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By rocky | December 7, 2007
December 7 marks the 66th anniversary of the attack of the US fleet at Pearl Harbor Hawaii by the Japanese. Today Pearl Harbor has been turned into a moving memorial for those who fought and those who lost their lives in this dark period of the world’s history.
The USS Arizona memorial is one of the most visited war sites on the island. Here a simple floating pavilion sits above the final resting place of the vessel and many of the 1177 crew members that perished. A shore based museum also has some moving wartime stories and memrobilia and visitors can also choose to visit the USS Missouri battleship which was the scene of the 1945 surrender.
Topics: Americas, Must see, Pacific, Planes, Ships / Boats, USA | No Comments »
101 storeys above Taipei
By rocky | December 4, 2007
Taipei the capital of Taiwan is home to one of the worlds most spectacular and tallest buildings the Taipei 101. Standing 101 storeys and 509 metres high it was the first building in the world to reach over half a kilometer high. While the top floor is a private club there is a amazing observation platform at the 89th and 91st floors, the upper one is infact outdoors, both offer 360 degree views of the city below. Several restaurants including Diamond Tony’s and XEX a Japanese restaurant occupy some of the upper levels. Ground breaking for the tower started in 1998 and the tower opened to the public on the 31st of December 2004 just in time for what has become a tradition the huge New Years Eve fireworks and display. The tower infact turns into a huge NYE clock. At night the structure is especially beautiful lighting up the surrounding sky with a different colour of the rainbow for each day.
Topics: Asia, Must see | No Comments »
The Colosseum
By rocky | November 21, 2007
The Colosseum is probably the best known of Rome’s ancient buildings. It is a huge arena even in today’s standards and had seating for over 50,000 people and rising 160 feet above street level. The Colosseum has had many uses over its 2000 years including a scene for mock battles, gladiator battles, was flooded for naval skirmishes and was even the site where Christians were fed to lions. Sadly the arena has suffered serious damage due to stone robbers and earthquakes but the Colosseum remains an iconic symbol of Italy and is Rome’s most popular tourist attraction. Today the coliseum is still used for smaller performances and events, but only a few hundred spectators can be accommodated. Quiet a few superstars use the Colosseum as the backdrop to their Rome concerts, Paul McCartney and Elton John are two of the huge acts who have visited in recent years.
Topics: Europe, Must see | No Comments »
Picnic under the Eiffel Tower
By rocky | November 18, 2007
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most beautiful structures and to think it was only built temporary and the city planned to pull it down before it became useful as a tower for antennas. Many visitors are thinking the queues are much to long to brave to visit the lookout but there is another way to experience this lovely piece of ironwork and opt for a more tranquil visit with a magnificent Parisian picnic on the beautiful lawns below the tower. Dusk is the most romantic time to visit when the 20,000 odd bulbs flash in shimmering display lighting up the Paris sky. For the visitor there are plenty of French Bakeries and food stores within 10 or so minutes walk where you can pick up some of the freshest bread, pastries, the worlds best cheese, pate and wine for you to have the picnic to remember.
Topics: Europe, Food, Must see | No Comments »
Walk the bridge for a free view
By rocky | November 15, 2007
The Sydney Harbor Bridge opened in 1932 and has become one of Australia’s most loved icons and is recognised all around the world and you can walk this massive steel structure for free. Sure you can drive across it for $3 or take the train or even climb the arch for a fee but if your budget is tight and you still want to see the magnificent harbor from a different perspective then put on your walking shoes and go for a stroll. The bridge is 1149 metres long making it still one of the worlds greatest bridges. For an even better view from the bridge and for under $10 take the two hundred stairs up the south pylon and see the view from 87 metres above the harbour. There are some facinating displays and you never know who you might see along the way, event the Cookie Monster, Elmo and Bob the Builder have braved the stairs for a look at the Sydney skyline.
Topics: Australia, Must see | No Comments »
Grand Prix with a Kiss
By rocky | November 13, 2007
Legendary rock group Kiss will be the star attractions along with the best of Formula One motorsport and the mighty Australian V8 Supercars at the Australian Grand Prix held in Melbourne, March next year. The band has had a long history of playing special concerts in Melbourne, they recorded a television special there a few years back with a one of concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with classical music set to their greatest hits. The Melbourne Grand Prix is the first event on the 2008 Grand Prix calendar and promises to be huge with several hundred thousand people attending over the four day event. Held beautiful Albert Park with sweeping views of the city the Grand Prix is regarded one of the world’s best and with next years special guests Kiss it promises to be even better.
Topics: Australia, Cars, Festivals / Events, Kitsch Stuff, Must see | No Comments »
The treasure chest of the Vatican
By rocky | November 12, 2007
Nearly 4 million people queue for hours to visit the amazing history, artworks and culture of the Vatican Museums or Musei Vaticani. The museum has just celebrated its 500th anniversary and is home to some of the worlds most precious treasures. The list of artwork is astounding with collections by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Fra Angelico, Caravaggio to name a few. But the highlight of the visit for most people is the visit to the Sistine Chapel to see the ceiling by Michelangelo who’s fresco is breathtaking. Painted from 1508 to 1512 and commissioned by Pope Julius II this incredible piece has been painstakingly restored in recent years to what is believed to be its original colours. The museums will easily fill up a full day and art lovers will probably want to come back for more. The museums are closed special holidays on Sunday’s except for the last when the usual 13 euro charge is dropped but the crowds on this day make it a bad choice. Its much better to pay and come on a much quieter day.
Topics: Europe, Must see | No Comments »
Breakfast with the orang-utans
By rocky | November 9, 2007
Orang utangs are one of the most precious and endangered of all forest creatures and there is nothing quiet like coming face to face with them over breakfast. Singapore Zoo one of the worlds finest zoos offers one of the most unique expericences you will ever have. Imagine sitting down to a fresh banquet of tropical fruits and other breakfast fare with an orang utang. These beautiful animals are one of the zoo’s star atractions they are the first zoo to have free ranging area which is home to over 20 of these orange hairy creatures. The zoo is part of a very important breeding program which is helping to save these aminals from extintion. With people able to get up close and personal with the orang utangs it is hoped that we better understand the needs for survival and conservation of their habitat.
Topics: Animals, Asia, Must see | No Comments »
A croc of a cruise
By rocky | November 7, 2007
Ever wanted to come face to face with one of the worlds most feared creatures in its natural habitat, well Australia’s Kakaudu is the place. Imagine taking a majestic cruise up the South Alligator River and watch salt water crocodiles glide by. The Yellow Water Bilabong is the place at the end of Jim Jim Creek not far from Jabaru. Experienced guides point out some of the spectacular scenery and magnificent wildlife from canopied cruise boats. Kakadu is home to not only crocodiles but nearly a third of Australia’s bird species including magpie geese, eagles and the magnificent Jaburu stork. At the begining of the cruise to satisfy safety regulations the crew explain the important rules for an emergency including where the life jackets are kept, only a brave person would want to use them in this croc infested area.
Topics: Animals, Australia, Must see | No Comments »
Watch out for Donkey Kong’s barrels!
By rocky | November 5, 2007
Donkey Kong is one of the most loved of the video games and has survived over quarter of a century. Today the game is celebrated in a huge display at Berlin’s Computer Game Museum or computerspielemuseum. The huge scaffolding covers the front of the museum’s facade complete with barrels, ladders and of course everyone’s favorite ape Donkey Kong.
The museum itself is an amazing display of everything computerised it will keep the geek in you interested for hours, theres lots of early computers and games from simple ping pong right up to the latest state of the art computer games and gadgets of the present.
Topics: Europe, Gadgets, Kitsch Stuff, Must see | No Comments »