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Archive for August, 2011

Turning The Iron Curtain Green

The European Green Belt initiative aims to create an ecological reserve that runs from the Barents to the Black Sea spanning some of the most important habitats for biodiversity in Europe.

By following a course that was in large sections part of the former EastWest frontier one of the most divisive barriers in history it symbolises the global effort for crossborder nature conservation and sustainable development. The Iron Curtain Way as wags are beginning to call it will focus on some of Europes most impressive and fragile landscapes and will also increase opportunities for the socioeconomic development of local communities.

The Green Belt
The Green Belt connects national parks nature parks biosphere reserves and crossboundary protected areas as well as nonprotected areas along or across borders running for more than 8500 kilometres from the border between Norway and Russia on the Barents Sea in the north to the AlbaniaGreece border on the Adriatic. The Green Belt is known for its high density of protected areas more than 3200 can be found within a 25 km zone on either side of the borders.

It will not be a consistent strip but rather a series of core areas corridors and stepping stones linking a string of important habitats a string of pearls some a few kilometres wide others not even 30 metres. In most places along the Green Belt the areas on both sides of the borders are not homogeneous but comprise several habitats grassland fallow and wetlands mature woodlands wilderness areas and manmade landscapes. Linking the areas is tremendously important for migrating species such as wolves bears lynx or amphibians and birds.

Former Iron Curtain
Along the length of the former Iron Curtain were military training areas arsenals airstrips tank strips and waste deposits. These military areas were often depopulated and taken out of regular economic activity for 50 years or more thus sustaining no intensive agriculture no residential building no quarrying or
mining no hydrological changes and no use of fertilizers. Natural processes such as river erosion and sedimentation and the accumulation of dead wood in forests could take place unhindered. As a consequence otherwise endangered species continue to thrive here including wild orchids fish otters and black storks.

On the other hand longterm use of military areas led to a significant contamination of parts of the land and of groundwater. It is important to investigate the state of these lands lest they pose a danger to nature or animal or human health in future. Area that was farmed or cultivated was often subject to different methods of management which are still visible in the landscape. The Green Belt initiative aims to stop privatization and land speculation from doing irreversible damage to natural habitats and at the same time leaving local people without opportunities for selfdetermined development.

European Cooperation
Wonderful ideal hard to put into practice. Cooperation between the 12 or more countries that abut the old frontier may take some time as well as careful planning and diplomacy. The initiatives objectives range from the local to the global so the route of the Green Belt is divided into three regional sections for the purposes of organization :Fennoscandia and the Baltic; Central Europe; and South Eastern Europe.

How long will it be since we can walk the length of the Green Curtain? Some years although parts of it particularly in Germany are well under way. The project has the modest goal of providing a useful contribution to the commitments made by countries to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. It is certainly a space to watch.

To find the best holidays to these regions look for the UKbased operator AwimAway 020 7430 1766 www.awimaway.com that offers adventure and experiential holidays around the world customized to suit your desires and your budget.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;? 2006 Harish Kohli.
Harish Kohli is an avid traveller who likes to share good adventure travel ideas with others. He is also CEO of AwimAway.com where he can help tailormake an experiential or adventure holidays for you. Visit www.awimaway.com to see what’s new on line.

Top 6 Egyptian Landmarks

An awe inspiring country always leaves you finishing your holiday with much more than happiness. Its the memories that you take with you the things you see and in this case the knowledge and the things you see that make you talk about Egypt for a generation. Holidays to Egypt can be filled with more than enough to keep conversations flowing long after your visit. Here is a guide to some of the unmissable sights in North Africas most popular destination.

Valley of the Kings
Found on the West Bank of the Nile at Luxor the Valley of the Kings houses many historical places. The Valley of the Kings is home to over 60 tombs and over 120 chambers. This is where the pharaohs were buried and was believed by them to be the place they hoped to meet their gods in the afterlife. You will also find the area that the tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered. Unfortunately the majority of the tombs are not open to the public. This is a truly unique place and is still a popular location for archaeological exploration and has been since the 18th Century. It is also one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and in 1979 it became a World Heritage Site.

Luxor Temple
The Temple at Luxor is right in the centre of Luxor so if you do head to Luxor you shouldnt miss it. The temple was built around 1400BC mainly to celebrate the annual festival of Opet. You will look at this place in awe as you realise that it is has been there well over 3000 years. Coming here in the evening you will see the complex lit up spectacularly. The temple is definitely worth a visit.

The Temple of Karnak
This vast complex of ruined temples pylons and chapels is located near Luxor. It has been noted in history as on of the most important places of Ancient Egypts worshiping. Everything here is decorated in hieroglyphics and looks spectacular. You can also find historical performances and sound and light shows here explaining much more about the history of Karnaks Temples.

The Egyptian Museum
Located in Cairo the Egyptian Museum is home to over 120000 items of treasured found around Egypt. It is imperative to arrive at the museum early as this will probably be one of the busiest attractions in Egypt. It is here you will find many of the treasures that were discovered within the tombs as well as over 20 actual mummies in the Royal Mummy Room. However the star attraction here is the tomb of Tutankhamen and all the treasures that were buried along with it. You will normally see a good crowd around the solid gold mask that rested upon the Kings head. This mask weighs 24.5pounds of solid gold and the face on the front is believed to look very much like the Kings face.

The Great Sphynx of Giza
The Great Sphynx is the largest statue created from one piece of stone. With the body of a lion and a human head it was believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians in around 3000BC. The complete Sphynx was only fully uncovered in the 1920s prior to that it was up to its neck in sand.

The Pyramids of Giza
If you are at the Sphynx then there is not a chance that you will be missing the Pyramids. Giza houses 3 main pyramids one of which being the Great Pyramid. Originally the Pyramids exteriors were made from smooth polished limestone but as the years of weather have eroded this away we are left with step like structures to the top. Only the top of the smallest pyramid has some of its limestone left but this lacks the polished texture too due to erosion. The Great Pyramid is the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still in existence.

Egypt is definitely a place that will make for some memories. If you are taking advantage of the cheap holidays to Egypt that you can find then you cannot afford to miss any of these amazing attractions that this awe inspiring country has to offer.

About the writer:  Martin Shane Jones is a Travel Writer in the UK. Martin works for a Beach Holiday special in the UK who offer cheap holidays and like to consider themselves as the beach experts.

Discover The Secrets Of London

With a population in excess of 7700000 London holds few secrets. One spot however which has managed to remain secluded in the face of growing urban life the population of Greater London grew by eight per cent between 1997 and 2007 is the Watts Memorial to Heroic SelfSacrifice in Postmans Park.

Although the city boasts a number of high profile monuments and memorials chronicling or remembering those who perished through war or tragedy or setting in stone the recognition of worthy historical events many such as Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square pay tribute only to one person or one event.

Watts Memorial in Postmans Park conversely offers visitors a spot of seclusion serenity and sentiment in the heart of Londons busy Barbican district. Here hidden from the bustle of nearby St Pauls Cathedral and Canon Street visitors will find an unassuming public park dedicated to the lives of those lost in the heroic act of selfsacrifice.

Located near St Bartholomews Hospital and between King Edward Street Little Britain and Angel Street Watts Memorial is situated on the convergence of graveyards from three local churches St Botolphs Aldersgate Christ Church Greyfriars and St Leonard ground that has been an ecclesiastical site for roughly 1000 years.

The idea for the Memorial was first conceived by Victorian artist and philanthropist George Fredrick Watts in 1887 during which year he wrote to the Times newspaper suggesting a memorial project to mark the Queens Golden Jubilee. His concept was to create a site dedicated to the memory of civilians who had heroically given their lives in an attempt to save others.

Watts a renowned radical who had twice turned down a Baronetcy was outspoken of his contempt for the wealthy upper classes. His memorial instead would honour the hard working living poor of urban London. He had designs on like parks throughout England but the site in London is the only one to have been brought to life.

Watts Memorial might never have been however as his pleas to the Times fell on deaf ears. Undeterred he financed the project personally and designed a 50ft outdoor gallery decorated with plaques in tribute to the brave lives of ordinary human beings.

Were it not for the tranquillity of the park itself sided almost totally by brick buildings with the rear of Botolphs to the north east corner of the park and populated by leafy gardens the plaques themselves would provide plenty interest. Their intricate designs typify the Art Nouveau style popular with the Victorian era. Initially to be crafted by designer William De Morgan Watts commissioned Doulton of Lambeth to cast the final plaques.

During his lifetime Watts positioned 13 tiles his wife following his death had 34 further tablets made and posted. The plaques commemorate the deaths of young and old through fire drowning or other misdemeanour such as Joseph Andrew Ford and John Clinton.

Recipient of one of the parks tablets is Alice Ayers whose name may seem somewhat familiar. In Patrick Marbers Closer the character of his stripper takes her name from the park played in Mike Nicols cinematic adaptation by Natalie Portman.

While the parks title remembers its creator its common name Postmans Park is in honour of its popularity with the staff at the long since gone nearby General Post Office; workers from which too used to enjoy a quiet lunch in the park.

The tales of those remembered in Postmans Park are a popular draw for wellinformed tourists but remain hidden to many Londoners oblivious to its existence. With so many flights to London bringing tourists to the capital daily youll be surprised to find this tranquil spot of calm which is a great start for further sightseeing in the city centre.

The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote but should be considered professional content.