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Forbidden City
2008-06-09 04:03:00
Forbidden City (Zijin Cheng ? Purple Forbidden City or Gu Gong = old palace), Beijing, China forbidden city china Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang Gu Gong (old palace) Located in the middle of Beijing the capital of China; this ?once forbidden city? remains not just as a mere complex of several ...
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Banff National Park
2008-05-30 04:56:00
Banff National Park , Calgary Alberta Canada Moraine Lake, and the Valley of the Ten Peaks The oldest national park in Canada ? pronounced as baemf A change of role The ascent of Homo sapiens (human species) as a super power among animals did much damage to ecology, by 18th century there was a shift in his role he ...
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Yellowstone National Park
2008-05-25 04:15:00
Yellowstone National Park , Wyoming, US   Yellowstone National Park in Winter A natural museum of geographical features The Yellowstone is the first designated national park in the United States; established in March 1, 1872; it has an area of 8987 sq miles. This park is mainly located in Wyoming State with some of the ...
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Yosemite National Park
2008-05-16 04:09:00
Yosemite National Park , California US   yosemite National Park Lower Cathedral Lake Pronounced as ?yo ? SEM ? it ? ee? The Yosemite National Park is a 761266 acre wilderness reserve is thesecond national park in US after Yellowstone National Park. It is located in Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties in the State of California ...
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Some Wonderful Lakes of the World
2008-05-09 04:41:00
Some Wonderful Lakes of the World Each lake; a world of its own Lakes are not seas; they are enclosed water bodies of substantial size; they nurture the people around giving them almost all their day today needs like food, water, transportation recreation etc. they support a bio system around its peripheries to evolve independently and develop ...
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Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City USA
2008-05-05 05:11:00
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City USA   The Metropolitan Museum of Art And a museum was born After the end of the American Civil War there all around prosperity leading to increased interest in works of art. John Taylor Johnson an enthusiast in collection of artworks ?by profession he was a rail road executive- ...
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
2008-05-02 05:23:00
Carlsbad Caves (Carlsbad Cavern National Park ), New Mexico, US   Carlsbad Caverns Rail On the tour route No one knows how many caves are there in the world; but definitely there are many more to be discovered than what have been listed. There is something weird about caves; they are far more than mere emptiness; ...
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Teotihuacan
2008-04-27 17:09:00
Teotihuacan, the biggest prehistoric city; bigger than Rome!    Avenue of the Dead flanked by the Pyramid of the Sun in the background. Where men became gods It existed in a junction between BC and AD (between 500 BC and 700 AD) and influenced the entire Mesoamerican Civilization including the Maya City of Waka giving a new resurgence to ...
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Venice
2008-04-15 02:17:00
Venice (Commune de Venezia) Italy gondolas docked in Venice All waterlogged cities are not Venice The city of Venice is located at the northern part of Italy within the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. Venice is perhaps the city with most surnames; it is the Queen of the Adriatic, ?City of Water?, City of Lights?, ?City ...
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Pompeii
2008-04-09 03:58:00
Pompeii, the burned and ruined city of Rome The Forum seen from inside the basilica One more feather on Fontana?s cap River Sarno is a small steam flowing through Campania Region of Italy which is at present in news due to its extreme pollution levels (it contains 120,000 tons of filth!) used to inundate the ...

Palace of Versailles
2008-04-07 04:09:00
Palace of Versailles (Chateau de Versailles) Paris, France Palace and Park of Versailles Eiffel, Louver and Versailles The Palace of Versailles was a creation of Louis XIV; it is said that he had made for his amorous trysts. It is located at Versailles few km away from Paris and remains as one of the top ...
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Sistine Chapel
2008-04-03 04:50:00
Sistine Chapel (Chappella Sistina), Vatican Rome, Italy Exterior of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican, Rome A physical chapel of the Papal Chapel The Sistine Chapel located in the Vatican complex was made for Pope Sixtus IV and was mainly intended for the solemn functions of the Papal Conclave. This chapel happened to be the venue for one important event; election of new Pope of the Catholic Church. As a chapel of chapels it is busy with numerous functions associated with the Papal Calendar like masses that do not involve large gathering held in Vatican (masses associated with Christmas, Easter and such occasions when the crowd would be too heavy for this small Chapel to withstand). Pope Sixtus IV A private place It was made in the late 15th century as a private chapel for the Popes; built of bricks in simple design without any external facade or dome. The chapel was designed by Baccio Pontelli and works supervised by Giovannino de Dolci. The name of this chapel ‘Sistine’...

St Peters Basilica
2008-03-31 04:07:00
St Peter’s basilica, Vatican City, Rome (Basilica di San Pietro) The facade of St peters basilica And I say also with thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Taken from the Gospel of Mathew; Chapter 16; verse 18. Center of the universe For Catholics; Vatican is located at the center of the earth and the entire universe encircles around the St Peter’s Basilica! Because it is that holy and pure; the burial of St Peter- the foremost of the twelve Apostles of Jesus - the rock on which Christendom was built. The place from where Papa addresses the world, an architectural marvel that dominates the skycaps of Rome -the holy city. More over the soul that rest beneath is nothing less than a rock on which the greatest establishment in the world is built. St Peter His original name was Simon and was a fisherman in the village of Capernaum. Simon was handpicked by Jesus as his first disciple and ...

Louvre Museum
2008-03-29 03:48:00
Louvre Museum (Musee du Louvre) Paris France Kings, revolutionaries, conquerors and ministers; all worked for enriching it; and their works did not go waste; Louvre remains as the most famous museum in the world. Louvre Museum located between Rue de Rivoli -Paris’s commercial street with the most fashionable shopping arcades- and River Seine. It was originally intended to be a fortress. But its fate was to go on changing roles with the historical events that took place in France. Philip Augustus (1180 -1223) built it as a fortress (1190) to defend the land from Anglo-Norman attacks. As the time changed the building had to undergo 800 years of alternations to play roles like; a fortress, palace, prison and finally the present role as the leading museum of the world housing Mona Lisa! The Kings The idea of a public museum was the child of La Font de Saint Yvonne who voiced it his article; it worked with beginning of one in Luxemburg Palace; but Yvonne consistently ...
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Fjords of Norway
2008-03-28 03:16:00
Fjords of Norway , (made by glaciers – a million years’ hard work)     What are these fjords?   Fjords are geological phenomenon where the coast lines are formed of deep narrow inlet of the sea formed between steep cliffs; as per geologists they are formed by the submergence of glaciated valleys). The origin of the word fjord is of Norwegian itself is proof to the prominence of Norwegian fjords. They are so deep that even ocean going vessels can sail safely close to the coast. Norway (Kingdom of Norway) is one of the Scandinavian country (a peninsula consisting of Norway and Sweden and Finland) in the northern edge of Europe (borders Sweden, Finland and Russia). It is 148746 sq ml in area with a population less than 5 million. In human development index Norway is placed at the top of the world.   Once more, that dream!       Scientists say that these fjords had been made by glaciers eroding the soft portions of the rock that formed the coas...

Caatinga Brazil
2008-02-21 01:53:00
Caatinga Brazil Caatinga image courtesy: wxs.nl Stock answers to quiz; that also is in Brazil, the Caatinga! A quiz master asks 10 questions of the first 7 are in the following order the contestant would be a lucky one simply answer Brazil, Brazil seven times; the candidate scores 70% marks even the rest 3 are wrong! 1 Biggest of forests – Amazon Forest Brazil 2 Biggest of rivers – Amazon River Brazil 3 Biggest of Statues – Christ the Redeemer Rio Brazil, 4 Biggest of Swamps – Pantanal Brazil, 5 Biggest of Harbors - Rio Harbor Brazil, 6 Biggest of festivals – Rio Carnival Brazil, 7 Biggest of thorn forests - The Caatinga Thorn Forest, Brazil! White desert The word caatinga in the Tupi (an ancient trine in the region and their language) means white forest (kaa = forest + tinga = white). The reason for this name is that during summer the green color vanishes along with the fallen leaves and the whole area appears grayish white the color of the g...

Carnival in Rio a Short History
2008-02-20 02:39:00
A short history of the Rio Carnival History of Carnival of Rio de Janeiro Brazil Life is a short affair celebrate it It is an inborn nature of people to revel at times, forgetting the pains and problems of day today life. All cultures have provided to release this human desire at varying extents; some of the societies suppress it; some control it; while some simply unleash it for sheer celebration! Brazilians belong to the third group; no inhibitions; no taboos; sheer celebrations unlimited; it doesn’t matter whether it is Carnival, Samba or soccer they are ready for a cheer. It is carnival season that lasts only four days; they have chosen to let their passions fly. Let’s see the various shapes this festival acquired with the changing times. An ever evolving festHistory of Carnival of Rio de Janeiro Brazil The word carnival (carnaval in Portuguese) has its origin from Italian word ‘Carnevale’ and Medieval Latin ‘Carne levamen’ (carn = flesh + lavare...
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Rio Carnival
2008-02-19 02:55:00
Carnival of Rio, Brazil Release the static energy Festivals and affiliated rituals have been part and parcel of all cultures; more rich the culture rituals and performances become deep and often mind boggling. Occasions to revel are provided by the society as a vent for the static energy accumulated that may otherwise turn to its disaster. Brazil is a very big nation with an equally rich culture, even the Inca culture which has left its marks in various parts of South America is thousands of years old that could not be completely destroyed by the long colonial rule. Very much in the blood The Rio Carnival was initially banned by the Brazilian government like the Church tried to ban it in the early 18th century. Brazilians did not wait hands down for its re approval they rioted in the street until dear celebration was restored. All attempts to ban this ‘phenomenon’ have failed and will fail it has a role in the society and the people need it badly. The World War a...
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Pantanal
2008-02-18 02:27:00
Pantanal, BrazilPantanal image courtesy: wikipedia.org The Mother all Swamps When we talk of Brazil the word ‘the world’s largest’ has to be commonly used; like th Harbour of Rio the world’s largest natural port, Christ the Redeemer the statue, Amazon the largest river and largest tropical forest, Carnival world’s largest cultural event etc. Pantanal is not different as it is the world’s largest fresh water wetland far bigger than any comparable place. There are so many rivers that flow through this area which lies slightly slanted. The strange thing about this fresh water wetland is that until recently only movie people knew about its existence, still it is not getting the attention it deserves. A sea within landPantanal image courtesy: ramsar.org It is said that early explorers to this region took it for a sea seeing the flooded Pantanal! The word ‘Pantanal’ originated from Portuguese word ‘pantano’ meaning marsh land. The Pantanal is 190,000 sq...

Amazon River
2008-02-14 03:18:00
River Amazon South AmericaAmazon river image courtesy: braziltravel.com The very name may send chill in your spine too! Those naked tall single breasted women shouting war-cry with pointed arrows set to shoot at you to kill! Fortunately this legendary Amazone is not this Amazon despite the similarity in names. Long time ago Francisco de Orellana led an exploration team to the Amazon Basins. The aim of the ‘exploration’ was a very ‘innocent’ one; to catch some tribals to be sold as slaves in the western market! Unfortunately the ‘exploration’ turned out to a disaster and the ‘explorers’ had to flee for life when tribals attacked them with bows and arrows. Women also were there among the tribals. On return the team members told stories of a strange land with ferocious women like those lived in the legendary land of Amazone. It is said that Amazon River System got its name from their stories. Some spice in a story! The story said above is a popular o...
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Red Tide
2008-02-12 07:44:00
Red Tide , or Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)A "red tide" off the coast of La Jolla, California. Its name a misnomer! Red Tide is a natural phenomenon where water banks get colored due to concentration of certain types of algae known as phyto- planktons. The excessive presence of these algae (about several millions per liter of sea water) causes dense and visible patches on water surface and hence the name red tide. This phenomenon need not always be red; it can be yellow, brown, red or even black. But a reddish tinge is generally associated with it. As red tide has no connection with tides (tides being yet another process); the word Red Tide remains a misnomer. Present day scientists mostly use the word Harmful Algae Bloom or HAB. Where the bloom is not toxic it is referred to as just algae bloom but the most preferred word still remains Red Tide. Phyto planktonsbioluminescent phytoplankton Phyto-planktons or dinoflagellates are unicellular (single celled) organisms wh...

Penitentes
2008-02-10 02:59:00
Penitentes, strange formations on ice, up at the AndesPenitentes image courtesy: wikipedia Charles Darwin and the ice statues Acres of man sized ice sculptures standing still in the cold on plains up above the Andes Ranges have always intrigued ordinary people, Charles Darwin; the father of the Theory of Evolution who had traveled world wide from Galapagos to Sydney, had been at the Andes during March 1835. His description that while on way- from Santiago de Chile to Mendoza of Argentina; he had to squeeze through penitentes; had for the first time brought out side world’s attention to this strange natural phenomenon.Charles Darwin Andes The Andes Ranges are places where the typical formations of penitentes are visible; they are the longest mountain range in the world with its underwater ridges, with a length of 7000 km and a breadth of 500 km. It has an average height of about 4000 meters and spans along the western part of South America including Argentina, ...

Kliluk the Spotted Lake
2008-02-08 03:05:00
Kliluk the Spotted Lake , Osoyoos Okanogan CanadaSpotted Lake image courtesy: liembo Hot spot buns Ever seen or even heard of a spotted lake; if not; come to Osoyoos Okanogan Valley Canada; it can be seen from high way no 3 about 5 miles west of Osoyoos. The lake that lies spread in 38 acres; is there to surprise you, it has spots of all hues; milky white, pale yellow, parrot green or even navy blue! The variety is not only in colors; but shapes also vary from bun shaped spots to bread shaped ones! This Spotted Lake is more like a gigantic pond than a lake; it is a sacred spot for the Okanogan Indians not a picnic spot or a place for bathers. Okanogan (Okanagan) Okanogan is an area located between the border of US and British Columbia region of Canada. It is the warmest places in Canada; inhabited by Okanogan Indian tribes who speak Syilx language. The boundaries of Okanogan come roughly between Okanogan River and Okanogan Lake along with the Basin of Similkamee...

Hanging Gardens of Babylon
2008-02-06 03:17:00
Hanging Gardens of Babylon Hanging Gardens of Babylon Of all the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World, the most intriguing one would be perhaps the ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylonia’ it may make one think it had been built dangling on strings! It was actually a gigantic many storied structure with all sorts of trees and plants placed up above high galleries built in several tiers. It had an irrigation system that could marvel the present day ones. Its pathways were so wide it could enable a four horse chariot to pass. The Hanging Garden of Babylon is said to be made by a king to please his queen; let’s go and see it. Babylon Now we are at Babylon or Bab ilim meaning ‘gate of god’ it was the capital of Babylonia Empire in 2nd and 1st millennia BC. It was a city of ancient Mesopotamia which flourished as point in an important trade route between Persian Gulf and Mediterranean. It was a holy city at 2300 BC located between Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The location of B...

Seven Forgotten Natural Wonders of the World
2008-02-05 02:35:00
Seven Forgotten Natural Wonders of the World Angel FallsAngel Falls one of the Seven Forgotten Natural Wonders of the World If the height and ferocity of a waterfall is taken as its greatness, undoubtedly Angel Falls of Venezuela is the greatest waterfall in the world. For a viewer who looks from the front; the falls may seem as it is poured directly from the heaven! Massive quantity of water plunging from a height of 979 meters (3212) feet is not a common sight that we can see elsewhere in the world!.. Read full Article here.The Bay of FundyBay of Fundy one of the Seven Forgotten Natural Wonders of the WorldThe Bay of Fundy remains when remains as a favorite location for those who are interested in the strange natural phenomena of nature, the tide that acquires tremendous magnitude still remains as the exclusive of this location... Read full Article here.Iguazu FallsIguazu Falls one of the Seven Forgotten Natural Wonders of the WorldThese torrential falls about 275 of them within a d...
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Iguazu Falls
2007-11-06 05:42:00
Iguazu Falls , South AmericaIguazu Falls image courtsey: worldleader.com.ar Not one or two ... 275! These torrential falls about 275 of them within a distance of 2.7 km some of them about 82 meters in height, the deafening sounds of all combined, all closely accessible has such an impact that anyone who has a heart gets overwhelmed. ?Iguazu has a daily beauty in it which makes Niagara ugly!? it made Eleanor Roosevelt who remarked with a sigh ?poor Niagara? comparing Iguazu with Niagara of her native land. Niagara Falls ?the pride of her continent ?where millions stand in ovation; a not so much heard of waterfall from a remote corner of the world; outsmarting Niagara came something like a shock to the former first lady. A trump card. These falls altogether 2.7 km in length comes between Argentina and Brazil; have the added advantage of easy access either from Foz do Iguazu of Brazil or Parana and Puerto Iguazu of Argentina. It was Alvar Nenez Cabesa who discovered th...
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Germany
2007-11-04 07:09:00
GermanyBerlin Town Hall Germany image courtsey: iho-ohi.org Germany is the founding member and leader of the 27 member European Union; and fourth largest economy in the world. Germany?s rising from the ashes of the World War 2 to this status is nothing short of a miracle, reminding the legendary bird; Phoenix. On 1815 with the defeat of Napoleon; the winners of the war (Britain, Russia and Prussia) reached in an agreement in sharing the area; and Germany was formed as a confederation of the 39 smaller adjoining regions. A Parliament was formed at Frankfurt in the name Bundestag. But it was William Bismarck who made it the present Germany by annexing all the areas with German culture. Germans call their nation Deutschland, their currency (before the advent of Euro) Deutschmark and their bank Deutsch Bank. The West and the East. The end of the World War 2 changed whole dynamics of history; Russia came under the Communist regime and it took over control of the eastern Euro...
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Natural Attractions of New Zealand.
2007-10-31 05:16:00
Natural Attractions of New Zealand Calm and peaceful. New Zealand has always remained a place so close to nature, its scenic beauty remain unpolluted, its air, earth and water as fresh as its time of creation. Its exquisite beaches, fjords, ice-clad mountains, pristine lakes, and even live volcanoes remain untouched by the criminal and protracted activities done in the name of development. There is no wonder that it remains as one of the hottest destination for eco-tourism; which is one of the major source of this island nation. Places.Napier Newzealand image courtsey: venueweb.co.nz New Zealand has a history of a ?freedom struggle?; when the native Maoris revolted against the migrant whites. As a result the British Government took control of the administration from the migrant occupants and reached an agreement with the Maoris assuring them fair deal. Waitangi is considered a very important place in New Zealand where this agreement was signed. This place has be...
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Hottest Cruise Destinations
2007-10-29 14:15:00
Hottest Cruise Destinations .Cruise Compass Image courtsey: uscg.mil Be Columbus or Marco polo. God Almighty gives every human being an opportunity to pay a visit to this planet earth that we call birth and after this designated visit he has to return to his abode and we call it death. It is the duty of a visitor to witness all the wonders the creator has bestowed on the planet earth. Man is basically a nomad and his soul never gets fulfilled in a so called ?settled? life; which is not only boring but against the rules of nature. It has been rightly said about Bhagvan Rajneesh ?never born; never dead; just paid a visit?. Take the life as a visit; go places fulfill the urge of your soul and after the ?visit? return with a mindful of memories. There will be the big ?G? to whom you have to unroll the travelogue. Live life, king size! There are exclusive locations, grand cruisers, great company to mingle with and lavish packages; all for a fistful of dollars; and availabl...

Italy
2007-10-27 12:04:00
Italy ? Europe.Map of Italy Rome and Rome alone. For centuries Rome was the source of the cultural, historical and social fabric of the whole Europe. Italy as the epicenter of that great Empire; shares credit for all the dramatic and complicated historical events unrolled all through Europe. The history of Rome (it is the history of Italy as well) starts from the tribes settled on the banks of River Tiber during 2000 BC. When the Etruscan forces which took over the area and established a mini empire which covered adjoining seven hills beside the River Tiber (1300 BC), the ball was set to roll for the birth of an empire. Since then Rome had seen many emperors and conquerors as well as ?barbarians?, many rivers of blood have flown and many heads rolled. By BC 146 Rome became invincible with the defeat of the Carthaginians in the Punic wars (a major empire at Tunis in the Mediterranean coast of Africa in BC 814; found by Phoenicians). Julius Caesar, Pompey and Cleopatra. ...
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