We hope you are surrounded by beauty and comfort this Christmas season
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Merry Christmas Everyone! May you be surrounded by all the things that bring Christmas cheer.
We hope you are surrounded by beauty and comfort this Christmas season
We hope you are surrounded by beauty and comfort this Christmas season
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The new world wonders
The new world wonders
Amazon rainforest: The forest covers over a billion acres, encompassing areas in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. At least 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish species and more than 370 reptile species exist in the Amazon.
Halong Bay: Vietnam's attraction is made up of 1,600 islands and islets. The islands are dotted with caves, most of which can only be reached by a charter boat. It was first listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994.
Iguazu Falls: The site in Argentina is a network of 275 different waterfalls spanning an area that is 3 kilometres wide. The part with the largest volume of water is the narrow horseshoe of the Devil's Throat, which cradles between Argentina and Brazil. Unesco declared the Iguazu Falls as a World Heritage Area in 1986.
Jeju Island: South Korea's subtropical volcanic island is located 130 kilometres off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. It is known for its scenic mountains, waterfalls, forests, caves and beaches. In 2002, Unesco declared Jeju a "biosphere reserve", and listed it as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2007. In 2010, it was awarded "geopark" status.
Komodo: Indonesia's Komodo island is famous for its unique fauna and its unusual inhabitant, the Komodo dragon, which is considered the world's largest living lizard. Komodo island also features a beach with pink sand - one of only seven in the world.
Puerto Princesa Underground River: The underground river in the Philippines is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world. It can be reached through an organised boat ride. To enter the river, one needs to go on a short hike from Sabang town in Puerto Princesa. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area has some of the most important forests in Asia and is home to more than 250 bird species, 800 plant species and at least 295 types of trees. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Table Mountain: This tourist hotspot in South Africa is a level plateau edged by impressive cliffs. The plateau forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town. The mountain's vegetation landscape, home to at least 2,200 plant species, is a protected area and is a World Heritage Site.
Amazon rainforest: The forest covers over a billion acres, encompassing areas in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. At least 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish species and more than 370 reptile species exist in the Amazon.
Halong Bay: Vietnam's attraction is made up of 1,600 islands and islets. The islands are dotted with caves, most of which can only be reached by a charter boat. It was first listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994.
Iguazu Falls: The site in Argentina is a network of 275 different waterfalls spanning an area that is 3 kilometres wide. The part with the largest volume of water is the narrow horseshoe of the Devil's Throat, which cradles between Argentina and Brazil. Unesco declared the Iguazu Falls as a World Heritage Area in 1986.
Jeju Island: South Korea's subtropical volcanic island is located 130 kilometres off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. It is known for its scenic mountains, waterfalls, forests, caves and beaches. In 2002, Unesco declared Jeju a "biosphere reserve", and listed it as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2007. In 2010, it was awarded "geopark" status.
Komodo: Indonesia's Komodo island is famous for its unique fauna and its unusual inhabitant, the Komodo dragon, which is considered the world's largest living lizard. Komodo island also features a beach with pink sand - one of only seven in the world.
Puerto Princesa Underground River: The underground river in the Philippines is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world. It can be reached through an organised boat ride. To enter the river, one needs to go on a short hike from Sabang town in Puerto Princesa. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area has some of the most important forests in Asia and is home to more than 250 bird species, 800 plant species and at least 295 types of trees. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Table Mountain: This tourist hotspot in South Africa is a level plateau edged by impressive cliffs. The plateau forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town. The mountain's vegetation landscape, home to at least 2,200 plant species, is a protected area and is a World Heritage Site.
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Jeita Grotto by Mirna Chaker + Lyrics = جعيتا يا أحلى مغارة
جعيتا يا أحلى مغارة
A joyful dream of heaven
A dream of heaven on earth
Enchanted hidden throne of
The magic phoenix rebirth
Jeita grotto the wonder
Greatest wonder we won
A gift of love from the angel's tears
Hail glory to Lebanon
Gift of love from the angel's tears
Glory to Lebanon
نجوم السّما مضوّاية
عم بتفتّش ع الطّريق
حلمها مغارة مخبّاية
بقلبها عرش الفينيق
جعيتا يا مجد بشارة
عجايب ربّ الأكوان
جعيتا يا أحلى مغارة
محفورة بصخر لبنان
يا فرح الملائكة السّهرانة
عَ أرض الحبّ و عشتروت
من دموعها جعيتا مليانة
يسقي الأرز اللّي ما بيموت
A dream of heaven on earth
Enchanted hidden throne of
The magic phoenix rebirth
Jeita grotto the wonder
Greatest wonder we won
A gift of love from the angel's tears
Hail glory to Lebanon
Gift of love from the angel's tears
Glory to Lebanon
نجوم السّما مضوّاية
عم بتفتّش ع الطّريق
حلمها مغارة مخبّاية
بقلبها عرش الفينيق
جعيتا يا مجد بشارة
عجايب ربّ الأكوان
جعيتا يا أحلى مغارة
محفورة بصخر لبنان
يا فرح الملائكة السّهرانة
عَ أرض الحبّ و عشتروت
من دموعها جعيتا مليانة
يسقي الأرز اللّي ما بيموت
Jeita is in the Top 10 finalists - جعيتا من ضمن العشرة الاوائل
جعيتا من ضمن العشرة الاوائل
يعلن منسّق الحملة الوطنية لعجائب الدنيا السبع د. نبيل الحدّاد بأن مغارة جعيتا حلّت حتى الآن مع البحر الميت ، غراند كانيون الولايات المتحدة، بارير ريف أستراليا، خليج هالونج فيتنام، جزيرة جوجو كوريا الجنوبية، جزيرة كومودو أندونيسيا، نهر بويرتو برنسيسا الجوفي فيليبين، نهر ساندربان هند + بنغلادش وجبل فيسوفيوسس في إيطاليا بين المواقع العشرة الأولى المتقدمة من أصل 28 موقعاً.
هـذه النتيجة الظرفيـة الجيدة هـي غير نهائية وقابلـة للتغيير حكمـاً خلال الخمسـة أيام المتبقية.
يرجـى مـن اللبنانيين وإخواننا العرب المثـابرة علـى التصويت حتـى تاريخ 11/11/2011 السـاعة الواحدة بعد الظهر، بهذه المناسبة نتوجّه بالشكر لجميع وسائل الإعلام والمنظمات الشبابية والمؤسسات الخاصة والحكومية للمساعدة الفعّالة في هذه الحملة الوطنية.
منسّق الحملة الوطنية
عن شركة ماباس – لبنان
د. نبيل الحدّاد
هـذه النتيجة الظرفيـة الجيدة هـي غير نهائية وقابلـة للتغيير حكمـاً خلال الخمسـة أيام المتبقية.
يرجـى مـن اللبنانيين وإخواننا العرب المثـابرة علـى التصويت حتـى تاريخ 11/11/2011 السـاعة الواحدة بعد الظهر، بهذه المناسبة نتوجّه بالشكر لجميع وسائل الإعلام والمنظمات الشبابية والمؤسسات الخاصة والحكومية للمساعدة الفعّالة في هذه الحملة الوطنية.
منسّق الحملة الوطنية
عن شركة ماباس – لبنان
د. نبيل الحدّاد
The top 10 Finalists with 5 days to go
As voting to choose the New7Wonders of Nature enters its final week, a snapshot of the top 10 Finalists reveals some fascinating choices by the global voting community.
In alphabetical order *, the top 10 Finalists at the moment are: the Dead Sea, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, Halong Bay, Jeita Grotto, Jeju Island, Komodo Island, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Sundarbans and Vesuvius.
The first count indicating the provisional voting result will be announced at 7:07 p.m. GMT on Friday, 11 November 2011 on new7wonders.com.
* This listing should not be construed as representing any ranking or any hierarchical positioning. It is, as stated, solely alphabetical.
In alphabetical order *, the top 10 Finalists at the moment are: the Dead Sea, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, Halong Bay, Jeita Grotto, Jeju Island, Komodo Island, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Sundarbans and Vesuvius.
The first count indicating the provisional voting result will be announced at 7:07 p.m. GMT on Friday, 11 November 2011 on new7wonders.com.
* This listing should not be construed as representing any ranking or any hierarchical positioning. It is, as stated, solely alphabetical.
رسم توضيحي لحجم وكبر مغارة جعيتا التي تمتد تحت ست بلدات لبنانية
رسم توضيحي لحجم وكبر مغارة جعيتا التي تمتد تحت ست بلدات لبنانية
وزارة الإتصالات تنفي مجانيّة التصويت لمغارة جعيتا
وزارة الاتصالات: كلفة التصويت لمغارة جعيتا 10 سنتات
نبهت وزارة الاتصالات في بيان اليوم "المواطنين والمقيمين الى أن ثمة جهات تنتحل صفة الوزارة تبث عبر بعض وسائط الاتصال (رسائل خليوية قصيرة SMS وبلاكبيري BBM...) رسائل توهمهم فيها ان التصويت لمصلحة مغارة جعيتا اصبح مجانيا حتى الحادي عشر من الشهر الجاري".
وأشارت الوزارة الى أنها "في صدد التحقيق في مصدر هذه الرسائل الوهمية، تمهيدا لاتخاذ المقتضى القانوني في حق مروجيها". وذكرت في الوقت عينه بأن كلفة التصويت هي 10 سنتات لكل رسالة قصيرة على الرقم 1070، تعود الى الشركة الخاصة المنظمة لحدث عجائب الدنيا السبع الطبيعية. ولا تتقاضى الدولة اللبنانية أي عائد من عملية التصويت هذه. لذلك إقتضى التوضيح".
(بيان إعلامي)
A new underwater gallery discovered in JEITA GROTTO... Definitely worth a vote!
The discovery of a new underwater cave at Jeita Grotto is being hailed in Lebanon as a major speleological breakthrough. The entrance was first detected in early 2004, and a team of volunteer divers has since been working to clear access to the room. Joe Khoury, Joseph Sharbine and Habib Haddad have used the latest technology to investigate the cave, and create a 3D map of its waterway.
Dr. Nabil Haddad, general manager at Jeita, feels that the discovery will help Lebanon’s campaign in the New7Wonders of Nature. “It’s a wonder of nature every time you find something new,” he told the Daily Star. He believes that in the future there will be even more discoveries, and hopes that the research team will attempt to find out more about the underground network beneath the Nahr al-Kalb Valley, an important source of drinking water in Lebanon.
Haddad thinks that Jeita Grotto is well placed to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature. “We hope we have a good chance, as we are one of the 28 finalists,” he said. “But we still need a lot of support from Lebanese, both inside the country and across the diaspora, as it’s such small country.”
Divers at the entrance of the newly-discovered underwater cave at Jeita Grotto. Photo: Dr.-Eng. Nabil Haddad
These videos talk about the discovery of the underwater caves of Jeita
Dont vote for me ... VOTE FOR JEITA GROTTO!
Voting has taken a different color: the time has come to vote for JEITA Grotto to become one of the world's seven wonders - a true national pride.
Jeita Grotto
The Jeita Grotto (Arabic: مغارة جعيتا) is a compound two separate but interconnected karstic limestone caves spanning an overall length of nearly 9 kilometres (5.6 mi). The caves are situated in the Nahr al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Though inhabited in prehistoric times, the lower cave was not rediscovered until 1836 by Reverend William Thomson; it can only be visited by boat since it channels an underground river that provides fresh drinking water to more than a million Lebanese.
In 1958, Lebanese speleologists discovered the upper galleries 60 metres (200 ft) above the lower cave which have been accommodated with an access tunnel and a series of walkways to enable tourists safe access without disturbing the natural landscape. The upper galleries house the world's largest stalactite. The galleries are composed of a series of chambers the largest of which peaks at a height of 120 metres (390 ft).
Aside from being a Lebanese national symbol and a top tourist destination, the Jeita grotto plays an important social, economic and cultural role and is a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.
The Jeita cave is situated at the center of the western flanks of the Lebanon mountains, more specifically in the Nahr al-Kalb valley, its natural entrance is about 100 metres (330 ft) above sea level. It's located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of the Mediterranean coastline and 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Beirut within the confines of the municipality of Jeita, in the caza of Keserwan.
Upper cave
The Jeita upper cave has an overall length of 2,130 metres (6,990 ft) of which only 750 metres (2,460 ft) are accessible to visitors via a specially conceived walkway; access to the remainder of the cave was restricted to prevent ecological damage which may occur due to the flocking tourists. The upper cave contains a great concentration of a variety of crystallized formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, mushrooms, ponds, curtains and draperies. The upper gallery is famous for its formations, lit by an effective lighting system. It is entered through a 117 metres (384 ft) long concrete tunnel. The part accessible by visitors has three huge chambers. The first is called White Chamber, the second Red Chamber, due to the color of the formations. White dripstones are pure calcite without defilement, the red color is given by iron oxide (rust) in small amounts. In Lebanon iron oxide has a red color instead of the brown beige color which is common in northern countries. The reason is a different chemical reaction caused by the high temperature which produces a different kind of iron oxide. The White Chamber is medium sized, but has the most impressive formations of the cave. The Red Chamber is up to 106 metres (348 ft) high, and 30 metres (98 ft) to 50 metres (160 ft) wide. The third chamber is the biggest of all three chambers and has a height of more than 120 metres (390 ft).[6] The longest stalactite in the world is located in Jeita's White Chamber; it measures 8.2 metres (27 ft) long.
Lower cave
The lower gallery which has an overall length of 6,200 metres (20,300 ft) is located 60 metres (200 ft) below the upper gallery. It is traversed by a smooth underwater river and a lake (the "Dark Lake"). The river is broken up by several small cataracts and rapids. The lower cave's "Thompson's Cavern", is a massive hall with impressive speleothems such as the Eagle Obelisk stalagmite. Other halls in the lower gallery include the Pantheon, Grand Chaos and Shangri-la. Visitors are transported in the lower gallery by electric boats for a distance of 500 metres (1,600 ft). In winter the lower level is closed, when the water level is too high.
مغارة جعيتا
مغارة جعيتا هي عبارة عن مغارة ذات تجاويف وشعاب ضيقة، وردهات وهياكل وقاعات نحتتها الطبيعة، وتسربت إليها المياه الكلسية من مرتفعات لبنان لتشكل مع مرور الزمن عالماً من القباب والمنحوتات والأشكال والتكوينات العجيبة. يعتبرها اللبنانيون جوهرة السياحة اللبنانية، وقد توالى على اكتشافها عبر التاريخ رواد أجانب ومغامرون لبنانيون.
تقع مغارة جعيتا بوادي نهر الكلب على بعد نحو 20 كلم شمال بيروت، وتتكون من طبقتين، الطبقة أو المغارة العليا والمغارة السفلى.
تقع مغارة جعيتا بوادي نهر الكلب على بعد نحو 20 كلم شمال بيروت، وتتكون من طبقتين، الطبقة أو المغارة العليا والمغارة السفلى.
المغارة العليا:
افتتحت المغارة العليا منها في يناير 1969، بعد أن تم اكتشافها عام 1958 وتأهيلها للزيارة على يد المهندس والفنان والنحات اللبناني غسان كلينك. وذلك في احتفالية موسيقية أقيمت داخلها اعدها خصيصاً لهذه المناسبة الموسيقار الفرنسي فرنسوا بايل. وشهدت المغارة العليا بعد فترة مهرجاناً موسيقياً مماثلاً في شهر نوفمبر من العام عينه، عزفت فيه مقطوعات عالمية للموسيقار الألماني كارل هاينز شتوكهاوزن. وتتميز هذه الطبقة من المغارة بأنها تمنح زوارها متعة السير على الاقدام لمسافة، بعد عبور نفق يبلغ طوله حوالي 120 متر، ليطل في الممرات بعد ذلك على الأقبية العظيمة الارتفاع، والموزعة فيها الأغوار بالإضافة إلى الصواعد والهوابط والاعمدة الكلسية وما إليها من اشكال مبهرة.
المغارة السفلى:
يعود تاريخ اكتشاف الجزء السفلي من المغارة إلى ثلاثينات القرن ال19 مع رحلة للمبشر الاميركي وليام طومسون. وكان طومسون قد توغل فيها حوالي 50 متراً. وبعد أن اطلق النار من بندقية الصيد التي كان يحملها وأدرك من خلال الصدى الذي احدثه صوت إطلاق النار أنه للمغارة امتداداً جوفياً على جانب كبير من الاهمية.
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