Saturday 6 August 2011
China People
Ever since the Internet has spread like wildfire in China, people have become famous through the Internet, sometimes unintentionally. In Chinese netizen-speak, this is known as being “red” (more of a reference to fire or vibrance than the usual Communist connotation) which can be translated as being “hot,” or maybe “the rage.” Now that 2009 is coming to an end (also the year where the number of Internet users in China has surpassed the US population), there are various tallies on who the “hottest” Internet celebrities are. It doesn’t seem there has been any sort of official vote yet, but there seems to be a general consensus among all the forums and websites who the “red” people are. I chose 11 that seem to appear in all the lists and show the variety. If you want to see the original Chinese sites, check out this and this.
China People
China People
China People
China PeopleBEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A political advisor said Monday that China should reform its mineral resources management system, as the current licensing system fails to reflect the true value of mine assets.
"The licenses only give licensees the rights to explore for mineral resources or develop mines, not the ownership of the resources. But the licensee are not paying for the resources they sell, which means the state's ownership of all mine assets is never realized," said Wei Xiaochun, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a political advisory body. >>>
China People
China People
China PeopleThe point of this post is not to necessarily be an official ranking, but to give you an idea of the grassroots nature of how Internet fame is manifest in China, the disproportionate emphasis placed on pretty girls, and the seemingly complete randomness of who becomes “red.”
1. The most handsome traffic policeman of Chongqing (重庆最帅交警): The host of a TV show called “Transportation for Everyone” has been deemed “the most handsome traffic policeman” by netizens based on his classic good looks, bright demeanor, and a winning smile.
China People
China People
China People
China PeopleBEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A political advisor said Monday that China should reform its mineral resources management system, as the current licensing system fails to reflect the true value of mine assets."The licenses only give licensees the rights to explore for mineral resources or develop mines, not the ownership of the resources. But the licensee are not paying for the resources they sell, which means the state's ownership of all mine assets is never realized," said Wei Xiaochun, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a political advisory body. >>>
China People
China People
China PeopleThe point of this post is not to necessarily be an official ranking, but to give you an idea of the grassroots nature of how Internet fame is manifest in China, the disproportionate emphasis placed on pretty girls, and the seemingly complete randomness of who becomes “red.”1. The most handsome traffic policeman of Chongqing (重庆最帅交警): The host of a TV show called “Transportation for Everyone” has been deemed “the most handsome traffic policeman” by netizens based on his classic good looks, bright demeanor, and a winning smile.
Great Wall of China
Beginning in 220 B.C., Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Empire of the Ten Thousand Generations, undertook to restore and link up the separate sections of the Great Wall which had been built in the 3rd century B.C., or perhaps even earlier, and which stretched from the region of the Ordos to Manchuria. Towards the west, he had the fortifications extended in the valley of the Huanghe all the way to Lanzhou. Thus was the first cohesive defense system of which significant vestiges still remain, completed, shortly before the accession of the Han dynasty (206 B.C.). During their reign the Great Wall was extended even further, and under the emperor Wudi (140-87 B.C.) it spanned approximately 3700 miles (6,000 kilometers) between Dunhuang in the west to Bohai Sea in the east. The danger of incursion along northern Chinese border by the federated tribes of Mongols, Turks and Tunguz of the Empire of the Xiongnu, the first empire of the steppes, made a defense policy more necessary than ever. Alternating military actions with intensive diplomatic efforts, this policy entailed massive relocation of Chinese peoples within the frontier zone. In 102 B.C., there were 180,000 peasant soldiers in the "command posts" of Gansu.
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of ChinaSunday 24 July 2011
CapeTown Table Mountain
Often described as magical and mystical, Table Mountain is Cape Town's most prominent feature and a world famous landmark. This majestic mountain is visible from almost everywhere in Cape Town and is often used as a beacon by which to find direction.
The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and rises 1086 metres at its highest point, Maclears Beacon, above the bay. Its flat summit measures nearly 3km and provides breathtaking views over the city and its beaches. The panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and around the mountain to the Hout Bay Valley and Kommetjie. On a clear day one has a magnificent view across the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains.
Table Mountain is home to a rich fauna and flora, many species of which are endemic and survive only in the unique ecosystem which is contained on the mountain. There are approximately 1470 species of plants, including over 250 different species of daisies! Examples of endemic plants are the rare Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora. Animals such as baboons and porcupines live here freely, as well as furry rodents called Rock Dassies. These little creatures look like plump rabbits without ears - incredibly, their closest living relative is the elephant! The Table Mountain Ghost Frog is an example of an animal found in no other place on the world.
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table MountainThe exhilerating ascent of Table Mountain in the cable car is a definite must for any visitor. Even the locals are awed time and again by the 360º view of Cape Town from the cable car. The cable car was first opened in 1929 and today conveys some 600,000 people to the summit annually. On the summit there is a Cape Town restaurant and a souvenir shop, from which letters bearing the Table Mountain postmark can be sent. Short walks from the cable station take visitors through the splendour of the flora of Table Mountain, punctuated by occasional sightings of dassies and framed by the surrounding azure of the Atlantic Ocean.
For those athletic and energetic types, there are some 350 recognised paths to the summit, some undemanding and suitable for children, and some extremely difficult. It is not advisable that visitors climb the mountain without an experienced guide. The mountain can be deceptive and it is strongly recommended that visitors contact the Mountain Club of South Africa on 021-4653412 before embarking on a hike or climb.
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table Mountain
Table Mountain is flanked on the east by the legendary Devil's Peak. As the story goes Van Hunks, a pirate in the early 18th century, retired from his eventful life at sea to live on the slopes of Devil's Peak. He spent his days sitting on the mountain, smoking his pipe. One day a stranger approached him, and a smoking contest ensued which lasted for days. The smoke clouds built up and a strong wind blew them down towards the town. When Van Hunks finally won the contest, the stranger revealed himself to be the Devil (hence Devil's Peak), and the two disappeared in a puff of smoke. Legend says that the cloud of smoke they left became Table Mountain's tablecloth - the famous white cloud that spills over the mountain when the south-easter blows in summer.
Of course, the phenomenon is also supported by a meteorological explanation. The moisture-laden south-easter blows against Table Mountain from over the False Bay and rises. At a height of approximately 900 meters the winds reach the colder layers of air and thick clouds form. These clouds roll over the mountain and down towards the City Bowl. The characteristic tablecloth forms when the clouds reach the warmer, lower air layers and dissolve once more.
To the right of Table Mountain, Kloof Nek is linked to the aptly named Lion's Head. The spiral walk up Lion's Head passes through silver trees and spring flowers, and provides a 360º view of the Cape Peninsula as you go round the mountain. The walk is not terribly challenging, and is a popular family outing. At the top, you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view, and birds scramble for the crumbs left behind by numerous picnic baskets.
The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and rises 1086 metres at its highest point, Maclears Beacon, above the bay. Its flat summit measures nearly 3km and provides breathtaking views over the city and its beaches. The panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and around the mountain to the Hout Bay Valley and Kommetjie. On a clear day one has a magnificent view across the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains.
Table Mountain is home to a rich fauna and flora, many species of which are endemic and survive only in the unique ecosystem which is contained on the mountain. There are approximately 1470 species of plants, including over 250 different species of daisies! Examples of endemic plants are the rare Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora. Animals such as baboons and porcupines live here freely, as well as furry rodents called Rock Dassies. These little creatures look like plump rabbits without ears - incredibly, their closest living relative is the elephant! The Table Mountain Ghost Frog is an example of an animal found in no other place on the world.
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table MountainThe exhilerating ascent of Table Mountain in the cable car is a definite must for any visitor. Even the locals are awed time and again by the 360º view of Cape Town from the cable car. The cable car was first opened in 1929 and today conveys some 600,000 people to the summit annually. On the summit there is a Cape Town restaurant and a souvenir shop, from which letters bearing the Table Mountain postmark can be sent. Short walks from the cable station take visitors through the splendour of the flora of Table Mountain, punctuated by occasional sightings of dassies and framed by the surrounding azure of the Atlantic Ocean.For those athletic and energetic types, there are some 350 recognised paths to the summit, some undemanding and suitable for children, and some extremely difficult. It is not advisable that visitors climb the mountain without an experienced guide. The mountain can be deceptive and it is strongly recommended that visitors contact the Mountain Club of South Africa on 021-4653412 before embarking on a hike or climb.
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table Mountain
CapeTown Table MountainTable Mountain is flanked on the east by the legendary Devil's Peak. As the story goes Van Hunks, a pirate in the early 18th century, retired from his eventful life at sea to live on the slopes of Devil's Peak. He spent his days sitting on the mountain, smoking his pipe. One day a stranger approached him, and a smoking contest ensued which lasted for days. The smoke clouds built up and a strong wind blew them down towards the town. When Van Hunks finally won the contest, the stranger revealed himself to be the Devil (hence Devil's Peak), and the two disappeared in a puff of smoke. Legend says that the cloud of smoke they left became Table Mountain's tablecloth - the famous white cloud that spills over the mountain when the south-easter blows in summer.
Of course, the phenomenon is also supported by a meteorological explanation. The moisture-laden south-easter blows against Table Mountain from over the False Bay and rises. At a height of approximately 900 meters the winds reach the colder layers of air and thick clouds form. These clouds roll over the mountain and down towards the City Bowl. The characteristic tablecloth forms when the clouds reach the warmer, lower air layers and dissolve once more.
To the right of Table Mountain, Kloof Nek is linked to the aptly named Lion's Head. The spiral walk up Lion's Head passes through silver trees and spring flowers, and provides a 360º view of the Cape Peninsula as you go round the mountain. The walk is not terribly challenging, and is a popular family outing. At the top, you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view, and birds scramble for the crumbs left behind by numerous picnic baskets.
Cape Town Beach
A tiny enclave on Cape Town's Atlantic seaboard, Glen Beach is the setting of four very special homes, Glen Beach Villas and the Beach Bungalow To the south of the Glen, Camps Bay beach sweeps towards the spectacular Bakoven cove and to the west, the Atlantic Ocean drops beyond the horizon. In the north, this verdant refuge nestles against the slopes of majestic Lion�s Head mountain.
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Beach
Cape Town BeachThursday 21 July 2011
Cape Town City at Night
This striking photograph of the Cape Town city centre was taken by our Cape Town. Live it. Love it. group member Daniel Lurie.
Daniel says, “I have many personal favourite images of Cape Town, but this one of the city at night has a particular majestic quality.
“It was taken at a photo outing on the unfinished bridge. Before I invested in a DSLR (digital single lens reflex), I used an ultra compact camera, balancing on the edge with the self-timer on.
“I took a lot of photos that night, but this was one of the awesome ones.
“I love taking photos in Cape Town; it is such a photogenic place with such raw beauty and so many diverse scenes of people and places, not to mention the sunsets!
“I have been taking photos for over 20 years, learning the theory of composition and f-stops from my dad, reading numerous hobby books and learning through trial and error.
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Daniel says, “I have many personal favourite images of Cape Town, but this one of the city at night has a particular majestic quality.
“It was taken at a photo outing on the unfinished bridge. Before I invested in a DSLR (digital single lens reflex), I used an ultra compact camera, balancing on the edge with the self-timer on.
“I took a lot of photos that night, but this was one of the awesome ones.
“I love taking photos in Cape Town; it is such a photogenic place with such raw beauty and so many diverse scenes of people and places, not to mention the sunsets!
“I have been taking photos for over 20 years, learning the theory of composition and f-stops from my dad, reading numerous hobby books and learning through trial and error.
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at Night
Cape Town City at NightCape Town City
Welcome to our Cape Town City Centre wallpaper section. Feel free to download our City Centre pictures - just click on the text link below the image to view the wallpaper. Wallpapers are added frequently to this site so keep on visiting. Wallpapers may be used for personal use - you may email them to friends and family and use them as PC wallpapers as long as no changes to them are made. Websites may publish up to 15 images free of charge (without further permission from us), as long as a link to www.capespirit.com is added somewhere on the Website. Newspapers, Magazines, Travel Journals and other printed media may obtain a free license to display our images - contact us for more details.
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City
Cape Town City