Petra,Jordan

Petra

The Petra is one of the new wonders of the world, it is the most famous and valuable treasure in Jordan. It is the best known tourist attraction in Jordan. Petra is an archaeological site on the slope of mount Hor. It is located at South of Jordan.

The "lost city" of Petra is a unique ancient place, also known as the "Red-Rose City". Around two thousand years ago, the Nabataeans (Arabian Industrious people) who settled there and carved Petra out of rocks. Therefore, Petra also means 'Rocks'. The temple, tombs and other buildings are carved out from the sandstone cliffs. This city was an important route for the Nabataeans to trade those spices, silk and others to China, India, Egypt, Rome and Greece.

However, the Nabataeans dynasty has been forgotten and abandoned by the western people after the 14th century. Till 1812, a swiss traveler, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt who rediscovered this city.

Petra Treasury

The entrance to the city is to pass through Siq (narrow gorge), over 1km in length. After reaching Siq, the Al-Khazneh (Treasury) can be seen. It is 30 meters wide and the height is 43 meters; known as the highest structure in Petra. It is also a tomb for the King Nabataean.

Donkey or camel riding are also available; to allow tourists to have an exciting and adventurous Petra trip.

Besides that, this Petra city reached new height of fame when it featured in 1989 Hollywood film, the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery.

The last scene of the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade shows the Treasury serves as a secret temple lost for hundreds of year. This movie talks about Indiana Jones and his father, Henry Jones are searching the mysterious Holy Grail which has power to give longevity to a person. The mysterious Holy Grail is guarded by the knight of crusade inside the treasury.

Petra, the rock carved city is the Jordan's most important tourist attraction. This city gathers tourist from all over the world. The fascinating Petra structure impress lots of people!!!

The Colosseum

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is the most famous monument in Rome. It is an oval shaped amphitheater situated in the heart of Rome. The Colosseum originally named as 'Flavian Amphitheater'. It is a massive and huge building; gorgeous architectural work.

It was built by the Roman Emperor Vespasian in the year 70A.D. He was the founder of Flavian dynasty. The whole building was completed at 80A.D after the Emperor died and his son Titus opened it to public. The Colosseum is built next to the giant statue of Colossus and occupied part of the Nero's park.

This Roman Colosseum can accomodate about 50,000 people. It is 189m (615ft) long, 156m (510ft) wide and with a base area of 6 arces. The Colosseum contains 4 storeys: the seats in upper storey was provided for lower class and women, the lowest storey was provided for prominent citizens, the ground part was cages for wild animals. The Colosseum was also covered with an enormous awning (velarium) to protect those audiences from sun.

In the old centuries, the amphitheater was used for gladiatorial combats, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and dramas based on Classical mythology. Emperors like to entertain the publics with those gladiators fight against wild animals. The gladiators are mostly from slaves or prisoner. However, the amphitheater was damaged by fire and earthquakes several times but had been repaired continuously.

Finally, the Roman Colosseum is a major landmark and popular tourist attraction in Rome.

Mayan City of Chichen Itza

The sacred city of Itza known as Chichen Itza in Maya. The name 'Chichen Itza' means 'At the mouth of the well of the Itza'. It is located at 75 miles east of Merida; the Capital of the State of Yucatan, Mexico.The Chichen Itza is one of the most famous and and best preserved Mayan sites in the world. It has been widely studied, excavated and restored. This city is full with mystery and legend.

The ruins are divided into two groups such as the Mayan and Toltecs. The Mayan Indians built and lived in the Chichen Itza during 7th and 10th centuries A.D. Then, the Toltec tribe invaded the place during the 10th and 13th centuries and influenced the architectural style of the classic Mayan people. The Mayan people had developed a sophisticated writing system, mathematics, astronomy, calendar and architectural perfection.

Chichen Itza is a large city to explore and divided into several sites.

Mayan Pyramid of Kukulkan

Another name for Pyramid of Kukulkan is 'El Castillo' (the castle) and it is at the center of Chichen. This Kukulkan Pyramid can be functioned as a solar calendar. The pyramid is 78 feet tall and each side of the pyramid contains 91 steps plus a platform on the top equaling 365 stairs which represent one for each day of the year. It is a perfect rectangular shape and very steep. People can have a spectacular view on top of the pyramid.

The Temple of the Warriors

The Temple of the Warriors and its adjacent Temple of the Jaguar are very impressive structure on the complex. It is 10 meters tall and 40 by 40 meters wide. This temple is used to honour those warriors who has fought and fallen in the past.

The hoops on the walls of the Ball Court

The Ball Court is the largest in Mexico and almost part of almost every Mayan City. The ball game involves two teams; the goal of the game is to knock the ball through the hoops on the walls of the court without using hands and feet.

The Observatory

The Observatory also known as 'Caracol' or 'Snail'. It is used for the Mayan People to understand astronomy. Hence, they are expert in astronomy which allows them to develop mathematics and understand the cycle of nature.

The Sacred Cenote

The Cenote is a sinkhole in the limestone bed which is formed by the water percolating through the soft limestone. The cenote acts as their source of water. Other than that, the cenote is a sacrifice site; sacrifice the humans to the gods.

This Chichen Itza Mayan are truly one of the amazing wonders and historical place in Mexico.

The Iguazu Waterfalls

The Iguazu Waterfalls known as the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

The waterfalls of the Iguazu River are located on the border of the Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. There are two bridges connecting the countries such as the Amistad bridge (between Brazil and Paraguay) and the Tancredo Neves bridge (between Brazil and Argentina). The waterfalls are true wonder of nature; part of Iguazu Waterfall National Park in Argentina.

The name Iguazu mean 'Great Water' in local Indian language. This Iguazu Waterfall is taller and wider than Niagara Waterfall. It consists of 275 waterfalls along 2.7 kilometers of the Iguazu River. The Iguazu Waterfalls has been divided into separate waterfalls. One of the well known waterfall is the Devil's throat; others notable falls known as San Martini, Bossetti and Bernabe Mendez.

There is a legend states that the waterfalls was created by god of the Iguazu River, who lived in the Devil's Throat. It began when the God fell in love with Naipi (a human), but Naipi has a lover named Taroba. Hence, the God was angry and sliced the river; creating the waterfalls to separate the two lovers.

This Iguazu Waterfalls is also the most visited place. There are two basic circuits: the upper path and the lower the path. The upper path allows the tourist to have a beautiful view of the gigantic waterfall from the bridge; whereas the lower path leads to the base of the falls and the tourist can feel the spray from the falls. Other than Iguazu Waterfall, the Iguazu Waterfall National Park also a wonderful place to explore and have fun. In the National Park, there are variety species of plants and animals. The river rafting and rock climbing are provided. This Iguazu Waterfall National Park offers safety and comfort environment for all the visitors to enjoy the beauty nature of the Iguazu falls.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef from Australia is one of the Natural Wonders and known as the largest reef in the world.This Great Barrier Reef is covering over 350,000 square kilometers of the sea off the Tropical North Queensland Coast of Australia in the Coral Sea.

In facts, reefs can be made of coral, sand or rock. The reef can be classified into three different groups such as Fringing reef, Barrier reef (such as the Great Barrier Reef) and Atoll reef(circular reef). The Barrier reef grows some distance from the shore before coming close to the surface. Whereas, Fringing reef is formed by the corals grows in the shallow water along the shores of land. The difference between Atoll reef with others group is the presence of lagoon in the center.

Besides that, corals make up several reefs and cays is responsible for huge diversity of sea life. The Great Barrier Reef is the natural habitat for marine creatures, including many vulnerable endangered species.

Huge variety of sea life in the reef comprises 1500 species of marine fish, 5000 species of molluscs, 360 species of hard corals, 600 species of echinoderms (starfish, sea cucumber, sea urchins), 500 species of seaweed, marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and dugongs, 6 species of marine turtles, 14 species of sea snakes, 200 species of birds, 125 species of sharks.

The gorgeous Great Barrier Reef Marine Park attracts more than 2 million people each year. Such a best place to enjoy the mother nature out from the busy working life. The activities include reef sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling. Many fascinating and unique marine creatures can be observed under the sea. Sure will have an unforgettable memory.

The Grand Canyon, United States

Grand Canyon is a gigantic canyon, a steep gorge by the Colorado River, Arizona in United States. The beauty of the canyon can be considered as one of The Wonders of the Natural World. This canyon is 277 miles in length, 4 to 18 miles in width and about a mile in depth. Besides that, some guesses and opinion from the scientist say that the canyon has been created by the Colorado River over a six million year period.

The Grand Canyon has been home to Native Americans over thousands of years. They built settlements in the caves within the canyon. About 4,000 years ago, the Paleo Hunters lived in Grand Canyon until about 1000BC. Then, Ancestral Puebloan people moved in around 500AD. They left behind 2000 Ancestral Puebloan sites including the Tusayan Pueblo in 1185AD. In the 1300s, the Cerbat people (ancestor's of today Hualapai and Huavasupai) moved along into the canyon.

Now, the Grand Canyon attracts a lots of tourist. It is the best place for exploring and enjoying the nature. The three major rims of the Grand Canyon include South Rim, North Rim and West Rim. The 'Skywalk' is located at Eagle point on the Hualapai Indian Tribal land; it's extends 65ft over the edge of the Grand Canyon's West Rim. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a glass bottom U-shaped bridge and also known as the world's highest man-made structure. This magnificent 'Skywalk' provides the tourist with a bird's eyes view of the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon National Park attracts more than 5 million tourists a year. It provides all kinds of activities such as river rafting expedition, camping, hiking and others.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk

Pyramids and Sphinx

Egypt is known with their pyramids and sphinx. There are more than 110 pyramids in Egypt. In old days, the pyramids were built to hide Pharaoh's tomb and protecting the Pharaohs from flood, animals and robbers. Till now, the most well known pyramids in Egypt are The Pyramids of Giza (The Pyramid of Khafre, The Great Pyramid of Khufu, The Pyramid of Menkaure). These three great pyramids were built for three Pharaohs known as Cheops, Chephren, Mycerinus).

The Great Pyramid of Khufu

The Pyramid of Khufu is known as 'The Great Pyramid' due to it is the largest and oldest of the three Giza pyramids.Pharaoh Khufu,son of Snefru is the second ruler of 4th dynasty. According to the Greek Historian Herodotus, Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) enslaved his people to build his pyramid. This pyramid is built entirely with limestone. 2.3 million stone blocks were used and each of them weighed an average of 2.5-15tons. The height of the pyramid is 146.5m (488ft) but time has worn down the pyramid to 138m (455.4ft) due to corrosion. The length of four side of the pyramid base is 755 feet and the sides are carefully positioned. This Great Pyramid was accurately designed and built.

The Pyramid of Khafre

The Pyramid of Khafre is the second great pyramid which belongs to Pharaoh Chephren. Chephren is the son and successor of Khufu and Hensuten. This second pyramid lies to the southwest of Great Pyramid. It has a 'snow peak' on top of the pyramid. The pyramid is 136m (446ft) tall, and the side of base is 214.5m (704ft). The Khafre pyramid appears to be bigger than his father's pyramid due to rising ground and its steeper angle of slope.

The Pyramid of Menkaure

Menkaure, son of Khafre built the third pyramid. The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest pyramid in Giza plateau; the third pyramid. This pyramid lies at southwest of Chephren's pyramid. The height was only 62m (203ft) and each of the sides was 105m (344ft). The Menkaure's pyramid is different from his father and grandfather pyramid because his pyramid is not entirely built with limestone; the bottom was sheathed in granite and uppermost portions of the pyramid are brick. The pyramid was not complete when Menkaure died, and his son Shepseskaf completed the pyramid.

Sphinx

Apart from pyramids, Sphinx is another most famous feature in Giza. Sphinx was carved over 4,500 years ago. The name Sphinx which means 'Strangler' was given to a creature which had the head of a woman and the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. Whereas, this Egyptian Sphinx has the head of a human and a body of a lion. It was carved out of a huge big stone; guiding Khafre's pyramid. The Great Sphinx also considered as a sun god and was worshiped. The body of the Sphinx is 200ft in length and 65ft tall; the face of the Sphinx is 13 ft wide and its eyes are 6ft high. Besides that, a legend story says that when King Thutmose IV was a prince, he went for hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the Sphinx. He had a dream, the Sphinx spoke to Thutmose and told him to clear away the sand because the it was choking the Sphinx. The Sphinx also told him that after he done this, he would get rewarded as a king. Finally, Thutmose done the request and became a king.

Machu Picchu-Peru

Machu Pichu

Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site located above 7,875 ft above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba valley in Peru. Machu Picchu also means "old Peak" in Quecha language; known as The Lost City of the Incas.

The ruins of Machu Picchu are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. According to legendary and myth, Machu Picchu was considered as a sacred place long time ago. This extraordinary place was created by the Inca people who erected hundreds of stone structures during 1400s.These place was abandoned at the time Spanish conquer the Inca empire but rediscovered by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. Nowadays, the wonderful artwork building of Machu Picchu has attracted a lots of tourist. The history of the Inca empire can also been studied.

This ancient city is well protected and preserved which contains palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms, and some 150 houses. The building in Machu Picchu is mostly using the classic Inca architectural style of polished dry stone walls of regular shape. The stone blocks are cut to fit together tightly without using mortar; others building has been built by using mortar. The architectural techniques are amazed throughout the world.

The Intihuatana

The Intihuatana known means the hitching post of the sun; also known as Saywa or Sukhanka stone. Shamanic legends tell that the sensitive person who touches the forehead on Intihuatana stone will allow she/he see the spirit world.

The Temple of the Sun

This temple was built on top of the great rock which finely polished and the Incas raised the walls following the countors of the original rock. The Royal tomb was found below the temple.

The Temple of Three Windows

The building is in rectangular shape and possesses three windows. It is located on the east side of the sacred plaza

Ometepe: World's Oldest island

Ometepe is one of the oldest island in the world!!

This island is formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua in the Republic of Nicaragua. It is the largest island in Nicaragua. Ometepe has an area of 276km², it is 31km long and 5-10km wide. The name 'Ometepe' is derived from the Nahuati word ome (two) and tepeti (mountains) which means two mountains. The population of the sland are approximately 35,000.

The two volcanoes are known as "Concepción" and "Maderas". Concepción is a symmetrical cone-shaped volcano and still active whereas the Maderas is a truncated cone volcano which covered with rainforest and a lagoon on the top of the crater. Maderas is an explosive volcano and older than Concepción. Hiking activities are available on both mountains and required experience guide since the mountains are steep and slippery. Beautiful scenery can be seen along mountain climbing. Monkeys, snakes and several species of birds can be spotted even the locals claim that the area is inhabited by fairies and supernatural spirits.

Besides that, there are others attraction can be found in the island. The two primary towns in the island are Moyogalpa and Altagracia. In Moyogalpa, outdoor activities are available for those adventurous travelers and a museum displays the pre-Columbian artifacts such as plates, pots, grinding stones and others unique figures. There is also a charming lake front known as "Malecon". Altagracia is an old indian settlement that evolved into a small town. The church in this town display the Nicaraguan pictures and old pre-Hispanic artifacts. Some pre-Columbian statue such as "The Eagle" can also found in the church.

Kayaking is one of the most popular activity in Ometepe island, particularly around Charco Verde. Charco Verde is a small green lake and located in the northwest of the island. Charco Verde shelters a famous legend known as "Chico Largo" which is a man escape from the Spanish and hid himself in the surrounding of Charco Verde; he was protecting the nature. It is such a mystical place. There is a Santo Domingo Beach too; a white sand beach between the volcanoes at eastside of the island. Nearby there is a cool and natural spring known as "Ojo de Agua".

Another spectacular place in the island is San Ramon waterfall. The waterfall is located at the southern slope of the Maderas volcano. The waterfall is formed by the rainwater accumulated at the top of Maderas volcano which falls all year round. This high, natural waterfall can be reach by hiking from the Biological Field Station (located at the border of the village of San Ramon). A close contact with nature along this trail. Howler monkeys live in this area but hard to be seen; others animals can be seen as well as insects and bats. Nature lovers will have great experience in this well preserved floral and fauna.

Finally, Ometepe island is a nice place for vacation. The island is a gem in the lake. It is a wonderful place for relaxing and enjoying the natural environment. A lot of activities are provided such as hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming etc. Other than that, this island are full with historical places. It is a best choice for people who are interested in history.