The Amazing Stuff

Looking up from the base of the Ping An International Finance Centre building in Shenzhen, China, is a harrowing experience. Currently under construction, the immense building is already one of the tallest structures on Earth. Upon completion, it will be the fourth tallest building in the world.

That’s why “On the Roofs” — a secretive free-climbing duo — wanted to climb it while they could. With less security guarding the top at night, they made their way through the building and onto the roof. Eventually, they ran out of stairs and had to scale the building using less conventional methods. What they saw from the top is terrifying.

Source: Daredevils free climb 2,165 foot skyscraper! by ontheroofs on Rumble

When the building opens in 2016, visitors will likely be able to climb to the top with the help of elevators, and they won’t have to risk their lives in the process. Although we’ll probably just wait a year to do this the safe way, we respect these daredevils and appreciate their insane footage.

When a photographer was on safari in Africa, he noticed a group of lion cubs off in the distance. Seizing the opportunity to finally do something he had dreamed of, he attached his GoPro camera to a remote-control car and off it went – racing until it came upon the young lions.

What happened next is an encounter the world simply has to see to believe:

Have you ever seen cuter ears?!

Turns out lion cubs are just as interested in GoPro cameras as we are!

If you’ve ever considered getting a drone but could never quite justify committing to such a purchase, we’re here to convince you to take the plunge. Or more accurately, Renee Lusano is. She’s also here to remind you that your selfies will never be as cool as hers, no matter how hard you try.

I think it’s safe to say that these are better than anything you’ve ever taken with a selfie stick.

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

About a year ago, the Los Angeles-based designer and illustrator started taking photos and videos by attaching her GoPro to a drone. Also an avid traveler, Lusano takes her drone (which she’s named Furby) with her all over the world, capturing breathtaking aerial shots of the places she’s been.

Her life may seem like like one huge vacation, but there’s a lot of hard work involved, too. “Thanks to social media, I can edit out my boring days and all you ever see is when I’m on vacation,” she says.

Her photos capture everything from majestic natural scenes to happy moments with her friends.

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

Instagram / wrenees (Renee Lusano)

Oh, and just in case you didn’t think that was cool enough, she also takes plenty of videos with her drone.

On our trip to Italy we came across this fortress overlooking the sea in Porto Ercole, and it wasn’t until I watched back the video that I discovered the fortress’ cool shape ⭐️

A video posted by R E N E E (@wrenees) on Aug 4, 2015 at 6:47pm PDT

Reverse dronie flashback Friday! Realized I never posted any of my Moai dronies from Easter Island.

A video posted by R E N E E (@wrenees) on Jul 24, 2015 at 6:24pm PDT

Most fun I"ve had since summer camp was with @la_swim camping and cliff jumping on #NorCalHoagieTour2015

A video posted by R E N E E (@wrenees) on Jul 27, 2015 at 8:36am PDT

Found swimming hole paradise on day 2 of #NorCalHoagieTour2015 with @la_swim

A video posted by R E N E E (@wrenees) on Jul 14, 2015 at 11:08am PDT

My friend @drewbreeze420 aka Jeans Wilder makes the most beautiful music, and he asked me to edit a video from some of my drone footage for a song from his final album. Wish I could post the whole song/video, but you can find it on my website wrenee.com!!!

A video posted by R E N E E (@wrenees) on Jun 30, 2015 at 7:35pm PDT

First and maybe last shot like this one for South Africa and for Furby 2 who went for a swim in the bay yesterday and is currently drying out in a cooler of rice.

A video posted by R E N E E (@wrenees) on Dec 31, 2014 at 9:03am PST

We hope that these photos will inspire you to step up your selfie game. You don’t have to buy a drone, but at least stop taking selfies in your bathroom mirror. You’re better than that.

You can see more of Lusano’s adventures on Instagram, and check out photography from her many adventures on her website.

Drone technology is an adventurer’s dream. For more amazing travel footage, check out the sights this drone caught on film:

Source: Flying a drone through Ouimet Canyon by DigitalTempest on Rumble

While spending a semester abroad in Bangkok, 22-year-old Christian LeBlanc and his girlfriend came across an elephant sanctuary during one of their expeditions. They decided to drop in and take a look. Wouldn’t you? They bought a basket of bananas and started feeding an elephant.

Hanging out with elephants is an exciting part of visiting Thailand.

Instagram / christian_leblanc

Many places offer opportunities to feed and meet the elephants.

Instagram / christian_leblanc

And if you think this is a great shot, just wait until you see what comes next.

Instagram / christian_leblanc

The elephant was hungry, and he was eating so fast he didn’t realize that all the bananas were gone. And that’s when he grabbed Christian’s GoPro instead. “I didn’t even have time to think,” LeBlanc recalls. “It all happened so fast.”

As luck would have it, the GoPro was in time-lapse mode, meaning it recorded a series of photos without the button being pressed.

The result was this epic elephant selfie!

Instagram / christian_leblanc

Or, as it’s apparently now known, an “elphie.”

The image instantly went viral once LeBlanc posted it to his Instagram, which he thinks is great. “I’m still in shock that it turned out that way. I’m in shock that this story has gone viral. It’s been a pretty crazy two days,” he told CBC News.

And naturally, some cheeky Photoshop was in order.

Instagram / christian_leblanc

(via My Modern Met, CBC)

LeBlanc, who hails from Vancouver, graduated from UBC a few weeks ago and is now traveling through the Philippines. As for his (er, the elephant’s) famous picture, LeBlanc says he hopes that people will be inspired to travel, and will see how easy it is to make memories without a huge budget.

“I can’t guarantee an elephant selfie,” he says, “but it’s very easy to make it to this side of the world.” You can find more images of his travel adventures on Instagram.