HOLIDAY IN

Venice

2011-02-11T23:29:00.000-08:00

Venice

Certainly one of the unique cities on the planet; an entire city built on the water. No roads, no cars, busses, motorcycles, bicycles, no motor vehicles of any kind, just boats and walking. The police, ambulances and fire vehicles are all boats. Excellent mass transit; large bus/boats ("vaporeti") run regular shedules cheaply and reliably, and are generally very crowded. Get off your flight at Marco Polo airport and hop on a taxi boat and go straight to your hotel. An amazing place...narrow sidewalks lead to large piazzas where kids are playing soccer, and canals everywhere.

Canadian Rockies

2010-11-28T05:51:00.001-08:00

Canadian Rockies

Canadian Rockies is a part of Rocky Mountain Ranges of North America is one of the most wonderful places that nature lovers must visit.

The physical appearance of sharp pointed peaks with glaciers and exclusively made of sedimentary rocks several years ago took shape by thrusting is unique to see. Five national parks are present within this. Among the several peaks in this Rockies “Mount Robson” is the highest one nearly 4000 metres in height. The other attractions here are Banff, Jasper, Canmore National Parks with inspiring panorama, lakes, wild life and lots of recreational sites irrespective of ages.

A wonderful place on Earth to enjoy in a pleasant environment is rocking “Rockies of Canada”.

Sydney

2010-11-24T02:54:00.000-08:00

Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.28 million (2006 estimate). It is the state capital of New South Wales, and the site of the first British colony in Australia, established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, leader of the First Fleet from Britain. A resident of the city is referred to as a Sydney side.

Sydney is situated on Australia's south-east coast. The city is built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, leading to the city's nickname, "the Harbour City". It is noted for the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and its beaches. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and contains many bays, rivers and inlets. It is listed as a beta world city by the Loughborough University group's 1999 inventory. The city has hosted international sporting, political and cultural events, including the 1938 British Empire Games, 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2003 Rugby World Cup. In September 2007, the city hosted the leaders of the 21 APEC economies for APEC Australia 2007, and in July 2008 hosted World Youth Day 2008. The main airport serving Sydney is Sydney Airport.

Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, which reflects its role as a major destination for immigrants to Australia. According to the Mercer cost of living survey, Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, and the 21st most expensive in the world.

Las Vegas

2010-11-08T00:27:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is not immediately associated with great natural landscapes, but no tour of the national parks and scenery of the Southwest would be complete without at least one day visiting the spectacular casinos of The Strip - the main road through this energetic desert city. Apart from its own famous man-made attractions, Las Vegas is a good base or starting point from which to explore this part of America - together with Phoenix in Arizona, it is the most central major city in the region, with good international airline connections and all necessary facilities. Nearby natural attractions include Mount Charleston, Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire and Lake Mead.

Golden Temple

2010-11-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

Golden Temple

The holy city (Amritsar) is located in Punjab (India) and is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh religion. It's the Number One destination for the non resident Indians (NRIs) and attracts more visitor than even the more popular destination of India.

The holy city(Amritsar), the original name of first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and still later the surrounding city, means "pool of ambrosial nectar." Looking deeply into the origins of this word amrit, we find that it indicates a drink of the lords, a rare and magical substance that catalyzes euphoric states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With this word we have a good example of the spirit, power, or energetic character of a particular place becoming encoded as an ancient geographical place name. The myth is not just a fairy tale.

The holy city was founded by the Sikh Guru Ram Dass Ji and is famous for the magnificent Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple and the Akal Takht (the Throne of the Timeless God). The construction of the world famous Golden Temple with golden shrines was built by Guru Ram Dass Ji and was completed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1601.

When you will come to this place, make it a point to also visit Ram Bagh and the Wagah Border. While Ram Bagh is a beautiful garden made on the patterns of the renowned Shalimar Bagh of Lahore (Pakistan) and the Wagah Border is a place that's at India's border with Pakistan. Here, you can watch the interesting and beautiful border closing ceremony. Taxis are available from the Golden Temple to the Wagah Border at any time.

The best time to visit Amritsar is between March and October.

And oh, did I mention that when you will come Amritsar you must visit the Amritsar Massacre Memorial also? The Amritsar Massacre Memorial built at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar is the place where, before independence, several innocent and unarmed Indians were cold bloodedly butchered by General Dyer. Here, you can still see many bullet marks that remind you of the bestiality of the former colonial rulers.

cape Town

2010-11-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

cape Town

Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, appear in the foreground of this perspective view generated from a Landsat satellite image and elevation data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The city center is located at Table Bay (at the lower left), adjacent to Table Mountain, a 1,086-meter (3,563-foot) tall sandstone and granite natural landmark.

Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate but must deal with the limited water supply characteristic of that climate. Until the 1890s, the city relied upon streams and springs along the base of Table Mountain, then built a small reservoir atop Table Mountain to capture and store rainfall there. Now the needs of a much larger population are met in part by much larger reservoirs such as seen here far inland (mid-distance left) at the Theewaterskloof Dam.

False Bay is the large bay to the south (right) of Cape Town, just around the Cape of Good Hope. It is one of the largest bays along the entire South African coast, but nearby Cape Town has its harbor at Table Bay. False Bay got its name because mariners approaching Cape Town from the east would see the prominent bay and falsely assume it to be the entrance to Cape Town harbor. Similarly, people often mistake the Cape of Good Hope as the southernmost point of Africa. But the southernmost point is actually Cape Agulhas, located just to the southeast (upper right) of this scene.

This Landsat and SRTM perspective view uses a 2-times vertical exaggeration to enhance topographic expression. The back edges of the data sets form a false horizon and a false sky was added. Colors of the scene were enhanced by image processing but are the natural-color band combination from the Landsat satellite.

Elevation data used in this image was acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched on February 11, 2000. SRTM used the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. SRTM was designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of the Earth’s surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, installed additional C-band and X-band antennas, and improved tracking and navigation devices. The mission is a cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the German and Italian space agencies.

South Island

2010-11-04T01:33:00.000-07:00

South Island

South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populated North Island. Named "The Waters of Greenstone" by the Maoris, the island is also known as Te Waka-a-Maui, which means "Māui's Canoe."

South Island is often called "the Mainland". Today this expression is used humorously, although still with pride by "Mainlanders", since while it is a somewhat larger landmass than the North Island, only about a quarter of New Zealand's 4 million inhabitants live in the South Island.

South Island is a place of spectacular scenery, together with a past steeped in history. A place where people can enjoy a diverse range of activities all year round. Whether your passion is for the outdoors, culture, or simply relaxation, the Central South Island is the destination you are looking for.

Great Barrier Reef

2010-11-02T04:35:00.000-07:00

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is actually more than 2,800 coral reefs and 900 islands stretching 1,250 miles. Thriving in the clear shallow coastal waters of tropical seas, these reefs boast a diversity of species rivaled only by that of tropical rainforests.

This natural wonder is as big as Britain and Ireland combined, has more than 1,000 islands, from sandy cays to rainforest isles, and supports prolific marine life. You can reach coral sites by air and water taxi, and scuba dive, sail or snorkel.

As the reef meets the coast in Tropical North Queensland, access to explore the coral delights becomes easier. Between Townsville and Cairns, there are ideal setting-off points and many expeditions offered by dive companies and cruise operators.

Experience idyllic island escapes. In the reef’s tropical northern waters, lush Green and Fitzroy islands are just a day’s excursion from Cairns. Popular Dunk Island is only minutes from Mission Beach, just north of Cairns, and Bedarra, Hinchinbrook and Orpheus islands lie dreamily nearby.

Dive the coral depths. The Great Barrier Reef is a scuba diver’s paradise. Queensland’s warm subtropical climate is perfect for year-round diving and the water is clearer than crystal. Introductory dives and lessons are readily available along the length of the reef.

Cruise the reef waters. Much of the Great Barrier Reef is ideal for cruising or sailing with islands providing idyllic sheltered waters and safe havens. Overnight, week long or extended trips are on offer for those who love the wind in their hair and the sun on their face.

The Grand Canyon

2010-11-02T01:16:00.000-07:00

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest wonders of nature and belongs to the most stunning examples of erosion in the world. The magnificence and variety of colored, bizarre rock formations is simply overwhelming and incredible.

Since about 6 to 10 million years the Colorado river together with other erosive forces has been carving this spectacular gorge, which is up to 60 feet (1800 m) deep, up to 18 miles (29 km) across and about 220 miles (350 km) long. The colourful strata of the Canyon walls contain fossils from the earliest living on our planet and reveal invaluable information on the earth' evolution and history over two billion years.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

2010-10-28T01:27:00.000-07:00

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. Initially at 146.5 metres (480.6 ft), the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, the longest period of time ever held for such a record. Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base. There have been varying scientific and alternative theories about the Great Pyramid's construction techniques. Most accepted construction hypotheses are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place.

There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid. The lowest chamber is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and was unfinished. The so-called Queen's Chamber and King's Chamber are higher up within the pyramid structure. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only pyramid in Egypt known to contain both ascending and descending passages. The main part of the Giza complex is a setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu (one close to the pyramid and one near the Nile), three smaller pyramids for Khufu's wives, an even smaller "satellite" pyramid, a raised causeway connecting the two temples, and small mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles.

The Alexandria National Museum

2010-10-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

The Alexandria National Museum

Opened in 2003, the Alexandria National Museum displays some 1,800 artifacts discovered in and around Alexandria, Egypt. Many of the artifacts were not previously on display, but hidden in the storage rooms of other museums.

What to See

The National Museum is housed in a restored Italian-style palace (Al-Saad Bassili Pasha Palace, built 1926) with three floors.

The first level, with dark blue walls reflecting the Egyptian symbolic color of the afterlife, is dedicated to the Pharaonic period. On display are several notable statues, including portraits of Menkaure (builder of the third Giza), Akhenaton (Amenhotep IV) and the female pharaoh Hatshepsut. There is also an interesting replica of the sort discovered in the Valley of the Kings, complete with a mummy and original funerary treasures.

The middle level displays artifacts from the Greco-Roman period, during which Alexandria flourished, such as figurines of Greek women and a majestic bust of the bearded god Serapis. Also on this level are finds from recent underwater excavations conducted around Alexandria, including several notable stone statues.

The top floor displays Coptic and Islamic treasures, illustrating the rich heritage of these two faiths that are still alive and well in Egypt. There are icons of Christ and the Virgin Mary, carved tombstones and clothes with silver and gold crosses. Notable among the Islamic objects are 162 coins minted in Alexandria and religious supplies such as incense burners, chandeliers and pottery.

Marsa Matruh

2010-10-28T01:02:00.000-07:00

Marsa Matruh

Marsa Matrouh lies 290 km. West of Alexandria and 222 km. from Sallum. The distance from Cairo to Matrouh is 524 km. It lies on a bay on the Mediterranean and is distinguished by its seven km. long beach, which-as all visitors have testified-is one of the most beautiful in the world.

The beach is famous for its white soft sands and calm transparent waters, for the bay is protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural wave-breaker, with a small opening to allow light vessels in.

This beach dates back to the days of Alexander, the Macedonian, when it was known as "Paraetonium" and also as "Amunia". It said that Alexander the Great stopped there during his historical expedition to pay tribute, and sacrifice, to the god Amun, at Siwa, so that he becomes Amun's son and his rule be a historical continuation of the pharaohs. There are ruins of a temple from the time of Rameses II (1200 B.C.) in Matrouh.

Monument and Tourist Sites

Egyptian Fleet Anchorage
Built the Ptolemies, the remains of the naval installations still stand west of the port.
Coptic Chapel
Built the early Coptic age, and contains several caves bearing inscriptions.

Rommel's Hideout
A cave, hewn in the rock, where Rommel drew up plans of his military operations. It has now been turned into a military museum.

Beaches

Ageebah Beach
About 28 km. west of Mersa Matrouh, it is distinguished by its numerous natural caves and enchanting scenery.

Ageebah Beach Al-Abyad Beach
About 20 km. west of Mersa Matrouh beauty surpasses that of Mersa Matrouh beach.

Marina Ruins-Alamein
An ancient city discovered in 1985, it comprises temples, tombs baths and nobles' houses, from the Graeco-Roman period. It is the largest archaeological city after Alexandria

Places to visit

The British Cemetery: Thousands upon thousands of rock-hewn tombstones stand straight rows amidst a fenced garden.

The German Cemetery: It is a fortress like memorial that was built on a high overlooking the sea.

The Italian Cemetery: It is a high tower fort standing on a high hill. The walls of the building are covered with marble.

The Great lighthouse at Alexandria

2010-10-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

The Great lighthouse at Alexandria

In the fall of 1994 a team of archaeological scuba divers entered the waters off of Alexandria, Egypt. Working beneath the surface they searched the bottom of the sea for artifacts. Large underwater blocks of stone were marked with floating masts so that an Electronic Distance Measurement station on shore could obtain their exact positions. Global positioning satellites were used to further fix the locations. The information was then fed into computers to create a detailed database of the sea floor.

Ironically, these scientists were using some of the most high-tech devices available at the end of the 20th century to try and discover the ruins of one of the most advanced technological achievements of the 3rd century, B.C.: The Pharos. It was the great lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Alexander the Great

The story of the Pharos starts with the founding of the city of Alexandria by the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.. Alexander started at least 17 cities named Alexandria at different locations in his vast domain. Most of them disappeared, but Alexandria in Egypt thrived for centuries and continues even today.

Alexander the Great choose the location of his new city carefully. Instead of building it on the Nile delta, he selected a site some twenty miles to the west, so that the silt and mud carried by the river would not block the city harbor. South of the city was the marshy Lake Mareotis . After a canal was constructed between the lake and the Nile, the city had two harbors: one for Nile River traffic, and the other for Mediterranean Sea trade. Both harbors would remain deep and clear.

Alexander died soon after in 323 B.C. and the city was completed by Ptolemy Soter the new ruler of Egypt. Under Ptolemy the city became rich and prosperous. However, it needed both a symbol and a mechanism to guide the many trade ships into the busy harbor. Ptolemy authorized the building of the Pharos in 290 B.C., and when it was completed some twenty years later, it was the first lighthouse in the world and the tallest building in existence, with the exception of the Great Pyramid.

Construction of the Lighthouse

The lighthouse's designer was Sostrates of Knidos. Proud of his work, Sostrates, desired to have his name carved into the foundation. Ptolemy II, the son who ruled Egypt after his father, refused this request wanting his own name to be the only one on the building. A clever man, Sostrates had the inscription:

SOSTRATES SON OF DEXIPHANES OF KNIDOS ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINERS TO THE SAVIOR GODS

chiseled into the foundation, then covered it with plaster. Into the plaster was chiseled Ptolemy's name. As the years went by the plaster aged and chipped away revealing Sostrates' declaration.

The lighthouse was built on the island of Pharos and soon the building itself acquired the name. The connection of the name with the function became so strong that the word "Pharos" became the root of the word "lighthouse" in the French, Italian, Spanish and Romanian languages.

There are two detailed descriptions made of the lighthouse in the 10th century A.D. by Moorish travelers Idrisi and Yusuf Ibn al-Shaikh. According to their accounts, the building was 300 cubits high. Because the cubit measurement varied from place to place, this could mean that the Pharos stood anywhere from 450 to 600 feet in height, although the lower figure is more likely.

The design was unlike the slim single column of most modern lighthouses (left), but more like the structure of an early twentieth century skyscraper. There were three stages, each built on top of the lower. The building was constructed of marble blocks with lead mortar. The lowest level was probably more that 200 feet in height and 100 feet square, shaped like a massive box. Inside this section was a large spiral ramp that allowed materials to be pulled to the top in horse-drawn carts.

On top of this section was an eight-sided tower. On top of the tower was a cylinder that extended up to an open cupola where the fire that provided the light burned. On the roof of the cupola was a large statue of Poseidon. The lower portion of the building contained hundreds of storage rooms.

The interior of the upper two sections had a shaft with a dumb waiter that was used to transport fuel up to the fire. Staircases allowed visitors and the keepers to climb to the beacon chamber. There, according to reports, a large curved mirror, perhaps made of polished metal, was used to project the fire's light into a beam. It was said ships could detect the light from the tower at night or the smoke from the fire during the day up to one-hundred miles away.

There are stories that this mirror could be used as a weapon to concentrate the sun and set enemy ships ablaze as they approached. Another tale says that it was possible to use the mirror to magnify the image of the city of Constantinople from far across the sea to observe what was going on there. Both of these stories seem implausible, though.

The lighthouse was apparently a tourist attraction. Food was sold to visitors at the observation platform at the top of the first level. A smaller balcony provided a view from the top of the eight-sided tower for those that wanted to make the additional climb. The view from there must have been impressive as it was probably 300 feet above the sea. There were few places in the ancient world where a person could ascend a man-made tower to get such a perspective.

Destruction

How then did the world's first lighthouse wind up on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea? Most accounts indicate that it, like many other ancient buildings, was the victim of earthquakes. It stood for 1,500 years but was damaged by tremors in 365 and 1303 A.D. Reports indicate the final collapse came in 1326.

There is also an unlikely tale that part of the lighthouse was demolished through trickery. In 850 A.D. the Emperor of Constantinople, a rival port, devised a clever plot to get rid of the Pharos. He spread rumors that buried under the lighthouse was a fabulous treasure. When the Caliph at Cairo who controlled Alexandria heard these rumors, he ordered that the tower be pulled down to get at the treasure. It was only after the great mirror had been destroyed and the top two portions of the tower removed that the Caliph realized he'd been deceived. He tried to rebuild the tower, but couldn't, so he turned it into a mosque instead.

As colorful as this story is there does not seem to be much truth in it. Visitors in 1115 A.D. reported the Pharos intact and still operating as a lighthouse.

Did the divers actually find the remains of Pharos in the bottom of the harbor? Some of the larger blocks of stone found certainly seem to have come from a large building. Statues were located that may have stood at the base of the Pharos. Interestingly enough, much of the material found seems to be from earlier eras than the lighthouse. Scientists speculate that they may have been recycled in the construction of the Pharos from even older buildings.

There are plans to turn this site into an archaeological park with a lighthouse museum. In a few years visitors maybe able to rent snorkle gear and wet suits and dive in the bay among the remains of the great Pharos lighthouse.

The Colossus of Rhodes

2010-10-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

The Colossus of Rhodes

Travelers to New York City harbor see a marvelous sight. Standing on a small island in the harbor is an immense statue of a robed woman, holding a book and lifting a torch to the sky. The statue measures almost one-hundred and twenty feet from foot to crown. It is sometimes referred to as the "Modern Colossus," but more often called the Statue of Liberty.

Citadel of Salah Al-Din

2010-10-28T00:41:00.000-07:00

Citadel of Salah Al-Din

The location, part of the Muqattam hill near the center of Cairo ( Egypt )

The Citadel situate in El Muqattam area in Salah Salem Street . It was mainly established by Saladin , Sultan Nur El Din Mahmud's nephew who managed to defeat the Crusaders . He assumed the power of Egypt in 1169 founding the Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt . He established this military Citadel to be the center of rule and placed it over the Muqattam hills in a very strategic place dominating the city of Cairo and EL Fustat .

The original plan of The citadel was insisting of two separate in closures: the northern and the southern ones . The northern part is distinguished by the half round towers and the curtain wall . In 1207 , Sultan El-Adel paid a great attention to strengthening the towers of the citadel and established two towers known now as Burg El-Ramla and Burg El-Haddad . In the reign of El-kamil , Saladin's nephew who ruled Egypt for about 20 years used the citadel as his residence . The citadel was once surrounded by some buildings such as the royal stable , a park , and a market beyond which the residences of the upper class members and the high officials were placed .

In the reign of Sultan El-Nasir Muhammed many parts of the citadel

were destroyed including the mosque , library , the audience hall and other places . In the Mamluk period , the building witnessed a great process of restoration on the hands of Baybars I who built Bab El-Qalaa to relate the southern and northern enclosures of the citadel . Another process of restoration was made in the reign of Mohammed Ali who attached his remarkable mosque it . After the restoration of 1983 , the building was added to the list of monuments in Egypt

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

2010-10-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

Location

In the city of Bodrum (f.k.a. Halicarnassus) on the Aegean Sea, in south-west Turkey.

This wonder was created as an act of sisterly affection by Queen Artemisia for the deceased King Mausolus – her brother and husband.
It was built in 351 B.C in what is now Bodrum, Turkey. At 135ft tall its height wasn’t particularly impressive, but the sculptures that adorned the structure made it a wonder. The courtyard surrounding the Mausoleum was decorated with carved animals and a mounted stone soldier at each of its four corners; each side of the Mausoleum was adorned with relief carvings depicting battles and generals; the exterior was decorated with thirty-six columns and stone soldiers stood watch between each; at the top of the Mausoleum was a quadriga – a chariot pulled by four horses – led by statues of King Mausolus and his sibling Queen Artemisia.
It wasn’t until the 11th century A.D that earthquakes started to collapse the pillars and roof, but during its time intact it was so well known that the name Mausolus became the root for the word mausoleum, today meaning any ornate tomb. By the 15th century, earthquakes had caused the structure to completely collapse, and when in 1522 the crusading knights of St. John needed stone to fortify Castle Bodrum, they took the marble blocks from the ruins of the Mausoleum.
The Knights also found several intact statues. Those they liked were displayed in the castle, but those that didn’t meet the crusaders’ standards were ground up and used for lime to make plaster. Perhaps if you look at the walls in Castle Bodrum you’ll see bits of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

St. Catherine

2010-10-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

St. Catherine

The Monastery of St. Catherine in Egypt's Sinai is a wonderful place to visit, interesting in every respect, but it is not famous throughout the world simply for its facilities nestled up against the foot of Mount Sinai. The monastery has one of the largest collections of ancient illuminated manuscripts in the world, as well as one of the most important collections of icons. Here, we will examine the icons, which number over 2,000, large and small, some unique masterpieces while others are simple works of art. They are spread throughout the complex, with some in the Katholikon, the chapels, the icon gallery, the sacristy and even in the monks' cells. They were produced during various periods between the 6th and 19th century, with every period adding new treasures to the monastery's vast collection.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

2010-10-27T23:15:00.000-07:00

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Location

On the east bank of the River Euphrates, about 50 km south of Baghdad, Iraq.

The Hanging Gardens were built by King Nebuchadnezzar to please his wife, Amytis, who was longing for the gardens of her Persian homeland.

The Gardens were built of a series of tiers, each smaller than the last, with the top tier some 75ft high. The majority of the structure was made of stone slabs and bricks, but the bottom of each tier was also sealed with a layer of lead to prevent moisture from seeping into the stone that supported the soil and plant-life.

How exactly the Gardens lifted water is not entirely clear, but the most likely method was the use of an Archimedes’ screw. This large metal screw would have been tightly sealed in a pipe that connected to the Euphrates River. Workers would then rotate the screw, forcing water up through the pipe. All accounts of the Gardens describe some system of raising water that is concealed from view, so the pipes, and workers, would have operated from the interior of the structure.

The real controversy about the Hanging Gardens is that is may never have existed at all; it isn’t mentioned in the chronicles of Babylonian history, and the Greek accounts seem to be derivative from only one or two original sources. There were other famous gardens in the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and it has been speculated that the Gardens in Nineveh, on the banks of the Tigris, may have been mistakenly attributed to Babylon. Some archeologists claimed to have found the foundations of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but the discoveries remain vague enough to be widely contested.

If the Hanging Gardens of Babylon did exist they were short lived; an earthquake sometime after the 2nd century B.C destroyed this Wonder of the World, if it ever existed at all.

Alexandria

2010-10-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Alexandria

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is only 225 km. from Cairo.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graco-Roman Egypt; its status as a beacon of culture is symbolized by Pharos, the legendry lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world, but ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed he found a sparsely populated fishing village.

Since the 19th century Alexandria has played a new role, as a focus for Egypt's commercial and maritime expansion. This Alexandria has been immortalized by writers such as E.M. Forster and Cavafy. Generations of immigrants from Greece, Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian culture; Lawrence Durrell described it as " The capital city of Asiatic Europe, if such a thing could exist".

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

2010-10-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Interesting tidbits about the Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The Statue of Zeus was housed in the 64 meter (210 foot) long Temple of Zeus, which could be called a wonder on its own merits. Its 72 exterior Doric columns made a stunning architectural statement. And, its pediments and metopes were ornamented with outstanding sculptured artwork.

The statue inhabited the Temple of Zeus for about 850 years (from around 450 BC to about 400 AD) when some Greeks moved it to Constantinople (modern Istanbul). It was fortunate they did because the Temple of Zeus was destroyed shortly thereafter. However, this was only a temporary reprieve. The statue's new home burned down in 462 AD. The Statue of Zeus was no more, forever.

During the statue's long life span, a variety of copies were made. All have vanished in time, so we do not have an accurate idea of what the Statue of Zeus really looked like. We have to rely mainly on written records.

The ancient Greeks decided to hold the first Olympic Games at Olympia in 776 BC because it had a Zeus shrine. That sanctuary was small, yet the Greeks did not get around to building a grand temple to honor Zeus appropriately until several centuries later.

Today, the Temple of Zeus consists of a fractured foundation blocks and other remnants that are mostly of interest to scholars.

The workshop where Phidias made the Statue of Zeus is next to the temple. It was excavated in the 1950's and is open to visitors. It's an interesting attraction.

Noweiba

2010-10-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Noweiba

Noweiba can be divided into three main sections and runs for some ways along the beach. The three areas consist of the port of Noweiba which has become fairly busy these days, Noweiba City which has a bazaar and tourist shops, and Tarabin which is the real party area of the area.

All along the Sinai coast you will find good scuba diving, and Noweiba is no exception. This town lies either side of the Wadi Watir delta about 57 miles north of Sharm el-Sheikh, and consists of the Muzeina Bedouin fishing village to the south and the Tarabiin Bedouin and tourist villages to the north. They are separated by an 18th century Turkish citadel. Besides the diving, you will also find camel and jeep adventurers. The Colored Canyon is nearby, and a little beyond is the oasis of Ain el-Furtaga. Be sure to take the road between Noweiba and Taba if you like beautiful scenery. Noweiba also has a daily ferry service to the Jordanian port of Aqaba.

Wadi El-Rayan

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Wadi El-Rayan

Geography

The valley of Wadi El-Rayan stretches on an area of 1759 km2. About 65 km southwest of Faiyum city and 80 km west of the Nile River. The reserve is composed of: A 50.90 km2-Upper lake, 62.00 km2-Lower lake, Waterfalls between the two lakes. In addition to springs, of which three are sulphur springs at the southern side of the lower lake, with extensive mobile sand dunes. Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls considered to be the largest waterfalls in Egypt.

Jabal Manqueer Al-Rayan at the south and southeast of the springs where marine fossils and archeological remains are found. Also, Jabal Madwera near the lower lake, which is known for its extensive dune formations.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation is confined to inter-dune areas around springs and at the base of large dunes. The vegetation cover is made of 13 species of perennial plants and a few individuals of Calligonum comosum and Zygophyllum album. Wadi El Rayan is also important because it accommodates one of the world's few remaining populations of the endangered Slender-horned gazelle. The Dorcas Gazelle is still found in the area in small numbers while both the Fennec Fox and Rüppell's Fox are scarce. There are 11 species of reptiles, 9 species of mammals, 13 species of resident birds, and 26 migrant and vagrant birds.

The Pharaonic Village

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The Pharaonic Village

The Pharaonic Village began with a dream. Already famous for his rediscovery of the ancient

techniques for making papyrus, Dr. Hassan Ragab had begun to ponder the possibility of a living museum with real people, actors in costume and in a realistic locale, taking the place of static exhibits.

And so in 1974, Dr. Ragab reinvested the profits from his papyrus rediscoveries and began converting Jacob Island into a detailed replica of ancient Egyptian life. His first step was the planting of five thousand trees to block the view of modern Cairo that surrounded the island. The first trees planted were weeping willows, sycamores, and date palms; trees easily identified in tomb paintings as a part of ancient Egyptian life. But many more plants, flowers, animals and birds also depicted in the paintings could no longer be found in Egypt, and some were extinct. Yet Dr. Ragab was not discouraged. He was already familiar with traveling great distances to find what he needed. Years before, he had traveled to the Sudan and Ethiopia to find papyrus roots for his earlier projects, and now he went out once again to seek plants and animals for the Pharaonic Village. He returned to Cairo with seeds, cuttings, and roots of plants that had flourished in Egypt thousands of years ago, and a special surprise, the famed Meidum Geese so often depicted in ancient Egyptian art, but long thought extinct by the modern world.

Site Map

1 Parking Area

2 Ticket Office

3 Hellenistic Museum

4 Gift Shop, Cafeteria, Houseboat

5 Pontoon

6 Nefertari Yacht

7 Village Harbor

8 Nile Trip

9 Mythological Canal

10 Papyrus Plants

11 Playground

12 Tomb of Tutankhamun, Ancient Arts & Beliefs Exhibit, Islamic Exhibit, Nasser's Exhibit, Art Center

13 Garden

14 Restaurant & WC

15 Horus Cafeteria

16 Administration Building

17 Pyramid

18 Coptic Exhibit, Pyramid & Sphinx Exhibit, Mummification Exhibit, Napoleon's Exhibit, Anwar El Sadat Exhibit

19 Temple

20 Nobleman's House

21 WC

22 Peasant's House

23 Ancient Boat Exhibit & Cleopatra's Studio

24 Lotus Garden & Cafeteria

25 Mosque

26 Ancient Industries

27 Scenes of Ancient Agriculture

28 Scene of Moses

Ras Mohamed

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Ras Mohamed

Ras Mohamed was declared Egypt’s first and only National Park in 1983 and is an area of stunning geological features both on land and under the water. Your day begins with a tour of the park and a chance to explore the amazing rock formations and wild coastline. You will find mountains and wadis, desert dunes and craggy beaches as well as an abundance of animal life including foxes, gazelles, lizards, and ibexes. You will also discover the most northerly located Mangrove tree outcropping in the world which serves as a valuable breeding area and habitat for both migrating and resident birds such as the white stork or raptor.

Although often crowded, Main Beach remains one of the best locations to see the vertical coral walls for which Ras Mohamed is renowned. A magical kaleidoscope of life and colour, the reefs are widely recognised as among the best in the world. Vibrant corals, a multitude of brightly colourful tropical fish, barracuda, jackfish, tuna and sharks can all be seen and there will be plenty of time to swim and snorkel in the warm crystal clear waters before returning to Sharm El Sheikh.

Marsa Alam

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Marsa Alam

Mersa Alam is a village with a small harbor and stone quay. It is the ideal base for a fishing holiday. The Dokki Shooting Club has a rest house here and can arrange deep sea fishing trips. Sharks, lobsters, turtles and murrain are among the catches. There are some fine offshore coral reefs and diving facilities are being developed. A nature reserve stretches from here to Gebel Elba in the south .