Posts Tagged ‘Journey’

A Historic Journey

Castles, Monasteries, Pyramids, Forts & Ruins! We live in a world where each country has an interesting tale of the past of how man evolved from cave dwellers to maharajas, of civilizations that are now extinct, of great loves, of warriors of old, of rites and rituals and more.

When you travel to India, you can visit palaces and forts that tell a tale of maharajas, princedoms and freedom struggles. If you head to South America, you will see the remains of the Aztec and Incas civilizations that are now extinct; in Egypt, the pharos and mummies; in Greece, the pantheon; and in Italy, the coliseum.

Each palace, pyramid and pantheon with their amazing architecture and detailed art represents the civilizations that shouldn’t be forgotten. There are thousands of places across the world that are steeped in rich history and are awe-inspiring. Selecting a place to visit is not easy, so here are some must see historic destinations from across the world. Please keep in mind each country has numerous places of historic significance and this article just lists few.

Parthenon, Greece

Parthenon is one of the four greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art situated at the Acropolis in Greece. Built in the 5th century BC by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates under the supervision of the sculptor Phidias, this ancient temple is dedicated to the Goddess Athena. It is a rectangular shape structure that is generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order. It made of brilliant white marble, surrounded by 46 great columns, roofed with tiles, and housed a nearly 40 foot tall statue of the goddess Athena. The statue, known as Athena Promachos, Athena the Champion, was made of wood, gold and ivory and could be seen from a distance of many miles.

Today, the Parthenon is a testament of the civilizations, myths and religions that flourished for over 1, 000 years.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza are over 3,000 years old. There are 3 pyramids of varying sizes. The largest pyramid is known as the Great Pyramid was originally 146 meters (438 feet) high but time and weather has worn it down by 10 meters (30 feet). It is made up of approximately two million blocks of limestone with each weighing more than two tons, each of its sides are carefully positioned to point north, south, east, and west and the bottom of the pyramid has sides that measure 227 meters (681 feet) in length. Te Great Pyramid was built by the Pharaoh Khufu and once held his body.

The Second Pyramid belongs to the Pharaoh Khafre. It is 3 meters shorter then Khufu’s and stands on the northern side of the Giza Plateau. The Third Pyramid (Menkaure)  is the smallest of the three pyramids. It is not as detailed as the other two pyramids and stands 66 meters high.

The pyramids are a marvel of human engineering. They are aligned to the stars and the solstices and contain vast chambers that still haven’t been opened.

Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island or the Isla de Pascua is located out in the Pacific Ocean and special territory of Chile. The island is surrounded by monumental statues, known as Moai statues, which were symbols of the spiritual and political power of Peruvian civilization. These gigantic and amazingly carved heads are the only thing left of culture that once lived here.

Taj Mahal, India

In the 1600s, Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This white marble tomb is located in Agra, India and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.

Manchu Pirochu, Peru

Located in Southern Peru, Machu Picchu was a sacred place of Inca civilization. It is known as the “Lost City of the Incas.” It lies on top of a mountain and is only accessible by train or 4-day trek. . The Machu Picchu ruins reveal a self contained city with temples, baths, houses etc. Many of these structures were carved from the mountain granite and are still in great form. One such structure is the Intihuatana stone, which was used as an astronomical observatory and is an extremely precise marker of dates and celestial periods.

Statue of Christ Redeemer, Brazil

Brazil’s most recognizable landmark is the statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). This statue is located at Rio de Janeiro and rises almost 130 feet from the ground.

Tikal, Guatemala

Tikal is a Mayan city-state located in northern Guatemala. It was one of the largest urban centres of the Maya civilization and today, is one of the best-preserved historical sites. The amazing and monumental architecture reflects the glory that the Maya kingdom had in the past.

Stonehenge, United Kingdom

The Stonehenge is located near Salisbury in England. The stones of this 3,000 plus year old megalithic structure come all the way from Wales.

Great Wall of China, China

The Great Wall of China also known as “long Wall of 10,000 Li” in China extends about 8,850 kilometers (5,500 miles). It is not a continuous wall but is a collection of short walls that often follow the crest of hills on the southern edge of the Mongolian plain.

Beautiful Belize, a Journey Through my Favorite Sights

Look Up! The man yells when walking from the bus station to the waterfront of Belize City. Hesitant, you worry that he is trying to distract you to relieve you of your belongings. After all, Belize City is known as one of the most dangerous towns in Central America. Instead, you are treated to a view of thousands of birds flying overhead as he says, “welcome to my country, enjoy the beauty of Belize”.

Whatever your vision of Central America is, check it at the door before entering this beautiful and welcoming country. Many travel guides will tell you to “get out of Belize City and head for the islands.” It is too bad really, because they are causing people to miss out on meeting the very proud and helpful citizens of this vibrant town.

Cruise ships stop here regularly and whisk tourists off to Tikal in Guatemala, or to Amgergris Caye off of the coast. The port is well developed and you can spend time walking around the shops in the comfortable terminal. However, walking around the city is where you get the true Caribbean flare.

Settled by the English in the late 16th century, Belize City is a mix Colonial buildings and Creole Culture. Eat international cuisine, or enjoy the local fare at Jembel’s Jerk Pit or Big Daddy’s Diner. Music pumps from inside shops as smiling people great you speaking perfect English, only to turn to their companion and talk in rhythmic Creole. The official language of Belize is English, but you will often hear a mix of Spanish, Creole, Mayan and German throughout the land.

After soaking up the culture and cuisine in the country’s largest city, catch a water taxi to head out to Caye Caulker. For $10, you will be transported to paradise. Far less crowded than its overdeveloped neighbor Ambergris Caye, this little island is a gem of a destination.

The laid-back vibe of the island has an air of Jamaica, and reggae booms from bars and restaurants. Walk along the dirt roads to look for a beach front hotel and you can spend as little as $20 for a room. Only golf carts drive on the island, so you won’t have to worry about exhaust pollution or noise. The resident’s work hard to preserve their culture and large-scale development is not in its future.

Located just 1 mile from the Belize Barrier Reef, it offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Hire a boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley and you will swim with the sharks as manta rays brush up against you. A marine preserve for the past 12 years, the coral and marine life is second to none in the world. Dolphin sightings are commonplace and you will be sure to spot barracuda’s, octopus, stingrays, eels and lobsters.

For experienced divers, The Blue Hole is not to be missed. Made famous by Jacques Cousteau, dive 150 feet into this collapsed cave as sharks circle above the hanging stalactites. If you are not already a diver, take an open water diving course.

Prices are reasonable and you will experience the chance to see even more wildlife and gain an appreciation for the ocean.

Finding a company to go with is easy, just walk along the main dirt road and you will find dive operators and snorkel shops lined up to take you out.

If getting into the water with natural predators isn’t your cup of tea, take a sailing trip to visit other Islands. Belize has several islands and you can take a trip to have a picnic lunch on the beach or enjoy an island drink at an upscale resort on Ambergris Caye.

Caye Caulker may not be overly developed, but you can still enjoy great food ranging from Seafood, to pasta and barbecue. The nightlife isn’t wild, but you can find a nice bar to enjoy a drink or two, look out over the water while swinging on a hammock or listen to some live music well into the evening.

Belize is certainly full of many more sights. It boasts rainforest’s and islands, and the largest cave system in Central America. It is teeming with wildlife from Howler Monkeys to Jaguars. Like its surrounding neighbors, it has Mayan Ruins scattered throughout the country for you to enjoy and beautiful beaches can be found everywhere, the best being in Placencia on the mainland.

It would take weeks to truly discover everything that Belize has to offer, but if you have the time, it is certainly worth the investment.

A Journey Through Cambodia

Cambodia. Known as The Heart of Darkness, it is one of the most heavily land mined countries in the world. With its history of genocide and war, it is not the first place that people think of traveling to when planning a vacation. However Cambodia is a country that has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler. Less crowded than Thailand, its neighbor to the west, it has everything a tourist could want.

Temples, beaches, jungle, culture and nightlife; it will keep you busy for weeks on end.

Entering Cambodia by bus from Thailand, you will instantly feel the difference between the two countries. The smooth paved tarmac from Bangkok gives way to bumpy dirt roads with giant potholes. You suddenly feel as though you are in the Wild West of South East Asia.

The rough ride is worth the bruises though. Once you arrive at Seam Reap to see the countries main attraction, Angkor Wat you will forget all about your suffering. Built in the 12 century by the Khmer Empire it has endured centuries of rain and war.

Mother nature has almost swallowed it up as trees and vegetation grow right through some of the temples floors and walls. Great efforts have been made in restoration over the years and many temples have been restored to their original grandeur. The Main Temple of Angkor Wat is in pristine condition and is a breathtaking sight to see. Its three main towers jut into the air as high as 66 meters (215 ft) from its 1 square km base.  The fascinating temple of Ta Prom has been left in its original state with vines and roots twisting through the complex as trees rise through its roof.

One can spend days exploring the temples of Angkor. 108 buildings cover 500 acres of land. You can hire a tuk tuk or rent a bicycle to move you through the grounds with ease and take you to the outer temples. Whether you walk up to the top of the main temple of Angkor Wat, take a hot air balloon ride over the ruins or sit high on Bakheng Hill to watch sunset over the complex, you will be mesmerized by its scope and beauty.

Once you have had your fill of temples, it is time to head to the country’s capitol Phnom Penh. Take a stroll along the waterfront of the Mekong River and check out the grand Royal Palace. Try some fried insects at the Central Market or head over to street 51 to party the night away at The Heart of Darkness Bar.

The most compelling and profoundly moving sight in Phnom Pen is the Toul Sleng Museum. Not for the faint of heart, this former school building is a reminder of just how cruel the human race can be. It was here that Pol Pot’s army held prisoners and tortured them until they gave names of family and friends who in turn were arrested. People were detained for the simple reason of being a scholar, a teacher, and a student. Anyone who posed a threat to the Khmer Rouge was rounded up and killed. 2 Million people were murdered during Pol Pots reign and the Toul Sleng museum documents this crime in great detail.

Many people were taken from Toul Sleng to the Killing Fields, 15 km outside of Phnom Penh. It was here that the worst atrocities of the time occurred. Men, women and children were lined up and murdered here by the thousands. A large monument housing the skulls of the victims stands in the centre of it all, honoring the people who gave their life.

It is a devastating place to visit, but as with everything in life, without the knowledge of history, we cannot learn from our past. As difficult as it is to see, it does an honor to the people to have their memory preserved and have their stories told.

The Killing Fields are situated on a beautiful sight. Farmland and forests surround the property and it is a gentle reminder when you hear children playing nearby, that life does go on.

After such an emotional ordeal, a good place to go and clear your mind is Sihanoukville. Cambodia’s beach town is chill and relaxing. Local children play in the warm water and girls walk by selling fruit and seafood. Take a snorkeling trip out to the islands or eat at one of the many restaurants. Its beautiful beaches are lined with grassy huts and lush vegetation.

After you have had your fill of sun and sand head to Kampot to cool down. This quiet town on the Kampong Bay River is a nice change of pace from the bustling Sihanoukville. Enjoy a Tiger Beer at one of the restaurants on the water, or walk through the quiet streets to see the colonial architecture.

You can book a day trip to Bokor Hill from Kampot. A former French Hill Station, it sits high in the Elephant Mountains overlooking the Bay of Thailand. It is an eerie feeling walking around the abandoned Casino, but you can imagine the grandeur that it once was. A guided walk through the jungle to the waterfall is an added adventure to the already harrowing truck ride up the mountain.

Visiting Cambodia is a magical travel. The people are friendly and welcoming, its temples are the best in the world and its beaches rival anywhere. Backpackers and tourists are quickly discovering this hidden gem and it is a bargain to travel through. For as little as $4 per night you can stay in a clean and comfortable room. Don’t waste time though; this unspoiled destination won’t last long.