Fruity journey on Xinjiang, China

The walk path of Grape Valley,Turpan..

Grape Valley sits on the western slopes of the Flaming Mountains, thirty-minute drive northeast from the Turpan County. Looking at the Flaming Mountains in the distance from the city of Turpan, one can see nothing but glowing barren red sand. Only the Grape Valley, presenting a world of unique beauty, is a striking contrast with the hot, dry and barren outside.
With green grass and trees, the Grape Valley is a world of green with brooks, canals and sparkling springs. Like a silvery chain, a stream of water rushes down for fifteen kilometers irrigating the whole valley, and the slope sides are covered mulberry, peach, apricot, apple, pomegranate, pear, fig, walnut, elm, poplar and willow; also watermelons and muskmelons. Chatting, laughing and singing, gaily-dressed Uygur girls move about in the green foliage with their wicker baskets picking grapes. That is a poetic flavor to the idyllic beauty in the valley.
The Grape Valley is praised as 'garden of one hundred flowers' in spring and an 'orchard of one hundred kinds of fruits' in summer. Inhabited by about 6,000 people of the Uygur, Hui and Han nationalities, the Grape Valley has more than 400 hectares of cultivated land, 220 hectares of which is grape-growing area. Grapes growing in the valley are of several strains, including the seedless white, rose-pink, mare-teat, black, Kashihar, bijiagan and suosuo. There is a fruit winery producing several kinds of wines and canned grapes.

Grapes Valley in Turpan

Picking grapes now....

The Uighur girls at Grape Valley.

Turpan Grapes

Jade Dragon Mountain, Yunnan

Village at the foot of jade dragon mountain.

Located near Lijiang Old Town in China's Yunnan Province, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rises majestically from the plains. With an elevation of 5,596 meters above sea level, and consisting of 13 peaks, the mountain's snowy peaks often rise above the clouds and fog which nestle among its crevices making it appear like a large dragon resting in the clouds, giving it its name. The mountain is snowcapped year round and with its natural unspoiled beauty it draws a great many scientists, as well as visitors from both home and abroad. The summit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has never been climbed, although many mountaineers from many countries have attempted it.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is famous for being a botanist's paradise. It is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants. One fourth of all of China's plant species can be found on the mountain and over half of the 13,000 species of plants in Yunnan can be found on the mountain. The 20 primeval forests shelter over 400 species of trees including fir, dragon spruce, Chinese hemlock, and fragrant camphor.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain now is a famous scenic spot for sightseeing, mountaineering, skiing, exploration, scientific research and taking holiday. Besides, widespread legends and myths of the Naxi ethnic minority and the unclimbed Shanzidou are all important attractive spots for those who come here.

Admission Fee:	CNY 105 for the entrance charge CNY 80 for the Protection Fare of the Old Town
Ropeway Fare:	CNY182 for the big ropeway (Glacier Park) CNY 82 for the middle ropeway (Yak Level Ground) CNY 77 for the small ropeway (Spruce Level Ground)

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the holy mountain in the eye of Naxi People

Wood path along the jade dragon mountain.

Water flow from the Jade Dragon Mountain

Blue Moon Valley

Sentosa Island, The Singapore playground

Sentosa Island

At Sentosa, there are endless activities to indulge your every interest. Their biggest attraction, Imbiah Lookout offers something for everyone; thrill seekers can take a ride on Skyline Luge Sentosa, nature lovers can explore the walking trails and wonders of Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom or learn about flora and fauna on a guided tour of Sentosa Nature Discovery. For some culture, try Images of Singapore. The sporty side of you can enjoy a game of beach volleyball on Siloso Beach, ride the barrelling waves at Wave House Sentosa and at night fall, be awed by Songs of the Sea, a multi-sensory extravaganza.
Sentosa enhances your leisure options with a world-class family resort, Resorts World™ Sentosa, great shopping and dining experiences at VivoCity and Harbourfront Centre, the multi-concept entertainment hub at St James Power Station, and nature trail at Mt Faber all located within close proximity to Sentosa!
On top of that, play to your heart’s content with our Sentosa PLAY Pass. Choose from our Day Play Pass or ‘Noon Play Pass or zip off to an exclusive adventure’with our Premium Play Pass. Get all set for a fulfilling day that promises laughs, thrills and fun! It’s fuss-free, affordable and flexible – the perfect start a playful day.
Their Sentosa Rider offers holiday makers a fuss-free way to get to Sentosa from Singapore city center such as Orchard Road, Chinatown and Marina Bay, for just $5 only! Our friendly tour hosts onboard will offer personalized assistance in planning your Sentosa itinerary. Enjoy savings when you purchase any one of the themed attraction packages available onboard, and beat the queues at Sentosa ticketing counters!
A must-visit destination for tourists and a popular recreational playground for all, so begin your Singapore experience with a trip to Sentosa!

"Song of the Sea" nice show!

Luge sky ride. Fun!  ..... 

The main symbol of Universal Studio Singapore.

Awesome fireworks. 

Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Turkey

The Archaeology Museum

The museum was founded by painter and archeologist Osman Hamdi on June 13, 1891. It was called at that time the Imperial Museum. Two side wings were added in 1902 and 1908, and on its centenary in 1991 the museum was enlarged with a new section and reorganized. The architect of the monumental building was the famous Valaury. 

To the left of the entrance, after the gift and book shops, there is the room dedicated to Osman Hamdi, and then come the halls containing the works of art he personally discovered in the royal necropolis of Sayda (Sidon). The first three sarcophagi belong to the family of Saydan King Tabnit. An exceptionally beautiful Lycian sarcophagus and the Satrap sarcophagus are also in this room.

The next section contains the Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women and the very famous Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, which in fact did not belong to him. The four sides of this sarcophagus are decorated with reliefs depicting scenes of the war between the Macedonians and the Persians, and hunting scenes. 

·         Address: Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu, Topkapı Sarayı, Sultanahmet

·         Phone: +90-212-5207740

Archaelogical

Sarcophagi

Sarcophagus

Ancient Greek in Istanbul

What a view! Table Mountain, Africa

The view of Table Mountain.

South Africa's most famous landmark, Table Mountain, is more than just a pile of rock in the bay. A protected national park, it has some remarkable features that make it a great destination for nature-lovers, The Table Mountain Aerial Cable way was the solution to the arduous walk and climb to the top. Since its opening in 1929, more than 22 million people have taken the trip to the top of Table Mountain. The new cable way was upgraded and officially reopened on 4 October 1997.
At the upper cable station you will find a restaurant and a curio shop as well as a network of footpaths to explore the table top.There are plenty of hiking trails from the Camps Bay side of the mountain, as well as from the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and even from the city centre itself.

You can walk or climbs the mountain, or even abseil down it, depending on your expertise and fitness levels, but be warned. Although the mountain may look tame on any given day, each year it claims lives as people set off under-prepared for a sudden change in weather. Always hike in a group and carry water and warm clothing with you. Better still, hire a guide or ask an experienced hiker to take you along. 

Cape Town Sea, Table Mountain

Cable Car

Top mountain view

Explore mighty Table Mountain in Cape Town in South Africa

History of Borobudur, Indonesia

Buddha statue

Borobudur temple is located in Borobudur, Magelang Regency, and Central Java Province. Borobudur is the biggest Buddhist temple in Indonesia. Borobudur Temple was built by using / – 55,000 m3 of rock. This building height is 42m, with a base width of 123 m. It is upright and sturdy mount to the sky and part of the history of 12th-century-old. When exactly Borobudur was founded is not known with certainty. The absence of written evidence caused the full darkness of Borobudur. Determination of age was conducted by observing the basic pattern and carved temple-style carvings, showing pattern of Central Java at 8 BC.
The name of Borobudur itself according to some people means a mountain terraces (budhara), while the other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high places. Borobudur has punden berundak shape which consists of 10 levels. Its height was 42 meters before being renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation, because the lowest level was used as guard. Six lowest level and square in the upper three floors and a circular highest level of Buddhist are facing to the west. Each level represents the stage of human life. Accordance to Buddha Mahayana, anyone who wants to reach the level of Buddha must go through each of those life stages the base of Borobudur temple, called Kamadhatu, and is symbolizing human beings that are still bound by lust. Four levels mentioned above represents Rupadhatu humans who have set themselves free from lust but still tied to appearance and shape. At these levels, a statue of Buddha placed in open space. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddhist stupa placed in the holes is called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been freed from lust, appearance, and shape. The top level is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Borobudur temple