Table Mountain

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

The top of Table Mountain is flat and overlooks the city of Cape Town in South Africa. The flat top is approximately 2 miles from one side to the other. It's a popular tourist attraction for visitors, who can choose to hike or take a cable car to the plateau. The view from this landmark is said to be one of the most epic views in Africa.

Interesting Table Mountain Facts:

Table Mountain is featured on Cape Town's flag.

It got its name because of its flat top.

The highest point of Table Mountain is 3,563 feet above sea level. It's called Maclear's Beacon for the man who built a stone cairn at the site in 1865. It was meant to be used for a trigonometric survey.

The first recorded hike to the top of the mountain occurred in 1503 by a man named Antonio de Saldanha. This route has proven to be the easiest and most direct way to reach the main plateau.

The first woman recorded to have reached the top was Anne Barnard. She made the trek in 1790.

Today there are more than 350 trails to the top of Table Mountain.

The cableway that transports visitors (who do not want to hike) to the top was built in 1929. The capacity of the first cable car was 25 people. Today it can carry 60 to the top.

Table Mountain has many sandstone caves. The largest is Wynberg.

The original name of Table Mountain was Howrikwaggo. Translated this means ‘mountain in the sea' or ‘sea mountain'.

Table Mountain is one of the most popular visitor destinations in Cape Town and approximately 800,000 people visit it each year.

The most common animal found on the mountain is a mammal that resembles a guinea pig called the rock hyrax or the dassie. Although it resembles a guinea pig, its closest relatives are the sirenian and the elephant.

It is thought to be one of the oldest mountains in the world. The rocks of the mountain are approximately 600 million years old. The rocks at the base of the mountain are shale and the rocks at the western side are Cape granite.

Table Mountain is 6 times older than the Himalayas. It's 5 times older than the Rocky Mountains.

At least one wedding is held every week on ‘cloud 9' on the cable car's route.

There are often orographic clouds at the top of the mountain. It looks similar to smoke but is actually the result of a south-easterly wind rising up to meet the mountain's cooler air. Legend has it that this is a smoking contest between the Devil and a pirate Van Hunks. These clouds are also responsible for the beautiful lush vegetation on Table Mountain.

Table Mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park, a name given to the park in 1998. Prior to that it was known as Cape Peninsula National Park. Inside this park which is 30 miles across, there are plants not found anywhere else in the world. In fact, 70% of its plants are not found anywhere else.

Table Mountain is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Underground Rivers and Mayan Ruins at Xcaret

Location: Cancun, Mexico

There's so much to see and do in Mexico, and Xcaret in Cancun combines a little bit of everything into a perfect vacation destination. Xcaret is an archaeological park in Cancun that's been souped up and made into a tourist experience that combines learning about ancient history with a fun day at the beach-- and there's a little bit of eco-tourism and theme park thrown in as well. One of the must-see attractions at Xcaret is, without a doubt, the underground rivers. They take you past Mayan ruins and into mysterious caves-- and all you have to do is put on your life jacket, sit back and relax because the refreshing stream's current will just carry you along. Sign me up! You can even bring along a snorkel to do some underwater exploring.

"Xcaret" comes from the Mayan word for "small inlet", thanks to its location. The ruins, which have led scientists to believe that Xcaret was a commercial port during its high point, were built between 200 AD and 1550 AD, and they've been kept in good condition. There are also white sand beaches where visitors can relax within the park, plus tons of other attractions to keep kids and adults alike busy, and at night there's an impressive show that demonstrates Mayan culture and history-- it's not hard to spend a whole day at Xcaret! 

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Location:  Cornwall , UK

The Lost Gardens of Heligan (meaning willow tree garden) are one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. The style of the gardens is typical of the nineteenth century Gardenesque style, with areas of different character and in different design styles.

The gardens were created by members of the Cornish Tremayne family, over a period from the mid-18th century up to the beginning of the 20th century, and still form part of the family's Heligan estate. The gardens were neglected after the First World War, and restored only in the 1990s, a restoration that was the subject of several popular television programmes and books.

The gardens include aged and colossal rhododendrons and camellias, a series of lakes fed by a ram pump over a hundred years old, highly productive flower and vegetable gardens, an Italian garden, and a wild area filled with sub-tropical tree ferns called "The Jungle". The gardens also have Europe's only remaining pineapple pit, warmed by rotting manure, and two figures made from rocks and plants known as the Mud Maid and the Giant's Head.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Location: New Mexico, USA

You've never seen hot air balloons like this before. A couple weeks ago, Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's a 9-day event.during early October, where over 700 balloons see liftoff. It's the largest hot air balloon festival in the entire world and we were on hand to capture the action.

History:

The Balloon Fiesta began in 1972 as the highlight of a 50th birthday celebration for 770 KOB Radio. Radio station manager Dick McKee asked Sid Cutter, owner of  Cutter Flying Service and the first person to own a hot air balloon in New Mexico

Most strangest 5 soccer stadiums

Soccer is the biggest sport on earth, and every four years the world gets together to hold greatest sporting event on the planet: The World Cup. The magic of the tournament is easy to get swept up in, with 32 nations putting aside their differences to see who is the best in the world. This year, Brazil has the honor of hosting the world’s game, and today they kick things off against Croatia. In celebration of what (hopefully) is another entertaining World Cup, I give you five of the most beautiful (or strange) stadiums in which to play this beautiful game.

1- Located in Singapore, this floating stadium can hold more than 30,000 fans. No team calls this their permanent home, but many friendlies and exhibition matches are played here. I wonder if they give the ball boys scuba gear?

2- As if things in Ukraine weren't bad enough, the national team has to play it's matches on this slanted pitch. OK, not really. But this IS a Ukrainian field where the only opponent you end up playing is gravity.

3- Perhaps the most unique stadium in the world belongs to S.C. Braga in Portugal. Carved out of a mountainside, this stadium makes use of the surrounding landscape as a way of holding up the scoreboard and providing extra stability for its main stand.

4- The smallest stadium on this list is home to the smallest team on the list. The Eidi Stadium is the home to the tiny Faroe Islands National Team. What they lack in talent they sure make up for in scenery, just don’t expect to see them in a World Cup anytime soon.

5- Another cliffside stadium, the Gospin Dolac is home to Croatian team NK Imotski. Its unique location in the mountains of Croatia make this a horrible away game for any visiting team. 

The Lion's Back (The Off-Roading Heaven)

Location: Utah, USA

The Lion's Back is a sandstone ridge in Moab, Utah. It's one of the most extreme 4X4 off roading terrain's in America. Unfortunately, one of the most epic trails for 4x4ers is now private property. Allegedly a property developer from California snatched it up and planned to make condos at the base. Thus, cutting off the trail. Forever. If anyone has any update on the current status of this legendary trail let us know in the comments. Until then, enjoy these images of one of Moab's most iconic off-roading destinations.

Largest Rope Swing In the World

Location: Durban, South Africa

It’s an idea as old as time, tie a rope to a large tree branch, jump, and hold on for dear life. Now a new company in South Africa is taking that idea and turning the adrenaline levels up to 11.

Meet the biggest rope swing in the world: Here. Located atop the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, this knee knocking ride will put a chill down even the most sure footed adventurer. Originally built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the lack of events in recent years has left the stadium mostly empty. The owners, looking to make a profit, did what anyone who owns a massive underused stadium does….tie a huge rope to the roof and charge people to jump off. 

After climbing the 550 stairs up to the top you’re smacked in the face with a view that’ll have you asking ‘Oh **** What have I gotten myself into’. Once the harnesses are locked in, the only thing keeping you from certain doom is a solitary rope. As you walk nervously to the edge life begins to seem really worth it. After a nerve-racking count down, the time for the the leap of faith has come, and before you know it you’re swinging at speeds of up to 75 mph (Faster than a cheetah!).

The ground approaches quickly while you debate how strict the safety regulations are in South Africa and if this rope can handle the extra bit of pie you had for desert last night. Before you know it the ride is over and your heart is pumping more blood than the the Hoover Dam but hey! you survived! And now you have quite the story to tell.

The Massive Barton Springs Pool (3-acres)

Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Texas may be notorious for its sweltering summers, but the Lone Star State also has some of the most magical swimming holes. If you happen to be near Austin, take a break from keeping the city weird and head to Barton Springs Pool for a dip-- it's fed by 3 pools of natural, underground springs that have been dammed up to create a massive 3-acre swimming pool. Perhaps the best part is that you don't have to worry about jumping into ice cold water- Barton Springs is always the perfect temperature (usually around 70 degrees), thanks to the natural springs that feed it. That means year-round swimming! 

Barton Springs has been keeping Texans from overheating since before Texas was even a thing. In the 1730s, the springs were revered by the Tonkawa tribe, who used the pools for sacred rituals. Spanish explorers to the area built temporary missions around it, and in the 1830s, the land was purchased by "Uncle" Billy Barton, who saw the area's potential as an attraction. He also named the three pools after his daughters- Parthenia, Eliza and Zenobia (those definitely sound like mermaid names...just sayin'). In the '20s, the city of Austin obtained the property and built the dams to create the one huge pool we see today. It only costs $3 for adults ($2 for kids), and a portion of that money goes to a fund to help research and protect the Barton Springs Salamander, so you can cool off for a cause!