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Ranking among the most important caves in the world, the Škocjan Caves represent the most significant underground phenomena in both the Karst region and Slovenia. Due to their exceptional significance, the Škocjan Caves were entered on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. International scientific circles have thus acknowledged the importance of the Caves as one of the natural treasures of planet Earth. From time immemorial, people have been attracted to the gorge where the Reka River disappears underground as well as the mysterious cave entrances. The Reka River sinks under a rocky wall; on the top of it lies the village of Škocjan after which the Caves are named. Archaeological research has shown that people lived in the caves and the surrounding area in prehistoric times – from the Mesolithic, the Neolithic, the Bronze and Iron Ages through Antiquity and the Middle Ages to the present; altogether for more than 5,000 years. The Škocjan Caves have a highly multi-branched system of cave passages totalling 6.2 kilometres. The Caves have 11 speleological structures that are interconnected by means of the Reka River or collapse dolines. The shifting of the sinkholes in contact with the underground caves caused the formation of numerous collapsed dolines. The sinkhole fascinate every visitor with their depth of 163 meters as well as great floral and faunal diversity. The best view of both sinkholes, with their natural bridge and the cave that separate them, is from Miklov skedenj, named after the local explorer Franc Cerkvenik.
In Slovenia we visit the amazing Škocjan Caves. Here the Reka River creates a waterfall in the Velika dolina before plunging in the amazing deep underground canyon of the Skocjan Caves. It will emerge again after 38km in italian grounds with the name of Timavo river flowing after 2km into the Adriatic sea. Rare cave fauna are preserved in the underground system of the Reka River. The cave was formed by the disappearing Reka River that gathers most of its waters on the impermeable flysch rock. Following heavy rains, the Reka River floods in the cave, usually reaching levels up to 30 metres; the highest recorded rise in the water level was 132 metres. Falling water in the Karst sinks and drains underground through fissures. The caves are formed in this way; on the surface this occurs in different karst depressions of various sizes. The most frequent karst depressions are sinkholes. .
De Grotten van Skocjan, Skocjanske jame, liggen in het zuidwesten van Slovenië niet ver van Postojna. Het druipsteengrottenstelsel van Skocjan is ca. 6 km lang en ligt langs rivier de Reka, die hier op een diepte van 200 m door de Grotten van Skocjan stroomt. Rivier de Reka stroomt over een lengte van 38 km ondergronds door meerdere grotten in het Sloveens karstgebied. De Grotten van Skocjan vormen de grootste ondergrondse canyon ter wereld. Vanaf het bezoekerscentrum maakt men onder leiding van een gids een wandeling naar de ingang van de Grotten van Skocjan. Warme kleding en wandelschoenen zijn nodig voor de ondergrondse tocht van zo'n 2 tot 3 uur langs o.a. de Stille Grot en de Grote Zaal. In de Müllerzaal stort de Reka zich van verschillende hoogtes met woest geraas naar beneden, men loopt over een in de wand van de grot uitgehakt smal pad, over een 50 m boven de woest stromende Reka gelegen bruggetje, langs donderende watervallen en door de Martel's Chamber, de grootste grot ter wereld. De bezoeker wordt gefascineerd door de diepte van een zinkgat van maar liefst 163 meter. De Rimstone Pools' Hall is een grot met druipsteenformaties in de vorm van elfenbankjes. Men kan niet anders dan deze meesterstukken van de natuur bewonderen. Eenmaal buiten ziet men de Reka met donderend geraas de Grotten van Skocjan uitstromen. In de Grotten van Skocjan is fotograferen niet toegestaan. Maar ja dat heb ik maling aan natuurlijk. De Grotten van Skocjan werden in 1986 Werelderfgoed en staan ingeschreven op de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO als: Skocjan Caves.
Tags: Škocjan Jama Natural heritage Regiona dolinel Park Slovenija Slovenia Javni zavod Škocjanske jame World UNESCO Karst biosphere reserve Underground canyon Velika Mala dolina deep gorge Reka River sinkhole blind valley caves Classical prehistoric exploration cave Earth sink doline Great Hall giant stalagmite chamber Skocjanske limestone treasure nature mysterious entrances rocky walls Archaeology Cerknica Cerkvenik Bridge Jules Verne Journey center crossing geotagged geo:lon=13.991749 geo:lat=45.664877 waterfall floods rocks sinks drain sinkholes Paradise 50+Faves top-f50 100+Faves top-f100
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Velenje has three lakes, which are Lake Velenje, Lake Skale and Lake Druzmir. Lake Velenje is the largest in the valley. It is a nice place for walking, cycling, jogging and doing other activities. Here are also restaurants with good food. In the nearness is a camp. Due to excavation of lignite coal caused the lake. Among them is the largest lake Velenje, which primero also for the implementation of the various sporting activities. Thus, it can be given to the lake with a sailboat, sailing board or board, and the parachute. Funny is also run by canoes and pedelini.
Photo a couple of swan at the Velenje lake in Slovenia. They pair monogamously until one partner dies. Should one partner die long before the other, the surviving bird often will not mate again for some years, or even for its entire life.The Mute Swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males -known as cobs- averaging about 12 kg and females (known as pens) more than 8 kg. Its size, orange-reddish bill and white plumage make this swan almost unmistakable at close quarters.
The Šaleška Valley boasts the largest Slovenian coalmine and the biggest Slovenian thermo power plant. The lignite mining industry in the area contributed to the expansion of the town, especially after World War II. Many people see it simply as an industrial region, but you will be very surprised, when you discover the magnificent blue lakes and wonder underground to discover the thickest layers of coal the Coal mining museum in Velenje. In the past, dumping of coal ash directly into Lake Velenje and drainage water from the ash disposal site resulted very high pH and high concentrations of heavy metals. The introduction of a closed cycle ash transport system in 1995 resulted in a very fast recovery of the lake water quality. The results of recent studies showed very low mecury concentrations in the water which can be compared to any other freshwater lakes.
Tags: Swan bird Zwaan Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant Velenje Lakes Slovenia Lake blue water swimming children sky green lush holiday vacation relaxation butt naked nature sporting sailing Šaleška Valley thermo discover local people boy girl joy pleasure Afternoon delight swmming moon All Stars red hair paradise idyllic summer laid-back geotagged geo:lon=15.097221 geo:lat=46.374715 Energy environmental Freshwater coal heart Birds Love Romance Pond Reflection pair monogamously 50+Faves top-50 100+Faves top-f100 clear day 200+Faves top-f200
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Velenje has three lakes, which are Lake Velenje, Lake Skale and Lake Druzmir. Lake Velenje is the largest in the valley. It is a nice place for walking, cycling, jogging and doing other activities. Here are also restaurants with good food. In the nearness is a camp. Due to excavation of lignite coal caused the lake. Among them is the largest lake Velenje, which primero also for the implementation of the various sporting activities. Thus, it can be given to the lake with a sailboat, sailing board or board, and the parachute. Funny is also run by canoes and pedelini.
Velenje lake is located in northern Slovenia. You don't find many tourist here but for the locals it's a great place for relaxation. A natural setting where you can spot the Sunfish and enjoying the lush natural beauty.
The Šaleška Valley boasts the largest Slovenian coalmine and the biggest Slovenian thermo power plant. The lignite mining industry in the area contributed to the expansion of the town, especially after World War II. Many people see it simply as an industrial region, but you will be very surprised, when you discover the magnificent blue lakes and wonder underground to discover the thickest layers of coal the Coal mining museum in Velenje.
Tags: Soncni Ostriz Lepomis Sunfish Centrarchidae Lepomis marginatus fishes water Velenje Lakes Slovenia Lake blue swimming children swan sky green lush holiday vacation relaxation nature sporting sailing Šaleška Valley thermo power plant discover joy pleasure geotagged geo:lon=15.081933 geo:lat=46.370896 Swim hands pier bathing relaxing 50+Faves top-f50 damselflies waterjuffer 100+Faves top-f100 clear day regionwide 200+Faves top-f200
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Vlieland is one of the West Frisian Islands, lying in the Wadden Sea. It is the second island from the west in the chain, lying between Texel and Terschelling. Vlieland was named after the Vlie. The Vlie or Vliestroom is the seaway between the Dutch islands of Vlieland. Vlieland can be reached by ferry from the Frisian town of Harlingen. The ferry ride takes about 1.5 hours and crosses the Wadden Sea and part of the North Sea. The commonest form of transport on the island is the bicycle; a network of cycle paths criss-crosses the island. The majority of the landscape of the island consists of dunes, but there are some wooded areas and small meadows. A large part of the island, the western part, consists mainly of sand and is referred to as the Sahara of the north. But also plenty of scenic areas covered in woods, like this wonderful pool. A place where I met the protected Pool Frog.
On the Wadden Islands you discover exceptional flora and fauna, peaceful beaches and authentic villages. Each island sustains its own atmosphere. Vlieland is an oasis of tranquillity. The smallest of the four Frisian Islands, it is the farthest from the mainland. To preserve this quietness and the island’s natural flora and fauna, no cars are allowed on Vlieland.
Vlieland is één van vijf Nederlandse Waddeneilanden en kenmerkt zich met name door het uitgesproken rustige karakter. Het eiland heeft één dorp en het landschap bestaat uit duingebied, strand en relatief veel bos. Eenmaal op het eiland gearriveerd, zult u aangenaam verrast worden door de ruimte, de rust, de schone lucht en het gebrek aan jachtig autoverkeer. Vlieland is voor toeristen niet toegankelijk met auto's en motoren. U vindt op Vlieland een landschap dat uniek is. Een uitgestrekt duinenlandschap: zo'n 300 hectare aan naald- en loofbossen en een zeer gevarieerde flora en fauna. Verder waant u zich in de Sahara als u door de duinen loopt, helemaal van de Noordzee tot aan het Wad. U hoort niets dan de vogelgeluiden. De wind in het helmgras. In een prachtig vennetje kom ik de beschermde poelkikker tegen. "Na een dagje Vlieland kan ik er weer maanden tegen"!
Tags: Vlieland Wadden island Waddensea Waddenzee Wadden islands Flora and fauna Frisian Islands oasis of tranquillity pool frog nature green nature vennetje poelkikker European frog Rana lessonae Kleine groene kikker Pelophylax lessonae amphibian lilypads Lush and green 50+Faves top-f50
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Don Det is an island in Laos near the border of Cambodia. Here the Mekong river splits into many river arms. In the dry season, when the water level drops, thousands of islands and sandbanks arise - hence the name of Si Phan Don or four thousand islands. The larger islands are permanent above the water level. On these islands people live in villages cultivating rice and vegetables and catching fish. The landscape on the island is adorable with ricefields, waterbuffalos, rustic villages and friendly people. The island Don Som is a little more south in the Mekong river. The island has a superb natural environment. The ricefields on the island are bordered with palmtrees. Bamboo bushes and again palmtrees grow along the riverside. The villagers on the island built their houses in the cool shade underneath the trees along the riverside. They are not only farmers but craftsmen and fishermen as well. We are moving further south by boat from main island Don Khong to Don Det. A backpacker's paradise, nestled along the breathtaking Mekong River, Don Det is a perfect base for travelers exploring the area. Don Det is off the beaten path, so lacks the touristy feel of other destinations, but still offers beauty and adventure from the local waterfalls. A beautiful Laotian getaway. Further to the south is the island of Don Khone. This island close to the Cambodian border has many kapok trees, coconut palmtrees and bamboo bushes. Boats sailing the Mekong river up north could not go further at Don Khone because of the waterfalls. Further downstream, the Mekong roars over Khone Phapheng Falls. The drop is only about 21 meters, but the water volume is huge. Cambodia lies just a short distance further downriver. This 4200 kilometres long river starts in China and after having passed through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam it ultimately flows into the South China sea. All this water has to pass through a narrow gorge and the sight of the waterfall is overwhelming. The largest waterfall in South East Asia by volume on the Mekong, Si Phan Don Four Thousand Islands. From here the Mekong fans out 14 kms wide creating islands and sandbars.
Millions upon millions of gallons of water drop down every minute here at the big falls. The Khone Phapheng waterfalls represents the largest volume of water passing from one level to another in the whole of Southeast The almost violently white waves, ribbons and showers of water that break over the Mekong rock basin here have quite an earth-juddering force of nature contained within them. Photo taken in the South of Laos near the border of Cambodia. Phapheng is intensely picturesque. Located upstream on a different branch of the mighty Mekong river at the northern edge of Khone Island, it is set amid a mass of jagged rocks. The Mekong forces an angry passage in a series of cascades. In the rainy season it throws up sheets of spray to the accompaniment of a continuous thunderous roar - an awesome sight.
Si Pan Don, ofwel vierduizend eilanden, is een verzameling bewoonde en onbewoonde eilandjes in de Mekong. De rivier is hier een maar liefst 14 km breed labyrint van zandplaten, eilanden, rotsen, stroomversnellingen en spectaculaire watervallen. De eilandjes liggen in het uiterste zuiden van Laos, tegen de grens met Cambodja en hebben een unieke flora en fauna. Ten zuiden van Si Pan Don maak je veel kans om de bedreigde zoetwaterdolfijn te zien. De eilandbewoners leven een ongestoord en traditioneel bestaan en verbouwen rijst, suikerriet en groente. Daarnaast weven ze hun eigen kleding en vangen ze vis in de Mekong. Verschillende eilandjes, zoals Don Khong, Don Det en Don Khone hebben guesthouses, zodat je hier uitstekend kunt island hoppen in de Mekong. Si Pan Don is de laatste jaren zeer populair geworden als budget bestemming bij backpackers, iets waar niet iedereen blij mee zal zijn. Ten oosten van Don Khone en iets ten zuiden van het plaatsje Ban Thakho liggen de spectaculaire Khone Phapheng stroomversnellingen. De altijd zo serene Mekong perst zich hier met donderend geraas door een nauwe doorgang en transformeert in een woeste watermassa.
Tags: Khone Phapheng falls Khon Phapheng falls Laos Southern Laos Mekong river river river Breathtaking Mekong river Don Khone magnificent waterfalls Mekong river 4200 km long Narrow gorge Asia Largest waterfall in South East Asia Si Phan Don four thousand islands waterfalls and rapids of Khone Phapheng largest volume of water passing earth-juddering force 10 kilometers of the river's length Rock basin violently white waves, ribbons and showers of water The lush green jungle Force of nature islands and countless waterways Plabuck is largest freshwater fish in the world The falls total height is 21 meters Rainy season Monsoon Wet season the sight of the waterfall is overwhelming The mighty Mekong thundering down Millions upon millions of gallons of water drop down every minute The Khone waterfall Catfish Giant catfish The river wild The mekong river running wild! 50+Faves top-f50 totallythailand 100+Faves top-f100
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