Virtual Tripping

Welcome to American Samoa.

Mark — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:19:01 +0000

This is a post about the small Islands of American Samoa which is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa. The largest and the most populous of the American Samoan Island’s is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island also included in the territory.
American Samoa is part of the Samoan Islands chain, located west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga, and some 300 miles or 500 km south of Tokelau. To the west are the islands of the Wallis and Futuna group. The 2000 census showed a total population of 57,291. The total land area is 200.22 km2 or 77 sq mi.

The capital city of American Samoa and Tutuila is Pago, Pago it is the capital town of American Samoa. But officially this is only a village and because it is the capital, this village is often mistaken as a city. Its 2000 population was 11,500. The village is located on Pago Pago Harbor, in the island of Tutuila.
Tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning are the primary industries here. From 1878 to 1951, this was a coaling and repair station for the U.S. Navy.
Pago Pago is associated with the harbor itself and it is the only significant port of call in American Samoa. This means that Pago Pago is now generally applied not only to the village itself, but to the whole harbor area and to the villages in it. And that is why it makes sense to place this village as the de facto capital town of American Samoa.
The locals call Pago Pago, Pango Pango this is a synonym for Pago Pago.
To learn more about American Samoa, please refer to Wikipedia. The pictures below are taken from Google Earth and Panoramio.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of American Samoa.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of the largest Island in American Samoa, Tutuila.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Pago,Pago, the capital of American Samoa.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a beautiful view of Tutuila Island.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a view in Pago,Pago the capital of Tutuila Island and American Samoa.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a main street in Pago, Pago.

This is the small island’s of Samoa in Oceania and Australisia.

Mark — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:01:32 +0000

This is a post about the small Islands of Samoa, in Oceania, near Australia. Officially the Independent State of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa), is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976. The entire island group, inclusive of American Samoa, was known as Navigators Islands before the 20th century because of the Samoans’ seafaring skills.
Information provided by Wikipedia and pictures below taken from Google Earth and Panoramio.
Samoa appears to be a beautiful place and has stunning views, to learn more about this country, please refer to Wikipedia.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of the Islands of Samoa.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Samoa’s largest island, Savai.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Ulopu, Samoa’s second largest island and the where the capital city of Apia is.

This is a satellite image picture taken of Apia the capital city of Samoa.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a hotel on the island of Savaii, Samoa.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a view on the island of Upolu.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Apia City, the capital of Samoa.

Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A, former home to Michael Jackson.

Mark — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:21:22 +0000

This is a post about one of the most priciest area’s in U.S.A, Holmby Hills is a rich neighborhood which is situated within the district of Westwood in western Los Angeles. The area of Holmby Hils is bordered by the city of Beverly Hills on the east, Wilshire Boulevard on the south, Westwood on the west, and Bel Air on the north. Holmby Hills is divided into two sections north and south by Sunset Boulevard which is the area’s principal thoroughfare. You would know when you had arrived in Holmby Hills, as it is recognized by its unique street lamps. In an effort to decrease traffic in the neighborhood, speed bumps have been installed on several key streets.

There are three areas in Los Angeles, that make up the “Platinum Triangle” they are Holmby Hills, Bel Air, and Beverly Hills. This is where the houses of the United States’ priciest and most exclusive neighborhoods are, “South Mapleton Drive” and “North Carolwood Drive” in Holmby Hills, along with “Nimes Road” and “St. Cloud Road” in Bel Air, are the most prominent and famous residential streets in all of the platinum triangle. Alot of the buildings in Holmby Hills boast panoramic views of the entire Los Angeles Basin. Many high-level entertainment industry executives and entertainers live within this area. Some of them are well known like for example, Interscope Records founder Jimmy Iovine, television producer Aaron Spelling, movie mogul Ray Stark, and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner (whose home is better known as the Playboy Mansion) currently reside or have previously resided in the area. Michael Jackson rented the former home of actor Sean Connery in this area where he was found to have collapsed and died.
So if you ever get the opportunity to visit Los Angeles, you must make sure you see Holmby Hills, Bel Air and Beverly Hils.
Some of this information was provided by Wikipedia. I was looking on the internet and came across a site known as TMZ.com, to my surprise, they have many pictures of Michael Jackson’s home in Holmby Hills, enjoy.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Holmby Hills in Los Angeles, California. Due to legal reasons, you will see that the area where Michael Jackson lived has been blanked out. I am sorry to say, but understand.

This is a panoramio picture taken og Michael Jackson Front Gate in North Carolwood Drive, Beverley Hills or Bel Air, Los Angeles.

This is a Youtube video taken of the most beautiful homes in Holmby Hills.

This is a Youtube video taken of Mr Michael Jackson’s finally rehearsal, before his death and his might 50 concerts, that unfortunately, did not take place, thank you for your music and all you hard work.
R.I.P.

The most beautiful homes in Holmby Hills.

A tribute to Michael Jackson and his Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

Mark — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:52:13 +0000

This is my tribute post to one of the world’s greatest entertainer’s and singer’s of all time Michael Jackson, of course really it does depend on what you actually thought of him and his music. There are still many fans today of Elvis Presley, Beatles, John Lennon, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Hendrix, James Brown, Buddy Holly and many many more famous singers and entertainers. I do not have the time to write them all. But this post is also about Michael Jacksons famous Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

Neverland Valley Ranch formerly the Sycamore Valley Ranch is a developed property in Santa Barbara County, California, most famous for being a former home of American entertainer Michael Jackson from 1988 to 2005. It is named after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, a boy who never grows up. The ranch is located about five miles (8 km) north of unincorporated Los Olivos, and about eight miles (13 km) north of the town of Santa Ynez. The Santa Barbara County Assessor’s office says the ranch is approximately 2,676 acres (10.83 km2).
Jackson purchased the property from golf course entrepreneur William Bone in 1988 for a sum variously reported to be $16.5 to $30 million.
It was Jackson’s home and private amusement park and contained, among other things, a floral clock, a zoo and a theme park, with two railroads (one 36″ gauge with a steam locomotive (Crown 4-4-0, built 1973, with 4 coaches) and a 24″ gauge amusement ride-type), a ferris wheel, carousel, zipper, spider, sea dragon, wave swinger, super slide, dragon wagon kiddie roller coaster and bumper cars.

During his residency there, Jackson brought groups of children and their families to the facility as day visitors. He also hosted various children overnight, a practice which came under scrutiny when Jackson was accused of sexual misconduct with minors at the ranch, first in 1993 and again in 2003.
Jackson said in 2005 that he would not return to the property, saying he no longer considered the ranch a home, feeling the 70 police officers had “violated” it in their searches. In 2006 the facilities were closed and most of the staff dismissed, with a spokesperson stating that this was a reflection of the fact that Jackson no longer lived there.
Information provided by Wikipedia, as it is much more informative than my knowledge of the Neverland Ranch, to learn alot more about this extraordinary place, please refer to Wikipedia at the bottom of this post. Can I also say that these posts are Controversial, so if you have been offended by any of the above we apologise. But it is important to understand why Michael Jackson left his home at the Neverland Ranch. Hope you enjoy this post.

This is a satellite image picture of North and Central America, with Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Michael Jackson’s Neverland, Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

This is a panoramio picture taken from the air of Michael Jacksons, Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

This is a panoramio picture taken of the entrance to Michael Jackson’s Neverland, Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

This video taken from Youtube, shows Michael Jackson’s Neverland, Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Neverland Lake, Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Neverland’s main train station, Los Olivos, California, U.S.A.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Michael Jackson feeding a fawn.

This is the cracking Man in the Mirror, performed by Michael Jackson, taken from Youtube.

Welcome to the gorgeous republic of Sri Lanka, Asia.

Mark — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:05:04 +0000

This is a post about the republic of Sri Lanka, a small country to the south of India and in the Indian Ocean. It was unfortunately in the news for the disaster of the tsunami, that hit the the country quite badly. Here are some links: Indian Ocean Earthquake, Tsunami. Here is a link to a 27 minute documentary about Sri Lanka’s, Life and times, including wars and Tsunami’s, very interesting and quite sad.

Sri Lanka which is officially known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka aswell as Sinhalese, Tamil, Ceylon before 1972 and as Taprobane in ancient times, is an island country in South Asia, located about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) off the southern coast of India. It is home to around twenty million people.
Because of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia.
It has been a center of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population; Tamils, who are concentrated in the north and east of the island, form the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include Moors, Burghers, Kaffirs and the Malays.
Famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, coconuts and rubber, Sri Lanka boasts a progressive and modern industrial economy and the highest per capita income in South Asia. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka’s tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage, make it a world famous tourist destination.
Information provided by Wikipedia, pictures provided by Google Earth and Panoramio.
It is an amazing little country, that has suffered alot over the years.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of the Republic of Sri Lanka, next to India.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Sri Lanka.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of the administrive capital city Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte, Sri Lanka.

This is a panoramio picture taken of the Golden Temple in Sri Lanka.

This is a panoramio picture taken of two Sri Lankan fishing men.

This is a panoramio picture taken of an elephant’s orphanage in Sri Lanka.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a temple in Sri Lanka.

This is a panoramio picture taken of three buddhists in Sri Lanka.

This is about Zimbabwe in Southern Africa

Mark — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:44:04 +0000

This is a post about Zimbabwe in southern Africa, it is a controversial country which has seen many problems and disasters. I hope with this post I can make you realize how nice this country is.

Zimbabwe is also known as the official Republic of Zimbabwe and used to be known as Southern Rhodesia, the Republic of Rhodesia and Zimbabwe Rhodesia. It is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the continent of Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three official languages; English; Shona, a Bantu language and Ndebele.

Zimbabwe’s history began as a part of the British crown colony of Rhodesia. Today the country is under the control of President Robert Mugabe, who has been in power since the country’s long war for independence. His rule has been characterized by economic mismanagement, hyperinflation, and widespread reports of human rights abuses. With the collapse of the nation’s economy and widespread poverty and unemployment this has increased the support for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change.
To learn more about Zimbabwe, please refer to Wikipedia at the bottom of this post.
Some information has been provided by Wikipedia and below are pictures and photo’s taken from Google Earth and Panoramio.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Zimbabwe.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of the capital city Harare.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Harare.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a water fountain in Africa Unit Square, Harare.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Harare Gardens.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Zimbabwe’s cricket ground in Harare.

Welcome to India and capital city New Delhi

Mark — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:04:40 +0000

India, officially the Republic of India is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometres (4,700 mi). It is bordered by Pakistan to the west; People’s Republic of China (PRC), Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.
India is a republic consisting of 28 states and seven union territories with a parliamentary system of democracy. It has the world’s twelfth largest economy at market exchange rates and the fourth largest in purchasing power. Economic reforms since 1991 have transformed it into one of the fastest growing economies; however, it still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition.

New Delhi is the capital city of India. With a total area of 42.7 km2, New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi and serves as the seat of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT).
Planned by Edwin Lutyens, a leading 20th century British architect, New Delhi is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and houses numerous national institutions and landmarks.
Information provided from Wikipedia, to learn more about India and it’s capital city New Delhi, please refer to Wikipedia link at the bottom of this post. Pictures provided from Google Earth and Panoramio.

This is a satellite image picture taken of India on Google Earth.

This is a satellite image picture of New Delhi taken from Google Earth.

This is a panoramio picture taken of the Hindu Temple in New Delhi.

This is a panoramio picture taken of the New Delhi Government.

This is a panoramio picture taken of New Delhi street.

This is a panoramio picture of the statue Rajendra Nagar.

This is a panoramio picture of Jama Masjid, the Friday Mosque.

This is a panoramio picture of the India Gate, Memorial to war heroes.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a street within New Delhi.

This is a panoramio picture of the back of a golden elephant in front of a beautiful water fountain, in an Indian Park, New Delhi.

Welcome to Puerto Rico in the Caribbean

Mark — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:04:24 +0000

Puerto Rico is a small island in the caribbean , not to far from the United States of America and it is located in the northeastern part of the caribbean. The surrounding island’s are the Dominican Republic which is east of Puerto Rico and to the west are the Virgin Islands. It is officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is an independant state, but it is administered by the U.S.A, the country has it’s own self-government, but it is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Which basically means it belongs to U.S.A, but is not part of the U.S.A.

Puerto Rico is composed of the main island, but it also includes smaller islands and keys, the largest of which are Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. The main island of Puerto Rico is the smallest by land area and second smallest by population among the four Greater Antilles, which also include Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica.

Puerto Ricans call their island Borinquen, which comes from Borikén, an indigenous Taíno name. The terms boricua and borincano derive from Borikén and Borinquen respectively, and are commonly used to identify someone of Puerto Rican heritage. The island is also popularly known as “La Isla del Encanto”, which translated means “The Island of Enchantment.” Some information provided by Wikipedia. To learn more about this island, please refer to Wikipedia and Google Earth.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Maps of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

This is a picture of a beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico taken from Panoramio.

This is a panoramio picture taken of hotels and a casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This is a Panoramio picture taken of a fountain in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Welcome to Greece, Crete, Rhodes and Athens, one of the world’s historic country.

Mark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:50:56 +0000

This is a second post about Greece, which is situated in the south-east of Europe, with Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the east. Greece is a mainland, but also consists of hundreds of small islands. Also in this post you will find information about the islands of Crete and Rhodes and Greece’s capital city Athens.
Greece is officially and historicaly known as the Hellenic Republic, it is a country in southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. The country has borders with Albania, the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the east. The Aegean Sea lies to the east and south of mainland Greece, while the Ionian Sea lies to the west. Both parts of the Eastern Mediterranean basin feature a vast number of islands, islets and rock islands. Some information provided via Wikipedia. To learn more about Greece please refer to Wikipedia, or look at my other posts on these links, The Greek Island of Zante or Zakynthos or Welcome to Greece, Corfu and the Temple of Zeus.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Greece and her Islands, Europe.

This is a satellite image picture taken from Google Earth of Athens the capital city of Greece.

This is a satellite image picture taken of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands.

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete was the center of the Minoan civilization (ca. 2600–1400 BC), the oldest Greek civilization.
The island still retains its own local cultural traits such as its own music and dialect and the Cretans identify themselves as Greeks.
For many many years the island was known by its Italian name Candia, from the medieval name of its capital Heraklion. In Classical Latin it was called Creta and in Turkish Girit.
Crete is where you will find alot of ancient history, so that tourists can visit and get involved with this magnificent island, and with plenty of destinations including the Minoan sites of Knossos and Phaistos, the classical site of Gortys, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Venetian castle at Rethymno, and the Samaria Gorge Information provided via Wikipedia.

This is a satellite image picture taken of Rhodes one of the Greek islands.

Rhodes is a small Greek island approximately 18 kilometres (11 miles) southwest of Turkey in eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands. Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today the island is a popular destination. Also itis a very popular place to visit including Faliraki, which alot of British and Europeans visit.
Information provided via Wikipedia.

This is a panoramio picture taken of Athens, Greece.

This is a panoramio picture taken of an old theatre in Athens, Greece.

This is a panoramio picture taken in the main city of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

This is a panoramio picture taken in Faliraki, Rhodes, Greece.

Learn about Greece on Wikipedia:
Learn about Crete on Wikipedia:
Learn about Rhodes on Wikipedia:
Find Greece on Google Maps:
Find Athens on Google Maps:
Find Crete on Google Maps:
Find Rhodes on Google Maps:
Learn about Rhodes city(Rhodes).
Find, Faliraki, Heraklion and Rhodes City on Google Maps:

The north-eastern South American country of Colombia.

Mark — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:58:02 +0000

This is a post about the north-eastern South American country of Colombia and her capital city Bogota. Colombia is the 26th largest nation in the world and the fourth largest in South America. It is bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by Panama and the Caribbean Sea; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Colombia is the only country in South America to touch both Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Information provided via Wikipedia.
To learn more about Colombia, please refer to Wikipedia.

This is a satellite image of Colombia, South America on taken from Google Earth.

This is a satellite image of the capital city of Colombia, Bogota taken from Google Earth.

This is a photo taken from Panoramio of the capital Bogota, Colombia.

This is a panoramio picture of our lady of lord’s church in Chapinero, Bogota, Colombia.

This is a panoramio picture taken of a beautiful villa and garden in Villa de Leyva, Colombia.

This is a panoramio picture taken of the town Cumaribo in Colombia.

This is a panoramio picture taken of the mountains, hillsides and valleys near the town of Vjes, Colombia.