Kumarakom

Kumarakom is an amazingly beautiful, scenic, must-see tourist destination in Kerala famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the pristine Vembanad Lake, abundant in marine life.

Kumarakom is on man-made land reclaimed from the vast Vembanad Lake. The name Kumarakom was derived from the deity of its oldest temple Kumaran. Kumaran’s Akam or place became Kumarakom.

Agriculture, fishing and tourism are the major economic activities. Kumarakom’s perfectly balanced tropical climate is very conductive to cultivation. The place has expanses of mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves. Kumarakom has a wide variety of houseboats and is well known through out the world for housbeoat experience.

Situated in the Kottayam district of Kerala, which is already known for its lush greenery, this exotic backwater village adds more than a sparkle to it. The landscape basically consists of a cluster of island villages in and around the large “Vembanad Kayal” backwater body (which is also, incidentally the largest in Kerala), with a plethora of branched bodies all lined by beautiful, thick, lush and peaceful greenery. A large number of coconut trees line the horizon to add the perfect tropical touch to the landscape.

With the onset of the monsoon rains, some time around June, the little streams and lagoons break their flow beds and irrigate the fertile land to an overwhelming cover of green. Shrubs, grass and bushes cover every available inch of land to provide a fantastic treat to the eyes with the morning dew and surface mist on the water bodies, spotted in colors with blooms of algae and lillies.

An important point of interest is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where a significant number of bird species are known to make migratory visits. The park area covers around 15 acres and functions under the aegis of the government of Kerala. Originally, developed as a rubber estate by the English colonial enterpreneurs, it was formerly known as the Baker estate. One of the important migratory species is the Siberian crane. Other tropical species such as the egret, heron, waterfoul, ducks, moorhens and kingfisher are commonly found.

The Vembanad Lake, is home to many marine and freshwater fish. Varieties of shrimp, prawn and fresh water fish are boutiful. The “Pearl spot” fish is found in relatively lower numbers, and is a local delicacy.

Kumarakom enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate.The lowest and highest temperatures recorded are 60.8 F and 100 F. There is always a cool, fresh breeze, which makes even the warmest weather readily agreeable after sundown. The South West monsoon is from early June to early August. However, slight drizzles persist till early November.

Spiral Staircase Photos

Chilean Stunt Rider

Incredible footage shows Chilean stunt rider making death-defying 4,000 metre jump on his bike 

By Paul Bentley
Last updated at 9:19 AM on 6th May 2011

This is the moment a fearless Chilean stuntman flings himself off a 4,000 metre high mountain edge in the name of extreme motorcycling.

Breathtaking video footage shows Julio Muñoz, 37, speeding his bike onto a ramp positioned on the cliff-edge before soaring above a distant valley in the Chilean Andes.

He holds tight to his motorcycle before releasing himself thousands of metres in the air and freefalling until the last possible moment, when he finally opens his parachute 200ft from the ground.

Can you spot him? Chilean parachutist Julio Munoz makes a 4,000 metre high jump on his motorcycle in Loma Rabona, Chile

Last Saturday's terrifying stunt was captured by a series of cleverly positioned cameras, at the expense of more than $100,000.

Cameras attached to Muñoz's helmet and shoes show the breathtaking feat from the riders perspective, while a helicopter passes overhead to capture the stunning bigger picture.

Fearless: Chilean parachutist Julio Munoz flings himself off the 4,000 metre high cliff-edge

The stunt, which was videoed using twelve digital cameras and involved positioning a half-ton ramp and Muñoz's 450cc bike at 4,000 metres, took months to arrange.

Three helicopters were used to transport all the equipment to the location in the Loma Rabona region of the Andes and to help video the huge jump.

Paratrooper Muñoz said the extraordinary stunt was just an 'everyday' experience for him and that the logistics involved in financing the stunt, known as 'BASE Project Los Andes', were far more stressful than the jump itself.

Release: Munoz flings himself from his motorbike after making the jump 4,000 metres in the air

Freefall: The camera on Munoz's shoe shows the moment his bike flies away from beneath him

Relief: Munoz finally releases his parachute at the last minute, just 200ft from the ground 

'On the way to the ramp, I was focused on adjusting the speed on the bike. When I left the ramp and I'm flying, when I'm in the middle, that's where I really feel comfortable - in the air. Exiting the ramp was natural, and the flight was an everyday thing for me,' he said.

'It took two months to prepare and assemble it all - to develop the ramp, to have the parachute with the logos. It was good preparation. I always felt very comfortable with the people I worked with,' the stuntman added. 

The paratrooper said he now intends to keep pushing the barriers of his extreme sport. He intends to try to clear the 'Colt barrel' in Peru, one of the deepest in the world.

On top of the world: Munoz on the edge of the ramp, thousands of metres high in the Andes

The Underwater Project Photography

Action as it breaks: The Australian photographer who goes Down Under when the surf's up

By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 4:36 PM on 5th May 2011

Underwater photographer Mark Tipple's latest work gives a turtle's eye view of swimmers as they roll in the wake of 15ft high waves.

Brave Mark, 29, travels around Australia diving under powerful waves.

Using his underwater camera he captures the 'battle' between man and the awesome power of the ocean.

His series of shots show swimmers frozen in time as they dive below the surf to avoid being pounded.

These never-before-seen pictures from across the Australian summer form his series, The Underwater Project.

Down Under: A swimmer reaches out to break free from underneath a breaking wave at Bronte Beach, Sydney, in one of a series of photographs by Mark Tipple

'I'm constantly in awe of the different moods the ocean goes through on an annual cycle,' said Mark, from Sydney. 'I'm trying to capture those moods through people underwater.

'The latest pictures in this series were mainly shot around the Sydney area. During summer the beaches are pretty crowded all day, everyday, so it was fun to shoot just down the road from my house.

'I got caught a few times, unprepared for the sheer size of the ocean swells, but it made for some interesting photos.' Striving for dramatic shots, Mark has to hold his breath for up to a minute as he waits for the perfect moment.

What lies beneath: A trio of swimmers are caught diving below the 15ft rollers on Bronte Beach, in Sydney

Awesome power: Mark Tipple is putting his shots into a book called The Underwater Project

He said: 'As the wave approaches I try to be on the ocean floor a few seconds before the swimmers dive under, so I'm underwater before they dive below.

Underwater photographer Mark Tipple's latest work gives a turtle's eye view of swimmers as they roll in the wake of 15ft high waves on Bronte Beach, Sydney.

'The camera is kept dry using an underwater housing, which is really light and super strong. Most importantly its size doesn't become a hindrance when I'm swimming to get into position - or to get out of danger fast.

'Having surfed my whole life I'm pretty confident in waves of most sizes, which helps with holding my breath to stay under and get the shot.

'I'm constantly trying to increase my breath-holding ability. I've thought about scuba gear, but I need to remain as nimble as possible to be able to capture any situation.' 

Dangerous game: One swimmer appears to struggle for breath beneath the breaking waves 

The nature of his work as an underwater photographer means Mark spends sometimes gruelingly long periods getting soaked.

'Sometimes I'm in the water for six hours a day, four days straight. It really depends on the elements that are delivered on the day, plus the people around at any given time.

'There are times when I've been in there for six hours without a break and my eyes are so bloodshot I can't really see by the end.

'The amount of time spent shooting really just depends on the weather.' Before the book launch, Mark's work will be displayed at exhibitions around Sydney this year.

for more pictures, visit Mark's website http://www.theunderwaterproject.com/

Highly Innovative Calendar Designs

These are some highly innovative calendar designs to lighten up your day! From a camera lens calendar to a fun bubble wrap calendar to some puzzle calendars! Who knows, perhaps some of these calendar designs may even entice a few towards actually using them.

Calendar Matches





A great Matches calendar design which utilizes individual matches for each separate day. As soon as the day is done, you can simply light it up like it was yesterday.

Camera Lens Calendar





This Camera Lens Calendar is perfect for the photographer in you, who is looking for a creative yet inspirational way to keep track of the date.

Bubble Wrap





It would be great to end each day with a Pop and with the Bubble Wrap Calendar, it would be even more fun.

Scratchers Calendar





Another easy and fun way to keep track of the day is introduced with the Scratchers Calendar. As each day passes, simply scratch it off the Month.

Puzzle Calendar





Looking like those old puzzles we used to play, the Puzzle Calendar gives an added twist to knowing what day it is.

Bamboo Calendar and Clock





A great mix of Gadgets, Calendars and Bamboo which ends up providing a cool looking design many would appreciate.

Pencil Calendar





This is not to write down that dates but provide a way to keep track by colorful pencils. Each color represents a different month, and as you continue using it, it slowly goes through the printed days.


Refrigerator Magnet Calendar





These refrigerator Calendar magnets from Serhiy Chebotaryov provide you all the months in one set, for you can always rearrange it any way needed. Furthermore, some cool additional magnets are added to keep track of important things, such as Flights, Dinners and more.

Office Calendar





The Wooden Office Calendar by Qaaim Goodwin gives a simple Calendar that can be changed with a flip of a Wooden card. In turn, you have the date in plain sight.

Connect the Dots Calendar





The Connect the Dots Calendar is another creative design that looks great but may not be as practical. It kinds of makes it that you have to wait 30 days to finish an entire picture. With only 28-31 dots in a picture…who would have the patience to wait so long for an image?


Fold Out Accordion Calendar





You do not have to be an accordion player to appreciate the Papercraft calendar design here. Just like a simple fold out version but with added art.

Stokkeaustad Calendar





This Calendar is created with tiny pieces of paper with individual dates on each and a colorful result.


This Calendar Rules





A cool Ruler Calendar by Fatih Baltas simply has the dates printed instead of distance measurements.

Lego Bricks Calendar





The Lego Puzzle Calendar gives a little bit more freedom to the user by allowing you to design your calendar as you would with any Lego toy.


Manual Calendar Design





It may require manual work every day, but the actual cubes and colorful months make for a great design.


Image: DarthMurda

Circle Calendar





Artist Dylan Sultzer uses a circle for its relation with time. The simple 3D look also maintains an easy visual on the current month (between the two stands).

14 Days





This is a 14 Day Calendar by Jonathan Russell that is used by flipping the blades down after a day has passed, and thus keeping track of days.

Day Bracelet

Titled the “Today is….Bangle”, artist Petula Fung offers a minimalistic bracelet that gives a simple method to know what day it is.