Kalavantin Durg: The World's Most Dangerous Fortress, Raigad District of Maharashtra, India.

Kalavantin Durg is a 2,250 ft (686 m) high summit located in the Western Ghats, near the Prabalgad fort in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is also known as Kelve Teen, Kalavantinicha Sulka, or Kalavantin Pinnacle; alternative transliterations include Kalawantin, Kalavati, and Kalavanti. It is a popular trekking destination. 

 

 

 

There is a series of steps leading to the top of the pinnacle, but little is known about the history of structure. According to local guides, it was built for a queen called Kalavantin in the 15th century, around the same time as the neighbouring Prabalgad.
The trek to the top of the Kalavantin Durg is considered one of the most challenging ones in the Western Ghats. The summit is accessible via a 3 km hike from the Thakurwadi village in Karjat taluka. After Prabalmachi village (2 km from Thakurvadi), the hike route diverges into two paths: the shorter one towards Kalavantin Durg, and the longer one towards Prabalgad fort. The route to the Kalavantin top is a roughly 60-degree incline, and involves climbing rock-cut steps that are as high as 2 feet.

The trek is punctuated with tea and snack stalls, followed by breakfast point that is nestled at the lower plateau of Prabalmachi, the midway hamlet base nestled at an elevation of 390 metres (1279.5 feet) above sea level. From this point forward, it’s quite a precipitous path, and any rainfalls gives it a whole new level of risk as the path gets slippery, thus requiring the trekkers to cling on to the rocks and roots of trees lining the way. At some points, the path demands scrambling up the steep slopes and over the rocks.

The main challenge of the Kalavantin Durg trek is the path back down, filled with boulders and slippery terrain. While descending, follow the narrow trail leading to Prabalgad Fort, another must-see spot, which takes just over an hour or so to reach. The gradient is tricky, steep and rocky, so it is advisable to have a professional trekker along.

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, Huzhou, China

The Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort also known as Moon Hotel is a spacious luxury resort is located in Huzhou, China. It was designed by architect Ma Yansong by MAD Architects and built by Shanghai Feizhou Group. It is the first five star hotel in mainland China for the prosperous and influential “business class”, oozing wealth and extravaganc.

It has nicknames such as "Horseshoe Hotel" and "Doughnut Hotel" due to its Torus geometrical shape. The horseshoe-shaped hotel, 27-story structure lies on Lake Tai between Nanjing and Shanghai. The 4½-star resort has 321 rooms, 37 villas, 40 suites, a presidential suite, parking facilities, fitness & wellness center, four restaurants, a café, a children's pool, and rooms with terraces. The design was conceived by architect Yansong Ma and constructed by the Shanghai Feizhou Group. It belongs to the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts chain of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. Completed in 2013, the building was awarded 3rd place from the Emporis Skyscraper Awards.
 

 

The design is based on the idea of ​​unity and infinity. At night, the ring, which is a complete oval attached at the bottom by two underground levels, reflected in the lake and looks like a full moon glow. Its designer, architect Ma Yansong states that the shape is inspired by traditional bridges represented in ancient Chinese paintings and throughout Chinese history, people have always sought a harmonious relationship with nature and this has become an important part of Chinese culture and tradition. Huzhou is a famous place for traditional ink paintings and splendid views of the water and the arch bridge is one of the key elements of traditional architecture.

The Moon Hotel, as it is also known, uses its location through direct integration of architecture and nature. The circular building reflected in water creates a surreal picture, a connection between the real and the spooky. Under the sunlight and the reflection of the lake, the curved shape of the building is crystal clear. When night falls, the whole building glows, lighting both inside as on the outside. The soft light wraps around the water and the hotel, and the result resembles the bright moon rising over the lake, a classical and modern mixture through reflection. The Hotel Luna emphasizes the harmony of man with nature, trying to enhance the sensual and spiritual experiences of visitors, trying to become a new symbol of the relationship between humanity and nature.

The hotel is actually a complete oval, two underground levels connect the visible shape of a horseshoe. The annular shape of the hotel allows all rooms can have good views and natural light from all directions. The public space in an arc at the top with open views, acts as a “place in the air,” creating the sensation of floating on the lake, dedicated to large-scale activities.The many facilities the hotel offers a modern fitness center that includes high-tech machines, cardiovascular equipment, stretching areas, indoor and outdoor. Spa facilities include a steam room, saunas and a hydrotherapy tub in each locker room.

The resort also offers 16 meeting spaces, equipped with the latest technology, from high-speed internet, translation services, secretarial services, ATM, cell phone rental and any other requirements necessary for national and international transactions. The rooms, the largest with 902 m2 (The Grand Ballroom), can also be used for different events, meetings or conferences. An island of 1.600m2 is dedicated to wedding receptions. In the 22nd floor several private meeting rooms are located and in 27, the multipurpose room offers a splendid view of Taihu Lake.

For more information  -  Sheraton Hhuzhou Hot Spring Resort

The Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine, Southwestern United States

The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is, according to legend, a rich gold mine hidden in the southwestern United States. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. Some have died on the search.

 

 

The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz (c. 1810–1891), who purportedly discovered it in the 19th century and kept its location a secret. Before the unification of Germany, the demonym "Dutch" was used for people from the Netherlands and Germans alike. The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. Arizona place-name expert Byrd Granger wrote, as of 1977, the Lost Dutchman's story had been printed or cited at least six times more often than two other fairly well-known tales, the story of Captain Kidd's lost treasure, and the story of the Lost Pegleg mine in California. People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman's mine since at least 1892, while according to one estimate, 8,000 people annually made some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. Former Arizona Attorney GeneralRobert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine.

 

This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. However, Blair argued that there is a strong likelihood that there never was a second man named Weiser, but rather that a single person named Waltz was, over the years, turned into two men as the legend of the Dutchman's mine evolved. Blair contended that this story can be divided into "hawk" and "dove" versions, depending on whether the German(s) are said to behave violently or peacefully. In most versions of the tale, Jacob Waltz located a rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains (in many versions of the story, they rescue or help a member of the Peralta family and are rewarded by being told the location of the mine). Weiser is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine.

John D. Wilburn in his book Dutchman's Lost Ledge of Gold (1990), wrote that the Bulldog Gold Mine near Goldfield, Arizona, fits very well the description Jacob Waltz gave as the location of his 'lost mine'. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. 

 

For more information -  Lost Dutchman Gold Mine

Selgas Cano’s Office (Incredible Glass Office)

Selgas Cano architecture firm designed and built this incredible glass office, which gives their employees a unique bug’s eye view of the colorful forest around them. Situated in Madrid, the streamlined space is encapsulated by a curving glass wall that provides gorgeous views of the surrounding forest while completely eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. 

 

The office takes the form of an aerodynamic tube, with a long window on one wall that extends into part of the ceiling. Acting as both a window and a skylight, the glass wall floods the office with light, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. The window is lined with the employee’s desks, giving them an eye-level view of the forest floor. Falling leaves, animals, and wildlife pass by, creating a shifting forest landscape that changes throughout the day. Employees can also look up into the tree boughs and sky through the curved part of the glass casing.

Half of the building is submerged into the earth, which provides an excellent degree of insulation. During Madrid’s hot summers, the building keep Selgas Cano’s employees cool naturally, with little need for air conditioning. A stone staircase leads down into the office, which has sturdy lower walls of brick. Shared desks line the bunker, which glows with spherical lanterns and desk lamps when illuminated at night. The extraordinary office has been met with mixed reviews, but we find the unique proximity to nature to be both cozy and inspiring.

Selgascano's Design Second Office At Hollywood, LA

Selgascano designed oval-shaped offices of different sizes which are scattered around second home’s lushly vegetated garden. wrapped in transparent curved walls, the 60 rooms offer panoramic views of the surrounding plant life immersing the offices in nature. meanwhile, the previously existing building designed by paul williams has been repurposed as the campus’ main entrance. the structure contains 320 roaming workplaces on the ground floor and 200 dedicated workspaces on the first floor. common spaces such as a café, a bar, a restaurant, an events and conference hall, break out areas, and open terraces are found throughout the building.

 

 

The architects say that the project’s main focus was on the outdoor environment, with the design of the interior spaces taking a back seat. ‘in second home hollywood, instead of bringing the garden inside the office, we have brought the office out to the garden,’ selgascano explains. a network of paths connects the 60 offices, with LA’s mild climate ensuring that the garden can be used year-round. it is estimated that more than 10,000 plants and trees in addition to a diverse wildlife population now occupy the site. As those occupying the site have to co-exist with living things other than humans, selgascano describes the scheme as an experiment for the average office worker. the design team also points out that, among other benefits, the plants provides shade, thus helping to reduce the site’s temperature. meanwhile, the clear façade eliminates the need for artificial lighting, while three operable openings allow for natural cross-ventilation. furthermore, water collected on site is stored in two cisterns to be used for irrigation.