Grand Canyon is unmatched throughout the world for the vistas it offers to visitors on the rim. It is not the deepest canyon in the world. Both the Barranca del Cobre in northern Mexico and Hell's Canyon in Idaho are deeper. But Grand Canyon is known for its overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape. Geologically it is significant because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks that are beautifully preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon. These rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the North American continent. Grand Canyon is also one of the most spectacular examples of erosion in the world.
Grand Canyon was largely unknown until after the Civil War. In 1869, Major John Wesley Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran with a thirst for science and adventure, made a pioneering journey through the canyon on the Colorado River. He accomplished this with nine men in four small wooden boats. Though only six men completed the journey. His party was, as far as we know, the first ever to make such a trip.
In the late 19th Century there was interest in the region because of its promise of mineral resources, mainly copper and asbestos. The first pioneer settlements along the rim came in the 1880s. Early residents soon discovered that tourism was destined to be more profitable than mining, and by the turn of the century Grand Canyon was a well known tourist destination. Many of the early tourist accommodations were not much different than the mining camps from which they developed. Most visitors made the grueling trip from nearby towns to the South Rim by stagecoach.
In 1901 the railroad was extended from Williams, Arizona to the South Rim, and the development of formal tourist facilities increased dramatically. By 1905 the El Tovar Hotel stood where it does today, a world class hotel on the canyon's edge. The Fred Harvey Company, known throughout the west for hospitality and fine food, continued to develop facilities at Grand Canyon, including Phantom Ranch, built in the Inner Canyon in 1922.
Although first afforded Federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve and later as a National Monument, Grand Canyon did not achieve national park status until 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service. Today Grand Canyon National Park receives about five million visitors each year, a far cry from the annual visitation of 44,173 in 1919.
Dams
No dams exist within Grand Canyon National Park, although dams bordering the park have a profound effect on the canyon. At the upper end of the canyon, 15 miles / 24 km above Lees Ferry, is Lake Powell, formed by the waters behind Glen Canyon Dam. This dam was completed in 1963. At the lower end of the canyon is Lake Mead, formed by the waters behind Hoover Dam. This dam was completed in 1936.
The controlled release of water from Glen Canyon Dam at the upstream end affects the water that flows through Grand Canyon. Waters from Lake Mead flood the lower 40 miles / 64 km of Grand Canyon when the lake is full.
The Land - the Canyon and the River
The Colorado River rushes at the bottom of the canyons, about 1,850 feet above sea level. The sides of the canyons are made of rocks, cliffs, ridges, hills and valleys of every form. Many of the ridges have weather carved lines which make them resemble Chinese temples. Thick forests of blue spruce, fir, oaks as well as Ponderosa pines cover the canyon rim. Deep in the canyon's recesses, the foliage grows sparse and shorter. Pinon pines and juniper growing along the cliffs give way to dry desert scrub on the canyon floor.
The north rim of the Grand Canyon rises about 1,200 feet higher that the south rim. The highest points on the rim are about 9,000 feet above sea level.
Most of the 1,904 square miles of the park are maintained as wilderness. There are three distinct sections of the park; the South Rim, the North Rim and the Inner Canyon. Each section has a different climate as well as different vegetation and different experiences.
The North Rim is the coldest and the wettest. It receives up to 26 inches of precipitation a year. The South Rim only receives around 16 inches of precipitation a year. The Inner Canyon is the closest to a desert as the lower you descend, the hotter and drier it becomes. The floor of the canyon, approximately a mile below the North Rim, is about 35°F hotter than the temperatures above.
The colorful canyon rocks were formed millions of years ago. Their colors change with the changing light of the sun. Many layers of rock have been bared by the constant cutting force of the rushing river. The first layer of rock through which the Colorado River now cuts is black in color and is called Archean. The second layer, called Algonkian, has a brilliant red color. The next layer is a lavender-brown color and is known as Tapeats sandstone. The forth layer, the Devonian layer, consists of small deposits of lavender stone. Above this, the thick Redwall curves along the canyon. Above the Redwall lies 800 feet of red sandstone called the Supai formation. The Hermit shale, another layer of red rock covers this.
On top of the Hermit shale rests the sand colored Coconino sandstone, a pale bank that lies 350 feet below the rim of the canyon. The top layer of the canyon consists of cream and gray colored Kaibab limestone. This limestone forms a rim known as the Kaibab Plateau on the north side of the canyon, and as the Coconino Plateau on the south.
Scientists still haven't agreed on the how's and why's of the creation of the Grand Canyon, but there is always one constant, the Colorado River. It always was and always will be the catalyst for change in the canyon.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Rome
It's hard to describe Rome in a few words; a city so vast and rich in art, monuments and exquisite views, a historic city, which has preserved its charm and independence throughout the centuries.
Rome's history can be read in every monument, and palazzo; in fact, each and every stone bears witness to the periods of splendour, decay, wars, and numerous architectural styles. The city could be described as a gigantic open-air museum, visited each year by millions of tourists, scholars and pilgrims from all over the world.
It is hard to believe that Roman civilization began with a small settlement of shepherds and farmers near the Tevere river, on Palatino (one of the seven hills on which Rome was built and where most of the Roman archaeological treasures were found), tradition dictates that this is where Romulus founded the city and where Augustus, the first Emperor, built his house, which is now widely (and incorrectly) known as the house of Livia, his wife.
The city extended over six other hills: Quirinale, Viminale, Esquilino, Celio, Aventino and Capitolino.
Quirinale, the highest of the seven hills, has Piazza Omonima on its summit, with its colossal statues of the gods, Castor and Pollux and the Palazzo del Quirinale, where the president lives. Opposite the Palazzo are the Scuderie, open to the public thanks to the architect Gae Aulenti, who created a functional exhibition space inside the building.
Viminale stands next to Quirinale, it is smaller in size, split into two by Via Nazionale, and dominated by the huge Palazzo delle Esposizioni building (designed by Pio Piacentini) on Piazza della Repubblica, near Rome's principal railway station, Stazione Termini. Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome, surrounded by arches. The restored Fontana delle Naiadi takes pride of place in the centre of the square.
Esquilino is the home of the great poets Virgilio and Orazio. It has three peaks, one of which is Monte Oppio, where you can find the ruins of Domus Aurea, finally opened to the public after years of restoration. Initially, Esquilino was a suburb of Rome, which is the reason for the nickname 'exquilini' (non-tenants) given to its inhabitants, some believe that this is how the hill got its name.
Further south stand Celio and Aventino. The former has a long promontory, called Monte delle Querce, as it was once home to many oak trees (querce). It is possibly the greenest and most charming of the seven hills and is home to Parco del Celio and Villa Celimontana. There are many beautiful buildings here, especially along the magnificent Appia Antica. Almost all are places of worship. Both Aventino and Celio have few inhabitants. Aventino is rich in important medieval monuments such as the Santa Maria in Cosmedin basilica, where the famous Bocca della Verità, or mouth of truth, is housed.
Last but not least is Capitolino, which stands between Palatino and Quirinale: this used to be the religious and political centre of the city during the Roman era. It is dominated by the Michelangelo styled Piazza del Campidoglio, perfectly proportioned, with a statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback in the centre. Located here, the Capitoline Museums, have some of the most precious art collections in the world.
The seven hilltops offer a number of beautiful views; the most breathtaking of these are Pincio, the dome of San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica) and the Gianicolo.
Rome has spread outwards in a rather haphazard manner, without much regard to town planning; many fields were acquired by the local authorities and transformed into new neighbourhoods. North of Rome, near the Vatican are the Aurelio, Prati and Mazzini neighbourhoods, which are more commercial and residential, as well as the elegant quarters of Parioli and Nomentano, home to many foreign embassies. At nearby Montesacro, visit Ponte Nomentano, the storied fortified bridge that has seen the rise and fall of many eras. Neighbouring Monteverde is home to Villa Doria Pamphili, the largest park in all of Rome. Further south are Prenestino and Tiburtino, more populated areas, due to the fact that they are university areas, full of students, who can also be found in the nearby S. Lorenzo, a charming district with a wide variety of pizzerias and bars. Trastevere, is undoubtedly one of the most charming areas of the city, and one of the most crowded areas too - especially on summer evenings. Many people (foreigners and Romans alike) want to live in this highly desirable district, home of historic places of worship such as the Santa Maria in Trastevere and hot night spots like Trastè. Finally, Eur, one of Rome's most modern neighbourhoods, is home to some fascinating Fascist-style architecture, as evidenced by the many offices and administration centres in and around the Piazzale delle Nazioni Unit
Rome's history can be read in every monument, and palazzo; in fact, each and every stone bears witness to the periods of splendour, decay, wars, and numerous architectural styles. The city could be described as a gigantic open-air museum, visited each year by millions of tourists, scholars and pilgrims from all over the world.
It is hard to believe that Roman civilization began with a small settlement of shepherds and farmers near the Tevere river, on Palatino (one of the seven hills on which Rome was built and where most of the Roman archaeological treasures were found), tradition dictates that this is where Romulus founded the city and where Augustus, the first Emperor, built his house, which is now widely (and incorrectly) known as the house of Livia, his wife.
The city extended over six other hills: Quirinale, Viminale, Esquilino, Celio, Aventino and Capitolino.
Quirinale, the highest of the seven hills, has Piazza Omonima on its summit, with its colossal statues of the gods, Castor and Pollux and the Palazzo del Quirinale, where the president lives. Opposite the Palazzo are the Scuderie, open to the public thanks to the architect Gae Aulenti, who created a functional exhibition space inside the building.
Viminale stands next to Quirinale, it is smaller in size, split into two by Via Nazionale, and dominated by the huge Palazzo delle Esposizioni building (designed by Pio Piacentini) on Piazza della Repubblica, near Rome's principal railway station, Stazione Termini. Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome, surrounded by arches. The restored Fontana delle Naiadi takes pride of place in the centre of the square.
Esquilino is the home of the great poets Virgilio and Orazio. It has three peaks, one of which is Monte Oppio, where you can find the ruins of Domus Aurea, finally opened to the public after years of restoration. Initially, Esquilino was a suburb of Rome, which is the reason for the nickname 'exquilini' (non-tenants) given to its inhabitants, some believe that this is how the hill got its name.
Further south stand Celio and Aventino. The former has a long promontory, called Monte delle Querce, as it was once home to many oak trees (querce). It is possibly the greenest and most charming of the seven hills and is home to Parco del Celio and Villa Celimontana. There are many beautiful buildings here, especially along the magnificent Appia Antica. Almost all are places of worship. Both Aventino and Celio have few inhabitants. Aventino is rich in important medieval monuments such as the Santa Maria in Cosmedin basilica, where the famous Bocca della Verità, or mouth of truth, is housed.
Last but not least is Capitolino, which stands between Palatino and Quirinale: this used to be the religious and political centre of the city during the Roman era. It is dominated by the Michelangelo styled Piazza del Campidoglio, perfectly proportioned, with a statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback in the centre. Located here, the Capitoline Museums, have some of the most precious art collections in the world.
The seven hilltops offer a number of beautiful views; the most breathtaking of these are Pincio, the dome of San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica) and the Gianicolo.
Rome has spread outwards in a rather haphazard manner, without much regard to town planning; many fields were acquired by the local authorities and transformed into new neighbourhoods. North of Rome, near the Vatican are the Aurelio, Prati and Mazzini neighbourhoods, which are more commercial and residential, as well as the elegant quarters of Parioli and Nomentano, home to many foreign embassies. At nearby Montesacro, visit Ponte Nomentano, the storied fortified bridge that has seen the rise and fall of many eras. Neighbouring Monteverde is home to Villa Doria Pamphili, the largest park in all of Rome. Further south are Prenestino and Tiburtino, more populated areas, due to the fact that they are university areas, full of students, who can also be found in the nearby S. Lorenzo, a charming district with a wide variety of pizzerias and bars. Trastevere, is undoubtedly one of the most charming areas of the city, and one of the most crowded areas too - especially on summer evenings. Many people (foreigners and Romans alike) want to live in this highly desirable district, home of historic places of worship such as the Santa Maria in Trastevere and hot night spots like Trastè. Finally, Eur, one of Rome's most modern neighbourhoods, is home to some fascinating Fascist-style architecture, as evidenced by the many offices and administration centres in and around the Piazzale delle Nazioni Unit
Monaco
Monaco (mŏn'əkō, mōnä'kō, Fr. mônäkō') , officially Principality of Monaco, independent principality (2005 est. pop. 32,400), c.370 acres (150 hectares), on the Mediterranean Sea, an enclave within Alpes-Maritimes dept., SE France, near the Italian border. It consists of four adjoining quarters—La Condamine, the business district; Monte Carlo, the site of the famous casino; Monaco-Ville, the capital, atop a rocky promontory; and Fontvieille, an area of light industry built largely on reclaimed land.
Land and People
Monaco's beautiful location, natural harbor, exceptionally mild climate, and gambling tables in Monte Carlo make it one of the best-known resorts of the Riviera. Almost half of the mainly Roman Catholic population are French, while about 16% are citizens of Monaco and an equal number are Italian. French is the official language, but English, Italian, and Monegasque (a Romance dialect similar to Provençal) are also widely spoken.
The casino contains a theater, which houses the Monte Carlo Opera. Monaco has a 16th-century palace, a 19th-century cathedral in the Byzantine style, and a noted oceanographic museum, founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I. Auto racing is popular, and Monaco is home to both the Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Grand Prix. The Monte Carlo Open is a major professional tennis tournament.
Government
In accordance with the 1962 constitution, Monaco is governed by the ruling monarch, who is assisted by a minister of state (selected by the monarch from three candidates nominated by France), a cabinet (the Council of the Crown), and the National Council, which is elected by universal suffrage every five years. The prince may initiate legislation, but all laws must be approved by the National Council. Monaco has a police force and a Royal Guard that has some 65 members. By a treaty of 1918, the succession to the throne must be approved by the French government. A law had long stipulated that should the throne become vacant for any reason, including the death of a Grimaldi ruler without a direct blood heir, Monaco would become an autonomous state under French protection. In 2002 the constitution was amended so that any sibling of a ruler who died without issue could inherit the throne.
History
Probably settled by Phoenicians in ancient times, Monaco was annexed by Marseilles and Christianized in the 1st cent. A.D. In the 7th cent. it was part of the kingdom of the Lombards, and in the 8th cent. of the kingdom of Arles. It was under Muslim domination (8th cent.) after the Saracens invaded France.
Monaco was ruled by the Genovese Grimaldi family from the 13th cent. In 1731 the male line died out, but the French Goyon-Matignon family, which succeeded by marriage, assumed the name Grimaldi. Monaco was under Spanish protection from 1542 to 1641, under French protection from 1641 to 1793, annexed to France in 1793, and under Sardinian protection from 1815 to 1861. The districts of Menton and Roquebrune (long part of Monaco) were incorporated (1848) into Sardinia, which in turn ceded them to France in 1860.
Monaco again came under French protection in 1861. In the late 1800s income from gambling by very wealthy visitors became Monaco's primary source of revenue. Until 1911, when the first constitution was promulgated, the prince was an absolute ruler. Rainier III, succeeded his grandfather, Louis II, as ruler of Monaco in 1949. In 1956, Rainier married Grace Kelly (1929–82), an American motion-picture actress, and a male heir, Albert, was born in 1958. Rainier worked to diversify Monaco's economy and make Monaco attractive to middle-class tourists.
In 1962 serious economic disagreements arose between France and Monaco, and new fiscal agreements (1963) severely curtailed the right of French citizens to use Monaco as a tax haven. The Monaco government also came into conflict with Aristotle Onassis, who owned majority interests in most businesses there; Monaco purchased his interests in 1967. Relations with France again became acrimonious in 2000 when Monaco was accused of being a center for money-laundering and France threatened to force the principality to tighten the regulation of its banks. Rainier died in 2005 and was succeeded as ruler by his son, Albert II.
Land and People
Monaco's beautiful location, natural harbor, exceptionally mild climate, and gambling tables in Monte Carlo make it one of the best-known resorts of the Riviera. Almost half of the mainly Roman Catholic population are French, while about 16% are citizens of Monaco and an equal number are Italian. French is the official language, but English, Italian, and Monegasque (a Romance dialect similar to Provençal) are also widely spoken.
The casino contains a theater, which houses the Monte Carlo Opera. Monaco has a 16th-century palace, a 19th-century cathedral in the Byzantine style, and a noted oceanographic museum, founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I. Auto racing is popular, and Monaco is home to both the Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Grand Prix. The Monte Carlo Open is a major professional tennis tournament.
Government
In accordance with the 1962 constitution, Monaco is governed by the ruling monarch, who is assisted by a minister of state (selected by the monarch from three candidates nominated by France), a cabinet (the Council of the Crown), and the National Council, which is elected by universal suffrage every five years. The prince may initiate legislation, but all laws must be approved by the National Council. Monaco has a police force and a Royal Guard that has some 65 members. By a treaty of 1918, the succession to the throne must be approved by the French government. A law had long stipulated that should the throne become vacant for any reason, including the death of a Grimaldi ruler without a direct blood heir, Monaco would become an autonomous state under French protection. In 2002 the constitution was amended so that any sibling of a ruler who died without issue could inherit the throne.
History
Probably settled by Phoenicians in ancient times, Monaco was annexed by Marseilles and Christianized in the 1st cent. A.D. In the 7th cent. it was part of the kingdom of the Lombards, and in the 8th cent. of the kingdom of Arles. It was under Muslim domination (8th cent.) after the Saracens invaded France.
Monaco was ruled by the Genovese Grimaldi family from the 13th cent. In 1731 the male line died out, but the French Goyon-Matignon family, which succeeded by marriage, assumed the name Grimaldi. Monaco was under Spanish protection from 1542 to 1641, under French protection from 1641 to 1793, annexed to France in 1793, and under Sardinian protection from 1815 to 1861. The districts of Menton and Roquebrune (long part of Monaco) were incorporated (1848) into Sardinia, which in turn ceded them to France in 1860.
Monaco again came under French protection in 1861. In the late 1800s income from gambling by very wealthy visitors became Monaco's primary source of revenue. Until 1911, when the first constitution was promulgated, the prince was an absolute ruler. Rainier III, succeeded his grandfather, Louis II, as ruler of Monaco in 1949. In 1956, Rainier married Grace Kelly (1929–82), an American motion-picture actress, and a male heir, Albert, was born in 1958. Rainier worked to diversify Monaco's economy and make Monaco attractive to middle-class tourists.
In 1962 serious economic disagreements arose between France and Monaco, and new fiscal agreements (1963) severely curtailed the right of French citizens to use Monaco as a tax haven. The Monaco government also came into conflict with Aristotle Onassis, who owned majority interests in most businesses there; Monaco purchased his interests in 1967. Relations with France again became acrimonious in 2000 when Monaco was accused of being a center for money-laundering and France threatened to force the principality to tighten the regulation of its banks. Rainier died in 2005 and was succeeded as ruler by his son, Albert II.
Milan - Italy
Arguably one of Europe's – if not the world's – most style-conscious cities, Milan is no place to visit unless your pockets are deep. Indeed, walk a few blocks north of Piazza della Scalla, and you'll find yourself in the heart of one of the world's most prolific shopping districts, where storefronts bear the names of such fashion icons as Armani, Prada, Versace, and Gianfranco Ferré. While Via Monte Napoleone and Via della Spiga may be 'troppo costoso,' great deals on everything from antiques to last season's designs may be found in Milan's many public markets, places like Mercato Papiniano, Via Armorori, and Via Fiori Chiari. However, Milan is not all about shopping, and first-time visitors to the ancient city will find enough things to do for a whole summer, let alone a week. The Renaissance city, founded in the 7th century BC, has been conquered and ruled by scores of invaders, from Gauls and Franks to Celts and Hapsburgs. As a result, the Milanese had to rebuild the city on three different occasions – 1944 was the last time – and much original architecture has been replaced by modern edifices. However, scores of gems are still to be found, including the Basilica di Sant Ambrogio, constructed in the Lombard Romanesque design and containing a breathtaking 9th century altar cast in precious metals; Doumo, Italy's largest Gothic cathedral, consecrated in 1577 but not completed until the waning years of the 19th century; Cenacolo Vinciano, a convent wherein Leonardo da Vinci labored over his powerful "Last Supper"; Castello Sforzesco, a once-proud military stronghold whose defenses were designed by the versatile da Vinci and which now houses a treasure trove of Milanese antiques and artwork by Titian, Van Dyck, Tiepolo, and Michelangelo; and the Teatro alla Scallo (1778), perhaps the world's most famous theater, and its adjoining museum, which celebrates the likes of Verdi, Arturo, Toscanini, and Maria Callas. Gastronomy, too, is an art form to be taken seriously in Milan, which boasts a proud culinary reputation and countless sidewalk cafés dotting its busy streets. The city's oldest restaurant, Boeucc Antico Ristorante on Piazza Belgioso, has been open since the 17th century and continues to impress. Some twenty miles outside of the city, an 18th century country inn in Cassinetta di Lugagnano called Antica Osteria del Ponte enjoys the reputation of being one of Italy's, and perhaps Europe's, finest restaurants. Nighttime in Milan is no time to slow down – you have to go somewhere to show off new additions to your wardrobe, no? – and trendy bars and dance clubs lie in wait in Porto Genova and other chic neighborhoods. Of course, one night of opera at La Scalla is a must, although tickets are hard to come by. If you visit during festival time – Carnivale and Festa della Nivola are among the best – count yourself lucky, since few cities know how to throw a party like Milan.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Barcelona
Geography
Barcelona is the capital and most populated city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. It is located on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula, facing the Mediterranean Sea, on a plateau approximately 5 km wide and limited by the mountain range of Collserola. The Catalan capital, 166 kilometres from the French border and 120 kilometres south of the Pyrenees, is bordered by two rivers: the Llobregat in the south and the Besòs in the north.
Museums
Barcelona houses a great number of museums, which cover different areas and eras. The National Museum of Art of Catalonia possesses a well-known collection of Romanesque art while the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art. The Fundació Joan Miró, Picasso Museum and Fundació Antoni Tàpies hold important collections of these world-renowned artists.
Several museums cover the fields of history and archeology, like the City History Museum, the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia, the Barcelona Maritime Museum and the private-owned Egyptian Museum. The Erotic museum of Barcelona is among the most peculiar ones, while Cosmocaixa is a science museum that received the European Museum of the Year Award in 2006.
Entertainment
Theatres and cinemas:
On working days, most cinemas have four showings between 4:00 in the afternoon and 10:00 in the evening. On weekends, some cinemas have matinees, at 11.30 or 12:00 noon, and late night showings at about 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning. Most theatres have one daily show, normally starting between 9:00 and 10:30 in the evening. Some theatres, however, have two shows, especially on Saturdays, with show times at 6:00 and 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.
Discotheques and clubs:
Clubs and bars with DJs or recorded music generally open from 6:30 in the evening to 3:00 in the morning, while discotheques open at 11:30 pm and close at about 4:30 am.
Shopping
The Rambla, the Ribera, Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Diagonal and the numerous shopping centres scattered round the city and its suburban areas attract a large part of the shoppers. But throughout the city one finds many lesser known shopping streets and neighbourhood shops, besides the city markets and street fairs, where one can buy all sorts of items at a fair price.
Shops in Barcelona open their doors between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning, and generally close for lunch at 1:30 or 2:00. They open again in the afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00 and remain open until 8:00 or 8:30 in the evening.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that many shopping centres and larger establishments do not close at midday. Many shops and all department stores and shopping centres open on Saturday afternoons, while all shops close on Sundays, except for a few dates when they are permitted to open.
Barcelona is the capital and most populated city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. It is located on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula, facing the Mediterranean Sea, on a plateau approximately 5 km wide and limited by the mountain range of Collserola. The Catalan capital, 166 kilometres from the French border and 120 kilometres south of the Pyrenees, is bordered by two rivers: the Llobregat in the south and the Besòs in the north.
Museums
Barcelona houses a great number of museums, which cover different areas and eras. The National Museum of Art of Catalonia possesses a well-known collection of Romanesque art while the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art. The Fundació Joan Miró, Picasso Museum and Fundació Antoni Tàpies hold important collections of these world-renowned artists.
Several museums cover the fields of history and archeology, like the City History Museum, the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia, the Barcelona Maritime Museum and the private-owned Egyptian Museum. The Erotic museum of Barcelona is among the most peculiar ones, while Cosmocaixa is a science museum that received the European Museum of the Year Award in 2006.
Entertainment
Theatres and cinemas:
On working days, most cinemas have four showings between 4:00 in the afternoon and 10:00 in the evening. On weekends, some cinemas have matinees, at 11.30 or 12:00 noon, and late night showings at about 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning. Most theatres have one daily show, normally starting between 9:00 and 10:30 in the evening. Some theatres, however, have two shows, especially on Saturdays, with show times at 6:00 and 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.
Discotheques and clubs:
Clubs and bars with DJs or recorded music generally open from 6:30 in the evening to 3:00 in the morning, while discotheques open at 11:30 pm and close at about 4:30 am.
Shopping
The Rambla, the Ribera, Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Diagonal and the numerous shopping centres scattered round the city and its suburban areas attract a large part of the shoppers. But throughout the city one finds many lesser known shopping streets and neighbourhood shops, besides the city markets and street fairs, where one can buy all sorts of items at a fair price.
Shops in Barcelona open their doors between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning, and generally close for lunch at 1:30 or 2:00. They open again in the afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00 and remain open until 8:00 or 8:30 in the evening.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that many shopping centres and larger establishments do not close at midday. Many shops and all department stores and shopping centres open on Saturday afternoons, while all shops close on Sundays, except for a few dates when they are permitted to open.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Venice Attractions
One of the best things to do in Venice is to take some time wandering along the canals off the main tourist track. Venice has many fine attractions and museums. Here are some of the top things to see in Venice:
* San Marco Square - Piazza San Marco is the main square of Venice surrounded by chic sidewalk cafes and fancy shops. While it's a great place to enjoy the scenery and people, you will definitely pay top price to sit at an outdoor table. In the evening, you can listen to live music, too. Walking in the piazza and taking photos is, of course, free.
* Saint Mark's Basilica - Basilica di San Marco is a beautiful church blending the architecture of East and West. It was consecrated in 832 AD.
* Doge's Palace - Palazzo Ducale, also on St. Mark's Square, is the most impressive building in Venice and well worth a tour. It was the political and judicial hub of Venetian government until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. The palace was connected to its prisons by the famous "Bridge of Sighs."
* Grand Canal - Canal Grande is the main thoroughfare of Venice. It's full of all kinds of boats and liined with beautiful buildings.
* Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), the main bridge crossing the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice, is over 400 years old. Nearby is the Rialto Market, an interesting and lively food market with lots of little shops.
* Galleria del'Accademia is one of Italy's best art museums with 24 rooms in 3 historic buildings. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
So don't miss it.....
* San Marco Square - Piazza San Marco is the main square of Venice surrounded by chic sidewalk cafes and fancy shops. While it's a great place to enjoy the scenery and people, you will definitely pay top price to sit at an outdoor table. In the evening, you can listen to live music, too. Walking in the piazza and taking photos is, of course, free.
* Saint Mark's Basilica - Basilica di San Marco is a beautiful church blending the architecture of East and West. It was consecrated in 832 AD.
* Doge's Palace - Palazzo Ducale, also on St. Mark's Square, is the most impressive building in Venice and well worth a tour. It was the political and judicial hub of Venetian government until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. The palace was connected to its prisons by the famous "Bridge of Sighs."
* Grand Canal - Canal Grande is the main thoroughfare of Venice. It's full of all kinds of boats and liined with beautiful buildings.
* Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), the main bridge crossing the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice, is over 400 years old. Nearby is the Rialto Market, an interesting and lively food market with lots of little shops.
* Galleria del'Accademia is one of Italy's best art museums with 24 rooms in 3 historic buildings. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
So don't miss it.....
Valencia
One of the biggest cities in Spain, and among the most livelies. It is located at the Mediterranean sea, and you will find beaches right in the very heart of it. During the summer-months it is heavily visited by tourists, and if you want to spend holidays at the beach, with fantastic possibilities for any kind of sports (golf, diving, cycling, tennis, etc. are all very popular here) and a boiling nightlife, together with an ample cultural offer, then Valencia is the place for you. Important trade fairs confirm Valencia's position as one of the most dynamic cities in Spain.
After all that probably you will get hungry , and you have the chance to try Spain's most famous food right where it was born: "Paella Valenciana"
Then Valencia is of course the city where "El Cid", Spain's national hero, fought against the Moors, and popular festivals in the city and many villages around still remind of this epoch.
After all that probably you will get hungry , and you have the chance to try Spain's most famous food right where it was born: "Paella Valenciana"
Then Valencia is of course the city where "El Cid", Spain's national hero, fought against the Moors, and popular festivals in the city and many villages around still remind of this epoch.
Niagara Falls
Ontario's Niagara Parks was established on May 24th 1888, to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Gorge and the Niagara River. Today, the Niagara Parks consists of 3,099 acres stretching 35 miles (56km) along the Niagara River between Fort Erie and Niagara on the Lake. From natural majestic beauty of the Falls of Niagara...to the manicured green lawns and emerald parks...to the excitement of many exhilarating attractions, the Niagara Parks is one of the finest and most stunningly beautiful parks in North America. The jewels in the Niagara Parks system are Queen Victoria Park , Queenston Heights Park, the Niagara Glen and Kings Bridge Park. Cost to enter the park is free.
The Americans acted unilaterally in the development of the New York Reservation State Park at Niagara Falls. The park became reality on April 30th 1885 when signed into law by Governor Hill. The new Reservation State Park would consist of 412 acres including Prospect Park, Goat Island and Bath Island. The cost to create this park was estimated at approximately $1.4 million dollars. The New York Reservation State Park was officially opened to the public on July 15th 1885. Cost to enter the park is free.
The Americans acted unilaterally in the development of the New York Reservation State Park at Niagara Falls. The park became reality on April 30th 1885 when signed into law by Governor Hill. The new Reservation State Park would consist of 412 acres including Prospect Park, Goat Island and Bath Island. The cost to create this park was estimated at approximately $1.4 million dollars. The New York Reservation State Park was officially opened to the public on July 15th 1885. Cost to enter the park is free.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Phuket History
Phuket Island was assumed by geologists to be once part of the mainland in the form of a cape sticking out into the Andaman Sea but millions of years later the cape was gradually eroded by natural forces and finally detached from the main land. The cape was mentioned in a book written around the year 157 by Claudius Ptolemy, a famous Greek philosopher, that to travel to Malay Peninsula by ship, the travellers had to pass a cape known among them as Junk Ceylon. It was located between latitudes 6 N and 8 N which is the present site of Phuket Island. Junk Ceylon was at that time visited by merchants of several nations including India, Persia, and Arabia because the island offered a bay that protected its harbour from the wind and monsoon, making it a good stopover. Moreover, it had plenty of tin ore deposits that fetched high prices at that time because the mineral was much wanted by some foreign countries.
Junk Ceylon was later known among the locals as Thalang, which was also the name of the main town in the north of the island. In 1785, Thalang town was besieged by the Burmese troops invading the coastal area but Chan, the widow of the governor who had just died, and her sister Muk rose to the occasion by jointly shouldering the successful task of defending the land for over 30 days until starvation forced the enemy to retreat. Due to their heroic deeds, noble titles were bestowed on Chan and Muk as Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon respectively. In 1966 a monument was erected at Tha Ruea Intersection, 12 km to the north of Phuket Town in memory of the sisters, who are still highly respected by Phuket people nowadays.
However, 24 years later, the Burmese succeeded in taking Thalang and many Thalang people fled to Phang-nga and Krabi. In 1825, some of them returned and re-establish a town on a new location but soon they moved back to their original site because of its better location for rice farming. This return of Thalang people did not make their town as important as in the past. Instead, the area in the south of the island (Phuket town today) grew quickly and became the centre of tin trade at that time. Known as Phuket, it was elevated to be a town in 1850. More people immigrated from Thalang and the nearby communities to Phuket. In 1894, Phuket was promoted to be a monthon (an administrative unit of that time). An important person who constructed Phuket as a modern city was Phraya Ratsada, who was appointed to govern Phuket monthon in 1902. His contributions also included improving the welfare of the locals, and setting up a network of markets in the countryside. In 1916, Phuket became a province. It was not until 1967 that Sarasin Bridge was built to connect the main land with Phuket.
Though the tin mining industry has played a specially important role in the economic development of the island province, it has declined especially after 1985 when the price of tin fell by half. The decline has also been due to the gradual decrease in the deposits after centuries of exploitation. So, Phuket had to look for a new industry on which to base its future economic development. Fortunately, its natural beauty was soon discovered and there was a boom of tourism in 1980's, which has lasted up to the 21st century.
Junk Ceylon was later known among the locals as Thalang, which was also the name of the main town in the north of the island. In 1785, Thalang town was besieged by the Burmese troops invading the coastal area but Chan, the widow of the governor who had just died, and her sister Muk rose to the occasion by jointly shouldering the successful task of defending the land for over 30 days until starvation forced the enemy to retreat. Due to their heroic deeds, noble titles were bestowed on Chan and Muk as Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon respectively. In 1966 a monument was erected at Tha Ruea Intersection, 12 km to the north of Phuket Town in memory of the sisters, who are still highly respected by Phuket people nowadays.
However, 24 years later, the Burmese succeeded in taking Thalang and many Thalang people fled to Phang-nga and Krabi. In 1825, some of them returned and re-establish a town on a new location but soon they moved back to their original site because of its better location for rice farming. This return of Thalang people did not make their town as important as in the past. Instead, the area in the south of the island (Phuket town today) grew quickly and became the centre of tin trade at that time. Known as Phuket, it was elevated to be a town in 1850. More people immigrated from Thalang and the nearby communities to Phuket. In 1894, Phuket was promoted to be a monthon (an administrative unit of that time). An important person who constructed Phuket as a modern city was Phraya Ratsada, who was appointed to govern Phuket monthon in 1902. His contributions also included improving the welfare of the locals, and setting up a network of markets in the countryside. In 1916, Phuket became a province. It was not until 1967 that Sarasin Bridge was built to connect the main land with Phuket.
Though the tin mining industry has played a specially important role in the economic development of the island province, it has declined especially after 1985 when the price of tin fell by half. The decline has also been due to the gradual decrease in the deposits after centuries of exploitation. So, Phuket had to look for a new industry on which to base its future economic development. Fortunately, its natural beauty was soon discovered and there was a boom of tourism in 1980's, which has lasted up to the 21st century.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Maldives Island
The Maldives is in fact an archipelago of some 1,190 islands, formed into 26 natural atolls, and grouped in double rows like a necklace of islands, set vertically across the equator and situated in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago of Maldives is made up of small, low-lying white sandy islands and islets each abundant and unique in its natural splendor. , formed into 26 natural atolls, and grouped in double rows like a necklace of islands, set vertically across the equator and situated in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago of Maldives is made up of small, low-lying white sandy islands and islets each abundant and unique in its natural splendor.
It is believed that these unique coral atolls were formed about 65 to 200 million years ago from the crust of a deceased volcanic mountain range. The atoll#s (the word atoll was adapted to English from its Maldivian origin "atholhu") are formed from coral barrier reefs. The part of the reefs, which protrude from the sea form into islands, as, destroyed coral parts gather thus giving them the attribute of white sandy beaches. Having being protected by the reefs, the lagoons are calm and crystal-clear with abundant species of fish and coral. Out of the total of some 1,190 islands in the Maldives, about 200 are inhabited. The total land area of all these islands put together will amount to the size of a small city. The capital of the country is Male' situated within close proximity of the island that house the Male' International airport.
Its principal building blocks being coral, the Maldivian seas with its bountiful and colorful underwater fauna and flora is the closest you can get to an# underwater paradise. These qualities together with the hospitality offered by the resorts and the Maldivian people have made it one of the most desired tourist destinations of the world
Maldives is the flattest country in the World with no natural land higher than 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) above sea level. It is 99% water. An archipelago of 26 major atolls constituted by 1190 coral islands stretching 820 KM North – South and 120 Kms East – West, out of which 202 are inhabited and 87 are exclusive resort islands.
For Ptolemy, the Greek geographer, the Maldives was a multitude of islands. Ancient Chinese navigators, referring to the maze of lagoons and reefs that require great care in navigation, knew it as the Three Thousand Weak Waters. Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler, found the islands to be "the flower of the Indies". For Ibn Batuta, who traveled extensively during the 14th century and actually lived on the islands, the Maldives was "one of the wonders of the world".
Beaches and top dive locations in the world where professional dive training is given to the beginners and beautiful reefs
It is believed that these unique coral atolls were formed about 65 to 200 million years ago from the crust of a deceased volcanic mountain range. The atoll#s (the word atoll was adapted to English from its Maldivian origin "atholhu") are formed from coral barrier reefs. The part of the reefs, which protrude from the sea form into islands, as, destroyed coral parts gather thus giving them the attribute of white sandy beaches. Having being protected by the reefs, the lagoons are calm and crystal-clear with abundant species of fish and coral. Out of the total of some 1,190 islands in the Maldives, about 200 are inhabited. The total land area of all these islands put together will amount to the size of a small city. The capital of the country is Male' situated within close proximity of the island that house the Male' International airport.
Its principal building blocks being coral, the Maldivian seas with its bountiful and colorful underwater fauna and flora is the closest you can get to an# underwater paradise. These qualities together with the hospitality offered by the resorts and the Maldivian people have made it one of the most desired tourist destinations of the world
Maldives is the flattest country in the World with no natural land higher than 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) above sea level. It is 99% water. An archipelago of 26 major atolls constituted by 1190 coral islands stretching 820 KM North – South and 120 Kms East – West, out of which 202 are inhabited and 87 are exclusive resort islands.
For Ptolemy, the Greek geographer, the Maldives was a multitude of islands. Ancient Chinese navigators, referring to the maze of lagoons and reefs that require great care in navigation, knew it as the Three Thousand Weak Waters. Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler, found the islands to be "the flower of the Indies". For Ibn Batuta, who traveled extensively during the 14th century and actually lived on the islands, the Maldives was "one of the wonders of the world".
Beaches and top dive locations in the world where professional dive training is given to the beginners and beautiful reefs
Christmas Island
Christmas Island is an Australian-owned territory, yet it lies closer to the Indonesian island of Java. The remote oceanic island is rich with wildlife. It is home to more species of crabs than any other island, including enormous robber crabs, and is one of the most important sea-bird breeding colonies in the world.
Christmas Island is internationally famous for the spectacular annual migration of sixty million red land crabs, from the forest to the ocean to mate and spawn. These red crabs are currently facing an insidious biological invasion of the very worst kind. Super-colonies of yellow crazy ants, originating from Africa, are multiplying at an enormous rate, already wiping out an estimated fifteen million red crabs.
Structured around the crabs' annual November migration, this film documents the dramatic discovery by scientists and island rangers of the crazy ant catastrophe.
As the red crabs make their epic journey from the rain forest on the top plateau of the island, down through areas of human settlement, across roads where they dodge huge phosphate carrying trucks, the film will introduce the audience to the surreal situations which occur when humans share an island with millions of crabs.
It also introduces characters who have been studying the red crabs of Christmas Island for decades and who are devastated by the crab carnage created by the yellow crazy ants.
It's difficult to predict how far crazy ants will spread across the island. The future looks bleak but red crabs are resilient and only time will tell.
Christmas Island is internationally famous for the spectacular annual migration of sixty million red land crabs, from the forest to the ocean to mate and spawn. These red crabs are currently facing an insidious biological invasion of the very worst kind. Super-colonies of yellow crazy ants, originating from Africa, are multiplying at an enormous rate, already wiping out an estimated fifteen million red crabs.
Structured around the crabs' annual November migration, this film documents the dramatic discovery by scientists and island rangers of the crazy ant catastrophe.
As the red crabs make their epic journey from the rain forest on the top plateau of the island, down through areas of human settlement, across roads where they dodge huge phosphate carrying trucks, the film will introduce the audience to the surreal situations which occur when humans share an island with millions of crabs.
It also introduces characters who have been studying the red crabs of Christmas Island for decades and who are devastated by the crab carnage created by the yellow crazy ants.
It's difficult to predict how far crazy ants will spread across the island. The future looks bleak but red crabs are resilient and only time will tell.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Hawaii
Hawaii - the Aloha State - welcomes and seduces visitors with its plumeria-scented sea breezes and tropical warmth. This is where East merges with West in a blur of hula and hip-hop, soap operas and creation myths, junk food and Japanese tea ceremonies, Shinto shrines and surf clubs.
Mark Twain declared Hawaii to be 'the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean', and not even 50 years of mass tourism have managed to prove him wrong. Whether your thing is volcano spotting, surfing or hanging loose on the beach, this is the place to indulge yourself.
Although Hawaii's busiest tourist season is during winter (December to February), this has more to do with the weather elsewhere, since many visitors are snowbirds escaping cold winters back home. Average temperatures differ very little from winter to summer. June through October is the hottest period, while rainfall is heaviest between December and March - neither extreme is worth worrying over. Hotel prices are lowest during the spring (April to mid-May) and autumn (October to mid-November).
Big holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter mean accommodation is tight and prices a bit higher. In terms of cost, visiting between mid-April and mid-November can be a bargain because some hotel prices drop in the off-season. Hotels and resorts catering to summertime vacationing families do not lower their rates significantly.
If you're a board surfer, you'll find the biggest waves in winter, whereas if you're a windsurfer, you'll find the best wind conditions in summer. Football freaks will want to plan holidays around the Hula and Pro Bowls, while cowboys might plan an adventure around big rodeos. Alternatively, you might want to avoid big-time events. For example, unless you've scored tickets to the Merrie Monarch Festival, visit Hilo another time.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/usa/hawaii/
Mark Twain declared Hawaii to be 'the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean', and not even 50 years of mass tourism have managed to prove him wrong. Whether your thing is volcano spotting, surfing or hanging loose on the beach, this is the place to indulge yourself.
Although Hawaii's busiest tourist season is during winter (December to February), this has more to do with the weather elsewhere, since many visitors are snowbirds escaping cold winters back home. Average temperatures differ very little from winter to summer. June through October is the hottest period, while rainfall is heaviest between December and March - neither extreme is worth worrying over. Hotel prices are lowest during the spring (April to mid-May) and autumn (October to mid-November).
Big holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter mean accommodation is tight and prices a bit higher. In terms of cost, visiting between mid-April and mid-November can be a bargain because some hotel prices drop in the off-season. Hotels and resorts catering to summertime vacationing families do not lower their rates significantly.
If you're a board surfer, you'll find the biggest waves in winter, whereas if you're a windsurfer, you'll find the best wind conditions in summer. Football freaks will want to plan holidays around the Hula and Pro Bowls, while cowboys might plan an adventure around big rodeos. Alternatively, you might want to avoid big-time events. For example, unless you've scored tickets to the Merrie Monarch Festival, visit Hilo another time.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/usa/hawaii/
Borobudur
Borobudur, the temple on the hill is a complete initation to Buddhist art, religion and customs. It conveys the visitor to the heart of the life of Buddha with strong iconographical details.
Located at 42 kms west of Yogyakarta, on the island of Java in Indonesia, Borobudur - one of the most magnificent Buddhist shrines in the world - was built at the end of the 9th century by the Hindu kings of the Sailendra dynasty.
The plan for this stupa is a schematized representation of the cosmos, a mandala. After visiting its lower terraces decorated with bas-reliefs, pilgrims attain the shrine's crowning stupa, which symbolizes the Absolute.
Following in the footsteps of various discoverers, let us visit this unique and magnificent monument, which has since been restored by the Indonesian government and UNESCO.
Located at 42 kms west of Yogyakarta, on the island of Java in Indonesia, Borobudur - one of the most magnificent Buddhist shrines in the world - was built at the end of the 9th century by the Hindu kings of the Sailendra dynasty.
The plan for this stupa is a schematized representation of the cosmos, a mandala. After visiting its lower terraces decorated with bas-reliefs, pilgrims attain the shrine's crowning stupa, which symbolizes the Absolute.
Following in the footsteps of various discoverers, let us visit this unique and magnificent monument, which has since been restored by the Indonesian government and UNESCO.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Borneo
Here, one is most likely to be greeted by intense rainfall, particularly during the Northeast Monsoon (October to March), although the Southwest Monsoon (April to August) also brings plenty of rain. In addition to daytime temperatures of 30-32 °C, humidity is constantly high. Only in the higher reaches of the centre of the island do things get noticeably cooler.
Although Borneo conjures images of dense rainforests stretching as far as the eye can see, the landscape offers a mosaic of varied habitats. Mangroves, peat swamp and freshwater swamp forests, lowland dipterocarp forests, ironwood forests and hill dipterocarp forests are all found in Borneo. The island is also home to the largest heath forests in South East Asia.
Cracking open Borneo's biodiversity vault
Although Borneo has a long history of research and exploration, the most recent findings suggest that there are still literally thousands of species of plants and animals left to discover.
The most likely area to offer new discoveries is the Heart of Borneo – the relatively inaccessible inner region that harbours some of the most pristine forest left on the island.
The forests' caretakers
The Heart of Borneo is mostly inhabited by the Dayak, a term which is generally agreed to mean "interior" or "upriver" person, and refers to the variety of indigenous peoples living in the area, each of which has a specific language and culture.
Although Borneo conjures images of dense rainforests stretching as far as the eye can see, the landscape offers a mosaic of varied habitats. Mangroves, peat swamp and freshwater swamp forests, lowland dipterocarp forests, ironwood forests and hill dipterocarp forests are all found in Borneo. The island is also home to the largest heath forests in South East Asia.
Cracking open Borneo's biodiversity vault
Although Borneo has a long history of research and exploration, the most recent findings suggest that there are still literally thousands of species of plants and animals left to discover.
The most likely area to offer new discoveries is the Heart of Borneo – the relatively inaccessible inner region that harbours some of the most pristine forest left on the island.
The forests' caretakers
The Heart of Borneo is mostly inhabited by the Dayak, a term which is generally agreed to mean "interior" or "upriver" person, and refers to the variety of indigenous peoples living in the area, each of which has a specific language and culture.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Genting - Malaysia
2,000 meters above sea level, Genting Highlands, a magnificent city on the hilltop, is but a mere 50km from Kuala Lumpur. It offers a cool respite from the hustle and bustle of the city capital. Crisp invigorating mountain air complemented by majestic scenery spreads out before your eyes. Lush green tropical rainforest shrouded in a veil of perpetual mist makes it hard to believe that you are just minutes away from the sweltering equatorial heat and the ever dusty city. Here, consistent temperatures between 16 and 23 degrees provide natural air conditioning.
Genting Highlands Resort offers the bountiful harvest of nature together with a staggering potpourri of international standard facilities. Besides the cool air and scenic surroundings, this hilltop city also houses the country's one and only casino. However, one should not underestimate its value as this casino has been featured in many films produced by Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even Hollywood. Besides the casino, this hilltop resort also has a theme park of its own and an entertainment center.
Moscow - Rusia
Moscow is the barometer and nucleus of the changes sweeping through Russia. Nowhere are Russia's contrasts more apparent than here - ancient monasteries and ultra-modern monoliths stand side by side, and 'New Russian' millionaires and poverty-stricken pensioners walk the same streets.
Moscovites now prefer international name brands to monolithic department stores, and the beautiful churches vandalised or abandoned during the Soviet era of hardline atheism are being lovingly restored. But the real flavour of this city is in its nooks and crannies, each of them unique.
When to go
Moscow's climate really consists of two seasons: winter and summer. Russian winter, if you're prepared, can be adventurous: furs and vodka keep people warm, and snow-covered landscapes are picturesque. A solid snow pack covers the ground from November to March. The lowest recorded temperature is -42°C (-43°F), although it's normally more like -10°C (14°F) for weeks on end. Occasional southerly winds can raise the temperature briefly to a balmy 0°C (32°F). Days are very short.
During the spring thaw - in late March and early April - everything turns to mud and slush. Summer comes fast in May and temperatures are comfortable until well into September. The highest recorded temperature is 39°C (102°F), although on a humid August day you'll swear it's hotter than that. July and August are the warmest months and the main holiday season. Train tickets and accommodation can be difficult to come by during these months, and attractions around Moscow tend to be overrun with visitors. They are also the dampest months in Moscow, with as many as one rainy day in three. Rain showers are brief but thunderstorms can be violent. For these reasons, early summer, with its long days, and early autumn, with its colourful foliage, are many people's favourite seasons.
A Top Day in Moscow
The best days in Moscow start off at Coffee Bean with the Moscow Times . After a leisurely latte, I hop on the metro: I'm off to do some shopping amid the sounds and scents of Dorogomilovsky Market. I buy some fresh fruit and hot pirozhki (pastries) and stash them in my backpack. From Kiev Station, I ride the riverboat along the Moscow River, past the golden domes of Novodevichy Convent and the Stalinist skyscraper at Sparrow Hills, getting off at Gorky Park. Here, among babushkas pushing strollers and lovers kissing on park benches, I find a quiet corner to enjoy my picnic. After lunch, I spend a few hours exploring the art galleries and trolling for treasures in the Central House of Artists. Afterwards, I don't miss the opportunity to stroll around the Sculpture Park, where Lenin and Stalin and Sverdlov have been laid to rest among flower-filled gardens and other whimsical statues. As the sun sets, I walk across Krymsky val and up ulitsa Ostozhenka. For dinner, I have my heart set on the rich, spicy flavours of Georgian food, and that means Tiflis. I sit out on the restaurant's terrace, sipping wine from the house vineyard, and drink a toast to a delightful day in Moscow.
Author: Mara Vorhees
Moscovites now prefer international name brands to monolithic department stores, and the beautiful churches vandalised or abandoned during the Soviet era of hardline atheism are being lovingly restored. But the real flavour of this city is in its nooks and crannies, each of them unique.
When to go
Moscow's climate really consists of two seasons: winter and summer. Russian winter, if you're prepared, can be adventurous: furs and vodka keep people warm, and snow-covered landscapes are picturesque. A solid snow pack covers the ground from November to March. The lowest recorded temperature is -42°C (-43°F), although it's normally more like -10°C (14°F) for weeks on end. Occasional southerly winds can raise the temperature briefly to a balmy 0°C (32°F). Days are very short.
During the spring thaw - in late March and early April - everything turns to mud and slush. Summer comes fast in May and temperatures are comfortable until well into September. The highest recorded temperature is 39°C (102°F), although on a humid August day you'll swear it's hotter than that. July and August are the warmest months and the main holiday season. Train tickets and accommodation can be difficult to come by during these months, and attractions around Moscow tend to be overrun with visitors. They are also the dampest months in Moscow, with as many as one rainy day in three. Rain showers are brief but thunderstorms can be violent. For these reasons, early summer, with its long days, and early autumn, with its colourful foliage, are many people's favourite seasons.
A Top Day in Moscow
The best days in Moscow start off at Coffee Bean with the Moscow Times . After a leisurely latte, I hop on the metro: I'm off to do some shopping amid the sounds and scents of Dorogomilovsky Market. I buy some fresh fruit and hot pirozhki (pastries) and stash them in my backpack. From Kiev Station, I ride the riverboat along the Moscow River, past the golden domes of Novodevichy Convent and the Stalinist skyscraper at Sparrow Hills, getting off at Gorky Park. Here, among babushkas pushing strollers and lovers kissing on park benches, I find a quiet corner to enjoy my picnic. After lunch, I spend a few hours exploring the art galleries and trolling for treasures in the Central House of Artists. Afterwards, I don't miss the opportunity to stroll around the Sculpture Park, where Lenin and Stalin and Sverdlov have been laid to rest among flower-filled gardens and other whimsical statues. As the sun sets, I walk across Krymsky val and up ulitsa Ostozhenka. For dinner, I have my heart set on the rich, spicy flavours of Georgian food, and that means Tiflis. I sit out on the restaurant's terrace, sipping wine from the house vineyard, and drink a toast to a delightful day in Moscow.
Author: Mara Vorhees
Osaka - Japan
Situated on the Honshu Island in the region known as Kansai, Osaka lies on mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay a inlet off the Pacific Ocean. Osaka has been a leading commercial and industrialized centre with a huge amount of interesting and exciting attractions, sights and activities for the visitor.
Surrounded by the historical Japanese cities of Kyoto to the east and Kobe to the west, Osaka has a history which dates back over 1400 years. The whole area is home to over 17 million people while the Osaka area is home to just over 2.6 million. This makes Osaka the third largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama to the north and the second largest metropolitan region if you include Kyoto and Kobe.
Kita is home to the retail district of Umeda while Minami is home to the entertainment districts around Dotonbori Bridge, the Amerika-Mura American village and the Shinaibashi shopping strip. The business district with banks, courts and most of the offices are located in Youdoyabashi and Honmachi which are really in between the two sections. The city has 24 wards one more than Tokyo, these are like councils, shires or counties.
Today this modern city with its rich historical past has a unique and distinct style with its own traditional arts, cuisine and entertainment. This is a city that knows how to enjoy itself.
Osaka is fairly easy to get around, the public transport system, like much of Japan is best in class. There is a very good train network, which includes a great subway network which is the second biggest in Japan that gets visitors to most places of interest around the city and the JR Osaka Loop line that circles the city. The Midosuji Subway Line is the main artery which links Shin Osaka, Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba and Tennoji. Most of the stations have huge shopping complexes built on top or around them.
The cities of Kyoto, Kobe and Nara are all less than an hour away by bullet train and are all worthy a visit even for a day while visiting Osaka
www.happyjappy.com
Surrounded by the historical Japanese cities of Kyoto to the east and Kobe to the west, Osaka has a history which dates back over 1400 years. The whole area is home to over 17 million people while the Osaka area is home to just over 2.6 million. This makes Osaka the third largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama to the north and the second largest metropolitan region if you include Kyoto and Kobe.
Kita is home to the retail district of Umeda while Minami is home to the entertainment districts around Dotonbori Bridge, the Amerika-Mura American village and the Shinaibashi shopping strip. The business district with banks, courts and most of the offices are located in Youdoyabashi and Honmachi which are really in between the two sections. The city has 24 wards one more than Tokyo, these are like councils, shires or counties.
Today this modern city with its rich historical past has a unique and distinct style with its own traditional arts, cuisine and entertainment. This is a city that knows how to enjoy itself.
Osaka is fairly easy to get around, the public transport system, like much of Japan is best in class. There is a very good train network, which includes a great subway network which is the second biggest in Japan that gets visitors to most places of interest around the city and the JR Osaka Loop line that circles the city. The Midosuji Subway Line is the main artery which links Shin Osaka, Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba and Tennoji. Most of the stations have huge shopping complexes built on top or around them.
The cities of Kyoto, Kobe and Nara are all less than an hour away by bullet train and are all worthy a visit even for a day while visiting Osaka
www.happyjappy.com
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Komodo Dragons
Komodo dragons are the world's largest lizards. They live on the islands of Komodo, Rinca and other tiny surrounding islands, and on the westernmost part of Flores Island in Indonesia. Komodo is west of Flores, east of Sumbawa, and north of Sumba.
If you are an ordinary person, you can only reach Komodo by boat. If you are a wealthy celebrity, you might be able to get permission to fly there in a helicopter and use the helicopter pad that was constructed especially for President Suharto.
Komodo and Rinca are odd islands. They are dry, hot, and relatively barren compared to the lush and jungly islands to the east and west of them in the Nusa Tenggara island chain. As you approach from a distance, you see Komodo as a low, hilly island.
As you get closer, you can see the barren, rocky terrain of Komodo.
These islands are composed of a silica-rich rock called rhyolite porphyry. The rhyolite contains large, perfect doubly terminated quartz crystals (lacking the prism faces), some of which are up to a centimeter long. The rhyolite is also rich in magnetite, which weathers out of the rock to form magnetite-rich sand on some of the beaches. In places, silica-rich groundwater has replaced the bedrock with chert. On Rinca, one can see fragments of worked chert lying around near the outcrops. These rocks are geologically distinct from the rocks found on islands to the east and west, which are more mafic in character.
If you want to see the big Komodo dragons, you should get to the park early, before 6:00 a.m. when the first tour starts. Even this early, the island is hot. You should dress lightly, and bring a lot of water. Before the tour starts, you can visit the little museum they have at park headquarters, where you can see an exhibit of the various rock types found on the island, and a display of all their poisonous snakes, of which there are a great many. You can also pet the many deer that hang out at park headquarters. The big dragons don't come into the park headquarters area, so the deer are safe there. You can also see a lot of the little Komodo dragons, the young ones, who must spend their first several years in trees to be safe from their elders, who would gladly eat them. Komodo dragons are cannibals who eat their own young, and even other adults when they can pull it off.
The tour is led by a couple of men from the park service. The men carry long, forked sticks, but say that their main protection from the dragons is the special rapport they have with them. They tell us that the dragon is called ora locally, and they talk about their habits and behaviors. They used to bring a goat with them to feed to the dragons on the river bank where the lizards gather, but this practice has been discontinued.
You soon pass the sign that warns, "Dangerous area - watch out. Komodo crossing. Be silent." The park service men tell us that silence is necessary not to avoid scaring the dragons, but to avoid attracting them. The dragons are large, ferocious predators that are fully capable of killing and eating a human being. The men recount several tales of dragons eating people. The most famous story is that of the German tourist who went to the beach alone to sunbathe. All that was found of him were his glasses and his camera.
As we were walking along the path, a large dragon came along. The park men had us stand in a single row along the edge of the path and told us to stay still and quiet. We did this, and the dragon swung by us, eyeing us and flicking his tongue. After he had passed, we went on our way.
The hike is fairly long and very hot. The destination is a river bank by a dry creek bed where the dragons like to gather to sun themselves in the morning. The park has constructed a fenced-in area for tourists to stand in while observing the dragons. This is like a zoo in reverse. The people are in the cage and the animals are on the outside.
If you get there early enough, you will see lots of big dragons. They move about languidly, slowly, ambling around in a clumsy, shambling manner on their pillar-like legs.
It's hard to believe, watching them, that they are capable of running as fast as a dog.The park service guys stay outside with the lizards, holding their big forked sticks and keeping an eye on everyone.
Like other reptiles, the Komodo dragons detect chemical signals such as odor and taste with their long, forked tongues. The one below is checking out the delicious tourists on the other side of the fence.
The giant lizards have powerful claws which they use to devastating effect in fights with other lizards. Males have scratching fights with each other during mating season.
Once the sun gets high, the Komodo dragons head down the river bank to the dry stream bed below, to the left on the picture below. The dragons dig deep burrows where they get cool, and where they lay their eggs.
Komodo dragons drool copiously. Their saliva is not venomous, but the mouth of a Komodo dragon is so full of bacteria that a bite from one almost always leads to infection. If untreated, the infection is usually fatal. This is one way in which the dragons get food. They hide in the scraggly jungle and wait for a victim to pass by. The victim is most often a deer, carabao or goat. The dragon attacks the prey, and may succeed in killing it on the spot. Otherwise, the bites sustained by the victim will generally kill it eventually, and the dragons will then eat the carrion.
Komodo dragons are the largest kind of lizard still living on Earth, but they are not the largest reptile. Alligators and crocodiles get bigger than Komodo dragons. Alligators and crocodiles are also more closely related to dinosaurs than are Komodo dragons.
Komodo dragons are excellent swimmers, and can swim from one island to another. The island of Komodo has many beautiful beaches where a visitor can play and swim, but the presence of Komodo dragon foot- and tail-prints in the sand warns the visitor to be cautious and watchful.
Some of Komodo's beaches have beautiful pink sand, tinted by fragments of red coral mixed in with other shell and coral fragments. Other beaches have gray sand derived from cliffs of rhyolite. Heavy black sand composed of nearly pure magnetite accumulates next to the cliffs.
The snorkeling and diving around Komodo are some of the best in the world, especially for seeing soft corals. A professional diver told us, "You know, when you're a diver, you spend your life dreaming of and searching for the best dive site in the world. Well, Komodo is it."
by Brenna Lorenz
If you are an ordinary person, you can only reach Komodo by boat. If you are a wealthy celebrity, you might be able to get permission to fly there in a helicopter and use the helicopter pad that was constructed especially for President Suharto.
Komodo and Rinca are odd islands. They are dry, hot, and relatively barren compared to the lush and jungly islands to the east and west of them in the Nusa Tenggara island chain. As you approach from a distance, you see Komodo as a low, hilly island.
As you get closer, you can see the barren, rocky terrain of Komodo.
These islands are composed of a silica-rich rock called rhyolite porphyry. The rhyolite contains large, perfect doubly terminated quartz crystals (lacking the prism faces), some of which are up to a centimeter long. The rhyolite is also rich in magnetite, which weathers out of the rock to form magnetite-rich sand on some of the beaches. In places, silica-rich groundwater has replaced the bedrock with chert. On Rinca, one can see fragments of worked chert lying around near the outcrops. These rocks are geologically distinct from the rocks found on islands to the east and west, which are more mafic in character.
If you want to see the big Komodo dragons, you should get to the park early, before 6:00 a.m. when the first tour starts. Even this early, the island is hot. You should dress lightly, and bring a lot of water. Before the tour starts, you can visit the little museum they have at park headquarters, where you can see an exhibit of the various rock types found on the island, and a display of all their poisonous snakes, of which there are a great many. You can also pet the many deer that hang out at park headquarters. The big dragons don't come into the park headquarters area, so the deer are safe there. You can also see a lot of the little Komodo dragons, the young ones, who must spend their first several years in trees to be safe from their elders, who would gladly eat them. Komodo dragons are cannibals who eat their own young, and even other adults when they can pull it off.
The tour is led by a couple of men from the park service. The men carry long, forked sticks, but say that their main protection from the dragons is the special rapport they have with them. They tell us that the dragon is called ora locally, and they talk about their habits and behaviors. They used to bring a goat with them to feed to the dragons on the river bank where the lizards gather, but this practice has been discontinued.
You soon pass the sign that warns, "Dangerous area - watch out. Komodo crossing. Be silent." The park service men tell us that silence is necessary not to avoid scaring the dragons, but to avoid attracting them. The dragons are large, ferocious predators that are fully capable of killing and eating a human being. The men recount several tales of dragons eating people. The most famous story is that of the German tourist who went to the beach alone to sunbathe. All that was found of him were his glasses and his camera.
As we were walking along the path, a large dragon came along. The park men had us stand in a single row along the edge of the path and told us to stay still and quiet. We did this, and the dragon swung by us, eyeing us and flicking his tongue. After he had passed, we went on our way.
The hike is fairly long and very hot. The destination is a river bank by a dry creek bed where the dragons like to gather to sun themselves in the morning. The park has constructed a fenced-in area for tourists to stand in while observing the dragons. This is like a zoo in reverse. The people are in the cage and the animals are on the outside.
If you get there early enough, you will see lots of big dragons. They move about languidly, slowly, ambling around in a clumsy, shambling manner on their pillar-like legs.
It's hard to believe, watching them, that they are capable of running as fast as a dog.The park service guys stay outside with the lizards, holding their big forked sticks and keeping an eye on everyone.
Like other reptiles, the Komodo dragons detect chemical signals such as odor and taste with their long, forked tongues. The one below is checking out the delicious tourists on the other side of the fence.
The giant lizards have powerful claws which they use to devastating effect in fights with other lizards. Males have scratching fights with each other during mating season.
Once the sun gets high, the Komodo dragons head down the river bank to the dry stream bed below, to the left on the picture below. The dragons dig deep burrows where they get cool, and where they lay their eggs.
Komodo dragons drool copiously. Their saliva is not venomous, but the mouth of a Komodo dragon is so full of bacteria that a bite from one almost always leads to infection. If untreated, the infection is usually fatal. This is one way in which the dragons get food. They hide in the scraggly jungle and wait for a victim to pass by. The victim is most often a deer, carabao or goat. The dragon attacks the prey, and may succeed in killing it on the spot. Otherwise, the bites sustained by the victim will generally kill it eventually, and the dragons will then eat the carrion.
Komodo dragons are the largest kind of lizard still living on Earth, but they are not the largest reptile. Alligators and crocodiles get bigger than Komodo dragons. Alligators and crocodiles are also more closely related to dinosaurs than are Komodo dragons.
Komodo dragons are excellent swimmers, and can swim from one island to another. The island of Komodo has many beautiful beaches where a visitor can play and swim, but the presence of Komodo dragon foot- and tail-prints in the sand warns the visitor to be cautious and watchful.
Some of Komodo's beaches have beautiful pink sand, tinted by fragments of red coral mixed in with other shell and coral fragments. Other beaches have gray sand derived from cliffs of rhyolite. Heavy black sand composed of nearly pure magnetite accumulates next to the cliffs.
The snorkeling and diving around Komodo are some of the best in the world, especially for seeing soft corals. A professional diver told us, "You know, when you're a diver, you spend your life dreaming of and searching for the best dive site in the world. Well, Komodo is it."
by Brenna Lorenz
Friday, January 25, 2008
Mount Bromo - East Java (Indonesia)
Mountainous areas of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park was stated firstly as a national park based on a letter of Statement of The Agrarian Minister on the date of October 14 th 1982 on area of 58,000 ha.
After having applied a limitation order of the budgetary year of 1983 / 1984 until the budgetary year of 1995 / 1996 on the area, there issued the letter of designation for it as Taman National Bromo Tengger Semeru ( Bromo Tengger Semeru Park ) based on a letter of decision of the Agrarian Minister Number : 278 / KptsVI / 1997 on May 23 rd 1997 that included an area of 50,276.20 ha.
Potentials of is ecosystem or natural resources that ground the designation of the area as a national park area :
1. Natural phenomena caused uniquely by or as volcanic activities of Mt.Tengger
have become 5 (five) mountains :
Mt. Bromo ( 2,392 m high asl.(above sea level ),
Mt. Batok (2,40 m asl. )
Mt. Widodaren ( 2,614 m asl. )
Mt. Watangan ( 2,601 m asl. ) and
Mt. Kursi ( 2,581 m asl ),
and a wide Laut Pasir ( Sand Sea ) caused by its eruption.
Besides Mount Semeru is the highest mountain in Java Island and it is now still an active volcano.
2. A scarce endemic flora of family Orchidaceeae has 40 scarceorchid types, 15 of which are endemic in East Java, and 3 of them are typical South Semeru, those are Malaxis purprreonervosa, Meleola wetteana, and Liparis rhodocila. Besides there are also Corybas fornicatus ( red pearl orchid ) and Mavodes petola which are protected by Laws.
3. Hydrological Potential as water resouce area for several important river bank areas ( DAS )
in East Java for example DAS Brantas.
This hydrological potential is very famous as life support system.
In strengthening treatment of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park area intensively, its treatment has been started sic\nce 1984/1985 by Natural Resources Conservation IV through development of Suaka Alam and forest of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park project until 1992/1993.
Then in 1992 Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is legal as Technical Operator Unit (UPT) of Direktorat Jenderal Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelestarian Alam based on descision letter of Forest Minister No. 1049/Kpts-II/1992 date November 12, 1992
in 1997 through decision letter of Forest Minister No.185/Kpts-II/1997 date March 31, 1997 Bromo Tengger Semeru organization structure changed as Balai Taman Bromo Tengger Semeru.
The main duty Balai Taman Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is doing the treament of National Park (Bromo Tengger Semeru) area for plant natural resource conservation and its ecosystem based on the related role.
Source: http://www.eastjava.com/
After having applied a limitation order of the budgetary year of 1983 / 1984 until the budgetary year of 1995 / 1996 on the area, there issued the letter of designation for it as Taman National Bromo Tengger Semeru ( Bromo Tengger Semeru Park ) based on a letter of decision of the Agrarian Minister Number : 278 / KptsVI / 1997 on May 23 rd 1997 that included an area of 50,276.20 ha.
Potentials of is ecosystem or natural resources that ground the designation of the area as a national park area :
1. Natural phenomena caused uniquely by or as volcanic activities of Mt.Tengger
have become 5 (five) mountains :
Mt. Bromo ( 2,392 m high asl.(above sea level ),
Mt. Batok (2,40 m asl. )
Mt. Widodaren ( 2,614 m asl. )
Mt. Watangan ( 2,601 m asl. ) and
Mt. Kursi ( 2,581 m asl ),
and a wide Laut Pasir ( Sand Sea ) caused by its eruption.
Besides Mount Semeru is the highest mountain in Java Island and it is now still an active volcano.
2. A scarce endemic flora of family Orchidaceeae has 40 scarceorchid types, 15 of which are endemic in East Java, and 3 of them are typical South Semeru, those are Malaxis purprreonervosa, Meleola wetteana, and Liparis rhodocila. Besides there are also Corybas fornicatus ( red pearl orchid ) and Mavodes petola which are protected by Laws.
3. Hydrological Potential as water resouce area for several important river bank areas ( DAS )
in East Java for example DAS Brantas.
This hydrological potential is very famous as life support system.
In strengthening treatment of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park area intensively, its treatment has been started sic\nce 1984/1985 by Natural Resources Conservation IV through development of Suaka Alam and forest of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park project until 1992/1993.
Then in 1992 Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is legal as Technical Operator Unit (UPT) of Direktorat Jenderal Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelestarian Alam based on descision letter of Forest Minister No. 1049/Kpts-II/1992 date November 12, 1992
in 1997 through decision letter of Forest Minister No.185/Kpts-II/1997 date March 31, 1997 Bromo Tengger Semeru organization structure changed as Balai Taman Bromo Tengger Semeru.
The main duty Balai Taman Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is doing the treament of National Park (Bromo Tengger Semeru) area for plant natural resource conservation and its ecosystem based on the related role.
Source: http://www.eastjava.com/
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Jeju - Korea
Situated in a most ideal setting, just 64 kilometers south of the Korean Peninsula is Korea’s largest island, Jeju. Jeju is a magical place known for 3 things: roaring winds, magnificent rocks, and women, since there is a bigger population of women versus men. As one of the host cities of the 2002 Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup, Jeju’s Seogwipo City made the most charming places to host it.
Jeju is a focal point of international affairs and is able to offer people many kinds of recreational activities with breathtaking vistas, a temperate climate and a unique traditional culture. Located in the center of this volcanic island is Mt. Hallasan (a dormant volcano), which is filled with over 1,800 species of vegetation, scores of deer, and an ecosystem that will surely amaze all.
Jeju offers unbelievably breathtaking views from coast to coast, ranging from the waterfalls at Hae-anjidae to the naturally sculpted cliffs at Jusang Jeolli. Tourists can enjoy each season in Jeju with a particular splash of color; brilliant yellow-colored flowers in the spring that spread across the landscape, the golden beaches and sea vistas in the summertime, the Eulalia’s light brown wispy reeds flowing in the autumn winds, and the lovely snow flowers of Hallasan in winter are all must-sees of Jeju.
One can enjoy these wonders of the world by hiking, bike riding, paragliding, scuba diving, windsurfing, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, and going on boat trips. Jeju also has a wide variety of native foods such as the delicious Jeju tangerines and native dishes including redtile fish stew, grilled and seasoned redtile fish, rice porridge with abalone, pheasant dishes and hair-tail fish soup.
Jeju is more than simply a tourist destination; it is an island full of wonder. Making the most of its charm and beauty to attract considerable numbers of tourists and with its geo-political location, Jeju is in the process of changing into an International Free City. Jeju promises to be an island that rides the wave of technology while still keeping true to its ecological treasures.
tour2korea.com
Jeju is a focal point of international affairs and is able to offer people many kinds of recreational activities with breathtaking vistas, a temperate climate and a unique traditional culture. Located in the center of this volcanic island is Mt. Hallasan (a dormant volcano), which is filled with over 1,800 species of vegetation, scores of deer, and an ecosystem that will surely amaze all.
Jeju offers unbelievably breathtaking views from coast to coast, ranging from the waterfalls at Hae-anjidae to the naturally sculpted cliffs at Jusang Jeolli. Tourists can enjoy each season in Jeju with a particular splash of color; brilliant yellow-colored flowers in the spring that spread across the landscape, the golden beaches and sea vistas in the summertime, the Eulalia’s light brown wispy reeds flowing in the autumn winds, and the lovely snow flowers of Hallasan in winter are all must-sees of Jeju.
One can enjoy these wonders of the world by hiking, bike riding, paragliding, scuba diving, windsurfing, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, and going on boat trips. Jeju also has a wide variety of native foods such as the delicious Jeju tangerines and native dishes including redtile fish stew, grilled and seasoned redtile fish, rice porridge with abalone, pheasant dishes and hair-tail fish soup.
Jeju is more than simply a tourist destination; it is an island full of wonder. Making the most of its charm and beauty to attract considerable numbers of tourists and with its geo-political location, Jeju is in the process of changing into an International Free City. Jeju promises to be an island that rides the wave of technology while still keeping true to its ecological treasures.
tour2korea.com
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Mount Agung - Bali
Mount Agung or Gunung Agung is a mountain in Bali. This stratovolcano is the highest point on the island. It dominates the surrounding area influencing the climate. The clouds come from the west and Agung takes their water so that the west is lush and green and the east dry and barren.
Gunung Agung last erupted in 1963-64 and is still active, with a large and very deep crater which occasionally belches smoke and ash. From a distance, the mountain appears to be perfectly conical, despite the existence of the large crater.
From the peak of the mountain, it is possible to see the peak of Gunung Rinjani on the island of Lombok, although both mountains are frequently covered in cloud.
The lava flows missed, sometimes by mere yards, the Mother Temple of Besakih. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected. However, over 1,000 people were killed and a number of villages were destroyed in this eruption
Climbing the Mountain
There are two routes up the mountain, one from Besakih which proceeds to a higher peak and starts at approximately 1100metres and another which commences higher from Pura Pasar Agung, on the southern slope of the mountain, near Selat and which is reputed to take 4 hours. There is no path between the two routes at the top. Cecilie Scott provides an account of the ascent from Pura Pasar Agung. The mountain can be seen from various directions in video, there is a well produced video of the climb from Pura Pasar Agung and a short video from the top above Besakih. Greg Slayden describes a climb from Besakih claimed to have taken a remarkable four and a half hours to the peak and Ken Taylor describes a climb that took much longer and which included getting lost.
Guides are available in Besakih and the mountain can also be climbed without a guide. The climb from Besakih is quite tough. It is sometimes tackled as a single climb generally starting about 10.00pm for a dawn arrival at the peak and sometimes with an overnight camp about three quarters of the way up. It is far harder than the more popular Balinese climb up Gunung Batur. It is not a mountain that needs ropes and not quite high enough for altitude sickness but adverse weather conditions develop quickly and warm waterproof clothing is required and should be carried. There is no water available along the route.
Proceed through the temple complex then continue on a path that travels continuously upwards on a steep narrow spur through open forest and jungle most of the way. There is little potential to get lost until the route opens up towards the top where the correct route doubles backwards. Many climbers miss this turn and continue up a small valley which can be climbed out of with some difficulty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali
Gunung Agung last erupted in 1963-64 and is still active, with a large and very deep crater which occasionally belches smoke and ash. From a distance, the mountain appears to be perfectly conical, despite the existence of the large crater.
From the peak of the mountain, it is possible to see the peak of Gunung Rinjani on the island of Lombok, although both mountains are frequently covered in cloud.
The lava flows missed, sometimes by mere yards, the Mother Temple of Besakih. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected. However, over 1,000 people were killed and a number of villages were destroyed in this eruption
Climbing the Mountain
There are two routes up the mountain, one from Besakih which proceeds to a higher peak and starts at approximately 1100metres and another which commences higher from Pura Pasar Agung, on the southern slope of the mountain, near Selat and which is reputed to take 4 hours. There is no path between the two routes at the top. Cecilie Scott provides an account of the ascent from Pura Pasar Agung. The mountain can be seen from various directions in video, there is a well produced video of the climb from Pura Pasar Agung and a short video from the top above Besakih. Greg Slayden describes a climb from Besakih claimed to have taken a remarkable four and a half hours to the peak and Ken Taylor describes a climb that took much longer and which included getting lost.
Guides are available in Besakih and the mountain can also be climbed without a guide. The climb from Besakih is quite tough. It is sometimes tackled as a single climb generally starting about 10.00pm for a dawn arrival at the peak and sometimes with an overnight camp about three quarters of the way up. It is far harder than the more popular Balinese climb up Gunung Batur. It is not a mountain that needs ropes and not quite high enough for altitude sickness but adverse weather conditions develop quickly and warm waterproof clothing is required and should be carried. There is no water available along the route.
Proceed through the temple complex then continue on a path that travels continuously upwards on a steep narrow spur through open forest and jungle most of the way. There is little potential to get lost until the route opens up towards the top where the correct route doubles backwards. Many climbers miss this turn and continue up a small valley which can be climbed out of with some difficulty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali
Bali
Bali's natural attractions include miles of sandy beaches (many are well-known amongst surfers), picturesque rice terraces, towering active volcanoes over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) high, fast flowing rivers, deep ravines, pristine crater lakes, sacred caves, and lush tropical forests full of exotic wildlife.
The island's rich cultural heritage is visible everywhere - in over 20,000 temples and palaces, in many colorful festivals and ceremonies (including tooth filings and cremations), in drama, music, and dance.
You can experience Bali on many different excursions and guided tours by coach, private car or "Big Bike", by boat or by air plane: seeing Bali's beaches and rice terraces, the famous Besakih Temple on the slopes of holy Mount Agung, Lake Batur and it's active volcano, Ubud, Legian, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and the temples of Tanah Lot and Ulu Watu from a helicopter is a really special experience. For helicopter tours and private charters (3 to 6 passengers) please contact the Balivillas.com Service Center at 703-060 as soon as you arrive.
Most full day tours by car (about 8 to 10 hours) cost about US$30 to US$40 per person, half day tours US$20 to US$25. These prices include a multi-lingual guide and transport in an air-conditioned private car, all entrance fees, but no meals. Which guide and driver you choose can make or break your day: be warned that those who offer very low prices tend to waste your time by showing you hardly any more than those shops which pay them a commission on your purchases
www.baliguide.com
The island's rich cultural heritage is visible everywhere - in over 20,000 temples and palaces, in many colorful festivals and ceremonies (including tooth filings and cremations), in drama, music, and dance.
You can experience Bali on many different excursions and guided tours by coach, private car or "Big Bike", by boat or by air plane: seeing Bali's beaches and rice terraces, the famous Besakih Temple on the slopes of holy Mount Agung, Lake Batur and it's active volcano, Ubud, Legian, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and the temples of Tanah Lot and Ulu Watu from a helicopter is a really special experience. For helicopter tours and private charters (3 to 6 passengers) please contact the Balivillas.com Service Center at 703-060 as soon as you arrive.
Most full day tours by car (about 8 to 10 hours) cost about US$30 to US$40 per person, half day tours US$20 to US$25. These prices include a multi-lingual guide and transport in an air-conditioned private car, all entrance fees, but no meals. Which guide and driver you choose can make or break your day: be warned that those who offer very low prices tend to waste your time by showing you hardly any more than those shops which pay them a commission on your purchases
www.baliguide.com
Lantau Island
This is Hong Kong's largest island, with some of the most popular attractions, like the Giant Buddha and the brand new Ngong Ping 360 with its fantastic view, as well as Hong Kong Disneyland. It also offers some of Hong Kong's best beaches, hiking trails and peaks to explore.
Enjoy grand views of the Ngong Ping plateau and surroundings by climbing the steps to the Giant Buddha. From near the bottom of the steps, take the path through the Lantau Tea Gardens to a restaurant. Just beyond this a magnificent view of Lantau Peak, which is the second highest peak on the island and offers exhilarating hikes, expansive views and a fantastic selection of flora.
Nearby is the start of the Lantau Trail Section 3, he leads you to the summit of the 934 metre peak. It's a rather steep and strenuous climb and could take over an hour, depending upon the heat. But on a clear day,it's well worth the effort! The views of the surrounding hills, mountains and the South China sea are breathtaking. You also get a fantastic view of Hong Kong's award-winning international airport below you.
Back at the start of Lantau Trail and to the right is the Wisdom Path, another new Hong Kong attraction. make a quick visit and then head to the hilltop for more fantastic views of the South China sea and the outlying islands, and west for another memorable view of the Giant Buddha.
Below Wisdom Path is Ngong Ping Tree Walk, featuring different types of trees. At the end go straight on and climb a short distance up to the 751 metre Nei Lak Shan to enjoy breathtaking views of the north coast of Lantau Island, with Tung Chung and the airport in the distance. Farther along the trail, which now curves around the hillside, you get views over Po Lin Monastery and the Giant Buddha. Follow the trail and there is a junction taking you to the upper station of the Ngong Ping Skytrail where you can follow paths back to the Giant Buddha and the Bus terminus.
By Hong Kong Tourism board
Enjoy grand views of the Ngong Ping plateau and surroundings by climbing the steps to the Giant Buddha. From near the bottom of the steps, take the path through the Lantau Tea Gardens to a restaurant. Just beyond this a magnificent view of Lantau Peak, which is the second highest peak on the island and offers exhilarating hikes, expansive views and a fantastic selection of flora.
Nearby is the start of the Lantau Trail Section 3, he leads you to the summit of the 934 metre peak. It's a rather steep and strenuous climb and could take over an hour, depending upon the heat. But on a clear day,it's well worth the effort! The views of the surrounding hills, mountains and the South China sea are breathtaking. You also get a fantastic view of Hong Kong's award-winning international airport below you.
Back at the start of Lantau Trail and to the right is the Wisdom Path, another new Hong Kong attraction. make a quick visit and then head to the hilltop for more fantastic views of the South China sea and the outlying islands, and west for another memorable view of the Giant Buddha.
Below Wisdom Path is Ngong Ping Tree Walk, featuring different types of trees. At the end go straight on and climb a short distance up to the 751 metre Nei Lak Shan to enjoy breathtaking views of the north coast of Lantau Island, with Tung Chung and the airport in the distance. Farther along the trail, which now curves around the hillside, you get views over Po Lin Monastery and the Giant Buddha. Follow the trail and there is a junction taking you to the upper station of the Ngong Ping Skytrail where you can follow paths back to the Giant Buddha and the Bus terminus.
By Hong Kong Tourism board
Monday, January 21, 2008
Hongkong Island
In Hong Kong island's bustling downtown districts, it can be difficult to see what you are in the middle of a very green and compact paradise. you truly are!
Most of the island is dedicated country parkland, boasting mountain hiking trails with unforgettable ocean vistas and harbour views.
Keen hikers can plan to traverse the island's grassy heights and wooded valleys on the Hong Kong trail. There are coastal villages and towns that still illustrate how much of Hong Kong's past belonged to fishing and farming families. Centuries-old temples and other relics also remind us that the island's inhabitants worked, prayed and prospered long before British colonists took control in the middle of the 19th century
Their island became a thriving imperial outposts, international entry port and financial centre. Reservoirs were created, roads sculpted, schools and mansions built. So was a great galaxy of country parks and public beaches that no other world-class city possesses. Take any of this section's trails to see and sense the happy contrasts of Hong Kong ancient and modern, Chinese and Western, traditional and futuristic.
Hong Kong tourism board
Most of the island is dedicated country parkland, boasting mountain hiking trails with unforgettable ocean vistas and harbour views.
Keen hikers can plan to traverse the island's grassy heights and wooded valleys on the Hong Kong trail. There are coastal villages and towns that still illustrate how much of Hong Kong's past belonged to fishing and farming families. Centuries-old temples and other relics also remind us that the island's inhabitants worked, prayed and prospered long before British colonists took control in the middle of the 19th century
Their island became a thriving imperial outposts, international entry port and financial centre. Reservoirs were created, roads sculpted, schools and mansions built. So was a great galaxy of country parks and public beaches that no other world-class city possesses. Take any of this section's trails to see and sense the happy contrasts of Hong Kong ancient and modern, Chinese and Western, traditional and futuristic.
Hong Kong tourism board
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Bunaken - Indonesia
From a distance you can see the mountain on the sea which called by the local with "Manado tua mountain" or old manado mountain.
It took 1,5 hr by speed boat from Manado shore , it's a good place for a diver with the coral and the beautiful fish and the water are so bright even you can see the below water....
If you want to spend a night or stay for a long period then you can stay in the beautiful villas in bunaken island and during a night you can find a fantastic experience that you will never forget.
Manado is the capitol of North Sulawesi province, it will takes around 3 hr flight from Jakarta, if you want your travel comfortable you can ask your travel agent to arrange the trip so you just sit and relax and enjoy the trip.
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