Travelchannel

Temple of Borobudur in Indonesia

2012-02-24T07:51:00.004+01:00

Borobudur, approx. 25 mi northwest of Yogyakarta in the Kedu valley in central Java, is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia.

The 1,200-year-old building was hidden in the jungle for a long time. It was discovered in 1814 and restored in a 10-year construction period 1973 to 1983. 72 stupas and 504 Buddha statues adorn the gigantic building which has been declared by a World Heritage Site in 1991.

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Three Gorges Dam - China

2012-02-18T08:46:00.001+01:00

The waiting cruise ships then announce the Three Gorges Dam.

This huge, disputed structure appears directly before us. The maximum storage level is 344 ft. This will create the largest artificial lake in the world with a length of 391 mi. This makes the Yangtze until Chongqing navigable for ships up to 10,000 BRT. The dam wall is around 1 mi. long and 574 ft high.

The decision to build the dam led to the first vote in the National Congress which was not decided unanimously. With around 1100 votes to 400, the dam construction was approved.

Three Gorges Dam

Besides improving shipping, the dam serves to control flooding along the Yangtze. Between 1931 and 1935, flooding cost 150,000 people their lives and in 1954 over 35,000 people died. In 1949, train transport along the vital Beijing – Hongkong line was interrupted for 100 days. In August 1996, a flood catastrophe was only barely prevented with the help of 200,000 soldiers and millions of civilian helpers. In 2002, another catastrophe was prevented by evacuating half a million people in time.

Already on the journey from Wuhan to here, we could see the immense dam to the side of the Yangtze and we were filled with awe. However during flooding, parts of this flat landscape are covered with water up to 45 ft in height. The efforts of the Chinese government to cope with this problem are enormous. Approximately 1, 3 million people had to be relocated due to construction of the dam. Costs are estimated to be 20 billion dollars.

Another reason for building the dam is the energy it provides: after completion, generators will be able to deliver 18200 megawatts, which is 1/3 of China’s energy requirements today and is the equivalent of 18 nuclear reactors or 50 million tons of coal which would have to burn each year.

In order to react to earth slides in time, many slopes are constantly under seismological observation through the use of sensors.

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Chongqing - China

2012-02-10T15:04:00.001+01:00

City of Chongqing

Chongqing is a direct-controlled municipality and thus equal to Peking, Tianjin and Shanghai. With 33 million inhabitants, it is the gateway to the western regions of China.

Chongqing

In only very rare cases you can see a clear sky. Chongqing is thus referred to as the City of Smog. Due to its relatively high air humidity, the climate is often hot and humid. In summer, temperatures often surpass 104° F, and then everything is closed due to the heat wave.

Chongqing shows the dramatic development of China's economy like no other city. Founded more than 4000 years ago, a direct-controlled municipality in 1997, it is estimated that Chongqing will surpass the economic power of Shanghai in 5 years, and surpass Hong Kong in 15 years. In contrast to this, we visited a local fish and meat market, which was not quite up to our standards.

The center of Chongqing, a sea of high-rise buildings, is located on a peninsula on the mouth of the Jialing Jiang in the Yangtze River. The Eling Mountain provides the best view. Chongqing itself is spread out over several hills, which explains why it’s also called the Mountain City.

During the war against Japan, the small island in the Yangtze served as a land bridge for American supplies to support the Chinese Nationals. Because of this support, the road to Burma could be made free again in battle. The Stilwell Museum – to honor the American general - is a reminder of this event.

Chongqing is the center of the metal-working and automobile industry. Oil and gas also contribute to the economic upswing of the city. With 90 universities, Chongqing is also one of the most important educational centers in China.

Thanks to the hilly landscape of Chongqing, not many bicycles are seen. But there are many shoulder carriers which helps limit the amount of automobile traffic.

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Passage of the Three Gorges Dam - China

2012-02-08T11:37:00.001+01:00

Ships require about 4 hours overcoming the staircase locks of the Three Gorges dam.

Three Gorges Dam

The dam has 5 huge lock chambers in each direction, each 918ft in length and 114ft width, allowing many ships per lock chamber to overcome the height of about 374ft.

For smaller passenger liners on the Yangtze River a separate ship lift is available. An aggravating factor in the planning phase was that the entire project is located in a seismic region.

Due to the locks ships with 10.000 GRT can reach the port of the mega-metropolis Chongqing now, China's gate to the western regions.

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Dinosaurs in China

2012-02-05T09:58:00.000+01:00

Dinosur in Zigong

China's best known find spot of dinosaurs - the true "Jurassic park" - is in Zigong (自贡市) the prefecture-level city and third largest city in Sichuan Province, in southwest China. The remains got presumable washed up in this place.

The modern museum displays up to twenty perfectly preserved dinosaur skeletons of various species (Omeisaurus, Gigantspinosaurus, Yangchuanosaurus, Huayangosaurus, Xiaosaurus) between 135-205 million years old. In addition you see the largest lower leg bone of a dinosaur ever found with a length of 14 ft.

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Leg bone of a dinosaur

Upper Canada Village

2012-02-04T09:39:00.001+01:00

Upper Canada Village is located at the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Ottawa -6 mi. east of Morrisburg - in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Crysler Hall

During the construction of the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway some of the buildings of the so-called "Lost Villages" were protected from flooding and rebuilt in Upper Canada Village.
The whole village lives the life of a bygone era around 1860. The dough for the handmade bread comes from the flour ground at nearby Bellamy's Mills. Like in the old times the blacksmith is working on the open smith's hearth. The Gazette Printing Office publishes a weekly newspaper in lead type.

In the school house the teacher sweeps the floor. A map of North America of 1866 hangs in the classroom.
The agricultural activities including the cheese-making are carried out with the means and techniques available at that time.
The dressmaker is also seems very convincing. Her own creations are based on the designs of Paris fashion magazines like Godey's. If one listens to her, one feels actually put back into that time.
The shelves in the Crysler Store are filled with goods that were available the time of Canadian Confederation.

Crysler Store

The shelves in the Crysler Store are filled with goods that were available the time of Canadian Confederation.

Upper Canada Village is open all day from the end of May by the beginning of September. It is a popular destination for adults and children who want to experience the life of the pioneers in the 19th Century firsthand.

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Palace of the Sultan of Yogyakarta - Indonesia

2012-02-01T11:22:00.006+01:00

Palace of the Sultan in Yogyakarta

After the war of independence against the Dutch was the sultanate of Yogyakarta on the southern coast of Java in Indonesia became the only sultanate of Indonesia. The Palace (Kraton) of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. is open for visitors.

Museum in the Palace of the Sultan

In the museum you can admire dinnerware of Napoleon Bonaparte. Paintings of court scenes and former rulers, as well as host gifts, including a Black Forest watch - a gift by former Chancellor Helmut Kohl – are also part of the exhibition.

The play of a gamelan orchestra is a daily ritual. The palace also has religious significance. The symbols and colors of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism can be recognized in the ornaments.

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Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax - Canada

2012-01-23T16:12:00.001+01:00

Whenever you travel to Canada don’t miss the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.

Maritime Museum in Halifax

The museum is dedicated to seafaring has several changing exhibitions. The main collection is composed of shipping equipment from different eras and provides a comprehensive overview of the history of seafaring and fishing.

A second large collection shows model ships whose main piece is the detailed replica of the RMS Franconia II, the famous ship of the Cunard Line.

Exhibit of the Titanic

A special section deals with the Titanic, who collided with an iceberg 600 miles off Halifax. At that time the dead, injured and survivors were then taken to Halifax. The original protocol of the radio messages documenting the events of that night document is also shown besides many original objects from the doomed ship.

Another exhibition is dedicated to the Vikings and her landing in Newfoundland. Parts of the exhibits originate from Sweden.

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Herberstein Castle in Austria

2012-01-22T18:08:00.000+01:00

Herberstein

Herberstein Castle is located in “St. Johann Bei Herberstein” in Styria, Austria. It is surrounded by ornate gardens which serve as venue for changing exhibitions. The castle dates back to the 12th century and was altered fundamentally in the 17th century.

Arctic Wolves

The huge animal park - structured according to the five continents - is very attractive. Besides the largest cheetah enclosure in Europe we were impressed by the wolf’s enclosure. Here the 30 wolves share a large area with shelters outside the visitor’s area. In addition you find a separate are for the rare arctic wolves. Also the bison feel comfortable in the park.
The animal park stretches out from the in the Feistritz Gorge to the ridges high above.

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Explore the Erzberg mine in Austria by Hauly

2012-01-22T16:01:00.001+01:00

Hauly Tour

The Erzberg mine - located in Styra 37 miles northwest of Graz Austria - is the world's biggest deposit of siderite and largest open pit mine in Western Europe. It seems that already the Romans excavated the Iron ore in this mine. The extracted ore contains only few sulfur and phosphor so that it is best suited for the production of high qualitative steel. Similar siderite deposits can be found in Huettenberg in Carinthia, Austria. Presumably the legendary reputation of the iron of Noricum is based on these two deposits.

Today, the mine can be explored by Hauly. On the back of this coal hauler with 860 hp one reaches the terraces of the stunning mountain. Where the terraces appear honeycomb-shaped the galleries of the former mining come to the surface.

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Mozart City Salzburg - Austria

2012-01-19T14:17:00.000+01:00

City of Salzburg

The city of Salzburg - flanked by unbuilt mountains - is located on both sides of the Salzach River in Austria. Today the city enjoys the atmosphere of the Mozart city, its most famous citizen who was born and raised here. One has the best panorama over the city of Salzburg and Hohensalzburg Castle from the Moenchsberg.

Birthplace of Mozart

The Getreidegasse - also known as Grain Lane – is the famous shopping street in the historic center. In the Getreidegasse you see a lot of medieval guild signs. The house No 9 was the birthplace of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

On the day of Saint Rupert you find stalls and fairground rides on all places around the Salzburg Cathedral and the Residence Palace. Only the powerful peal of the cathedral bells is able to drown the hustle and bustle. The "Jedermann" is performed every year before the facade of the Salzburg Cathedral, where the horse-drawn carriages are waiting for new customers. Hugo von Hofmannsthal adapted the 15th century English morality play “Everyman” as “Jedermann” in 1912. The Residence Palace next to the Salzburg Cathedral was the former Prince-Archbishop's residence and can be visited. Nestled to the mountain is the St. Peter’s Abbey with the worth seeing cemetery where dignitaries of Salzburg found their final resting place. The Catacombs carved out of the rock presumably date back to the 3rd century.

Pferdeschwemme

On the way back we pass the “Felsenreitschule” - Rock Riding School - and the Great Festival Hall of the Salzburg Festival, which used to serve as stables. The display wall of the subsequent horse pond is a creation of Fischer von Erlach, the sculpture with the horse tamer was made Bernhard Michael Mandl and the frescos were created by Franz Anton Ebner. The Palace of Mirabell on the other side of the Salzach River completes our Salzburg tour. In 1997 Salzburg became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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Syntagma Square Athens - Greece

2012-01-03T08:30:00.000+01:00

The Syntagma Square forms the centre of Athens. East of the Syntagma Square is the building of the Greek Parliament, the former royal palace. Every hour, the Presidential Guard – the Evozones - perform the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Evozones emerged from the former Royal Bodyguards. The uniform of this elite regiment was designed by Queen Amalia, the first Queen of Greece.

In Greece, Internet access via W-LAN is available on all major places. A British cook who is constantly working in different restaurants around the world checks her e-mail before she continues her trip to Bali.

The Syntagma Square leads westwards to the Odos Ermou - the street of Hermes - Athens main shopping boulevard.

Plaka Athens - Greece

2012-01-02T11:23:00.001+01:00

The Plaka, the old town of Athens, has two faces. On one side it is very touristy with souvenir shops and restaurants and on the other hand it fascinates with picturesque lanes and cozy old taverns. In the midst of the city you can even find olive groves. In the Plaka you get an idea of how Athens looked like before it mutated into a major city.

Mycenae - Greece

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000+01:00

Mycenae lies strategically well-protected on a hill from which one can overlook the lowlands of Argos. The city was surrounded by a curtain wall made of massive monoliths with a weight of up to 12 tons. The famous Lion Gate is the entrance for the enormous inrush of tourists crowding the hill.

Right next to the gate is the Grave Circle A, which was once discovered by Heinrich Schliemann. Among many other grave goods he found the fantastic gold mask of Agamemnon. On the peak of the hill the throne room is still dimly recognizable.

1.000 BC the economic system of the palace in Mycenae collapsed, but unlike Tyrins, Mycenae remained inhabited continuously up to the 5th century BC until it was finally destroyed by Argos. In the back part of the fastening is the real treasure of Mycenae, an underground cistern in which the water of a nearby source was collected. One needs artificial light to walk-down the steep stairs to the bottom of the cistern.

Before the gates of the ancient city you see huge tholos tombs but their burial chambers are all empty. Up to now 9 of these graves - described as treasure houses - were found.

Agora Athens - Greece

2011-12-29T09:10:00.000+01:00

From the Agora you see the Acropolis from different perspectives.The Agora is towered above by the Temple of Hephaestus, the God of fire and the forge, built around 450 BC. Due to the fact that the temple served over many centuries as a Christian church he was not abused as a quarry and is nearly undamaged.

The Agora formed the centre of the city and was used as place for jurisdiction and trade. She was surrounded on all sides with Stoas containing mainly shops. The Stoa of Attalos – founded by King Attalos II of Pergamon - was rebuilt and serves as a museum.

Acropolis Athens - Greece

2011-12-29T09:08:00.002+01:00

On the way up to the Acropolis you have a fantastic view of Odeon of Herodes Atticus. It was built in 161 AD in the Roman architectural style and up to now it is used regularly as a venue for concerts and theater performances. Right next is the most important theatre of the ancient Athens, the Theatre of Dionysus, considered as birthplace of the drama in the antiquity. The new Acropolis Museum was built just behind.

Before entering the real platform of the Acropolis you have to pass the Propylaea, a pillared entrance, which has never been completed due to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. Behind the Propylaea the view opens up to the Parthenon, the temple of the virgin patron of Athens - the goddess Pallas Athene. It was built as debt of gratitude for the victory after the last Persian war almost 2500 years ago. Presumably it was also used as a treasure house.

An extensive restoration campaign tries to conserve the remains of the Acropolis, suffering from the explosion of an ammunition depot of the Ottomans, the aggressive air of the city and the collecting mania of tourists and archaeologists. Thereby one collects important knowledge how the Greek could set up such a perfect architectural and sculptural monument in the short time of eight years.

Not only the proportions were perfectly chosen, usually in the ratio 4:9, but also visual distortions were taken into account. Both the lateral and vertical lines and the pillars have such a large radius, that even today the radius causes stonemasons difficulties. The columns reduce themselves perspectively to the top with a radius of 0.93 miles.

East of the Acropolis is the Olympeion - the Temple of Zeus, one of the largest temple in Greece – and behind the Panathenaic Stadium built on the foundations of the ancient stadium.From Syntagma Square with the Parliament building, the eye wanders across the roof tops of the Plaka, Athens' historic center, to the agora - the Roman marketplace - up to the Areopagus, a hill were the council of elders of the city was held during antiquity.

Next to the Parthenon, on the plateau of the Acropolis, you see the Temple of Athena Nike. The temple, used by the Ottomans as a powder magazine was rebuilt three times and is famous for its reliefs and friezes.

Dreams of Color in Guilin - China

2011-12-22T14:29:00.003+01:00

The project "Dreams of Colors" in Guilin shows the Chinese joy of colors. For four lakes and two rivers were connected by locks. Over twenty bridges, all symbolic replicas of famous bridges from around the world, like the Tower Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge, spans the canal system.

The play of light, shade and reflections together with Chinese music and the smell of Sweet Osmanthus trees tickle your senses.The highlight is a bridge built completely out of glass. On special occasions the bridge is open to the public.

Canadian Canoe Museum Peterborough, Canada

2011-12-22T10:08:00.003+01:00

The canoe was the most important means of transport in Canada and many areas of the USA up to the 19th century. The Canadian Canoe museum (Canadian canoe museum) in Peterborough, Ontario is the only museum in North America specialized in canoes.

Video Canadian Canoe Museum

It started with a canoe from the period around 1890. With this canoe Professor Kirk W. Wipper founded the Kanawa Museum at Camp Kandalore north of Minden, Ontario. The collection grew and in 1994 Professor Wipper transferred the responsibility for collection to a charitable organization. On 1 July 1997, the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough opened. The Canadian Canoe was museum in Peterborough opened up on July 1st, 1997.In 2006, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew became patron of the museum. He donated three canoes from the collections of the royal family, which are exhibited in the museum.

In the meanwhile the collection contains over 600 canoes and kayaks and mainly concentrates on the canoes of the indigenous people of Canada such as the Algonkin, the Mi'kmaq or the Abenaki.

Artisans are keeping the traditional skills alive. Since 2002, canoe builders of the First Nations and Inuit are invited to pass on their knowledge and skills. Also stages in the history like the use of a Mi’kmaq canoe become again alive.

There is a scientific collection of historical canoes meant for various purposes. You see canoes of the indigenous peoples handmade and decorated with beautiful ornaments, built for hunting and war, but also rare deep-sea canoes or the canoes of the explorers. There are also comfort courting canoes, as the canoe of 1904 with gramophone, used by a generation that did get into a canoe to enjoy themselves. A traditional Mi'kmaq wigwam or equipment of the land-hungry pioneers, once breaking up into the vastness of the North is displayed.

Modern canoes for Olympic sports disciplines, of course, all made in Canada, complete the collection. Thus, for example, the whitewater kayak Model Obsession II, which was built and used by the Canadian kayaking champion Monika Moisander-Gillespie in 1998 at the World Cup in Germany, or the Singles Racing Canoe Delta Model used by Olympic canoe athlete John Wood in his last international race at World Masters Games 1985.

Of course you find more about Bill Mason, conservationist and award-winning Canadian naturalist, author, artist and filmmaker. He is highly appreciated by canoeists due to his educational films and books.

Himalaya - A flight from Chengdu to Lhasa

2011-12-19T10:25:00.004+01:00

A flight of Chengdu to Lhasa (Tibet, China) is an extraordinary experience. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot pulls the aircraft on a steep upward flight in order to overfly the mountain peaks of the Himalaya, partially 22,965 ft height.

Snow-covered peaks, razor-sharp ridges, glaciers and valleys are lined up as far as the eye can see. In the valley of the Brahmaputra, the aircraft lands in the desert-like landscape of the Tibetan plateau with an altitude of 11,482 ft next to water courses surrounded by sand dunes.

Ski Jumping Hill Bergisel Innsbruck, Austria

2011-12-18T13:01:00.002+01:00

The ski secondary school Stams is Austria's elite training ground for winter sports athletes. Many popular athletes come out from here. Training is not only in winter, to play a role in the world’s top position an intense all-year training is required.

Ski jumpers find perfect training facilities at the Bergisel in Innsbruck, only 40 km away from school. The ski jumping hill Bergisel is annually hosting the third competition of the famous Four Hills Tournament an important part of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup.

The original Olympics - ski jump hill was replaced in 2003 by the British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, transforming it into an architectural work of art. From the observation deck of the diving tower, one has the best view of Innsbruck and the Northern Range of the Karwendel mountains.

Amelia Earhart monument in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland

2011-12-16T10:38:00.000+01:00

The Spirit of Harbour Grace, a donation by Labrador Airways, was set up in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland as tribute to Amelia Earhart.

The Spirit of Harbour Grace

Amelia Earhart, an aviation pioneer, got famous in 1932, when she had made two transatlantic flights on her own.

She started her flights from the nearby Harbour Grace airfield.

Kindergarten in Peking - China

2011-12-15T17:14:00.001+01:00

Most of the time the kindergarten in China - you he yuan - 幼儿园 - is also preschool too. Already in earliest youth the Chinese children make a disciplined impression but they take happily and lively note of visitors.

Winter in New York

2011-12-15T17:06:00.001+01:00

New York City, one of the liveliest cities in the world, is sometimes paralyzed by heavy drifting of snow. While one must share the Central Park and the Battery Park in biting cold with joggers and strollers, you are alone at the Statue of Liberty. Recorded in 1995.

Lunar Eclipse - video

2011-12-13T09:34:00.000+01:00

For all who missed lunar eclipse we would like to share this video.

Winter in Munich

2011-12-12T17:38:00.001+01:00

The Bavarian Capital Munich has a lot of nature and a lot of possibilities for winter pleasure.