Around the World in 100 Countries
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- 101 China, Peoples Rep.
- Huijeong-dang
- Nakseon-jae and Seokbok-heon
- Jondeok-jeong to Ongnyucheon
- MERGE ABOVE AND BELLOW SOUTH AMERICA Argentina
66. Latvia: We visited the capital, Riga; we had had a wonderful walking tour of the old town. We visited a church and watched a concert with pipe organs. Amazing. One can almost hear the angels. Riga is such a small town and quite quaint. The city square is wonderful, and like most European cities, it is full of shops and plazas. The city has a trademark, which are the roof with cats – very interesting. 72. Norway: Excited to be here, since is a massive country, which is usually of the beaten path for the cruises. As a rule, you have almost to the Norway by itself in a cruise. We got luck that celebrity cruise lines served us with this itinerary. Our first stopped in Oslo was the sculpture park and museum in Oslo – the Vigelenad Park. This is extremely impressive; the quality of the statues and messages they display will stick you as a living honor to humankind. The statues display the different stages of life and the hope for humanity. It will inspire you to broaden you vision of life and the human race. I did feel the inspiration to write this book here, since I already had 20 years of diary note. The need is to share and to inspire. If this does not move you, city hall will. There you feel noble presence in the air of the pavilion where peace prizes receive their honors. It felt like a sacred ground when you remember those who were there at that very same spot where you stand. Finally, for the sky lovers, we had the chance to see the biggest ski jump in the world. Warning: it is an elevator ride and a stairs climb, so be prepared. The reward is an incredible view of the country at large, and a greater respect for skiers. If the weather is comfortable, I suggest a picnic or a stroll at the fort by the pier. Our cruise parked right across from it. It is a solid historic construction with many rooms and plenty of walking space. Private expositions are provided but just laying down on the grass and appreciate the views of the ocean and the city is quite as enjoyable. Norway is modern, elegant, and pleasant. 73. Poland: We have been to Poland three times. Each time Poland seems to amaze us. This time we arrived in Gdansk via Celebrity cruise lines. Quite frankly, we were expecting a dull port city old soviet style. What we saw instead just blew our minds. The city is extremely rich in both architecture and culture. We first taught that we had arrived in Vienna. A must see is to visit the churches and their icons, but the most fun we had been to walk through the city and mingle with its people. Gdansk is a vibrant lovely city and its architecture has a strong Dutch influence. The city bursts with commerce, arts, and people. Walking through town itself was magical. 75. Romania: I was very intrigued by going to Romania. This is the last of the Latin countries that I wanted to explore. You see, Latin languages are Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and Romanian. As a language teacher I was quite curious to hear Romanian and take note and compare with other Latin languages. But our journey started with a delta cruise. The day was sunny and it was a 3 hour cruise. He had excellent views of the delta and observed the locals swimming, camping, and fishing. It was a definite way of spending a hot afternoon – the river breeze made all the difference. We said farewell to our river cruise with a spectacular dinner. This cruise surpassed our expectations. Tomorrow, we head to Bucharest. And this Balkan’sriver cruise is on the top of our list. We drove for three hours to Bucharest on a pretty flat landscape. The city is a massive conglomerate of enormous buildings, rigid lines and monstrosities in architecture. We took a full day city tourto get the most of the day. The first stop on our tour was the communist party headquarters. Across from it was the Presidential Palace which is now a European Art Gallery. Next to it was the National Palace. We drove along the boulevard and saw the military club, opera house, the university , presidential palace again, military academy and the monument of the unknown soldier. Tis latter one was quite unique because it had the Comte Dracula displayed on it. We kept driving along the marvelous boulevard toward a village passing the Arc du Triomphe, a TV station, Liuzesku home and lots of fountains. The park we visited was quite memorable because there were homes relocated from various regions of Romania and Moldova. A restaurant Cure u Beer and the food were excellent.Our dinning night was even more exciting – we ate in a restaurant that looks like a church. The food was very hearty.
We visited Russia twice 10 years apart. We first visited Russia not to long after the fall of the Berlin wall and could see that the country would then become a modern powerhouse. We fell in love with the enormous historical aspect of the motherland. I can assure you that nothing in the world can compete with the material and historical values of Saint Petersburg. Imagine that, most cities have magnificent museums; Saint Petersburg is a living museum. Here are some highlights of our journey. Visiting the Hermitage museum is a journey into good millennia of human history. If you decide to appreciate each piece for 30 seconds, it would take 9 years to see the entire museum. On our second visit to Saint Pete, we did a riverboat tour of the city. It gave us a whole new perspective of the city with its canals and majestic architecture. Our tour guide joked that tourist usually call Saint Pete the Venice of the north, and locals call Venice the Saint Pete of the south. The winter palace is another breathtaking journey into the time of the czars. Once you visit this palace, you understand why the Russians had a revolution. There is no shortage of richness and glamour. The statues along the mall are unique designed each one of them, and the marble steps along the waterfall rushing outside of the palace are grandiose. We spend a full day there and felt that still could not absorb all of its glory. The strongest memories of Saint Pete are its glory, like the gold section of Hermitage. There were pieces there that you have to use a magnifying glass to see the intrinsic detail of these rich pieces. Russia is a jewel that must be discovered, explored and appreciated like a fine diamond. 80 Serbia We docked early in Belgrade, which proved to be an unforgettable experience. On a hot sunny day we visited the Fortress Park, drove through the city and finally stopped for refreshments downtown. Serbian people are very strong and proud people. They are very proud of their heritage and their glorious past. Belgrade stands still. We can see some heavily damaged buildings, but the Serbs were quick to recover and reconstruct. A must see in the tour a reconstructed church downtown - Temple of St. Sava. The interior height of the temple, from the floor to the top of its dome, is 65 meters, while the outside height with the cross is 79 meters and it can house 10,000 people. It is the most monumental building in the city and gives you a great view of the landscape of Belgrade. Our tour included a folkloric Serbian show, which I highly recommend. It gave us a nice welcome feeling into their country and their culture. After that, bohemia is the name of the game – we had dinner and drinks at Serbians bars. It was a night to remember. “He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb
Palma De Mallorca – this is an enchanting city capital of the island of Mallorca. Mallorca is the largest and most visited island in the Balneares. It accounts for a little less than half a million inhabitants in surface of 3,660 square kilometres. The island is approximately 100 km wide from east to west and at least 75 km from north to south. The climate is mild in the winter and pleasantly hot in the summer, mitigated by a wind coming from the Sierra del Norte Mountains, which peaks up to 1,445 meters. Wind was one of the first sources of energy known to the island and to its population devoted to farming and to cattle raising. Fruit trees and greenhouses, irrigated by the tropical windmills and vegetation characterized by pine trees and oaks represent truly pleasant view. The terraces utilized for inland farming are very typical and similar to those in the Italian region of Ligura and other regions in the Apennines producing a large variety of olives,almonds, grapes and apricots. The coast stretches along 400 km and offers nice contrasts with cliffs on the West Side hiding small and idyllic bays (calas) and the rest of the island. Mallorca history started 1,000 years BC. and artistically in the Talaiotic age whitenessed by monuments left on the island. In the 2nd century BC it was the safest shelter for the pirates of the Mediterranean. After the Roman rule, the Arabs reigned up to the 8th century AD and in 1229 the Spanish conquered it. In this period Mallorca grew remarkably both economically and artistically. Since then Mallorca has been considered a Spanish province, and to all effects, a sort of geographic appendix to the Iberian Peninsula. Palma, the most important city in the island is renowned for its port and for tourism and It is divided into three quarters: the old city surrounded walls with the cathedral in the middle, the modern city developed on the west along the Gulf and the port with the promenades near the Cathedral. It took almost 400 years to build the Cathedral which was restored at the beginning of the 13th centuy by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia designer. The size of the building is huge, with 13.3 meters of the rosette, one of the biggest in the wold. The presbytery hosts the remarkable bishop’s throne in marble. The reliefs date back to the 15th century. The most interesting object of the Cathedral Museum is a silver tabernacle used in processions. The historical quarter, Pueblo Español, is very typical and the dragon caves are another interesting place for tourists with a legend full of mystery and charm. The caves stretch along for some kilometers underground and the part that can be visited, in a highly peculiar musical path, leads to enormous halls and to several underground lakes. Must see:
Valencia: Valencia represents a perfect example of what Spain has achieved over the past twenty-five years highly significant progress in the spheres of both business and tourism. The city has been completely revolutionized in terms of its services, structures and infrastructures and in certain senses its very attitude, which is more open than ever to the flow of tourism. If Madrid’s big breakthrough was represented by the extraordinary boost created by political activity and the turning point for Barcelona was marked by the Olympic games, Valencia gradually built up its own profile, participating in the successful Columbus celebrations of 1992, and from then on hosting numerous cultural, sporting, and entertainment events. These include the motorcycle gran prix that rounds off each season of the world motorcycle championships. The city represents the extraordinary joie de vivre of its people, expressed in its refined yet wholesome food, in sport, and music: the city center boasts many places offering round the clock food, drink, and live music. Let’s start our analysis of Valencia good life with the local cuisine, which is natural, simple, and traditional. The best known dish, of course, , paella, the typical rice, fish, meat and vegetable concoction that has become the very symbol of the city throughout the world. But we should not forget the meat specialities , like Arroz al Horno or Arroz a Banda that is a accompanied by a large platter of fish. Fideua is a delicious variation of paella that features in spaghetti instead of rice. The cuisine is elevated yet higher by the extremely refined choice of wines: whites, such as Alto Turia and Serranda or the typical reds from the areas of Requena, Utiel and Campo de Lliria. The Valencian menu is rounded off by a rich and incredible selection of desserts: rosetones, arrop talledetes and arnadi are the highlights of a truly magnificent regional dessert trolley. However, you shouldn’t hole yourself up in a restaurant for your entire stay in Valencia (even though those who do so will find it very difficult to forget the region’s delicacies): Valencia’s historical roots have given it a cultural and architectural heritage that makes it an absolutely splendid city. Valencia is the capital of the autonomous province of the same name and is situated at the mouth of the Turia River. It was first colonized by the Romans during the time of Augustus and embellished with many splendid palaces and buildings. Attacks from the North, and the Visigoths in particular, were immediately supplanted by the advent of the Arab culture: the city was conquered by the Moors in 714, following which Valencia enjoyed a period of the extraordinary splendor, capitalizing on the agricultural development of the entire region. After the fall of the Arab Empire, Valencia came under Aragonese rule during which it became an independent kingdom. Valencia grew larger and richer, becoming a city with an enlightened government and a highly developed culture and legal system. Many traces still remain of these times: it is no coincidence that Valencia was home to great scholars and literary figures such as Joanot Martorel, who was probably the first European novelist, Ausias March, Roig de Corella and Isabel de Villena. Valencia has always been at the center of fierce dispute, precisely due to its great political importance during all historical periods: the arrival of the Bourbons and the alliance with the Archduke of Austria during the war of Independence upset the equilibrium of the city and its region until the advent of a new cultural renaissance that lasted throughout the eighteenth century. The War of Independence, the Civil War- during which the city became the capital of the Republican government for three years, from 1936 to 1939- the disastrous flood of 1957: each of these dramas saw Valencia emerge stronger or even rise again, becoming the city that we know today. A cosmopolitan metropolis that is nonetheless built for people, open to change and international relations and free from prejudices or impediments of any kind. An extraordinary city with great potential that has inevitably become a cultural and tourist landmark of Spain. it “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine 88 Vatican City: The Vactican is the birth place of Catholicism. e we can find all the precious art pieces that the popes have collected throughout the centuries. Check all the art pieces from the classica period until the renaissance period. Next vsit the Sistine Chapel which was painted by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Perugino and visit also the famous “Giudizio Universale” by Michelangelo.. St Petter Square is a spectacular colonnade from Bernini and the Basilica of St Peters.. This church was built above the grave of St Peters and it is the biggest in the world. . Under the dome of Michelangeloyou can find the most important art pieces from renaissance period to the baroque period 99- Israel We arrived in Jerusalem and quite frankly I don’t think there is a more special city on the planet. Our first order of the day was to visit the Old Town. We were able to walk through the old walkways and see the merchants and the city coming to life. Our next destination was the visit to the Western Wailing Wall. The energy there was incredible. You can see people from many different faiths gathering together to pray at the same spot. Touching the wall and praying at it was an experience like no other. I could have easily spent an entire day there but had a tour to follow. Our group went along and visited Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane which for my Christian friends has a very special significance. I found the views of the city from that spot absolutely amazing. You could simply sit and rest at the Mount of Olives relax, sit and meditate. On our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - this is considered the holiest place for all Christians. 101 China, People's Rep. Our first stop at mainland China was Shanghai. Our first stop was a short drive to the Buddhist temple where we could see the jade Buddha and the sleeping Buddha. The sleeping Buddha was very impressive for its sheer pure size and the Zen smile on its face, besides the room was very well air conditioned. Shanghai is an impressive modern city and you can feel its vibrancy. One has the impression that if you blink for too long, another building will pop up right in front of your eyes. Another nice treat was to visit the children’s palace - an after school program for kids. Since we are teachers, we felt right at home. We were treated for a recital of violin, ancient Chinese instruments, and a ballet. It was a great pleasure to mingle with the kids, and we even had a chance to dance with them. These are moments I will treasure forever. The day and the tour would give us many more surprises. The Botanic Gardens are a must see while in Shanghai. I got impressive not only with its trees but also the architecture involved. I felt I was being immersed into so much history from a great empire not gone. The museum of Shanghai will give you an in-depth view of the rich history of the great nation. Be prepared to spend an entire afternoon there for the riches you will find are too great to be described in this book. The museum also has a great shop where you can buy reproductions of the main treasures that you will see. I was delighted to buy a small painting made on rice paper with ancient Chinese techniques which I have the pleasure to enjoy in my bedroom every night. Our last stop was a silk factory, a must see in a trip to China. It is incredible the complicate and delicate work they have to do to make silk works. The final work is always an art piece and you will fall in love with anything silk, I promise. Beijing is a modern capital with all its sins. Traffic is massive and pollution is very bad, but the culture heritage and the impressive monuments make a trip to this fare east well worthy. On our way to Beijing we were delighted to visit the Peking Duck, one of the most traditional restaurants in China. The picture on the wall revelas its former patrons like Bill Clinton, Margaret Tatcher, Fidel Castro, Mandela, or anyone else who is a world stage player. The place is a bunch of separate compartments and the food was deposited on the table with many plates on this enormous lazy Suzan so that we could all share the experience. Our palates were satisfied and we felt like dignitaries. This was a grand entrance to the city. Obviously, Tiananmen Square was our first stop. It is a vast pleasant square with the watchful eyes of Mao-Tse-Tung. Tung will lead you to a forbidden city which is a complex with many blocks of buildings that reflect the glory of its emperor. The city will flow into the park at the end, and by then you will have forgotten that you are in a major capital. You feel transported to a graceful era where the royals would take an afternoon stroll through its room and endless halls.Last stop will be 1h30m from Beijing – the Great Wall of China. We arrived at the Bandaliu gate and took the hard climb. It had less people and much less crowded but it was much steeper. The walk took us 1 hour to the first tower and the views were breathtaking. Our last stop was the summer palace, which is a hybrid of palaces and park. We took a boat across the lake and were delighted by the palaces and the bridges. One palace was even on a shape of a boat. We reserved prt of the day for shopping since Beijing is a Mecca for shopping. At night, we took a visit to the Wangfung market street. We had a chance to visit the local food market where everything under the sun is sold as food: snakes, beetles, rats and many more local delights.
Here is the first impression of Hong Kong: you arrived in Manhattan in the middle of Asia. All our European friends, as well as the staff of the boat, were static to arrive there. I did not know what the fuss was all about until we finally docked in the city. Some said to me that Honk Kong is the reason why the Chinese veered towards capitalism. Our first tour was the visit to of course a diamond factory. The ladies in our cruise were much anxious about this very first tour, but not as much as their husbands I think. Next stop is to where the Aberdeen people live, which is literally on their boats. In addition, they also have floating restaurants. It is a quite a remarkable feature living on the water considering that Honk Kong is one of the most expensive real estate in the world. Our next stop was the famous Stanley market where we could feast ourselves in shopping on anything our hearts desire. I naturally choose paintings from local artists depicting scenes of Hong Kong and the Great Wall. Next stop is Victoria Park with a remarkable view of the city. The city has heavy air pollution but is marvelous nonetheless.
My first and only experience with Japan was a visit to Nagasaki, and I can assure you it was an experience of a lifetime. I grew up with many Japanese so I was accustomed to their traditions and way of life, but visiting them on their own country was unique. The people are polite, courteous and the city is immaculate clean. Our mandatory first stop was the peace park, one of the many spots affected by the dropping of the bomb. It was formerly a prison but it was leveled down. The feeling you have is airy, it was the same feeling I had while visiting Auschwitz. This is such a solemn place that you don’t even see the birds sing. The bright and hopeful part of the park is to see statues donated by many countries around the world honoring world peace. We had a chance to see how the ground looked like after the bomb – a sample of the ground showed everything melted together – glass, metal, and cement. We then moved to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. It is an impressive spiral downwards ramp that takes you back to the past. The remaining of much artifacts are shown – not for the fainted at heart. One of the dramatic examples of this is a hand melted into cement. A replica of the bomb is also displayed at the museum. It is very somber and very sad. You know you are stepping on sacred ground. The hypocenter or ground zero has a statue marking the exact place where the bomb fell and the remains of 150,000 people are in a cement box in the middle of the area. Very impressive and very somber.
Royal Palaces Bring Special Glamor to Seoul The Joseon (1392-1910) founder established Seoul as the capital of the new dynasty more than 600 years ago. The Location was considered ideal according to geomantic theory, with mountains to the north and a river to the south. It is also strategically located about midway down the Korean Peninsula. Once the site was selected, the new government immediately began constructing the Royal Ancestral Shrine, Altar to the Gods of Earth and Grain for state guardian deities, and Gyeongbok Palace, the main palace compound. Seoul has remained the capital for more than six centuries. This beautiful and vibrant city grew rapidly in modern times, but tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously. Traditionally, the capital served as the residence of the king and royal family members as well as the seat of government. Palaces and shrines dominated the cityscape, while the leading scholars and best products of the dynasty were concentrated here, at the pinnacle of Joseon culture. The capital eventually had five main palace compounds: Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong, Deoksu and Gyeonghui. The Royal Ancestral Shrine, Jongmyo, is also a very important legacy of the Joseon Dynasty; both Jongmyo and Changdeok Palace are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Seoul royal palaces embody the governing ideology of Joseon, which stressed ritual propriety, virtue and frugality. The numerous pavilions on the palace grounds went through changes along with the fluctuating fortunes of the dynasty. They convey romantic tales of princes and princesses and enlightening anecdotes of sage rulers. Hence, the architecture can be described as dignified and restrained. The palace halls are carefully maintained as a major cultural heritage of Korea, and the palace grounds provide a relaxing place to stroll in the heart of a bustling modern city. They are invaluable sources of wisdom and inspiration for citizens of Seoul as well as visitors from home and abroad. Beloved Residence of Later Joseon Kings Changdeok Palace
Gyeongbok Palace Symbol of Joseon
Changgyeong Palace Rich with Stories of the Royal Family
Deoksu Palace Where Tradition and Modernity Meet
Jongmyo
Sacred Shrine to Honor the Royal Ancestors Jongmyo is the royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon Dynasty. The spirit tablets of the deceased kings and queens are enshrined here, and memorial ceremonies have been offered here regularly. These sacrifices to the royal ancestors were considered highly important for the welfare of the state. As such the king presided over these solemn ceremonies in person. The Jongmyo grounds are nestled among wooded hills. The royal spirit tablets are kept in two great halls, the Main Hall (Jeongjeon) and the Hall of Eternal Peace (Yeongnyeong-jeon), while various other structures on the premises were used when preparing for the ceremonies. The solemn architectural design and minimal use of color is in stark contrast to the luxuriously painted halls of palaces and Buddhist temples. The ancestral ceremony of Jongmyo is held on the first Sunday in May of every year. Korea is the only country to have maintained this legacy of a Confucian state. UNESCO placed Jongmyo on its World Heritage List in December 1995 and listed the memorial ceremony and music accompaniment as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible heritage of Humanity in 2001. The Inner & Outer Courts A Peaceful, Pristine Setting
Nakseon-jae Styled as a Noble-class Mansion
The Rear Garden Epitome of Joseon-era Landscaping
The Special Trees at Changdeok Palace Changdeok palace is awash with nature. The natural elements appear to have been left largely untouched but special care has been taken in the planting and cultivation of every tree. Around the front gate, Donhwamun, are eight Chinese scholar trees (Natural monument No. 472) ranging between 300 and 400 years old. This site used to be where court officials had their offices, and the freely spreading branches of the trees were a metaphor for the spirit of the various scholars. The 750-old juniper (Natural monument No. 194) just west of the Royal Portrait Hall, Seonwon-jeon, is related to the ancestral rituals that were held here. The juniper branches were broken off and used as a kind of incense, and since the tree is older than Changdeok Palace, it was most likely replanted here. A roughly 400-year-old mulberry tree (Natural monument No. 471) near Aeryongji pond in the rear garden, was among many that the Joseon queens cultivated for feeding silkworms. The queens engaged in sericulture on the palace grounds as an example for the people, and they presided over a sacrifice to the god of silkworm-raising. The Chinese gooseberry tree (Natural monument No. 251), estimated to be 600 years old, also offer a special sight with its 6 thick trunks intertwined and spreading out in all directions. It is the largest and oldest of its kind in the country. 105 Malaysia We arrived in Malaysia in a city called Kuantur. Where we spent a full day in the area and had a quite interesting day. We visited s hotel where we had an enactment of a wedding. Malaysia has Chinese, Arabic and Hindu influences. So the wedding is a fusion of these three elements. The guests have to bless he newlyweds by placing potpourri and water on their hands. After that, we had to dance for them. We had to do all the work! After that we had a visit some local hobbies – spinning top, kit running and the collecting coconuts using a monkey. It brought good memories from my childhood the making process of kite using rice glue, but the audience was more interested on the Monkey. A must see is a visit to a Batik factory. This was our first encounter with this difficult and exquisite technique of block printing of fabric that dates hundreds of years. The end result is magnificent and some shirts would sell for hundreds of dollars. We decided to buy paintings instead and I had the pleasure of repeating the experience in (of all places) Africa as well as St Kitts in the Caribbean. We then drove along the seashore and visited a local fisherman village and watched how they fish by using a water buffalo to pull the fish net. We also visited s sea food sauce factory and then strolled through the town where most of the products were seafood. We finished our visit with a stop at the blue mosque. I was satisfied with my cultural immersion and with the variety of cultures and flavors that Malaysia has to offer. 106 Singapore This country-island-state is fascinating. Our first tour was to visit the highest point of the island which involves using a telepheric. The views are outstanding. There you can see the lions standing at the gate of the bay. Singapore means land of the lion. We then moved to the most famous gardens of Singapore. The experience is amazing since it is high in the mountains and they an enormous variety of flowers. The ones that fascinated me the most are the orchids - they make hybrid ones and dedicate them to heads of state of illustrious visitors to the country. We saw Queen Elizabeth or Margaret Thatcher orchids. Singapore is a multi-religious state. We visited a Hindu temple which was located right next to a mosque. The telepheric runs continuously back and forth from the port all the way to the top of the island. Gene decided to return to appreciate the spectacular views once more. 107 Thailand We arrived from a very long flight Washington – Los Angeles – Narita, Japan – Bangkok. We were very jetlagged but excited to be there. We heard so much about this exotic country and almost afraid that our expectations were too high. Our journey started on the right foot, our hotel was the best hotel we have stayed in the world – The Shangri-La hotel in Bangkok. The service was superb and the facilities excellent. There is something to be said about a place where Buddhist monks sweep the streets, massages are available at every corner and the food is to die for. If Zen and exotic is what you are looking for in a holiday, Thailand is your place. We cured jetlag with lots of walk throughout the town and then we moved on to explore the country. The name Siam changed to Thailand that means land of freedom. A culinary experience will be to try duran, an enormous and delicious tropical fruit. Throughout the country side, you can see the rice plantations and it gives you a sense and feeling o perpetuity. This is also a paradise for silk, and precious stones such as ruby and Safire. In NongNooch which is the most impressive garden state that I have ever seen. I know that there is the Buchard Gardens in Canada, but this one was practically hand manicured. We had the opportunity to watch a wonderful show with traditional dances from different regions and even martial arts. Afterwards, they had elephant shows with some of them even playing soccer, which quite frankly I found it despicable. I am an animal lover and do not enjoy circus performance with animals. Anyhow, the garden is one of the wonders of the world and you can stroll through an entire afternoon to appreciate its beauty. Of course visiting Thailand involves visiting Buddhist temples, we had a chance to visit two and we were mesmerized: the first one was small but was right in downtown and it had 15 meters tall statue of Buddha made of gold. On the second tour, we had a chance to visit an enormous complex of Buddhist temples and the presidential palace. In one of these monasteries, there was a statue of 60 cm of Buddha in a solid jade piece. Each façade was decorated to the minimum details and reveals the excellent artistic capabilities of the Thai people. This country has a population of extremely amicable, highly spiritual and with a high degree of sophistication people. A great way to get great views is to get a boat ride though the city and follow with a dinner viewing the Mekong River. The feeling departing the country is that you left a piece of yourself behind it. As our cruise ship departed Thailand, tears rolled down my eyes. 108. Vietnam We entered Vietnam early in what I describe as entering a delta. It was a very epic moment in my life since I knew I was about to be embraced by a furious dosage of history. The morning was rising and the Vietnam War veterans were already on the deck telling their wives and friends the details of their last visit to the country. I was remarked by locals in their small boats begging for passengers to throw food at them. I have done over 20 cruises and never seen them so close to the cruise ships as in here. Once we arrived, we drove for two hours towards Hochimin city formerly known as Saigon. Our first stop was the Natural history museum which really pleased me a lot. You see, we get easily wrapped in Vietnam recent history that we easily forget that Vietnam has a long pre-historic era. As a linguist, it fascinates me to discover the eight current cultural and linguistic group of Vietnam. Our next stop was a pleasant surprise. It was one of the most ancient art events in Vietnam – the water puppet show. It was amazing. The quality and skills of the artists are unequal, and the end is very exciting. Our next stop is lacquer factory Tayson. There we looked how intrinsic the art work of lacquer is done. Some of these pieces took a week to be made and the layers have to be placed one at a time per day, so 7 layers result in a week’s worth. Moreover, the work they make inlaid with mother-of-pearl is the prettiest I have seen in the world. I took a 3 pieces panel back home with me. Buyers be aware, they deliver at home anything in the sore, including furniture. I was really hard for me not to have an entire Vietnamese room in my house right for the prices were very affordable. Lunch with a live show was at a local hotel and the food is excellent. Many people do not know this but Vietnamese food has a strong French influence. We drove then trough the embassy roll where we could proudly see the American flag displayed among many other embassies. Finally, we reached the apex of our visit to Vietnam – the Presidential palace. We visited many elegant rooms full of history and we were able to visit the secret rooms where war operations were conducted, and even visited the prime minister room. Outside of the palace, we have a stand-alone war tank that symbolizes the end of the war. The tank id from the North troop and when they captured the presidential palace, the tank stood there, as a symbol of victory. Then a visit to a Buddhist temple is a nice break for a meditation. At last, we reached the famous Rex Hotel where the press stayed during the Vietnam War. We drove back to our cruise for two hours looking at the rice fields outside and reflecting on how much history both our countries had together. That was a lot to reflect on that day. Our next port of call was NhangTrang, which is a hot spot tourist destination. The place was loaded with European tourists, especially Germans. We visited s mountain that had pagodas that dated pre-Hindu and Buddhist time. It was very interesting to enter those cave-like temples and see their Gods inside still being worshipped. We moved on to another temple that had an enormous 66 meters tall statue of Buddha. We had to climb 166 steps to see it. This was a very refreshing moment since the place was ample, we had a time to meditate in a service, and we were escorted by a Buddhist apprentice all the time. We tried to tip him, but he declined. We notice that he carried some paintings with him, and he told us that he did them himself. We bought them on the spot. Karma was good that day. Our next stop was a beach resort where we enjoyed the dance of locals doing traditional Vietnamese songs. It was quite pleasurable with coconut water drank right from the shell. Next stop was the local market: it is so interesting to see a country on its pre-capitalistic stage; it is almost like a trip back in time. Then we moved to a silk factory where they do the fine embroidery by hand and in groups. Some of the art pieces were several feet long and took a group of women weeks to do it. I can’t think of anything more precious than these embroidery silk pieces. I bought one piece which proudly displays on my lobby, but I could easily have bought dozens of them. Besides, they make nice gifts, they are very affordable, and are very easy to transport. Our weighted as much as a handkerchief. Nam is beautiful. We have a common history, the landscape is fantastic, people are friendly and their artwork is incredible. This is one country really worthy to revisit. 109- Turkey We have been to Turkey twice. The first time we were in Istanbul which took us a couple days just for exploring. Istanbul is a massive city it is have in Asia and half in Europe. It is a mix of old and new world. Your first stops will be the Blue Mosque which is quite impressive with its six minarets. The mosaics inside are gorgeous. Another must see is theSt.HagiaSophia Church. The next mandatory stop is the Grand Bazaar which is the oldest shop in the world, roughly 2000 years old. It is a maze of hundreds of shops selling everything under the sun. This alone will take you an entire day since you have to bargain for the price for each product. On our second trip to Turkey we went toKusadasi we did a tour to see the Romans ruins and Ephesus. This is the most complete set of Roman ruins in the world. It is like a trip back in trip, since you are able to visit an entire Roman village: their homes, even their toilets. By far the most impressive was the library with a 2 floor story facade completely intact. Visiting Ephesus was like being in an old Hollywood movie. For the history books, it’s a mandatory stop for the world. MERGE ABOVE AND BELLOW SOUTH AMERICA
People travel to Argentina exclusively to see the Iguazú Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It consists of 275 individual waterfalls and cascades that come together to create the beauty that you will see when you visit. The “Devil’s Throat” is a semicircular waterfall that is 80 meters high and 2,700 meters in diameter! You can reach out and literally touch them, all safely. The falls are definitely a phenomenon that you want to see before your stay in Argentina is over! The Perito Moreno Glacier is another site that you don’t want to miss out on! Just like the Iguazú Falls, you can get very close to it. You can take short boat trips into the lake that the glacier flows into as well. Its area measures 97 square miles and is 19 miles in length. Although there aren’t many activities other than walking around and observing, your time spent there is well worth it. You won’t be able to see such a sight anywhere else! Perhaps you may be able to see the glacier calving! If you love snow, you must visit San Carloas de Bariloche, known as just Bariloche. The town has a Swiss-German twist, offering skiing, Swiss chocolate, rafting, camping, climbing, hiking, sailing, swimming, and fishing. If you want to ski, the Catedral Alta Patagonia is a ski resort that has 40 lifts and over 100 kilometers of trails for you to follow. The best time to go is from September 15th to October 15th. Source: http://www.gringoinbuenosaires.com/places-visit-argentina/
La Paz is a huge, bowl-shaped canyon with a city centered on its floor and around its sides; it will take your breath away. Of course, the view is stunning. The location is overlooked by Mount Illimani which is topped with snow. The market stalls range from those that sell local handicrafts to coca leaves to potions. Chacaltaya is a lodge around La Paz that is the world’s highest ski resort. It is located at a height of 5,600 meters upon a cliff top. From the top you can see Huayna Potosí. Although skiing is not recommended, biking is. Enjoy the exhilarating view as you descend! The city of Santa Cruz lies far from the Andean peaks. From here, you can see sloths lazily hanging in the main plaza and a crowd of worshippers in a massive bamboo church. The religious craftsmanship is a sight to see. The beautiful churches are a significant part of Bolivian culture and heritage. Ambor National Park is perfect for outdoorsy, nature lovers. It consists of three distinct ecosystems that include the Amazon River basin, the Andean foothills, and the Chaco plain. It is said to be home to a greater variety of species per hectare than any other place. Source: http://www.audleytravel.com/Destinations/South-America/Bolivia/Places-to-Go/Santa-Cruz-and-The-Jesuit-Missions.aspx
Rio de Janeiro is perfect blend of sea, earth, climate, and people. The culture is a mixture of Indian, White, and Black. As Brazil’s capital for almost 200 years, it is one of the main culture centers in the country. It includes a lot of cinemas, theaters, museums, concert rooms, show houses, art galleries, and libraries. You will never get tired of this place! The restaurants offer variety, including international dishes to typical dishes from Brazil. Rio de Janeiro offers modernity but also holds on to its important past and history. Baroque art can be found in churches and monasteries, while deco art can be found in preserved residences. Music is also widely popular. This city practically celebrates life everyday! The city of Sao Paulo is located in southeastern Brazil. At an altitude of 800 meters, the climate is warm, mild, and pleasant. Characterized by its ethnic diversity, the population is made up of Italian, Portuguese, African, German, Lebanese, and Japanese descendents. Source: http://www.placesonline.com/south_america/brazil/places.asp
Santiago, the metropolitan capital of Chile, is a charming city that allows visitors to enjoy the meticulously landscaped parks. Although the city may be a bit busy, the parks offer visitors the opportunity to get away from their busy lives and enjoy nature and its beauty and serenity. The downtown area is clustered with museums, churches, government buildings, the central plaza and cathedral, and the commercial center of Providencia, which houses numerous shops and a variety of restaurants. Tours are available; you can explore from the top of San Cristobal Hill. Source: http://www.audleytravel.com/Destinations/South-America/Chile/Places-to-Go.aspx
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