World's Tallest Living Donkey - Oklahoma Sam

Oklahoma Sam, a 4-year-old American Mammoth Jackstock, is named 'World’s Tallest Living Donkey’ according to Guinness World Records. 

 

She stands at 15.3 hands, she dwarfs the common donkey, which stands at about 8 hands, and her own larger Mammoth Jackstock breed, at around 12 hands high. The four-year-old record-breaker lives in Watsonville, California, USA, where she shares her one acre of land with a Macaw, duck, goose and four cats.

Sam's overall care is handled by 54-year-old Linda Davis, a keen gardener and animal lover. Linda, who calls Sam her "soul mate", says that "It actually doesn’t cost any more to have a donkey of this size. She doesn’t eat more. In fact, if I give her more bale she’ll just use it to make her bedding more comfortable. She loves her sleep."

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/11/worlds-tallest-living-donkey-oklahoma-sam.html

The Mysterious Coin-Covered Wishing Trees of Britain

The strange phenomenon of gnarled old trees with coins embedded all over their bark has been spotted on trails from the Peak District to the Scottish Highlands. The coins are usually knocked into felled tree trunks using stones by passers-by, who hope it will bring them good fortune. These fascinating spectacles often have coins from centuries ago buried deep in their bark and warped by the passage of time. 

 

The tradition of making offerings to deities at wishing trees dates back hundreds of years, but this combination of the man-made and the natural is far more rare. It used to be believed that divine spirits lived in trees, and they were often festooned with sweets and gifts. There are seven felled tree trunks with coins pushed into them in the picturesque village of Portmeirion, in Wales. 

 

Meurig Jones, an estate manager at the tourist destination, told the BBC: 'We had no idea why it was being done when we first noticed the tree trunk was being filled with coins. I did some detective work and discovered that trees were sometimes used as "wishing trees". 

 

 

He said that a sick person could press a coin into a tree and their illness would go away. 'If someone then takes the coin out though, it's said they then become ill.'

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/11/mysterious-coin-covered-wishing-trees-of-britain.html

The Crooked Forest

The Crooked Forest is a small forest of pine trees that grow with a 90 degree bend at the base of their trunks. This pine trees forest located outside Nowe Czarnowo, West Pomerania, Poland. With their trunks all bent the northward, these trees look like something straight out of one of the more uncomfortable fairy tales. Surrounded by a larger forest of straight growing pine trees this collection of curved trees is a mystery.

 

 

 

This grove of approximately 400 curved pines was planted around 1930. It is generally believed that some form of human tool or technique was used to make the trees grow this way, but the method and motive are not currently known.

 

These are probably Pitch Pine trees that were planted and grown in this shape for the purpose of making bent-wood furniture, the ribs for boat hulls or yokes for ox-drawn plows. Initially they would have been bent nearly horizontal in a northerly direction to allow maximum sunlight to help with the growth. Pitch pine is a very durable wood and suitable for boats used in salt or fresh water because of its resistance to rot and decay. These were most probably planted before the war and then abandoned as the wooden boat building industry was forced into early demise.

 

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/the-crooked-forest.html

The Stone Forest, China

The Chinese Stone Forest, located in Lunan Yu Autonomous County, is considered as the world’s most amazing calcareous relief for its vast array of karst formation. Karst is a terrain that forms through the disintegration of soft rocks like limestone. The formation of Karst in the area is responsible for the arrangement of several limestone rocks in a three hundred-square kilometer stretch of land. This area is crowded with huge and gigantic rocks that are about 30-40 meters or 100-133 feet tall. It was known to exist since 1368-1644 A.D. when the Ming Dynasty ruled China.

 

 

In 2005, the Chinese Stone Forest or Shilin in Chinese, was visited by over 2.2 million tourists from around the world. Its large-scale rock formation of different shapes and sizes continuously attracts both local and international visitors who enjoy natural beauty, and have a flair for rare destinations.

 

 

Visitors will have a great time exploring some of the rocks that were given names according to their appearance: The Great Mogul, Mother and Son, Teeth of the Dragon, The Phoenix Bird, Monkey on the Elephant Back, Rhinoceroses Watching the Moon

 

 

Other stones look like mushrooms, towers, pyramids, columns, and other figures that resemble the things around us. Most of the rocks are surrounded by water, the reflections of these behemoths exude an eerie serenity. Some rocks have crumbled from its original state due to the earthquakes that devastated the area.

 

 

Shilin is divided into different sections according to their features. There is the Major, Minor, and Naigu Stone Forest that offers tourists the various rock formation that the place is known for. Then there’s subterranean section located in Zhiyun Cave. Zhiyun Cave shows the formation of cave in a Karst terrain. There’s also the Strange Wind Cave, the Penfeng Cave, Hongxi Spring, and an underground river. There is also a Karst lake named the Long Lake, which is three kilometers long and 300 meters wide.

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/the-stone-forest-china.html

Lena's Stone Pillars, Russia

Lena Pillars, also known as Lena’s Stone Forest, is a natural rock formation along the banks of the Lena River in Russia. The pillars are 150-300m high, and extends along the river for about 80km. The Lena Pillars National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2012.

 

 

The pillars themselves consists of the alternating horizons of limestone, marlstones, dolomites and slate of the Lower/Middle Cambrian, which are weathered in such a way that it produces the rugged outcrops. 

 

 

These types of rocks are commonly formed in marine environments and the horizontal layering and vertical variation indicates marine transgression/regression; with the slate representing the deep marine, slightly metamorphosed shales.

 

 

 

Lena Pillars contains outstanding evidences of the Earth and its living population development history. Numerous fossils of ancient organisms found here are unique preserved evidences of a very important stage in the history of the organic world and a biodiversity "boom", that occurred in lower Cambrian epoch. Also in Lena Pillars area the fossils of mammoth fauna representatives were found: mammoth (Mammulhus primigenius Blum), bison (Bison priscus Boj), fleecy rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiguibatis Blum), Lena horse (Eggus lenensis Russ), Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L).

 

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/lenas-stone-pillars-russia.html

Sacred Pool, Pamukkale, Turkey

The strange and weirdly beautiful terraced pools of Pamukkale have been appreciated for over two millennia and yet still remain a little known wonder of the world. 

 

Thousands of years ago earthquakes, which are common in Turkey, created fractures that allowed powerful hot springs to bring water rich in calcium carbonate to the surface. As the water evaporated the chalky material condensed and formed layer-upon-layer of Travertine and thus slowly built up the walls over time in the same way that a stalactite forms in a cave. Apparently Pammakale means Castle of Cotton but the Greco-Romans built a town above it called Heirapolis – meaning “Holy City” or “Sacred City”. They too recognised it as a rare and important place attributing healing powers to the milky-white waters.

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/sacred-pool-pamukkale-turkey.html

World's Largest Swimming Pool

The swimming pool at the San Alfonso del Mar resort in Algarrobo, Chile holds the record of being the largest in the world. At 1,012 meters (3,324 ft) in length and a total area of 8 hectares (19.77 acres), it is larger than 20 Olympic-size pools and six-times bigger than its closest competitor, the Orthlieb Pool in Casablanca, Morocco. It also holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's deepest swimming pool in the world with the deeper end at 115 feet.

 

The pool opened in December 2006 after nearly five years of construction work and is said to have set developers back as much as £1billion. It takes a further £2million a year to keep it in working order.

The enormous man-made pool sucks water directly in from the sea using a computer-controlled suction and filtration system. Water is pumped from the ocean into the pool where the sun warms it to 26C - nine degrees higher than the sea. The pool holds 250 million liters (66 million gallons) of water and is navigable in small boats. Its turquoise waters are so crystal clear that you can see the bottom even in the deep end.

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/worlds-largest-swimming-pool.html

Amazing Lens Shaped Cloud Formation - Lenticular Clouds

Lenticular formations are stationary lens-shaped clouds usually formed by moist air rising in the high-altitude skies over a mountain or range of mountains. The clouds are usually formed perpendicular to the direction of the airflow, and are usually avoided by aircraft pilots because of the turbulence associated with them. Due to their unusual shape, they have been offered as an explanation for some Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sightings.

The cloud pattern depends upon the wind speed and the shape of the mountains. A constant wind may produce clouds which are stable and remain virtually stationary in the sky for long periods.

Lenticular cloud over Mt. Rainier
Photograph by Tyler Mode

Lenticular cloud over Mt. Rainier
Photograph by Tyler Mode

Lenticular Clouds over Washington's Mount Rainier
Photograph by Arco Images/Alamy

Lenticular cloud, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, US
Image Credit : Science Photo Library / Rex Features

Lenticular clouds were also seen over the moors at Oxenhope near Bradford
Photograph by Brian Middleton

Lenticular clouds form when a tall geographic feature, such as the the top of a mountain, interrupts a strong wind coming up the side. The interruption in airflow creates a wind wave pattern in the atmosphere on the downwind side of the mountain. At the crests of these waves, moisture in the air condenses and forms a cloud, but as the air moves down into the trough of the wave the water evaporates again, leaving behind clouds in a characteristic lenticular shape.

 

 

Source : en.wikipedia.org, ehow.com, dailymail.co.uk

The Weirdest Pouch Like Cloud Formation - Mammatus Clouds

Mammatus Clouds, also known as mammatocumulus, are sagging pouch like cloud formation often associated with strong storms and tornados. the clouds are usually dark and semi-transparent, creating an ominous atmosphere. These clouds are usually seen after the worst of a thunderstorm has passed and indicates weakening of the storm associated with them. Individual mammatocumulus can be 1 - 3 km in diameter and together often can cover over 100s of kilometers of sky.

 

Mammatus Clouds over Saskatchewan on June 26, 2012

Mammatus clouds over Squaw Valley Ski Resort, Olympic Valley, California on Feb 20, 2011

Mammatus clouds over Milan, Italy, on July 2005

Mammatus Clouds over Mexico on June 7, 2004 

Mammatus clouds over Nebraska in 2004

During a thunderstrom there is a strong updraft which draws moist warm air up from below. At a specific temperture water molecules condense into water droplets, becoming part of the thunderstorm cloud (anvil cloud). Because of the updraft, the water still rises until it gets to the altitude of 57,000 feet. At this altitude, the water freezes into ice crystals and spreads out horizontally. The ice crystals, grouped together, begin to sink because they have a higher density than the air. When the sinking ice crystals reach the bottom of the thunderstorm cloud, They continue to sink a little farther, creating the mammatus pouch.

 

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2014/05/mammatus-clouds.html

Mysterious Cloud Formation - The Morning Glory Cloud

The Morning Glory cloud is a rare meteorological phenomenon occasionally observed in different locations around the world. The southern part of Northern Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria is the only known location where it can be predicted and observed on a more or less regular basis. 

 

 

A Morning Glory cloud is a roll cloud that can be up to 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) long, 1 to 2 kilometres (0.62 to 1.2 mi) high, often only 100 to 200 metres (330 to 660 ft) above the ground and can move at speeds up to 60 kilometres (37 mi) per hour. Sometimes there is only one cloud, sometimes there are up to eight consecutive roll clouds.

The Morning Glory is often accompanied by sudden wind squalls, intense low-level wind shear, a rapid increase in the vertical displacement of air parcels, and a sharp pressure jump at the surface. In the front of the cloud, there is strong vertical motion that transports air up through the cloud and creates the rolling appearance, while the air in the middle and rear of the cloud becomes turbulent and sinks.

 

 

Despite being studied extensively, the Morning Glory cloud is not clearly understood. Regardless of the complexity behind the nature of this atmospheric phenomenon, some conclusions have been made about its causes. Through research, one of the main causes of most Morning Glory occurrences is the mesoscale circulations associated with sea breezes that develop over the peninsula and the gulf. On the large scale, Morning Glories are usually associated with frontal systems crossing central Australia and high pressure in northern Australia. Locals have noted that the Morning Glory is likely to occur when the humidity in the area is high, which provides moisture for the cloud to form, and when strong sea breezes have blown the preceding day.

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/the-morning-glory-cloud.html

Mysterious Manpupuner Rock Formation

The Manpupuner rock formations are seven massive rock formations located in the Northern Ural mountains of Russia. These monoliths are around 30 to 42 m high and jut out of a hilly plateau formed through the weathering effects of ice and winds. 

 

 

The Manpupuner Formations, also known as the Seven Strong Men, are more or less unknown outside of Russia. Akin to the Easter Island giants, the seven formations are mysterious, starkly contrasting their plateau environment. Likely some sort of karst formation, the rocks feel like the remnants of some long lost civilization.

 

Locally, the Seven Strong Men have adopted a legendary status, especially considering their location just a hair below the Arctic Circle. Adding to their legend are reports of a feeling of contentedness when visiting the towers. According to some visitors, all desires seem to float away during a visit to the area and local lore claims that spirits gathered in the area during ancient times.

 

 

Aside from trying to understand these bizarre monuments, visitors looking for a greater challenge can attempt to climb the Strong Men. Most sources report that reaching the top of the Manpupuner Formations is essentially impossible considering their shape and texture and a number of expert climbers have failed in their face.

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/mysterious-manpupuner-rock-formation.html

Mysterious Naga Fireballs Of Mekong

Naga Fireballs are a natural phenomenon that appear only in the Mekong River, Thailand. Each year, hundreds of red glowing balls spontaneously rise up from the water into the air and disappear without noise. These mysterious sparkles are small, but sometimes they reach a size of a basketball.

 

 

Ghostly fireballs can be seen in different times of the year but most frequent they are in late October - early November, when the long period of rains has ended and Mekong is filled with lots of fast flowing, muddy water.

 

 

One science theory suggests that fermented sediment in the river, things such as decomposing remains and animal waste, release bubbles of self-immolating gas that rise to the surface and combust. Suspiciously absent from this theory is a reason why the phenomenon occurs around the same time every year. But locals believe the balls come from the breath of Naga, a mythical serpent that haunts the river.

 

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/11/naga-fireballs-of-mekong.html

Man Hasn’t Cut His Hair In 70 Years

85-year-old Nguyen Van Chien, from Vietnam’s southern province of Tien Giang, hasn’t had a haircut since he was in the 12th grade, 70 years ago. As a result, his hair now 4-meters-long and weight 2 kilograms.

Even as a young boy, Nguyen Van Chien liked to let his hair grow long. He would braided it into a bun on top of his head to keep it from interfering with his daily activities, but one day, while he was in the 12th grade, his teachers advised him to cut his hair. He took their advice, but as soon as he got a haircut, he started experiencing a strange pain that not even painkillers could make go away. Before he cut his hair the man had had no health problems, not even a common flu, so he decided to let his hair grow, and never cut it again. It’s been 70 years since he made the decision, and now his “dragon tail”, as he calls his hair measured around 4 meters long and weighs over 2 kilograms.

Although Nguyen Van Chien is determined to never cut his hair again, it has caused him some inconveniences throughout the years. As the dragon tail grew, even washing it became an issue because it took so long to dry that he started getting headaches, colds and dizziness, so he decided to stop washing it as well. For the last 30 years, the Vietnamese Buddhist has never washed his hair. Instead, to combat the itchiness of the scalp, he rubs oil at the base of the hair, and rinses his head with water, careful not to wet too much of his “tail”. He also has problems moving around and gardening with over 2 kg of hair on his head, but he’s not considering cutting it again.

But the hair isn’t the only thing that makes this Vietnamese gentleman special. At 85 years of age, Nguyen Van Chien has an enviable health, and is able to read and cross a piece of thread through a needle without using glasses. He’s also able to perform exhausting tasks like chopping wood and working in his vegetable garden. The secret to his well-being is sometimes attributed to his long hair, while others say it’s his fruit and vegetable-only menu, or the fact that he only eats once a day, at noon. Whatever it is, this guy is doing something right.

While his dragon tail is certainly impressive, it’s quite short compared to the hair of Tran Van Hay, also from Vietnam. His locks were over 6 meter long and weighed over 10 kilos. Sadly, he died two years ago, at the age of 79.

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/man-hasnt-cut-his-hair-in-70-years.html

The Man Who Doesn't Sleep For 33 Years

Thai Ngoc or Hai Ngoc (born 1942) is a Vietnamese insomniac. According to Vietnamese news organization Thanh Nien, he is best known for his claim of being awake for 33 years. Thanh Nien also claimed that Ngoc acquired the ability to go without sleep after a bout of fever in 1973, but according to the Vietnam Investment Review, there was no apparent cause.

"I don't know whether the insomnia has impacted my health or not. But I'm still healthy and can farm normally like others," Ngoc said. Proving his health, the elderly resident of Que Trung commune, Que Son district said he can carry two 50kg bags of fertilizer down 4km of road to return home every day. His wife said, "My husband used to sleep well, but these days, even liquor cannot put him down." She said when Ngoc went to Da Nang for a medical examination, doctors gave him a clean bill of health, except a minor decline in liver function. 

 

 

Ngoc currently lives on his 5ha farm at the foot of a mountain busy with farming and taking care of pigs and chickens all day. His six children live at their house in Que Trung. Ngoc often does extra farm work or guards his farm at night to prevent theft, saying he used three months of sleepless nights to dig two large ponds to raise fish.

 

Source :- http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/12/the-man-who-doesnt-sleep-for-33-years.html