Originally known to the First Nations of the Okanagan Valley as Khiluk, which was- and remains today revered as a sacred site producing therapeutic waters. During World War I the minerals of Spotted Lake were used in manufacturing ammunition. Later the area came under the control of the Ernest Smith Family, for a term of about 40 years. In 1979 Smith attempted to create interest in a spa at the lake. The First Nations responded with an effort to buy the lake; in October 2001 they finally struck a deal. First Nations arranged the purchase of 22 hectares of land for a total of $720,000, and contributed about 20% of the cost. The Indian Affairs Department paid the remainder.

WOOTTON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 07: Hot air balloons prepare to depart from Lydden Hill race circuit near Canterbury to take part in mass crossing of the Channel on April 7, 2011 in Wootton, England. 51 balloonists of various nationalities from across Europe took off from Kent making for Calais, France at about 7am. It is the first time a Guinness World Record bid has been made for "the largest group of hot air balloons to make the Channel crossing". (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

In this handout image provided by Perth 2011, HMB Endeavour, the replica of Captain James Cook's ship, is farewelled from Sydney Harbour accompanied by three Olympic class Laser yachts on April 16, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. The ship was farewelled from Sydney to start her circumnavigation of Australia, ending up in Freemantle where she will play a role in the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships in December. (Photo by Richard Palfreyman/Perth 2011 via Getty Images)

“Takeru Kobayashi (born March 15, 1978) is a Japanese competitive eater. He held the world record for hot dog eating for nearly six years, and holds several other eating records, including four Guinness Records for hot dogs, meatballs, hamburgers, and pasta”. – Wikipedia

Photo: Takeru Kobayashi challeges 2011 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition contestants via satellite at 230 Fifth Avenue on July 4, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

“The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, commonly known as the Tsukiji Market, is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. The market is located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, and is a major attraction for foreign visitors”. – Wikipedia

Photo: A 232kg blue-fin tuna is displayed during the new year's first auction at the Tsukiji fish market on January 5, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Members of China Disabled Peoples Performing Art Troupe perform “Thousand-arm Goddess of Mercy” during a show on March 12, 2005 in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, China. China Disabled Peoples Performing Art Troupe was established in 1987. It is an amateur mass art troupe composed of visually impaired, audibly impaired and physically and mentally challenged people. In the past nearly two decades, the troupe has visited more than 30 countries and regions, winning the hearts of audiences all over the world by their solid background of Chinese Culture and their colourful national charm. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

“A photo series representing many cultures by illustrating romance in the LGBTQ community. “All Love Is Equal” is a campaign that I envision being seen on a global scale to raise awareness and build compassion. I, along with my producer/assistant, would like to travel to different countries throughout the world to create photos of LGBT members in love within culturally diverse settings”. (Photo and caption by Braden Summers)