The marble cathedral of Chile: Are these the world's most beautiful caves?

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Ancient: The caves have been formed by flowing water over thousands of years

Welcome to the Marble Cathedral - a natural wonder that could be the world's most beautiful cave network.

An azure temple created by nature, the walls of this network of water-filled marble caverns show just how magnificent the precious geography of our planet can be.

Visitors to the water-sculpted blue caverns see light reflected off the turquoise waters of South America's second largest freshwater lake, General Carrera in Patagonia, Chile.



Azure temple: Lake General Carrera in Patagonia, Chile, could be the world's most beautiful cave network


Light bounces into the caverns and strikes the carved marble walls, creating this enchanting lightshow.

The incredible set of pictures has been captured by landscape photographer and environmentalist, Linde Waidehofer, 67, from Colorado, USA.

'It is the water that formed the unique shapes of the marble walls,' explained Ms Waidehofer in her book on the caverns, Blue Light.

'Originally great ice-fields blocked the western end of the lake - today its glacier-fed waters drain into the Pacific Ocean.

'Geologists have a simple explanation for the breath-taking blue of this giant lake.
'They talk of finely ground glacial silt which makes the water an unearthly blue and crystal clear.

'These waters are magic.'



Photographer's dream: Photography students have travelled the world to learn about light in what could be the world's most astonishing classroom


To reach this remote place located in the far southern tip of Chile visitors must fly from the capital, Santiago, 800 miles to the next nearest large city, Coyhaique, and then drive on challenging dirt roads 200 miles south to the lake.

Yet photography students have travelled the world to learn from Ms Waidehofer about light in what could be the world's most astonishing classroom.



Beautiful: But the unspoilt majesty of Lake Carrera is under threat from development


Since falling in love with the Marble Cathedral during her first visit in 2003 she has decided to make it a major part of her life.

'I love it so much I've visited the marble caverns dozens of times,' she said. 'I don't know anything quite like them anywhere.

'I was so crazy about visiting that I decided to buy land, build a house and spend half the year here. My new home sits above two marble caves and even the floors are cut out of pure marble.

'I am living my dream in this wondrous place.' More information about Linde's book on the marble caverns,'Blue Light', can be found at www.westoneye.com/books

source: dailymail

Beats a suit and tie! Telecoms worker storms office wearing Iron Man costume

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ready for anything: Telecoms worker Wang Kang wears his Iron Man armour to his workplace in Shanghai, China. The foam costume took three months and $450 to make and weighs 50kg


Well it's certainly one way to get your boss to notice you.

A telecoms worker has become an internet sensation in China after ditching his shirt and tie and wearing this home-made Iron Man costume to work instead.

Wang Kang left his colleagues stunned when he strolled through the Shanghai office entrance unannounced and began strutting along the corridors in the formidable ensemble.


Making a statement: Wang's costume attracts a quizzical stare from a co-worker. Others were frightened when he turned up wearing it announced, and some even screamed


'No colleagues knew my mission, and some of them froze there in seeing me approach,' he said.

'Some were even screaming for being scared.'

The 25-year-old came up with the idea after seeing the 2008 hit movie starring Robert Downey Junior.

He began building the costume at the end of February and it took him around three months to complete, at a cost of around $450.


Hot property: Wang's costume has attracted praise from his boss and compliments from women


But Wang said the effort had been well worth it - with his costume drawing praise from his bosses and compliments from women.

He claimed some had even 'fallen in love' with him because of it.

'They said I am a happy and creative man, and they wanted to know me,' he said.

The main material he used was EVA foam, which was glued onto an aluminium frame.
Soldering irons were used to create the effect of rough iron plates and the whole armour was then painted the colour of aged iron.


Inspiration: Robert Downey Jr in costume for the 2008 film Iron man


After the frame and plates were completed, installed wires, pipes and circuits.
He said: 'I sometimes thought of quitting it, as the project was very time and energy-consuming and I had to do it during my free time.

'I just wanted to share the happiness with friends.

'Life needs passion, and I hoped my armour could trigger their passion for life.'

Wang is determined the first costume - the Mk1 - will be the start of many, and hopes to improve the design so it is lighter and more user-friendly.

The current model weighs 50kg and takes ten minutes to put on.

'I want to accumulate more experience via making the MK1 so I can make the MK2 armour really well,' he said.

IRON MAN - MARK 1 - COMPLETE - Foam Armor Costume - Artist - Wang Kang - ( Shanghai, CHINA)



source :dailymail

How will they keep the bugs off the windscreen? Airbus unveil the transparent plane we'll be flying around in come 2050

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Window on the world: Gone are the small aircraft windows in the 'vitalising zone' which provides a panoramic view for passengers


With its see-through aircraft cabin, passengers of the future will get a get a window on the world as they fly through the sky.

For this plane with it's 'intelligent' cabin wall membrane and interactive games, may be everyday air transport in 2050.

The futuristic concept for travel in 40 years time has been unveiled in London by planemakers Airbus - and it'll terrify those who already have a fear of flying.


Flight of fancy? An artist's impression of an X-ray of an 'intelligent' concept cabin of an aircraft of the future


First, business and economy cabins are replaced by zones for relaxation in the front, work in the back, and a fully-stocked bar for socialising.

Passengers will be able to see everything to the sides and in front of them. So blindfolds might be handy come take-off and landing time.

The aircraft's walls change according to light conditions. There are holographic pop-up gaming displays and in-flight entertainment powered by the heat of passengers' bodies.

The technology could mean travellers might even be able to read bedtime stories to their children back home.

Most of the basic technology such as moulding seats and 'head-up displays' already exist, but how Airbus plan to make the plant-based, transparent 'skin' of the plane remains a mystery.


Starry skies: The cabin wall membrane controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers views throughout the day and night


Voyage of discovery: Artist's impression of how the aircraft of 2050 will look on the outside at night


The concept cabin would be a bionic structure that 'mimics' the efficiency of bird bone, claim Airbus.

It would provide strength where needed, and also allows for an 'intelligent' cabin wall membrane which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open, panoramic views.

Airbus believes that mid-century passengers might be able to enjoy a game of virtual golf or take part in interactive conferences, while the cabin 'identifies and responds' to travellers’ needs.

The cabin of the future follows last year’s unveiling of the Airbus concept plane, packed with technologies to reduce fuel burn, emissions, waste and noise.

In the cabin concept, the 'vitalising zone' helps passengers relax, with vitamin and antioxidant-enriched air, mood lighting, aromatherapy and acupressure treatments.


Anyone seen my ball? Passengers will be able to play virtual golf in the interaction zone on the plane


Airbus engineering executive vice-president Charles Champion said: 'Our research shows that passengers of 2050 will expect a seamless travel experience while also caring for the environment.

'The concept cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination.'


Sky's the limit: Charles Champion, Airbus's Executive Vice President of Engineering, unveils the Airbus Concept Cabin at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London

source: dailymail