Stonehenge

Located at the English county of Wiltshire.

The mystery of Stonehenge still remains unanswered as historians are still searching for answers, why was it built? What purpose did it serve? How did our ancestors lift such heavy stones (some of them weighting up to 50 tonnes each!) in it's position?

Colosseum

Located in the city centre of Rome, Italy.

The Colosseum was used to host gladiatorial shows as well as a variety of other events. Sometimes execution took place in the form of drama, where the hero (the condemned person) was killed in a gruesome manner for example being mauled by beasts or burned to death.

Taj Mahal

Agra, India.

Tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

Jali screens surrounding the cenotaphs, it is inlaid with semiprecious stones on the surface.

A love story between a king and his queen. There is a story that is inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's description of the tomb as "one tear-drop… upon the cheek of time" where once a year, during the rainy season, a single drop of water falls on the cenotaph.

The Great Wall of China

It has been estimated that between 2 to 3 million Chinese died as part of the project of building this defensive wall.

The watch towers were important as communication was passed from one tower to another in times of impending attack.

Someone claimed it was "the only man made structure that is visible to the naked eye from the moon." Do you know where to look? This photo is taken from the Space Shuttle in April 1994.

The Porcelain Tower of Nanjing

It is also known as a "Temple of Gratitude". A beautiful octagonal tower laid with white porcelain bricks was designed by the Chinese Emperor Yongle. The suns rays would be reflected in the day, and at night as many as 140 lanterns were hung on the tower to illuminate it.

It was destroyed during 1856 by the Taiping, to prevent the hostile fraction to use the tower as an observation post. The ruins have lain forgotten until recently, as some works are being carried out to try to rebuilt this landmark.

Hagia Sophia

Located in Istanbul, Turkey.

It was first a patriarchal basilica, then a mosque and now a museum.

Fountain (Şadirvan) for ritual ablutions

The mihrab located in the apse where the altar used to stand, pointing towards Mecca

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

It is a free standing bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. Due to poorly laid foundation and loose substrate, the tower is tilting in the southeast direction.

On February 27, 1964 a team of historians, mathematicians and engineers came together to try to stabilize the tower. In May 2008, engineers have announced that the Tower has stopped moving for the first time in history!

Without further ado, here is the list:

1. Krakow, Poland

   Situated in south eastern Poland (a geographic area known as Galacia), Krakow is not subjected to the harsh weather most of Poland receives. The capital of the Polish Kingdom from 1038 until 1596, Krakow contains some of Europe's most majestic churches and an impressive castle. Spared the destruction of World War II and largely spared communist development during the rule of the USSR, Krakow maintains an old world Europe feel similar to Prague or Budapest. Krakow is also an hour by train or minibus from Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi concentration camp from World War II. Poland is a member of the European Union and is quite safe. Despite being a member of the EU, Poland has yet to join the Euro and is still quite affordable.

2. Budapest, Hungary

   Just three hours by train or car from the Austrian capital of Vienna, Budapest is a thriving center of culture in its own right. Budapest is well known for serving as a second and equal capital of the Austrian Empire following the Dual Compromise of 1867, but truthfully it spent equal time in the Austrian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. As a result, the influence of both cultures, though vastly different, is quite apparent. Many buildings reflect Viennese type architecture, while surrounded by Turkish baths (which are quite famous!). Having spent so much time under the rule of others Hungarians, or Magyars, are a proud people with a troubled history. Hungary is also part of the EU and not on the Euro. It, too, is relatively affordable.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

   A well known city in Europe, Copenhagen is not as full of tourists as one might think. In fact, few enough tourists visit this city that many who do consider it “overlooked.” The established capital of a thriving, if small, western European country, Copenhagen is definitely worth a visit. Danish bread is particularly well regarded throughout Europe and there is no shortage of it here in the capital. The city is also Europe's most cyclist friendly, with cycle lanes that parallel main roads for maximum access. Copenhagen is also conveniently located to northern Germany (also beautiful) and Malmö, Sweden is just across the bridge. For its beauty, as well as its proximity to other great spots in Europe, Copenhagen is a must. Copenhagen is in the EU and has voted by referendum not to adopt the Euro. Despite this, prices in Denmark are quite high (as is true of all of Scandinavia). Copenhagen is less expensive than Stockholm and Oslo.

4. Istanbul, Turkey

   While it is true half the city lies in Asia, the old town, or Sultan Ahmet as it is called, is located entirely on the European side. Located in the political hotbed Middle East, Turkey is a surprisingly safe and out-of-this-world friendly country. Though it borders countries such as Iraq and Iran, Turkey is astonishingly democratic and very western. Turkey is the only secular Muslim country in the world. Furthermore, Turks, proud of their history and eager to tell their part of the story, have done a fantastic job preserving Ottoman palaces and relics. From the Hagia Sophia to Topkapi Palace, Istanbul is sure to please and educate. Though not a member of the EU, customs is a simple process and visas are available at all entry points (by train, car, or plane) for a fee of $20 U.S.

5. Istria, Croatia

   Located on a peninsula to the north of its more famous relative, the Dalmatian Coast, the Istrian Peninsula is equally beautiful and less touristy. Begin your stay in Poreč, located only an hour south from Trieste, Italy. This town of 9,000 is easily accessible by car or bus and customs through Slovenia into Croatia are a breeze. Visit Vrsar and Rovinj on day trips, but be sure to be back in Poreč for every dinner, as Croatian and Italian cuisine are on display each night in some of Europe's finest restaurants. Fresh fish and other seafood are available in small markets around town and they sell only the current day's catch. Don't forget a boat cruise around the Adriatic like only Croatian tour guides can provide! In short, Istria provides all the beauty of the Mediterranean without being overrun by unappreciative visitors. But hurry, Europe's best kept secret is about to get out! Like Turkey, Croatia is not a member of the EU, but it is a candidate and should be admitted by 2009. No visa is required for U.S. citizens.

One final note: I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and have visited each of the aforementioned destinations. All of this advice is first hand information and comments will be quickly answered.

The state of Texas is located roughly 30 degrees north latitude, just north of the tropics and just south of the middle latitudes. Which means Texas is in the middle of warm moist air surging north from the tropics and cool dry flowing from the plains; perfect ingredients for severe weather, which often comes quickly and sometimes with very little warning.

I've lived in Texas all my life, so I'm accustomed to the crazy weather we receive. I wanted to share some photos of my beautiful state with you.

This is a picture of our beautiful beaches at Corpus Christi.

Here is a thunderstorm brewing, it's beautiful and scary at the same time.

A flash flood, which can occur before you have time to react.

Another shot of the flash flood. Very fast and very deadly.

As the caption reads, this the famous Jarrell tornado that destroyed so many lives in the spring of 1997.

Beautiful Blue Bonnets that come after the rains in the spring. Our Texas flower!

Beautiful sunset over Lake Travis, in Austin, Texas.

"A Tear on the Face of Eternity"

Across all our many monuments and tributes it is strange that so few are dedicated to so fundamental a human trait as love. Perhaps we suffer to capture the delicacy of the emotion in concrete and stone? The ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal provides a source of redemption, for the grief of a lone man inspired the world's greatest monument to love.

Shah Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal

Nearly 400 years ago, Emperor Shah Jehan, a mogul lord in India met and married Arjuman Banu Begam. In a time of marriages for political reasons and convenience this was a marriage of love and the short and bittersweet story of their lives bears testament to this truth.

A bride at 19 years old, Arjuman Begam soon became inseparable from her husband. She followed him wherever he went and soon became known as Mumtaz Mahal which means "Chosen of the Palace". Together the Emperor and his chosen wife traveled the empire and even when he went to war she was never far from his side. Theirs was not a marriage destined for time though and while on campaign with her husband in 1629 she died in childbirth. So stricken was the Emperor that he, along with his entire court, went into mourning for two years. It is rumored that for a year the Emperor secluded himself away from the world and would not communicate with anyone. When he emerged his hair had turned white and his back had bent to the shape of an old man.

Labor of Love

While the dead queen was laid to rest in a nearby garden the empire labored for 20 years to build a fitting tomb for their beloved of the palace. The building was of a scale that was unknown in those times with a labor force of over 20,000 men and the finest artisans from all over the world. Built with marble and inlaid with precious stones the mausoleum was built on the banks of the Yamuna River within clear sight of the Emperors fort in Agra. When Shah Jehan eventually died he was laid to rest next to his beloved Mumtaz Mahal in the center of his greatest creation.

There are more beautiful buildings in the world, there are more majestic monuments to humanities achievements, we have achieved greater feats of engineering but can there be a more timeless reminder of the power of love?

 

It is a country that has been blessed with many tourist attractions, its ministry of tourism was created in the 1970's to encourage investment in this sector. Tourist attractions include amongst others; wildlife parks, highlands, lakes, Mankon Fondom (kingdom) and museums.

Despite government's efforts over the past decade to boost the sector, its growth has been hampered by poor infrastructure and mis-administration. However, this has not deterred foreigners from visiting the country's attractions.

Tourists Climbing Mount Cameroon

One of the main sites that attracts many foreigners and nationals alike is "Mount Cameroon" also known as "Mount Fako". It is situated in Buea, in the Fako division of the South West province of the country.

It measures 4100 kilometres, the highest point in Central Africa and the second highest point in Africa after Mount Kilamanjaro in Kenya. The mountain rises from the coast through tropical rainforest to a bare summit which is cold, windy and occasionally brushed with snow.

The Mount Cameroon forests are under threat from uncontrolled forest exploitation and encroachment for agricultural production. A population of approximately 350,000 people live within its immediate vicinity, around half of this population live in the urban settlements of Limbe and Buea.

The Bakweri, Bomboko and Balundu people traditionally live on and around the mountain, together with the coastal Bimbia clans; the livelihoods of these people are directly or indirectly supplemented through the harvesting of the forests resources such as timber and non-timber products such as removing bark for medicines, gathering wild vegetables, collecting rattans for making furniture and hunting.

The mountain has erupted six times in the previous century, the latest recorded eruption was in March/ April 1999. During the eruption, the lava flow destroyed farmlands in localities found on the slope of the mountain such as Bakingili, Batoke and Upper farms.

In local folklore the God of the mountain is known as Efasah Moto, it's believed to be composed of two halves, i.e. man and stone; it is also believed that it takes care of people by providing them with water, shelter and food during their journey up and down the mountain. Visitors are allowed to harvest what they can consume while on the mountain but are not allowed to take away anything provided by Efasah Moto. Belief in the God provides an interesting cultural link to ecotourism and sustainable use of resources.

Apart from individuals or groups who go for excursions on the mountain, there is an annual international race that is organised by the Government known as the "Mount Cameroon Race of Hope". The initiative was started in 1995 by the company that brews Guinness.

The race usually brings together hundreds of athletes with scores of them coming from abroad. The starting point of the race is the Molyko Omnisport stadium and participants pass through upper farms, huts 1,2 & 3 before reaching the summit and returning back to the starting point. Participants are divided into male and female categories, they are then further sub-divided into professionals, youths, and amateurs.

The first winner of the male category usually takes just over four hours to complete the race while that for the female category usually takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Prize money is in the region of two thousand pounds.

Slightly less that a hundred years ago, Zihuatanejo, was a sheltered harbour for ocean vessels and an export port for lumber. Also at this time it was being discovered by tourists who were making the arduous fifteen hour trek North from the then Mexican Resort city of Acapulco.

In the mid sixties plans were afoot to turn Zihuatanejo, as it is known by locals, and tourist who love it, into another Acapulco. The local residents protested and the developers, in the early seventies, moved North, over the hill, to a long stretch of beach, and built a town called Ixtapa.

Though Zihuatanejo prevented the invasion of tall, all-inclusive, resorts it was unable to halt progress.

With the cruise ships on the Love Boat TV series, `77 - `86, making it a port of call and the hero from the movie Shawshank Redemption making it his idyllic target of forever land, `94, Zihuatanejo has come to the attention of world travelers.

Today Zihuatanejo is no longer beside the beaten path. The path, Camino 200, a paved highway, that is gradually becoming a freeway, cuts through the outskirts of the bustling community. Only a twenty minute drive North of a busy, international, airport it welcomes thousands of visitors a week, year round.

Though slightly South of the trek of the RVers it is not uncommon to see out-of-state, and out-of-country, license plates on the traffic jammed, once quite, streets.

There really is no need for all the cars. Everything in the downtown core is within walking distance. The whole area is about four or five blocks square. I could tell you exactly if I had my trusty little map. The map that drives me crazy, each and every time I go to Zihuatanejo I picked up the map from a local travel agent during my first visit and promptly proceeded to get lost.

I pride myself on not getting lost. As a professional driver I will take you, or your cargo, anywhere you want to go, using the shortest possible route and arriving at destination on-time. Yet I have lost count of how many times I have gotten lost, walking around, the tourist core of Zihuatanejo.

There are two busy streets downtown. One, Jose M. Morelos, borders the core to the North and the other, Marina Nacional, to the East. On the West is the mountain. There is a street that goes up into the mountain and another that takes you over the mountain, for a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean.

If you cross the busy street, to the North of the core, and continue North, into the residential district there are some streets and some stairs. The stairs go up, and up, and up, and do not come to a cross street. You have to go back down. But before you do, stop and enjoy the view. The entire town and bahia (bay) are laid out before your eyes.

What amazed me, as well as the view, is the idea, that all of the furniture, in all of the houses, along the sides of the stairs, was carried up by hand. No truck, or donkey, could make that hill.

To the South side of the core is the beach. Only a few minutes walk from any of the downtown hotels, or furnished apartments, available by the month.

From Playa Principal one can walk across a little bridge and then along a short mericon to Playa Madera, the wood beach, so named because this is where they used to load ships with wood.

Walking South along the beach will take you to Playa Ropa. Ropa, clothes, because a shipment of clothing was washed ashore, here, after a storm sank a ship. This is the main beach in

Zihuatanejo At the far end of the beach, actually, behind the beach, is a laguna, the home of a Cayman. This large crocodile likes to climb out of the lagoon, onto the beach, and sun himself. Do not get too close. He may be sleeping but he can wake, and move, faster than you can. And he is a wild reptile. Many years older than you will ever live to be.

You could continue further along the beach, and I could continue to expose you to the wonders of this once quaint village, but it is overpopulated now and each time I tell someone about this Pacific pearl I kick myself.

Please disregard all I have said, find another town on another beach and leave Zihu for me.