Travel
Mick Hannick
Tue Sep 03 2013 19:17:49 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
The Uyuni Salt Lake of Tunupa, covers 12000 km square, making it the biggest salt lake in the world. It is located 3650 meters up in the mountains of Bolivia, and is considered as one of the seven natural marvels of the world.
After rain when covered with water the salt lake is converted into the largest mirror in the world.
It is comprised of approximately 11 layers of salt of depths varying from 2 to 10 meters. The superficial crust is about 10 meters deep while the maximum depth of the salt lake is 120 meters. The crust is comprised of mushy salt brine when wet.
The salt lake of Uyuni, is estimated to contain 10 thousand million tonnes of salt, of which they extract 25 thousand tonnes each year.
Mick Hannick
Fri Jun 14 2013 16:28:08 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
The Targa Florio was an open road endurance automobile race held in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo. Founded in 1906, it was the oldest sports car racing event, part of the World Sportscar Championship between 1955 and 1973. While the first races consisted of a whole tour of the island, the track length in the race's last decades was limited to the 72 kilometres (45 mi) of the Circuito Piccolo delle Madonie, which was lapped 11 times.
After 1973, it was a national sports car event until it was discontinued in 1977 due to safety concerns. It has since been run as a rallying event, and is part of the Italian Rally Championship.
In its most recent configuration (from 1951 to 1977) the Targa Florio was ten laps on a 45 mile course through the Madonie Mountains of Sicily. Competitors had to traverse mountain roads, switchback hairpins, gravel, mud, and spectators and buildings right up against the edge of the track. Famously, in 1974 it was declared 'too dangerous' to be run as part of the WRC, further confirming its dangerous reputation.
Mick Hannick
Wed Apr 03 2013 15:09:52 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
The Los Caracoles passes through the harsh terrain of the Andreas Mountains on the way between Chile and Argentina.
The harsh incline of the pass features a number of sharp hairpins, and with no safety barriers and snow forecast for most of the year, the Los Caracoles is definitely one of the more challenging roads on our list.
The tough terrain requires a lot of skill and patience to negotiate, but despite the challenging surroundings the pass has a strong safety record, and is well maintained with double-decker tourist buses travelling the route on a daily basis.
Mick Hannick
Wed Apr 03 2013 15:11:26 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
The Trollstigen or ‘The Troll Ladder’ as it’s known in English, is a steep winding mountain road located in the Rauma region of Norway.
With it’s steep 9% gradient and incredible 11 hairpin bends, the Trollstigen is a popular tourist location for driving enthusiasts alike.
Drivers who manage to conquer the challenging road are rewarded with a viewing balcony at the top, offering spectacular views of the winding turns and the Stigfossen waterfall which also runs down the mountainside.
Mick Hannick
Mon Jan 14 2013 19:18:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Located near Gletsch, Switzerland, the Grimsel Pass offers yet another spectacular hairpin climb up the Alps. The Grimsel Pass is 2165 m high and is a mountain pass between the valley of of the Rhone River and the Haslital valley.
Mick Hannick
Fri Jan 11 2013 17:23:26 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Kaeng Krachan Racing Circuit in Thailand. Not a lot of people know about it, but for those who do, they’ll tell you that it’s one of the most amazing and difficult tracks in the world. Divided into three track layouts – the full-length track is 2.9 km long; the medium-length track is 2.39 km long; the short track is 1 km long – the Kaeng Krachan circuit is about two hours away from the country’s capital city of Bangkok, which isn’t all that far if you’re feeling the need to have a look at one of he world’s “best-kept secret” race tracks.
Mick Hannick
Fri Jan 11 2013 17:39:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Located in the South of France, the Col De Turini is a famous mountain top range that is included as part of a 32 km rally stage starting from Sospel to La Bollène.
The Col De Turini is the highest point in the stage standing at 1607 metre, and is one of the most dangerous and challenging stages in the WRC.
Along its long straights the cars can reach speeds of upto 180 km/h, with the roads 34 tight hairpins and jaw-dropping scenery making the Col De Turini one of the most exciting and coolest driving roads in the world
Mick Hannick
Fri Jan 11 2013 17:42:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
The Transfagarasanul is the highest road in Romania and it reaches almost 2000 m above the sea level. It connects Muntenia and Transilvania, two historic parts of Romania.At its top you can find Lake Balea, a glaciar lake formes thousands of years ago.
There are also ruins of Poienari Castle, Vlad the Impaler’s real castle, lurking on this route, to get your blood flowing.