Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake), Extends From India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China

Pangong Tso, Tibetan for "high grassland lake", also referred to as Pangong Lake, is an endorheiclake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. Approximately 60% of the length of the lake lies within the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. All together it covers 604 km2. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. It is not a part of the Indus river basin area and geographically a separate landlocked river basin.

The lake is in the process of being identified under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. This will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention. 

The eastern part of the lake is fresh, with the content of total dissolved solids at 0.68 g/L, while the western part of the lake is saline, with the salinity at 11.02 g/L. The brackish water of the lake has very low micro-vegetation. Guides report that there are no fish or other aquatic life on the Indian side of the lake, except for some small crustaceans. On the other hand, visitors see numerous ducks and gulls over and on the lake surface. There are some species of scrub and perennial herbs that grow in the marshes around the lake.

The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here. The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the kiang and the marmot. The lake hosts large quantities of fish, especially Schizopygopsis stoliczkai and Racoma labiata. Formerly, Pangong Tso had an outlet to Shyok River, a tributary of Indus River, but it was closed off due to natural damming. Two streams feed the lake from the Indian side, forming marshes and wetlands at the edges. Strand lines above current lake level reveal a 5 m (16 ft) thick layer of mud and laminated sand, suggesting the lake has shrunken recently in geological scale. On the Indian side, no fish have been observed, however in the stream coming from South-eastern side, three fish species have been reported. The low biodiversity has been reported as being due to high salinity and harsh environmental conditions.

Pangong Tso can be reached in a five-hour drive from Leh, most of it on a rough and dramatic mountain road. The road crosses the villages of Shey and Sakti and traverses the Chang La, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors. The road down from Chang La leads through Tangste and other smaller villages, crossing a river called Pagal Naala or "The Crazy Stream". The spectacular lakeside is open during the tourist season, from May to September.

An Inner Line Permit is required to visit the lake as it lies on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control. While Indian nationals can obtain individual permits, others must have group permits (with a minimum of three persons) accompanied by an accredited guide; the tourist office in Leh issues the permits for a small fee. For security reasons, India does not permit boating. China National Highway 219 passes by the eastern end of Pangong Tso. The lake can be accessed by driving 12 km from Rutog or 130 km from Shiquanhe. Tourists can rent a boat on the lake, but landing on islands is not allowed for protecting the breeding ground of the birds. There are several restaurants along the shore.

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