Amazing Cave Hotels From Around The World

Sala Silvermine, Sweden

Sala Silvermine in Sweden attracts hundreds of visitors each year to view its vast caverns and beautiful underground lakes.

The Mine has it's own standard (above ground) hostel plus one 'mining' suite 155m underground.

Serinn House, Turkey

There is plenty of cave accommodation in Cappadocia, but the pick of the bunch is this stylish boutique hotel.

There are five individually designed rooms: doubles cost from £105 per night, including breakfast.

Hotel Sant’Angelo, Italy

Hotel Sant'Angelo - in the southern Italian town of Matera - features sixteen “historic dwellings” set amid a Unesco World Heritage site: doubles from £140 a night, including breakfast.

The Laleh Kandovan International Rocky Hotel, Iran

Located on the edge of the mountain village of Kandovan, 27 miles south of the city of Tabriz, the Laleh Kandovan has 10 rooms, with another 30 planned, and a large restaurant.

All the rooms have underfloor heating and some have whirlpool baths. There are Persian rugs on the floor and the walls have recessed lighting. The decor is stylishly minimalist, using plenty of tiles and letting the rough rock sides do the talking.

Kokopelli's Cave, USA

Located north of Farmington, New Mexico, close to the Mesa Verde National Park, guests at Kokopelli's Cave can enjoy views over four American states.

The Cave Resort, Jamaica

The Cave Resort offers eleven one- and two-bedroom cottages built into the limestone cliffs off Negril, on Jamaica's west coast.

Rooms feature bold, bright designs with large beds, louvered windows, handcrafted furnishings and original artwork.

Les Hautes Roches, Loire Valley, France

Part of this 18th-century manor house is cut into the rock face of low cliffs overlooking the banks of the Loire near Tours.

A Relais & Châteaux hotel, it has 15 rooms; doubles from £142 a night.

Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Turkey

One of a number of hotels in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, Gamirasu is located in a restored Byzantine monastic retreat in Ayvali Village near Urgup.

The hotel is a combination of seven houses, converted into 25 rooms - each varying in size and shape.

Ellkep Evi, Turkey

Also found in Cappadocia, Elkep Evi offers cave rooms with modern facilities on a hill overlooking the town of Urgup.

Alexander’s Boutique Hotel, Santorini, Greece

Located on the top of a caldera, with views of the Aegean, Alexander's offers luxurious accomodation in a picture-perfect setting.

There are seven “cave villas” (from £185 a night for two with continental breakfast) and nine cave houses (from £114 for a house sleeping two people).

No More Tattoos For US Marines, So Afghanistan Should Become A Push Over

The US Marines are banning the wearing of large tattoos, saying they do not represent "traditional values".

From Sunday, tattoos on the head or neck, or large tattoos on arms or legs will not be allowed. Marines already with the tattoos are exempt.

I found two things rather amusing here. Firstly, the fact that marines who already have tattoos are exempt. I am quite sure they could have worked that out for themselves without having it laid down in the rule book for them.

Secondly, the fact that the reason for the banning of tattoos was because they do not represent "traditional values".

Surely the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan don't represent "traditional values" either. In fact, it is illegal to use these in warfare as they are deemed too inaccurate and can easily kill innocent women and children, but America uses them anyway.

I'm also of the opinion that illegal invasions of countries on some trumped up assumption they have "weapons of mass destruction" doesn't quite conform to "traditional values" much either. As is the case with Iraq. This too was an illegal invasion, but to hell with "traditional values", let's do it anyway....... they have lots of oil.

"Traditional values" would lead them to help out people who are starving to death in their millions while food aid and medical aid was being stolen from them. But alas, Darfur has no oil or gold, so they are left to stand up for themselves as they are slaughtered by their own government.

Tradition will tell us that every time the USA invades a country for whatever reason, they do have a nasty habit of getting their asses kicked. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan etc etc.

The problem with all this invasion stuff is simple. They keep picking on countries who have a lot of tradition and who will not stand for being bullied. Afghanistan being the best example here.

Anyone who has ever tried to subdue the people of Afghanistan has failed and suffered huge losses in the attempt. These people have horses and few rusty old AK-47 assault rifles and they have seen off the Mujahadeen, the Russians and now they are in the process of seeing of the good ol' US of A.

It's not about tattoos. It's about having traditions and values that mean something. It's about having history and an unnerving desire to defend that history and the memory of the people who made it. It's about having balls big enough to fill a dumper truck.

I would warn against tackling Afghanistan to anyone. They don't have stealth bombers and the latest guns. They have no fancy Hummers to drive across the desert with. They are lacking any form of aerial threat. Helicopters, long range missiles, night vision, laser sights, nuclear bombs are all out of reach for them. But who needs them when you have commitment, incredible bravery and "traditional values" which we may deem right or wrong, that you will defend to the death, even against a far superior enemy?

Still............the tattoos is a start for the USA.

The Stig Finally Reveals Himself

Michael Schumacher has unmasked himself as Top Gear's mysterious test driver the Stig.

The Stig's real identity has always been a closely guarded secret at the BBC show and many people believe that the famous white overalls and helmet are shared by several drivers.

Schumacher revealed himself as one of them when the Stig took off his trademark helmet during an interview with presenter Jeremy Clarkson after the audience urged him to show them his face.

Clarkson jokingly pretended not to recognise Schumacher and asked him what his name was before he became famous as the Stig, before excitedly shouting to the audience: "It's Michael Schumacher!"

Silly rumours had been used to add to the mystery surrounding the character who never speaks to camera.

Clarkson quizzed Schumacher about some of the rumours during the show which was broadcast last night, asking: "Are you illegal in 17 US states?"

Schumacher, who was Formula One world drivers' champion seven times, replied: "No, it's much exaggerated. It's only nine."

Clarkson then asked about another rumour: "Some people have told us you only know two facts about ducks and both of them are wrong. Is that true?" Schumacher replied "Well obviously they won't fly" and was quickly interrupted by Clarkson who said: "No, they were right, you don't know anything about ducks."

The Stig test drives cars around the Top Gear track in Dunsfold Park, Surrey, and trains each week's guest for their lap for the Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car feature.

Former Formula One driver Perry McCarthy was Top Gear's original Stig, who dressed all in black during the first two series. He was replaced with the current Stig, dressed in white, after he revealed his identity.

Girls Gone Fishing

Girls can be a bit wild as you saw on my last post Girls On A Friday And Saturday Night

But they can also invade several male bastions and look much better while doing it.

The male dominated sport of fishing has long been dominated by the males but take a look at these girls. I think you will agree they look so much better stood on the river banks.

Click the thumbnails for a full size view.

Girls On A Friday And Saturday Night

Terrible behaviour, you wont see me behaving in this manner. Well.....not too many times, maybe just once a week.

Click the thumbnails for full size views ;-)