme negative G forces. The name ‘Dodonpa’ comes from the musical sound which is played to customers waiting to board it.
2. Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Top Speed: 120 mph / 193 km/h
Top Thrill Dragster was the first “Strata Coaster,” loosely defined as a complete circuit coaster that is 400 to 499 feet tall. It was the last one to use lapbars instead of over-the-shoulder restraints due to mechanical problems. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity in less than four seconds, the train begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline that has a 90-degree counter-clockwise twist that takes the train straight over the top of the 420 foot hill, where riders will experience significant airtime (zero g-forces). On the way down the other side, there is a 270-degree clockwise twist that leads into the magnetic braking section that brings the train to a swift but comfortable stop.
1. Kingda Ka – Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, New Jersey, USA
Top Speed: 128 mph / 206 km/h
Kingda Ka is not just the fastest, but also the tallest roller coaster in the world. A hydraulic launch mechanism rockets the train from 0 to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, pulling about 1.67 g’s. At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main tower, twisting 90 degrees to the right before reaching a height of 456 feet (139.5 m). The train then descends 418 feet (127 m) straight down through a 270-degree spiral. Finally, the train climbs the second, 129 foot hill, producing a moment of weightlessness before being smoothly brought to a stop by the magnetic brakes. Due to the high speed and open nature of the trains, this ride will not operate in even light rain, as rider contact with rain drops can cause discomfort.
Iguazu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian State of Paraná and the Argentine Province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River starts at the city of Curitiba and runs for the most part of the course in Brazil and at the end at the border of Brazil and Argentina.
Their name comes from the Guarani or Tupi words y (water) and ûasú [waˈsu] (big). Legend has it that a god planned to marry a beautiful aborigine named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In rage, the god sliced the river creating the waterfalls, condemning the lovers to an eternal fall. The first European to find the falls was the Spanish Conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541, after whom one of the falls in the Argentine side is named. The falls were rediscovered by Bosellz at the end of the nineteenth century, and one of the Argentine falls is named after him. Iguazu Falls was short-listed as a candidate to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation. As of February 2009 it was ranking fifth in Group F, the category for lake, rivers, and waterfalls
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)