Graffiti of Rio de Janeiro

Rio is wilful. Despite the fact that the financial center of Brazil is Sao Paulo and the capital is Brasilia, Rio remains to be the main image and symbol of the country. Hot beauties from Copacobana and Ipanema beaches, tourists who can't help staring at them hoping for a good night with one or maybe even two Brazilian babes. In this Babylonian mixture there are divine wonderful Brazilian Catholic girls, crazy artists and wandering sailors. On this chaos Rio has been built, and nearby, on the high mountain, Jesus spreading his arms, is looking on that all and blesses everyone who sees him.    

And the city is growing on, and already 15 million people raise their heads in the morning greeting Jesus on Corcovado rock.

Probably the graffiti of such city will be especially bright. The city authorities gathered 12 best graffiti masters and gave them money for paints and allowed to paint the walls however they like.

To understand the mood of advanced youngsters of Rio you have to walk along the streets of Lapa, go upstairs of Selerona stairs (another madman has made the whole staircase decorated with red tiles and patterns of various countries), go along the edge of favellas (quite risky) or go by a famous yellow tram and be watched on your way by painted citizens of Rio...

Rio is a wild mixture of graffiti, favellas, buisiness centers, temples looking like pyramids and ... leggy Brazilian chicks.

This one is truly epic! 20m long!

Trekking in Santa Maria Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil

Trekking become a very popular way of relaxing, training and visiting nature places. Brazil has to offer unending places for trekking. One of these places is Santa Maria in region of Rio Grande do Sul. Santa Maria is not just famous for its nature scenery but even for its pizza too. As you can see, it is a water rich regionwith many waterfalls and even grass is here much more greener.

Tulips As the Flower Symbol of the Netherlands

Tulips are probably the most famous flowers in the Netherlands and in many cases a great teaser for the tourists. Flowers parades are held from spring to autumn in the whole Netherlands. Bollenstreek Flower Parade is the biggest parade from them all and is usually held at the end of April. Not tulips only can be seen in the gardens. The first flower in the spring is a crocus, then daffodil, narcissi and hyacinth.
If you got taste for a tulip tour than the most famous tour is from Amsterdam to Keukenhof where is the world’s largest bulb-flower garden with opening season in second half of March.

From the Scottish Parliament Down to the Beach at Gullane

Scotland has unique nature conditions and cities are built with a respect to the nature. The good example is the city of Edinburgh. The Scottish Parliament building is located in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh and is designed by architect Enric Miralles. Since the Scotland Act in 1998, the Scottish Parliament had primary legislation in issues of education, health, agriculture and justice, the rest is passed to Parliament of the United Kingdom.
When we go forward to the east coast of Scotland (20 miles) to the town of Gullane, we will find wonderful beach with sand dunes, the Gullane Beach. If you like golf game, many high-quality golf clubs and championships take place here. Worth to see this town anyway.

Grow Banana Tree in Your Garden

Some countries, like Dominican Republic, has a good weather conditions to grow bananas in a garden. When we are talking about ideal temperatures for growing bananas, than the night temperature would be about 20 C (67 F) and the day temperature would be about (27 C) 80 F. High humidity of 50% and higher is required too. If you are not in luck for such weather conditions, you can grow banana in your house. Do not forget to give it a lot of sun all day long and a big container. Usually a living room is the best place because this location is mostly heated. And if you take care about your banana, your banana tree will thank you with a banana fruit. Probably not so big, but taste great.

Wonderful Mono Lake of California

Mono Lake is situated in the east of Central California. On the southern bank of the lake is a small settlement Lee Vinning.

Portugal Never Stops to Amaze

Today we'll wander along the streets of Lisbon where the past blends with the present and ancient remains are still possible to be discovered.

This is the monument to the Marquis of Pombal, the prime minister responsible for the rebuilding of Lisbon following the Great Earthquake in 1755, showing him standing on a column with his hand on a lion (symbol of power) and his eyes directed to the downtown area that he rebuilt.

An unusual city block with a variety of tiny streets and picturesque buildings.

A poster on the walls of the buildings in the block.

It's Cabaret Maxime.

Maxime used to be a luxury cabaret, with clients from upper-class Portuguese families to the King of Spain. Later on, it became an underground brothel, but in 2006 it was revamped and turned into a bar and concert venue with a regular program. It has maintained the style and decor that made it famous.

The Praça dos Restauradores (Restorer's Square) is located on the south end of Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue), right beside the Rossio railway station (also an architectural masterpiece not to be missed!). This is a busy area of Lisbon and also the place to find the recently renovated Orion Eden, once a theatre and today a hotel that has kept the wonderful original facade.

Rossio is the liveliest square in the city, where people stop to sit and relax, or for a drink at the several atmospheric cafes with outdoor sitting.
 On either side of the square are two baroque fountains, and in the center is a monument measuring 27 meters in height. It consists of a pedestal with marble allegories of Justice, Wisdom, Strength, and Moderation, qualities attributed to Dom Pedro IV, whose statue stands on top of the monument.

The floor renders the effect of running waves producing a fascinating view.

On Sundays an exposition is available. They sell different kinds of food here.

Local rock band is giving a concert under the open sky.

A standard yellow tram.

After the bridge Ponte 25 de Abril is passed by, an industrial area starts which is still decorated with some visual pearls like this.

The Municipal Square is a small peaceful place. The City Hall building is a neoclassical palace with an elegant exterior featuring sculptures on the triangular tympanum supported by four paired columns. Outside the building is an interesting pillory with a spiral column built of a single block in the 18th century, and crowned with a gilt metal sphere.

Red bug sculpture.

The Castle of Saint Jorge is located atop the highest hill in the historic center of the city. The castle is one of the main historical and touristic sites of Lisbon.

The castle consists of an external yard and an internal palace.

The yard embraces the internal citadel protected by the second level of walls.

The view of Praca do Comercio.

The view of Ponte 25 de Abril.

Santa Justa Elevator is an Eiffel Tower-like landmark overlooking the city.

The internal citadel is surrounded by the trench and the second wall. A bridge connects the wall and the external part.

The castle comprises numerous semi-destructed rooms.

This is Alfama, one of the most typical quarters of Lisbon. In Alfama, it is still possible to see Roman and Arab remains, two of the most dominant civilizations in Lisbon's past.