Here are some more amazing photos and some amazing photography by Marcin Kęsek. Both are very different stylistically, but both are very beautiful. Check out his fb page here https://www.facebook.com/marcinkesekfotografia and maybe mine to 😛 https://www.facebook.com/missworldsec
Two things I will never get enough of, Polish mountains and Polish forests! Enjoy, Miss S.
Many of you know that I am a sucker for great photography and for the wilderness. Our lives are so busy and so enhanced by technology that I for one need to switch off from time to time, otherwise I tend to go into sensory overload. When I discovered this wonderful site I knew it was something special – the photography is fantastic and the views stunning… I have to admit that I am quite jealous of this couple, who live and work in Polands South, encapsulated by mountains and wilderness. They carve products out of wood and every piece is a work of art. Down below are some majestic examples of their workspace. Not bad huh? 🙂 I highly recommend their facebook page for more wonderful photography https://www.facebook.com/ilnature and of course their website for more of their finished products http://ilovenature.pl/ Oh, and don’t forget to join me on fb https://www.facebook.com/missworldsec
Until next time! Miss S.
This is a photo of a sunset on Mars. Awesome huh? Makes you feel so small when you realize how big the universe is… The photo was taken by NASA and you can find more info here http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_347.html This is what they say about the sunset –
“On May 19, 2005, NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured this stunning view as the Sun sank below the rim of Gusev crater on Mars. This Panoramic Camera mosaic was taken around 6:07 in the evening of the rover’s 489th Martian day, or sol.
Sunset and twilight images are occasionally acquired by the science team to determine how high into the atmosphere the Martian dust extends, and to look for dust or ice clouds. Other images have shown that the twilight glow remains visible, but increasingly fainter, for up to two hours before sunrise or after sunset. The long Martian twilight (compared to Earth’s) is caused by sunlight scattered around to the night side of the planet by abundant high altitude dust. Similar long twilights or extra-colorful sunrises and sunsets sometimes occur on Earth when tiny dust grains that are erupted from powerful volcanoes scatter light high in the atmosphere.”
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Texas A&M/Cornell Miss S.
Thanks to Konrad Seblon for sharing this picture~ Isn’t it magical? Check out I love Greenland on facebook for more https://www.facebook.com/ilovegreenland and my exciting facebook page while your’re at it 😛 https://www.facebook.com/missworldsec Miss S.
I thought I’d share with you some remarkable shots of Poland. Images from https://www.facebook.com/NarodowaRewolucjaPolski. Experiencing the mountains myself, I can tell you that they are just as amazing as they seem in these images. Like my fb page for more photos and pictures to make your day! https://www.facebook.com/missworldsec
The mountains below are the Polish mountains Tatry.
Check out these amazing shots thanks to the Polar Circle Marathon in Greenland, taken in Kangrlussuaq, check out their fb page https://www.facebook.com/polarcirclemarathon oh and mine while you’re at it 😛 https://www.facebook.com/missworldsec
This photo of a young girl on UNICEF’s website shocked me, but at the same time I couldn’t look away. Mostly because her physical scars would only show a glimpse of the pain she was hiding inside. Every three seconds around the world, a girl is forced to give up school and the hope for an education in order to be married. It is widely accepted that if girls in developing countries had the chance for an education, a say in family planning and their own health, the poverty experienced in sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East would greatly improve. After all, many of these nations are not utilizing half of their population (females). I know that this is a topic that has probably been touched on numerous occasions, yet somehow it fades just as quickly. To think that girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan are so desperate to end their own lives when married off to often much older men, suicides rate and attempted suicides are increasing. The most ‘favoured’ method to commit suicide for these girls? Setting themselves on fire, in the hope that should they be taken to a far away hospital it would be to late to revive them. There have also been cases where girls who have survived, after recovering partly (from their physical burns) are then again returned to their husbands families.
The photo below is of Aisha, and the UNICEF website writes this about her, “July 2010: At age 10, Aisha was sent to live with her future husband, who kept her in his animal stable until she became 12. They were then married, and he regularly beat her. Aisha escaped but was imprisoned for running away, then returned to her husband. To punish her, he cut off her ears and nose, leaving her to die. She was taken to a clinic and now lives in a women’s shelter in Kabul. A foundation later paid for Aisha to have reconstructive surgery.” The photo is taken from http://www.unicef.org/photography/photo_seeme.php#UNI94652, to find out more on the subject, follow the link to UNICEF’s website. Also, have a look at Plan’s website and their plan to get more girls into education http://www.becauseiamagirl.com.au/. This isn’t a ‘proper’ post on the subject. I am just sharing with you a photo of a girl who moved me. I studied a lot on human security, which ties into this subject. I think this would be a good idea for a post, so I will look into topics to cover.
My next ‘proper’ post will be on wikileaks – what the organisation actually does, and why the U.S. is determined to get Assange. Remember to let me know what topics you would like for me to cover. Until next time!
Miss S.
Who wouldn’t want to go on an helicopter ride here? 😛
Kazakhstan has changed dramatically in the last decade, mainly thanks to its president Nazarbayev. Sure, this authoritarian ruler could be called crazy by some as he puts on sham elections whenever he wants just so he can test his official’s loyalties and put on a show for the press. Few are willing to challenge his rule, and many praise him for stability and economic growth even though the gap between the rich and poor is still quite obvious. He has however, done a good job of trying to put Astana on the world stage. Using the wealth derived from oil and gas deposits in Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev has enlisted some of the best architects in the world to build unique and mightily impressive buildings for his new capital.
Check out the tower below called Baiterek. From the top of the tower you have 360 degree views, a bar serving cold Turkish beer, and best of all (insert a little bit of sarcasm here) on the observation deck you will fina a malachite pedestal which holds a 4.4 pound slab of solid gold, which in the centre you can see the presidents right hand print. Visitors are encouraged to make a wish before placing their hand on the imprint, and IF you are lucky enough, the national anthem might start playing (said to have been written by the president himself). I’m also assuming that this means that your wish will come true thanks to the magical President himself! Who knows, maybe he will be your fairy godmother for the day or night? 😛
Photos taken from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/astana/ludwig-photography#/03-baiterek-tower-670.jpg, Photo taken by Gerd Ludwig
In all honesty, I would love to visit this place. It just seems like the whole idea of this city was built upon the whimsical dream of President Nazarbayev. Also, considering that Kazakhstan is one of the least densely populated states on the planet, the natural beauty of the country would be extrodanairy. Below are some photos to stir your imagination 🙂
Above: Astana at night. Photo taken from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/astana/ludwig-photography#/07-astana-grid-670.jpg Photo taken by Gerd Ludwig
A newly built suburb in Astana. These very american style houses look so out of place. However, it seems that everything in Astana is built for the purpose of standing out. Very eclectic to say the least. Above: Astana at night. Photo taken from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/astana/ludwig-photography#/11-american-like-mcmansions-670.jpg Photo taken by Gerd Ludwig
The photo above is the city of Aqmola. The name was changed to Astana in 1998. As you can see not only the name changed but also the landscape. Once a city on the fringe of Kazakhstan, it has been totally revolutionized. Photo taken from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/astana/ludwig-photography#/02-black-white-astana-670.jpg Photo taken by M. Chumin
Above, Nurzhol Boulevard. Photo taken from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/astana/ludwig-photography#/01-nurzhol-boulevard-floral-670.jpg Photo taken by Gerd Ludwig
The photo above is landscape of Bayanaul National Park.
Photo above taken from http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/kazakhstan-guide/.
Strangely enough, when I looked up Trip Adviser there’s actually quite a few hotels in Astana that have been reviewed! Who would have thought… So who’s up for an adventure?
Until next time!
Miss S.
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Miss World Security 
